Tax Incremental District #14
Summary
The city is setting up a new TID north of I-41 near Ballard Road and Edgewood Drive, tied to a development agreement with Thrivent Financial/Northmeadows. The council held action so the project plan and the development agreement can be voted on together at a future meeting.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 7
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jul 30, 2026.
Impact analysis
TIDs use future property tax increments to pay for development costs — the details are in the held project plan.
Developers and future taxpayers in the northeast growth area if the district spurs development.
Opponents argue Appleton property taxpayers outside the TID bear higher mill rates for two decades, and the school district loses increment revenue.
Mentions & discussions (7)
Joint Review Board — July 30, 2026
The city's largest recent TIF district — about $74 million — would fund roughly $63 million in public infrastructure for a mixed-use Thrivent-led development on the east side. Supporters say the project won't happen without TIF help; opponents say the developer would build anyway and taxpayers in schools, county, and tech college will shoulder the burden for up to 20 years.
Common Council — July 15, 2026
The council approved creating TID 14 and the associated development agreement for the Thrivent/North Meadows mixed-use development on the north side — roads, a park, varied housing, and a $1 fire station site. Supporters say it brings infrastructure and housing variety; critics warn it will raise mill rates for all taxpayers for up to 20 years.
Community Development Committee — July 8, 2026
A roughly 500-acre mixed-use development on the north side would be supported by $11 million in city borrowing and a $14 million pay-as-you-go incentive. Critics question whether a Fortune 500 nonprofit needs public money to develop farmland it owns; supporters point to $200 million in projected assessed value and mixed-income housing.
Finance Committee — July 6, 2026
Resident Walter Blank warned the committee that opponents of the proposed TID 14 will likely challenge it, arguing the city is rushing to support a district that doesn't exist yet and hasn't considered alternatives.
Common Council — June 3, 2026
The city is setting up a new TID north of I-41 near Ballard Road and Edgewood Drive, tied to a development agreement with Thrivent Financial/Northmeadows. The council held action so the project plan and the development agreement can be voted on together at a future meeting.
City Plan Commission — May 13, 2026
A new roughly 500-acre TID on the Thrivent property north of Highway 41 would fund roads, utilities and a developer incentive to enable a master-planned mixed-use district. Phase one alone is projected at $211 million of new value; infrastructure debt would be repaid by the district's tax increment, not general taxpayers, with an $11 million developer letter of credit as a backstop.
Joint Review Board — May 13, 2026
The city is proposing a roughly 500-acre mixed-use TIF district on the Thrivent property north of Highway 41 to pay for infrastructure and a $14 million developer incentive. Phase one alone would need the full 20-year district life to pay off; a full build-out could generate $117.4 million in tax increment and close early in 2042. The Plan Commission and Council still must approve the plan.
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