Future Neenah is incorporated on April 27.
Wisconsin Avenue construction completed. Future Neenah creates the Downtown Neenah Action Committee (DNAC) to manage the downtown. Vacancies reduced to less than 2%. Future Neenah receives a HUD/IDA grant to create downtown management pilot program.
Centralized Retail Management program is adopted and funded by DNAC.
Future Neenah implements a major redevelopment project on Doty Island resulting in the construction of the Concorde Office Building. Future Neenah also facilitates the construction of Nicolet Blvd. Pocket park.
Future Neenah facilitates the purchase of the Neenah/Menasha railroad depot for future renovation. Theatre Task Force researches the feasibility of restoring the Neenah Theatre to an opera house.
Future Neenah facilitates the preparation for four main projects; a community services center building on North Commercial Street, construction of new street lighting and landscaping on North Commercial Street on Doty Island, construction of One and Two Neenah Center office towers and the expansion of the Valley Inn.
Neenah Jazz-Fest was born out of a suggestion at the citizens’ planning retreat. The first annual event, created and hosted by Future Neenah, drew over 8,000 people to Shattuck Park in Downtown Neenah. The United Community Services Building is constructed. Future Neenah begins developing a city-wide comprehensive beautification plan.
Future Neenah assists in the funding and implementation of the Neenah Access Trails, an on-street recreational trail system. The Neenah Theatre is purchased and plans are developed to create a community arts and entertainment center. After initial fundraising efforts for the theatre fall short, a high-profile community challenge campaign is conducted. Future Neenah hosts the third annual Neenah Jazz-Fest and fifth annual Farm Market.
Future Neenah hosts “Our Neenah” art contest for a cultural heritage guide. A three-year trails safety education program in initiated by Future Neenah and the City of Neenah. A consultant is hired and several waterfront workshops held for the Waterfront Improvement Project. Future Neenah renews its commitment to Downtown Neenah with a 3-phase program. Future Neenah begins publishing a quarterly newsletter.
Future Neenah assists the City of Neenah with the continuing Waterfront Project and the City formed Waterfront Task Force with the goal to produce a waterfront master plan. The “Nurturing our Neighborhoods” project is forming new committees with their own agendas and events for their areas of the city. The first annual city wide clean-up day is held in May.
Our 20th Anniversary. Host first Business Exchange event. Host economic round table session with Congressman Mark Green. Assist in acquisition of properties at 307-09 North Commercial and 104-104 1/2 East Forest. Worked with City to replace sick and dying central city trees. Mayor’s first charity golf outing. Continue facilitation of BID activities by serving as the administrative arm of the BID. In 2003 we received support from 559 organizations, individuals and businesses. Friends of the Neenah Riverwalk is formed to raise $950,000 toward the total $3.2 million project goal.
New Canal parking structure is dedicated in December. Future Neenah hosts its very first arts tour in August. Renovated Shattuck Park is dedicated July 30. New Alta Resources headquarters building is completed in fall. New Out to Lunch and Evening Concert Series hosted in brand new Shattuck Park during August.
Future Neenah partners with ‘Relaunch the Rocket’ to raise funds toward a new and improved Riverside Park rocket playground structure. The new playground opened on June 13. Neenah StreetBall Challenge is ‘sweet 16!’
Robert Buckingham begins his duties as Future Neenah’s new Executive Director. Four new businesses open Downtown in fall – Lucy’s Closet, Vintique, Uncorked & Five Generations. Future Neenah Magazine goes interactive online. Magazine features the 100th anniversary of Theda-Clark and the 50th anniversary of Bergstrom-Mahler.
10th anniversary of the Neenah Central City Business Improvement District (BID).
Our 30th Anniversary. 2 new projects are announced at our anniversary party — Navigate Neenah & Future Neenah office reconstruction. Downtown Neenah undergoes a market analysis and branding study process.
On March 17, 2015 both the Neenah and Menasha Councils in an unprecedented joint meeting agreed to move forward with the Navigate Neenah-Menasha trestle project.
In 2015, we plan to undertake relocation services with Relocate Fox Cities and we created more donor engagement opportunities so you can be part of what makes Neenah great.
Celebrated 25 years of Farmers Market.
Hosted second annual Farm to Table event adding a brunch.
Added music to the Shattuck Park concert series for every Wednesday.
Activated PEP Partner Employment Portal for recruitment.
Continue to raise funds toward the Loop the Lake Trestle project including a Taste on the Trestle event. Loop the Lake groundbreaking Nov. 3, 2017.
Neenah Artworks Uncovered honors the Foundry’s history in the community by creating unique works of art out of manhole cover ‘canvases.’
Log Your Loops – to celebrate the Trestle Trail Loop’s one year anniversary, a 100 loop summer challenge was issued. Trail users who logged 100 trail loops from Memorial Day to Labor Day were rewarded with a T-shirt.
Ground breaking for The Plaza at Gateway Park 1.5.21 * Opened November 2021
Working With Restaurants: Dine Out Neenah & Lunch Bunch
20th anniversaries of the Future Neenah Magazine and the Neenah Central City BID
A work in progress!
Future Neenah is 40 years old on April 27, 2023!
Future Neenah funds design of downtown streetscape improvements and initiates an intensive business recruitment program. Downtown master lease program is created to facilitate district management.
Future Neenah funds Doty Island redevelopment strategic plan. W. Canal Street beautification is completed.
Through a special fundraising program, Future Neenah funds the extension of historic street lighting along E. Wisconsin Ave.
Future Neenah funds a feasibility study for development of low and moderate income housing on Doty Island. A survey of terrace trees is funded in preparation for city-wide tree planting program.
Future Neenah facilitates the purchase and renovation of the J. J. Keller Building. Doty Island Business Development Council is created to manage the business district on Doty Island. Task Force researches the feasibility of developing a human services center. Future Neenah funds terrace tree planting along Green Bay Road. Neenah StreetBall Challenge was created to promote the Downtown.
Future Neenah continues to assist with the implementation of a human services office center on Doty Island, as well as Downtown and Doty Island development. A community retreat is held to solicit input and ideas from citizens for future projects.
Future Neenah undergoes a strategic planning process to define its future, culminating with a new vision statement and change of name from FNDC to Future Neenah, Inc. Future Neenah sponsors the conceptual design of the Walnut Street Recreational Trail and City Entrance Signs. After learning of Marcus Corporation’s plan to close the Neenah Budget Cinema, Future Neenah initiates an effort to renovate the theatre into a community arts and entertainment center. Initial fundraising efforts for the theatre are begun to solicit support from key prospects in the community.
Future Neenah moves the office to 135 W. Wisconsin Ave. Events and staff are restructured to improve efficiency. Future Neenah hosts the seventh annual Neenah StreetBall Challenge. Theatre project is determined infeasible due to lack of financial support and Future Neenah begins to focus on new development for the site.
Future Neenah goes live with www.neenah.org. Production of a master plan for the waterfront improvement project begins. In conjunction with its trail safety education program, Future Neenah assists with the Governor’s Bicycle Conference to be held in Neenah in September of 2000. Production of the new Neenah Guide is completed. Work with the South Commercial and West Side neighborhoods begins.
Debut issue of the Neenah Magazine is sent out in April. Future Neenah partners with the City, the BID and the Wisconsin Department of Commerce to conduct a business recruitment, retention and expansion survey for Neenah. Future Neenah completes a new strategic plan for the organization. The Central City BID started on January 1. A community retreat/visioning session is held in July to listen to the citizen’s ideas.
New BooFest event debuts. FNI facilitates the West Canal development project. Riverwalk surpasses their fundraising goal. Construction work begins at Shattuck Park.
Riverwalk Phase II – lighting of the Oak Street Bridge. Region II Soccer Tourney comes to valley in June. Fifth anniversary of the Neenah Central City BID. Expanded events – two arts tours & summer long Out to Lunch and Evening Concert Series at Shattuck Park.
Our 25th Anniversary! On April 10 Plexus announced they will establish their corporate headquarters on the site of the former Glatfelter Mill. Future Neenah partners with Gold Cross for the placement of AED heart start units in the downtown. FNI hosted and operated 10 annual events encompassing 45 day during the year. These events included 30,000 guests with an economic impact of $700,000. FNI unveils a new logo.
Future Neenah starts a new mid-week Farmer’s Market. Amy Barker begins her duties as Future Neenah’s new Executive Director.
Farmers Market is 20 years old. We can now accept SNAP/EBT at the Farmers Market. Future Neenah takes part in the Bridging Generations time capsule project.
Future Neenah office undergoes a complete reconstruction to better serve the community. We start a brand new indoor fall Farmers Market. A brand new and updated Future Neenah website is launched.
Future Neenah celebrates the 25th anniversary of Neenah StreetBall and announced after 25th years we would be retiring the event.
Cut the ribbon on the new bike parking patio in the downtown with unique fabricated bike racks in the shapes of waves, a family, guitars and sails.
Our 35th anniversary.
Added a new event to celebrate a community icon – Manhole Cover Madness on 9.8.18.
Cut & Run to celebrate the trestle bridge completion on 6.23.18.
Nikki Hessel joins the organization as Executive Director 11.26.18.
Worked hard to support small, local businesses during the pandemic.
Reformatted all of our events to make them safe during Covid-19.
Construction begins on downtown living development, Solaris on Main.
Event Milestones: A Very Neenah Christmas is 25 years old & Farmers Market is 30 years old. 2 Street Concerts on WI Avenue.
New Glass Orb Hunt on the Little Lake Trestle Trail Loop.
Executive Director Brent Bowman starts with the organization in August.
Central City BID partners with the City of Neenah on an updated downtown plan.
1983
Future Neenah is incorporated on April 27.
1984
Future Neenah funds design of downtown streetscape improvements and initiates an intensive business recruitment program. Downtown master lease program is created to facilitate district management.
1985
Wisconsin Avenue construction completed. Future Neenah creates the Downtown Neenah Action Committee (DNAC) to manage the downtown. Vacancies reduced to less than 2%. Future Neenah receives a HUD/IDA grant to create downtown management pilot program.
1986
Future Neenah funds Doty Island redevelopment strategic plan. W. Canal Street beautification is completed.
1987
Centralized Retail Management program is adopted and funded by DNAC.
1988
Through a special fundraising program, Future Neenah funds the extension of historic street lighting along E. Wisconsin Ave.
1989
Future Neenah implements a major redevelopment project on Doty Island resulting in the construction of the Concorde Office Building. Future Neenah also facilitates the construction of Nicolet Blvd. Pocket park.
1990
Future Neenah funds a feasibility study for development of low and moderate income housing on Doty Island. A survey of terrace trees is funded in preparation for city-wide tree planting program.
1991
Future Neenah facilitates the purchase of the Neenah/Menasha railroad depot for future renovation. Theatre Task Force researches the feasibility of restoring the Neenah Theatre to an opera house.
1992
Future Neenah facilitates the purchase and renovation of the J. J. Keller Building. Doty Island Business Development Council is created to manage the business district on Doty Island. Task Force researches the feasibility of developing a human services center. Future Neenah funds terrace tree planting along Green Bay Road. Neenah StreetBall Challenge was created to promote the Downtown.
1993
Future Neenah facilitates the preparation for four main projects; a community services center building on North Commercial Street, construction of new street lighting and landscaping on North Commercial Street on Doty Island, construction of One and Two Neenah Center office towers and the expansion of the Valley Inn.
1994
Future Neenah continues to assist with the implementation of a human services office center on Doty Island, as well as Downtown and Doty Island development. A community retreat is held to solicit input and ideas from citizens for future projects.
1995
Neenah Jazz-Fest was born out of a suggestion at the citizens’ planning retreat. The first annual event, created and hosted by Future Neenah, drew over 8,000 people to Shattuck Park in Downtown Neenah. The United Community Services Building is constructed. Future Neenah begins developing a city-wide comprehensive beautification plan.
1996
Future Neenah undergoes a strategic planning process to define its future, culminating with a new vision statement and change of name from FNDC to Future Neenah, Inc. Future Neenah sponsors the conceptual design of the Walnut Street Recreational Trail and City Entrance Signs. After learning of Marcus Corporation’s plan to close the Neenah Budget Cinema, Future Neenah initiates an effort to renovate the theatre into a community arts and entertainment center. Initial fundraising efforts for the theatre are begun to solicit support from key prospects in the community.
1997
Future Neenah assists in the funding and implementation of the Neenah Access Trails, an on-street recreational trail system. The Neenah Theatre is purchased and plans are developed to create a community arts and entertainment center. After initial fundraising efforts for the theatre fall short, a high-profile community challenge campaign is conducted. Future Neenah hosts the third annual Neenah Jazz-Fest and fifth annual Farm Market.
1998
Future Neenah moves the office to 135 W. Wisconsin Ave. Events and staff are restructured to improve efficiency. Future Neenah hosts the seventh annual Neenah StreetBall Challenge. Theatre project is determined infeasible due to lack of financial support and Future Neenah begins to focus on new development for the site.
1999
Future Neenah hosts “Our Neenah” art contest for a cultural heritage guide. A three-year trails safety education program in initiated by Future Neenah and the City of Neenah. A consultant is hired and several waterfront workshops held for the Waterfront Improvement Project. Future Neenah renews its commitment to Downtown Neenah with a 3-phase program. Future Neenah begins publishing a quarterly newsletter.
2000
Future Neenah goes live with www.neenah.org. Production of a master plan for the waterfront improvement project begins. In conjunction with its trail safety education program, Future Neenah assists with the Governor’s Bicycle Conference to be held in Neenah in September of 2000. Production of the new Neenah Guide is completed. Work with the South Commercial and West Side neighborhoods begins.
2001
Future Neenah assists the City of Neenah with the continuing Waterfront Project and the City formed Waterfront Task Force with the goal to produce a waterfront master plan. The “Nurturing our Neighborhoods” project is forming new committees with their own agendas and events for their areas of the city. The first annual city wide clean-up day is held in May.
2002
Debut issue of the Neenah Magazine is sent out in April. Future Neenah partners with the City, the BID and the Wisconsin Department of Commerce to conduct a business recruitment, retention and expansion survey for Neenah. Future Neenah completes a new strategic plan for the organization. The Central City BID started on January 1. A community retreat/visioning session is held in July to listen to the citizen’s ideas.
2003
Our 20th Anniversary. Host first Business Exchange event. Host economic round table session with Congressman Mark Green. Assist in acquisition of properties at 307-09 North Commercial and 104-104 1/2 East Forest. Worked with City to replace sick and dying central city trees. Mayor’s first charity golf outing. Continue facilitation of BID activities by serving as the administrative arm of the BID. In 2003 we received support from 559 organizations, individuals and businesses. Friends of the Neenah Riverwalk is formed to raise $950,000 toward the total $3.2 million project goal.
2004
New BooFest event debuts. FNI facilitates the West Canal development project. Riverwalk surpasses their fundraising goal. Construction work begins at Shattuck Park.
2005
New Canal parking structure is dedicated in December. Future Neenah hosts its very first arts tour in August. Renovated Shattuck Park is dedicated July 30. New Alta Resources headquarters building is completed in fall. New Out to Lunch and Evening Concert Series hosted in brand new Shattuck Park during August.
2006
Riverwalk Phase II – lighting of the Oak Street Bridge. Region II Soccer Tourney comes to valley in June. Fifth anniversary of the Neenah Central City BID. Expanded events – two arts tours & summer long Out to Lunch and Evening Concert Series at Shattuck Park.
2007
Future Neenah partners with ‘Relaunch the Rocket’ to raise funds toward a new and improved Riverside Park rocket playground structure. The new playground opened on June 13. Neenah StreetBall Challenge is ‘sweet 16!’
2008
Our 25th Anniversary! On April 10 Plexus announced they will establish their corporate headquarters on the site of the former Glatfelter Mill. Future Neenah partners with Gold Cross for the placement of AED heart start units in the downtown. FNI hosted and operated 10 annual events encompassing 45 day during the year. These events included 30,000 guests with an economic impact of $700,000. FNI unveils a new logo.
2009
Robert Buckingham begins his duties as Future Neenah’s new Executive Director. Four new businesses open Downtown in fall – Lucy’s Closet, Vintique, Uncorked & Five Generations. Future Neenah Magazine goes interactive online. Magazine features the 100th anniversary of Theda-Clark and the 50th anniversary of Bergstrom-Mahler.
2010
Future Neenah starts a new mid-week Farmer’s Market. Amy Barker begins her duties as Future Neenah’s new Executive Director.
2011
10th anniversary of the Neenah Central City Business Improvement District (BID).
2012
Farmers Market is 20 years old. We can now accept SNAP/EBT at the Farmers Market. Future Neenah takes part in the Bridging Generations time capsule project.
2013
Our 30th Anniversary. 2 new projects are announced at our anniversary party — Navigate Neenah & Future Neenah office reconstruction. Downtown Neenah undergoes a market analysis and branding study process.
2014
Future Neenah office undergoes a complete reconstruction to better serve the community. We start a brand new indoor fall Farmers Market. A brand new and updated Future Neenah website is launched.
2015
On March 17, 2015 both the Neenah and Menasha Councils in an unprecedented joint meeting agreed to move forward with the Navigate Neenah-Menasha trestle project.
In 2015, we plan to undertake relocation services with Relocate Fox Cities and we created more donor engagement opportunities so you can be part of what makes Neenah great.
2016
Future Neenah celebrates the 25th anniversary of Neenah StreetBall and announced after 25th years we would be retiring the event.
Cut the ribbon on the new bike parking patio in the downtown with unique fabricated bike racks in the shapes of waves, a family, guitars and sails.
2017
Celebrated 25 years of Farmers Market.
Hosted second annual Farm to Table event adding a brunch.
Added music to the Shattuck Park concert series for every Wednesday.
Activated PEP Partner Employment Portal for recruitment.
Continue to raise funds toward the Loop the Lake Trestle project including a Taste on the Trestle event. Loop the Lake groundbreaking Nov. 3, 2017.
2018
Our 35th anniversary.
Added a new event to celebrate a community icon – Manhole Cover Madness on 9.8.18.
Cut & Run to celebrate the trestle bridge completion on 6.23.18.
Nikki Hessel joins the organization as Executive Director 11.26.18.
2019
Neenah Artworks Uncovered honors the Foundry’s history in the community by creating unique works of art out of manhole cover ‘canvases.’
Log Your Loops – to celebrate the Trestle Trail Loop’s one year anniversary, a 100 loop summer challenge was issued. Trail users who logged 100 trail loops from Memorial Day to Labor Day were rewarded with a T-shirt.
2020
Worked hard to support small, local businesses during the pandemic.
Reformatted all of our events to make them safe during Covid-19.
Construction begins on downtown living development, Solaris on Main.
2021
Ground breaking for The Plaza at Gateway Park 1.5.21 * Opened November 2021
Working With Restaurants: Dine Out Neenah & Lunch Bunch
20th anniversaries of the Future Neenah Magazine and the Neenah Central City BID
2022
Event Milestones: A Very Neenah Christmas is 25 years old & Farmers Market is 30 years old. 2 Street Concerts on WI Avenue.
New Glass Orb Hunt on the Little Lake Trestle Trail Loop.
Executive Director Brent Bowman starts with the organization in August.
Central City BID partners with the City of Neenah on an updated downtown plan.
2023
A work in progress!
Future Neenah is 40 years old on April 27, 2023!
