Fish Creek’s Kinsey Property Becoming Residential Rental

Public feedback told the Waterfront Steering Committee to keep the 1914 home on the property in place. Photo by Rachel Lukas.

The house on the former Kinsey property won’t be vacant for long. During a Feb. 1 board meeting, the town decided to make the Fish Creek house, which it purchased in 2021, a residential rental property.

The Gibraltar Town Board’s decision to rent out the historical property at 4148 Main Street was made to help address the long-standing housing crisis in Door County.

The town has yet to iron out lease details such as the price of rent, insurance requirements and renter responsibilities, but it is agreed that it will be a one-year lease. The town will decide on other lease details during future board meetings. 

The town has discussed in the past allowing the residential rental for a year because it would take at least that long to develop a long-term plan for the property. 

In 2021, town residents authorized the town to purchase the Kinsey property for $3.5 million. The house is one of several buildings on the 0.46-acre waterfront property that includes the Holiday Harbor Waterfront Cottages and docks, five piers and the potential for 28 boat slips.