Neenah talks about creating a senior center, but no money or plans are in place

Duke Behnke, Appleton Post-Crescent
·2 min read
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Reader question: Is there any movement by Neenah to establish a senior center at the Shattuck school property or elsewhere?

Answer: Neenah has no formal plans to build or establish a senior center, but the concept has been and continues to be discussed.

Mayor Jane Lang said that during the development of a master plan for Arrowhead Park, there has been an "extensive amount of conversation" about how to use the community space at the park.

"Until the plans are more formalized, it would be a bit premature to state definitively that we’re creating a senior center or community center there or elsewhere in the city," Lang said. "There are no funds allocated for a senior center or community center at this point."

Seniors paint with watercolors with the help of an instructor.
Seniors paint with watercolors with the help of an instructor.

Former Mayor Dean Kaufert created a buzz in late 2021 when he suggested using $1.2 million in federal money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) as seed money for a Neenah senior center or community center.

Kaufert, however, never actually budgeted funds toward the effort, and neither has Lang.

Neenah received $5.5 million in ARPA funds, and it has $2.15 million remaining. About $1.4 million tentatively has been assigned to public safety costs in 2024, leaving $750,000 unallocated. The city must budget the money by the end of 2024 and spend it by the end of 2026.

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As for establishing a senior center at the Shattuck school property, that also is not in the works.

Developer Umer Sheikh recently agreed to purchase the property from the Neenah Joint School District for $500,001. He envisions creating 34 to 48 market-rate apartments in the Shattuck building and 50 to 60 single-family homes on the balance of the property.

"I don't have any plans to create a Neenah senior center at this point," Sheikh said, adding that's not to say he wouldn't consider the possibility going forward.

Though Neenah doesn't have a senior center, the city annually contributes tax dollars — $16,500 in 2023 — to support the Y-Senior Friends program at the Neenah-Menasha YMCA.

Neenah residents also are welcome at the Menasha Senior Center, 116 Main St., Menasha.

Post-Crescent reporter Duke Behnke answers your questions about local government. Send questions to dbehnke@gannett.com or call him at 920-993-7176.

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This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Neenah explores starting a senior center but hasn't budgeted for it