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w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m D e c e m b e r 2 0 15 • I NSIGH T | 47 aspect downtown advocates will be anticipating as they put a new plan together. ey are hoping to have the plan complete in early 2016. "We need to make sure we have a connector between the exhibition visitor and our businesses downtown," Stephany says. e other project could possibly tie the riverfront closer to downtown is the replacement or renovation of the Appleton Public Library. While the city has rejected one site, plans for either a new site or refurbished library – estimated at $30 million — are still under consideration. While things are seemingly bright for the heart of the city, projects outside the core of Appleton are also on the upswing. e city's 2014 Growth Report shows that while growth has sometimes come in fits and starts, things are generally trending up. e city saw a net increase in new construction in 2014, an increase of more than 1 percent from the year prior. Construction activity in Appleton accounts for more than 23 percent of the activity recorded for all of the Fox Cities communities. A net gain of new business over departed or closed business was also recorded, the report shows. While things have appeared quiet as the ongoing debate regarding the library and the expo center lingers on, the city has seen an uptick in planning activity, says Karen Harkness, director of the city's Community and Economic Development department. By the end of September 2015, plans for new projects surpassed the number filed for all of 2014. Given the positives seen across the city as a whole, Stephany says it's even more important the next downtown plan serve as a catalyst for continued success." "is is a great opportunity to look forward and to engage people," she says. "We need to let them dream. at all needs to be reflected." S t r a t e g y A d v e r t i s i n g M a r k e t i n g D i g i t a l W e b P R All pieces of your business working together make you a powerful force. Element develops custom software, web apps, and mobile apps that perfectly balance branding with the right technology solution. Create value-added connections. goelement.com A_EC13-1114 Robot Ad_Insight Half_Final.indd 1 11/12/15 2:07 PM ■ Design-build ■ Commercial ■ Industrial 920.733.7305 | www.crstructures.com 571 Marcella St. | Kimberly, WI 54136 Listen better. Plan better. Build better. "I would highly recommend CR Structures Group and will use them again. From planning to building they exceeded our expectations." – Owner, PolyFlex, Inc.