Reader question: Why doesn’t Neenah fix the potholes going into Walmart? Isn’t that why the city added a wheel tax, to pay for such repairs?
Answer: Road maintenance has been a hot topic in Neenah, particularly since the city scrapped its transportation assessment replacement fee under the threat of a legal action and replaced it with a $30 wheel tax.
Mayoral candidate Scott Becher made road maintenance the centerpiece of his 2026 election campaign before losing to Brian Borchardt. Becher repeatedly stated Neenah’s roads were crumbling, and his yard signs declared, “Let’s Fix The Roads Now!”
In this case, though, Neenah isn’t to blame for not fixing the potholes at the entrance to the Walmart Supercenter at 1155 W. Winneconne Ave.
That’s because the entrance is private property owned and maintained by Walmart. I know Google Maps identifies the entrance as a section of Westowne Place, which is a city street, but that is in error. Westowne Place exists only south of Winneconne Avenue, not north of it.
Neenah Public Works Director Gerry Kaiser was aware of the Walmart potholes. “I have to drive around those myself,” he said.
When the city receives such a complaint, staff typically will contact the property owner or store manager and let them know about the problem. That’s the best they can do because Neenah doesn’t have an ordinance regulating potholes, as it does with noxious weeds or grass exceeding 8 inches in height.
“The most we could do, I suppose, would be a public nuisance action – basically sue them in court,” City Attorney David Rashid said. “I doubt there’s ever been a precedent for that.”
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I called the Neenah Walmart store manager to ask about fixing the potholes and was referred to 1-800-WALMART. I then sent a message to Walmart’s Global Press Office, which is reserved for working journalists.
The next morning, I received an email from Mark Rickel, director of global communications, containing the following statement from Walmart:
“Customer and associate safety is a top priority. We appreciate the feedback and are working to address it.”
When I drove to Walmart two days later, the potholes had been filled with asphalt.
Count me as impressed by Walmart’s prompt response and action.
Got a question about local government? Contact Duke Behnke by email at dbehnke@usatodayco.com or by phone at 920-993-7176.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Neenah isn’t responsible for filling potholes in front of Walmart
Reporting by Duke Behnke, Appleton Post-Crescent / Appleton Post-Crescent
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
