Another developer is interested in the Shattuck property in Neenah

Editor's note: The Neenah Joint School District has confirmed that an offer was made by Lakeside Development Companies.

NEENAH – A Mequon-based developer is interested in the Shattuck Middle School property in Neenah and has a plan that he says is “in keeping with the existing neighborhood.”

Thomas Zabjek, president of Lakeside Development Companies, said he submitted an offer Thursday. He declined to provide how much Lakeside is offering during a Friday afternoon interview with The Post-Crescent, but said it was more than the $500,000 offer currently on the table.

The Neenah school district is selling the property because the district won’t have a need for it once the new high school opens in Fox Crossing this summer and middle school students are moved to the existing high school.

The current offer on the table, from Oshkosh-based developer Northpointe, is to buy and redevelop the property into 89 workforce apartments, 49 single-family homes and a four-acre public park. It was the only offer the district had received in mid-2022.

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Northpointe’s purchase of the land has been in a holding pattern since December when the Neenah Common Council denied its rezoning request under pressure from the surrounding neighborhood. Northpointe has until April 30 to secure approval from the city for its plan, which needs to happen in order for the sale to go through.

Originally, Northpointe’s plan included duplexes, townhouses, fewer single-family homes, more apartments and less greenspace. Those plans changed after pushback from the community.

Zabjek said his company’s site plan is more aligned with the existing neighborhood. As it stands, the plan would create 70 single-family homes, 24 duplexes and 24 townhomes — none of which would be rentals. However, Zabjek told The Post-Crescent he’s considering changing it to all single-family homes.

The plan also includes stormwater ponds, greenspace and paddle-sport courts for activities such as tennis.

Zabjek already had conversations with the city, he said.

Neenah’s Director of Community Development and Assessment Chris Haese said his department has had several conversations with Lakeside and has reviewed its preliminary plans for the site.

It’s not the community development department's job to say whether or not the plan is a good idea, Haese explained, but they are able to provide technical feedback regarding code compliance and zoning needs.

Based on the designs he’s seen, Haese said Lakeside’s plan would require the land be rezoned, just as Northpointe’s design does.

More:Neenah council rejects rezoning of Shattuck school property for redevelopment as apartments, homes

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Reach AnnMarie Hilton at ahilton@gannett.com or 920-370-8045. Follow her on Twitter at @hilton_annmarie.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Lakeside Development Communities wants to buy Shattuck Middle School