GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – If the stars align the city of Green Bay may have a solution for the long-awaited removal of coal piles in the city.
The proposed location is by the bay on property currently owned by Wisconsin Public Service.
“WPS had decommissioned that property and are interested in selling it and we would like to be their top choice,” said Mayor Jim Schmitt.
The plan has not been finalized, but Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmidt hopes to have something in writing by next week and says the whole process could take one to two years.
He says this is not a Jim Schmitt project but one that has been talked about for years. He says almost every Mayor has wanted to move the coal.
Representative David Steffen was in Green Bay Wednesday for the business meeting and to offer support at the state level, saying the Green Bay Coal piles and the prison are the two big projects that he is working on.
“Within two days of being elected to the State Assembly, I called Mayor Schmitt and told him, I don’t know where you are at with that coal project, but I am in. Let me know where I can help and when.”
That help could come in the form of grants from the state which he will push for in this next session.
“The state has a Harbor Systems Grant program that is fully funded every single budget and there might be a use for that for this project,” Steffen said that is his intent.
The move would get the coal out of a residential area, and allow for more development in both areas.
“There is no assurance,” Steffen said. “All I can tell you is we have a full complement of dedicated, positive goal oriented individuals leading on this effort.”
City Development Director Kevin Vonck says it is a win for everyone involved.
“Just the effects of the coal dust from a health and safety reason and also aesthetics.
He added that there are development pressures for that area for better uses.
Schmitt adds that it is not an issue of taxing the residents, but rather an opportunity for job creation and redevelopment.
He says he feels strongly that this has to happen this year if it is going to happen and does not feel that the new Mayor would have any reason to stop the process from happening once taking over.
