GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- The future of a beach at Bay Beach is in the hands of the city council tonight.
Green Bay has received the green light in the form of a permit from the DNR, and Mayor Jim Schmitt feels the beach would be good for the city.
“It’s just something that we don’t have in this area, you go to Two Rivers, Kewaunee, or Door County,” said Schmitt. “We’ll have that here and we’re very excited about that.” Schmitt says the plan has been met with questions, but in the end, feels it will make a positive difference in Green Bay.
“I just think if you talk about what people look back and say what were the significant changes, you look at the City Deck or you look at Schreiber, this beach is going to be one of them,” said Schmitt.
The idea of restoring the 1,000 foot beach, building a 450 foot pier, boardwalk, bathhouse and new parking lots has had some support, but Alderman Chris Wery says there are still some big questions.
“It’s great news that the DNR is saying hey we think it’s safe and your plan is good,” said Green Bay Alderman Chris Wery. “I want to look at the particulars on the water quality to make sure we’re moving ahead with something we think that people would want to use.”
A three year study has shown that the water is safe for swimming, but E-Coli and algae blooms will likely close the beach on some days. There is a concern on how to monitor the water and how comfortable people will be swimming there.
Schmitt says the price tag is $7 million dollars, but it planned to be paid for with fundraising, grants and borrowing.
“The beauty of this enhancement is it’s going to all be paid for by the profits of Bay Beach, no tax dollars into this,” said Schmitt.
If approved the plan calls for fundraising, grants and borrowing money to pay for it.
