RHINELANDER (WJFW) — Oneida County has faced a housing crisis in recent years, but a new planned development in Rhinelander will bring more living spaces to the area.
Just along highway 17 across from the Rhinelander Menards is an expected location of new apartment and townhome housing, thanks to Shorewest Realty and The Oneida County Economic Development corporation.
The Northwoods housing crisis has been a problem in the area for the last two decades. Businesses are having trouble finding employees as options for living spaces have been limited. Shorewest real estate agent Deb Mann explains the process for how this came to be.
“We’ve been working with Oneida county economic development corporation Tony Pharo,” Said Mann. “As well as the mayor Kris Hanus on a development for that site and we were able to find a developer in the Madison area Julian Walters with imminent development corporation.”
The project is planned to have 84 residences in total, both apartments and town homes. The location. Rhinelander Mayor Kris Hanus understands the need for housing and the importance it has on a community.
“Rhinelander’s issue is the same as everywhere across this nation.” Said Hanus. “The difference is that in Rhinelander we built a good team of realtors, local developers, as well as land owners to work together with economic development to make this happen. So these people have been working together for the last 3 years, trying to make a housing project work.”
An offer has been accepted by the property owner and if all goes to plan, construction will begin in Spring 2026.
“This is something that I think will benefit the whole community.” added Hanus. “It’s something that will hopefully show a spotlight of other communities around us on how we can make this happen possibly in other townships, in Minocqua, and help this county grow.”
Shorewest, Oneida County Economic development, and mayor Hanus are thrilled to continue bringing housing options to the northwoods, and look to bring more options in the future to support local businesses.