ALLOUEZ, WI (WTAQ) – An economic study done by St. Norbert College shows repurposing the current Green Bay Correctional Institute would result in over one thousand jobs and over 138 million dollars for Brown County annually.
The study was led by Mark Schaffer, an economics professor at St. Norbert College. He says the lawmakers should focus on three big factors.
“An annual economic impact of 1,463 jobs, about $58 million dollars of income for Brown County and about $138.5 million dollars of economic activity on an annual basis.”
Part of the plan would be to close the existing prison, but what is being proposed to being built is exciting to Village President Jim Rafter.
The plan is to turn the 64 acres of land into commercial property, retail space, parks and recreational space, as well as luxury housing.
It would include condos, apartments, outdoor retail plaza seating, a hotel, an amphitheater, and event center, the Fox River Trail and a zip line.
“Today it is kind of seen as a bedroom community, but people are asking for more.”
The plan also calls for park space that would include athletic fields and courts, a sculpture garden, a bike or roller skating course, and rock climbing.
“If the site were to be redeveloped, it creates a tremendous upside for the village,” said Schaffer.
Representative David Steffens says it’s the new tax revenue of more than a million dollars that could be the selling point in Wisconsin.
“That impacts every single State Representative, every State Senator regardless of where they are located.”
He says that may be what helps pass legislation to close the existing prison.
State Senator Robert Cowles says the prison unsafe and costly, but today, closing a prison comes with a red flag.
“Decommission the facility and you have to find a place to put the people, so that is the biggest dilemma is the 140% overcapacity in the entire system, so a lot of things need to happen.”
Cowles says he is in support of the plan because the existing GBCI is a money pit.
“It will make it real clear if you want to save money, you have to make some changes, and there are people out there that are willing to take new facilities.”
Representative Steffen says talks have already started taking place.
“Kewaunee County, Luxemburg, and Algoma have all had those discussions.”
He says with all the information they have, the next step is to take his plan to the Governor.
“This is the final piece of a very comprehensive data-driven argument. So regardless of where you are on the political spectrum or regardless of where you are geographicaly, if you represent part of Wisconsin, there is a benefit for you.”
Steffen said the plan does not call for closing GBCI before a new location is found. He says not only does the new home need to be found, but the new prison needs to be built before the keys are handed over.
