A new workforce housing neighborhood could soon take shape along the
Peshtigo River and city leaders say it’s about more than just building
homes. It’s about keeping the community alive and growing. The City of
Peshtigo is exploring two development concepts for a seven-acre parcel
near Harbor Road, just south of the railroad tracks. The plans were
created through the state’s Thrive Rural Wisconsin program, which helps
rural communities tackle housing shortages. Officials say the goal is to
create homes that teachers, nurses, firefighters, and young families
can afford.
The proposed neighborhood would include smaller single-family homes along with duplexes and triplexes — part of what planners call “missing middle housing.” That means homes that are more affordable than new large houses, but not large apartment complexes. Both concepts include around 35 housing units, shared green space, walking paths, and a public riverfront park. Plans also call for a storm-resistant shelter that could double as a community gathering space. But building the neighborhood won’t be cheap...
Leo’s notes: By focusing on “missing middle” homes that teachers, nurses, first responders, and young families can actually afford, the city is addressing the quiet crisis facing many rural communities: without attainable housing, employers can’t recruit, families can’t stay, and towns slowly hollow out. While the financing will require creativity and public-private partnership, the payoff is bigger than rooftops—it’s about sustaining Peshtigo’s workforce, strengthening its tax base, and ensuring the city remains a place where the next generation can live, work, and belong.
Share this article on your social outlets
Our Sponsors
- - Volume: 26 - WEEK: 7 Date: 2/9/2026 12:25:00 PM -