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(920) 303-9200 ext. 101

100 N Main Street Suite 112
Oshkosh, WI 54901

Jessica Meidl

Downtown Business
Improvement District Manager

    Stay Connected With BID

    About BID

    Connect Downtown Oshkosh

    The Business Improvement District (BID) was created in 1987 to assist downtown business owners and coordinate their marketing, promotion, property management, revitalization and retention program efforts. The BID assists with new business development initiatives, and gives property and business owners a role in directing the activities within the district that influence their investment and business environment.

    View a map of the Downtown Oshkosh Business Improvement District.

    History

    In 1980, the Common Council adopted the Downtown Redevelopment Plan and Implementation Strategy. The plan recommended increasing organizational efforts between the public and private sectors, as well as establishing a voluntary special assessment district. A follow-up study expanded various elements of the previous plan and recommended the creation of a management vehicle and funding base to serve the downtown area. The management tool recommended was a Business Improvement District.

    The Downtown Oshkosh Business Improvement District is an essential entity to the Central Business District of Oshkosh. Since its inception in 1987, the BID has retained its initial purpose of maintaining free parking in the downtown area, and proactively supporting revitalization efforts. Through the BID, property owners assess themselves to pay for activities that enhance and improve downtown Oshkosh, and that bring customers to the area.

    Downtown Oshkosh continues to change as the mix of residential, commercial and professional customers fill the district. The BID welcomes these changes as opportunities to continue economic development in our central city.

    BID Law

    On April 6, 1984, the state of Wisconsin passed a law (Act 184), which allows for the creation of Business Improvement Districts. The law authorizes cities, villages and towns to create one or more business improvement districts to allow businesses within those districts to develop, manage, maintain and promote their districts. It also provides for the establishment of a method to assess themselves to fund the activities. A BID must be a geographic area within a municipality consisting of contiguous parcels that are subject to real estate taxes.

    The formation of a BID allows downtown business people, property owners, merchants, city officials and others to work together to determine what needs to be done to upgrade and strengthen the downtown, and to pay the cost of those efforts in whole or in part.

    A BID is the best available method for business people to organize, coordinate marketing and promotion efforts, provide management and maintenance programs, and encourage business development. It affords property owners and business people a viable role in directing those affairs within the district. It also ensures that all beneficiaries of district programs participate in the funding of the programs.

    The Downtown Oshkosh BID has established allocations for the 2024 Operating Plan for each program category after reviewing previously supported activities and soliciting proposals for events. Please click here to view this year’s Operating Plan.

    BID board meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month at 8 a.m. at City Hall Room 404. To view agendas and minutes please click here.

    Presentations/Videos

    Board Members

    Connect Downtown Oshkosh

    Marlo Ambas
    Term Expiration: 6/1/21

    Chanda Anderson
    Term Expiration: 6/1/21

    Jill Anderson
    Term Expiration: 6/1/21

    Aaron Armstrong
    Term Expiration: 6/1/21

    Derek Mulloy
    Term Expiration: 6/1/22

    James Evans
    Term Expiration: 6/1/21

    David Krumplitsch
    Term Expiration: 6/1/21

    Megan Lang (Chair)
    Term Expiation: 6/1/22

    Kris Larson (Vice Chair)
    Term Expiration: 6/1/22

    Carrie Olson
    Term Expiration: 6/1/21

    Sandra Prunty
    Term Expiration: 6/1/22

    Andy Ratchman
    Term Expiration: 6/1/21

    Autumn Urban
    Term Expiration: 6/1/22

    Barb Nelson (A)
    Term Expiration: 6/1/22

    James Stapel
    Term Expiration: 6/1/20

    Kelly Nieforth (City Liaison)

    Jessica Meidl (Downtown Business Improvement District Manager)

    BID board meetings are held the third Tuesday of every month at 8 a.m. at Becket’s and/or City Hall.

    Partners and Sponsors

    Connect Downtown Oshkosh

    Partners

    The BID is a city entity working side-by-side with the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City of Oshkosh. The BID office is located in the Oshkosh CVB located at 100 N Main Street Suite 112.

    The Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB) is a private, not-for-profit organization, funded solely through room tax dollars from Oshkosh hotels.  Its mission is to promote Oshkosh, Wisconsin’s Event City and Winnebago County as a premier destination for corporate, sports and leisure groups and individual visitors.

    The City of Oshkosh provides services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and operates under a Council/City Manager form of government. The seven-member city council, including the mayor, are all elected at large. The council is the legislative and policy making body of the city. The council selects the city manager who is the Chief Executive Officer of the city. The city manager is responsible for planning, organizing and directing the activities of the municipality.

    The Business Improvement District focuses on the continued development of downtown Oshkosh. The Oshkosh BID currently consists of one BID manager and a BID board of 15 members. The BID’s primary roles and responsibilities are: managing and coordinating downtown events, implementing downtown incentives and initiatives, creating greater awareness of downtown Oshkosh and enhancing the overall beauty of the downtown area.

    While each organization focuses on a certain agenda with specific goals, all involved members come together for the formation of a economically successful and vibrant Oshkosh. This partnership allows for growth in key areas, in hopes of creating abundant success for the Oshkosh community.

    Sponsors

    Thank you to all of our sponsors! We appreciate your support.

    Downtown Main Street Banners:

    Holiday Parade Sponsors

    Thank you our 2021 Downtown Oshkosh Holiday Parade sponsors!

    Newsletter About BID Board Members Partners and Sponsors