By Lee Reinsch
Correspondent
DE PERE — Former De Pere Mayor Mike Walsh may not have a college wing or a cultural center with his name on it like his childhood schoolmate James Mulva, but he’s getting his own plaza.
The De Pere Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday, June 15, to rename the downtown James Street mall area on the city’s east side Mayor Michael J. Walsh Plaza.
Walsh retired in April of 2020, having served as mayor since 1996.
The city’s proclamation for the plaza honoring him cites a revitalized downtown, expanded business parks, new home and subdivision construction, as well as community events, the downtown mural project, Nicolet Square/Art Alley and the future Mulva Cultural Center as achievements on Walsh’s watch.
It also credits him with the rebuilt Claude Allouez Bridge, the river walk, Southwest Park and the city community center.
“For the continued betterment of our City, Mayor Walsh worked tirelessly with employees at the City of De Pere; many different Common Councils; numerous volunteers; as well as local schools, residents and businesses; and… before being elected mayor in 1996, Walsh also served 14 years on the City Park Board, and thus has contributed nearly four decades of overall service to the community,” reads the proclamation.
The city will hold a formal dedication at 11 a.m. July 14.
The council also unanimously approved a conditional use permit for the owner of an autism outpatient treatment center at 2073 Lawrence Dr., inside the De Pere Business Park.
Kirsten Masrelian of De Pere wants to put a daycare facility on an adjacent parcel to the treatment center.
The facility would accommodate up to 20 kids from the ages of six months to 12 years and operate from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays.
It would employ five other people initially and possibly expand its capacity later.
In other business, the council unanimously approved:
• Wage increases of $1 an hour for some seasonal workers, including game officials and pool attendants.
• Inclusion of a pedestrian walk and bike lanes in the design of the Southern Bridge Corridor.
• Staffing a sustainability booth at the De Pere Farmers Market. The booth will promote sustainable practices people can do at home, collect plastic bags for the Trex composite decking material company, distribute native plant species and hand out info on stormwater management.
• A special use permit for Definitely De Pere which allows consumption of alcohol on public ways during the four-part EastWest Music Series. Dates are Fridays June 25, July 23 and Aug. 27 from 5-9 p.m. According to Definitely De Pere, James Street Plaza on the east side and the Nicolet Square Art Alley on the west side will be transformed into outdoor dining rooms. The public will be able to order food while listening to live music and drinking craft beers, hard seltzers and wine.
• Amending the municipal ordinance pertaining to how sidewalk cafes and businesses with outdoor seating must store their outdoor furniture when the businesses are closed. Furniture shouldn’t be affixed to the sidewalk but should be removable and stored inside or stacked against the side of buildings. Furniture can’t be stored in areas in which the city has invested beautification funds, such as James Street, Art Alley, or any future projects. The measures are being taken after recent vandalism. The city wants to avoid any potential insurance liability it might have if intoxicated persons hurt someone or damaged property with the furniture.