Highlights
DE PERE — Dozens of De Pere residents gathered at the Mulva Cultural Center’s Discover auditorium to connect with local community leaders on May 7 for the annual State of De Pere.
A theme of connection linked the State of De Pere speakers’ reports.
“Whether it’s building new connections, supporting neighborhoods, or reimagining community spaces, we’re investing in a future De Pere that’s as strong, vibrant, and connected as the people who call it home,” Mayor James Boyd told the audience of about 135 people.
It was the second year that the Mulva was the setting for the evening event, which formerly took the form of a luncheon event at St. Norbert College. Philanthropists Jim and Miriam Mulva were in attendance as audience members.
Definitely De Pere Executive Director Tina Quigley said the downtown welcomed 18 new businesses last year while retaining 90% of its existing businesses.
“The city’s Experience De Pere Downtown Business Recruitment Grant program helped fuel that growth, shaping a dynamic and flourishing downtown that serves as a hub for culture, commerce and community connection,” she said.
The Tour de Pere, which in just four years has become what Quigley calls a signature event, has been expanded to two days, June 22-23 downtown. Last year’s event drew 400 professional and amateur racers from 40 countries and attracted more than 10,000 spectators, she said.
De Pere will be the setting for days No. 4 and 5 of the 11-day Dairyland bicycle tour this year.
Quigley touted the new downtown visitors guide, which she said is designed to help visitors make the most of their visit downtown, and called the downtown the “heart of our civic and cultural life.”
“We work hard to ensure that there is always something happening,” she said.
Last year, De Pere’s downtown festivals and events drew 110,000 people downtown, according to Quigley.
“From art walks to outdoor concerts, these events don’t just entertain—they generate revenue, build pride, and connect us to one another,” Quigley said. “They drive traffic to the diverse group of businesses that line the streets of our historic downtown.
New this year with work starting soon is an urban forest walkway streetscape project on the city’s west side, between Stella’s and Cobblestone Hotel.
“This initiative will transform a key corridor between the Cobblestone Hotel and Stella’s into a green, pedestrian-friendly destination with large-scale planters lush with trees, shrubs, and perennials as well as a living wall,” Quigley said. “Benches, lighting, and public art displays will create an inviting environment that supports walkability, encourages outdoor activity, and fosters neighborhood connections.”
Downtown is more than a location, Quigley said.
“It is our shared front porch, our community’s living room, our cultural soul,” she said. “Its future is bright because of the passion and commitment each of you bring to it every day.”
Marking one year in his position, President and CEO of the De Pere Chamber of Commerce David Vander Bloomen said the chamber has experienced an “incredible period of momentum and growth.”
“We have expanded our offerings, increased our visibility, and deepened our connections within the community,” he said.
This year’s Chamber theme is “Connecting people. Creating opportunities.” He mentioned that among the upcoming events is one called Connecting Community: Brews, Spirits, and Cigars at Cocoon Brewery on June 10.
The organization has launched a Business with Christ group that meets monthly to discuss faith issues in business as well as a youth program that aims to prepare students for adulthood through financial literacy and direct mentorship.do.
“We have introduced new programs and initiatives designed to foster meaningful connections and provide valuable opportunities for our members and the broader community,” Vander Bloomen said.
New this year, the Connecting Community series aims to connect residents, leaders, and entrepreneurs. Initial events included a pasta class and a homelessness awareness event.
August plans include a “Meet Your First Responders” night, and October includes a bakery tour.
Boyd said since 2020, the City and private sector, including De Pere’s 800 businesses that employ 15,000 people, have partnered to bring major investments to De Pere, including:
And more in the future.
“Looking ahead, nearly 1.2 million additional square feet of office, manufacturing, and warehouse space is either underway or progressing toward development agreements—nearly 85% of which is driven by existing De Pere businesses,” Boyd said. “While tariff discussions have cooled or delayed a few projects, the City continues to assist where we can to help businesses grow roots here.”
In 2024, the city issued more than 70 building permits for single-family homes and approved nearly 90 multi-family units, Boyd said.
Later this year the city plans to solicit requests for a new subdivision.
“Preliminary design is complete, and development agreements are moving forward for nearly 250 multi-family units across varied locations and price points,” Boyd said.
But De Pere isn’t just focused on new homes: Boyd named a few programs aimed at existing neighborhoods.
The city launched the Home Improvement Loan Program, which offers up to $50,000 at a low reasonable interest rate.
The Brownfield Fund assists with acquisition and remediation of brownfield sites.
The Affordable Housing Fund supports housing stock improvement, development of second-story residences, and affordable units in residential or mixed-use developments.
The Affordable Housing Fund assisted with De Pere’s first Rock the Block initiative last summer through Habitat for Humanity. More than 300 people volunteered to help complete 34 exterior improvement projects in an east side neighborhood near downtown.
“The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and several nearby residents began their own home updates afterward,” Boyd said.
In 2026, Rock the Block will move to improvements on the west side.
Another project that’s gotten a lot of attention over the past few years: The redevelopment of the former Shopko site.
“After years of planning, we’re just months away from construction,” Boyd said. “This transformational project will include reconstruction of Wisconsin Street and reconnection of William Street downtown, a 64-unit mixed use building with retail, a 90-unit Marriott hotel (TownePlace Suites by Marriott).”
In addition, there’s to be a 220-space public parking structure.
“This new public parking ramp will make it easier for residents, visitors, and businesses to access all that downtown De Pere has to offer,” Boyd said. “This investment will help support continued growth, strengthen the economic and social fabric of our downtown. Together these represent nearly $60 million in potential assessed value revitalizing an under-utilized area.”
Tax increment financing and private development investment make the improvements possible, according to Boyd.
In addition to the parking ramp, the city plans to modernize and improve street parking downtown to support growth, he said.
On the west side of the river, the city will solicit bids to develop the parking lot at 360 Main Ave., to coincide with the planned reconstruction of Main Avenue and Reid Street.
The city is also gearing up for a multi-year revitalization of Main Avenue and Reid Street from Third to Eighth streets starting next year with the alley of the 300 block of Main.
“This project will bring improvements for pedestrians, commuters, and our community aesthetics,” Boyd said.
City utility reconstruction in the area will be done in 2027, with streetscape and pedestrian amenities in 2028.
Another development underway is the Interstate 41 expansion project, which will provide a shortcut to De Pere’s east side via a second bridge across the Fox River and several miles of new or expanded road.
The project will “provide easier access to our business parks on both sides of the city—making it more convenient for businesses, employees, and customers to connect and grow,” Boyd said.
Construction is already underway for Segment 1 (GV-14) of the South Bridge Connector Project, from Highway 41 to Lawrence Drive.
“This marks a significant step toward improving transportation corridors for residents and businesses in not just De Pere, but all of Brown County,” he said.
Parts of the rest of the South Bridge Connector Project, from Lawrence Drive across the river to the roundabout at Monroe and Heritage roads in Ledgeview, are still in the design phase. They’re expected to be finalized by 2027, with construction scheduled between 2028 and 2030, according to Boyd.
Boyd took the opportunity to introduce the new city manager. Kim Flom returned to De Pere after five years as assistant city manager of McKinney, Tex.
She served as development services director for De Pere until 2020.
Her experience in Texas helped her develop the skill set needed to help De Pere grow, she said.
“I’m confident that we’ll continue building on the strong foundation that’s already been laid,” she said.
Flom will be meeting with every city employee individually over the next few months.
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