What's Good For Wittman Could Be GREAT For Oshkosh

Expansion plans at Wittman Field in Oshkosh, WI may not just mean added capacity and amenities for those attending the annual aviation love-fest that is EAA AirVenture... they could also help the city revamp its own convention facilities.

The Oshkosh Northwestern reports the Experimental Aircraft Association recently asked city officials for close to $2 million in tax incremental funding, or TIF, financial assistance to construct two expanded, two-story exhibit buildings, which would link the four existing exhibit hangars in pairs.

The extensions -- part of a 10-year, $17.2 million upgrade project at Wittman -- would result in nearly 150,000 square-feet of additional, indoor exhibit space... complete with indoor plumbing, air conditioning, and meeting areas.

EAA spokesman Dick Knapinski told the paper the group plans to build one of the exhibit buildings with or without TIF aid. If the plan is approved, EAA would recoup $1.94 million in assistance after the improvements are made, with the money coming from property taxes generated over 20 years in the proposed TIF district.

Knapinski told Fox-11 EAA isn't simply looking to expand its own facilities... but to also provide Oshkosh with an additional venue to attract other conventions.
"How can we make this AirVenture area more useful year-round?" Knapinski asked. "How can we make it something that would be a draw for the entire Oshkosh area throughout the entire year?"

Knapinski stressed EAA doesn't intend to compete with the Oshkosh Convention Center for business... but Oshkosh city council member Paul Esslinger says the EAA's plan may pose an attractive alternative for the city, as it considers investing $2 million to remodel the existing downtown facility.

"I'm wondering if the city can't get together with EAA and figure this out, to save both of us some money," Esslinger said, adding the existing convention center could then be sold to a private company.

The council is expected to consider the TIF assistance plan on June 10.

EAA plans to reveal other details of its expansion plan during this year's AirVenture. Among the proposed changes to the grounds at Wittman Field include better separation of pedestrian and vehicle traffic, and new or revised camping and food service facilities.

"It's the biggest investment we have ever made," Knapinski said. "We're putting this on the table. We're willing to step forward with this plan. We see this as something the whole community could benefit from in the long run."

FMI: www.airventure.org, www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us