RHINELANDER (WJFW) — Oneida County has faced a housing crisis in recent years, but a new planned development in Rhinelander will bring more living options 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 housing crisis has been a local problem for the last two decades. Businesses are having trouble finding employees as options for living spaces are limited. Shorewest real estate agent Deb Mann explained the work being done.
“We’ve been working with Oneida County Economic Development Corporation and Tony Pharo,” Mann said. “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.”
The project is planned to have 84 residences in total, both apartments and town homes. Rhinelander Mayor Kris Hanus understands the need for housing and the importance it has on a community, but housing isn’t just an issue in Rhinelander.
“Rhinelander’s issue is the same as everywhere across this nation,” Hanus said. “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 three 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,” Hanus said. “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 Corporation and Mayor Hanus are thrilled to bring more housing options in the Northwoods and supporting local businesses.