PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — There are updated development plans for an empty lot across the street from Lambeau Field.
In September, plans were announced for three new buildings near the corner of Lombardi Avenue and Ridge Road.
Neighbors weren’t happy when they heard three-to-five story buildings would be going up on the property.
“I don’t like it because when I bought this house about 20 years ago, there was only two-story buildings — houses mostly, and then that office area,” said Daniel Wilhelm of Green Bay. “So, we had a nice view of Lambeau Field.”
About eight years ago, the homes and office buildings were torn down. At that time, a plan for a four-story office building never went anywhere.
Then, after years of no action, the proposal came this past fall to build a three-to-five story building with office, retail and commercial uses that would stretch the lot’s span along Lombardi Avenue.
A four-story building with 24 apartment units was pitched for the property’s northwest corner. Across the street, a four-story, eight-unit condo building was proposed to replace an existing one-story duplex.
Neighbors weren’t on board with that plan, and neither was the city.
“They have the same concerns that we had,” said Stephanie Hummel, a planner for the City of Green Bay. “We weren’t super thrilled about the idea of a tall building going in the middle of the neighborhood. We wanted to make sure traffic was considered.”
In the past few months, based on the neighborhood and city feedback, the developers did an updated traffic impact analysis. They also moved the condo building to the northeast corner of the main empty developable property.
The city says it is now on board with the plans.
“We believe there will be very little, if any, spillover traffic into the neighborhood,” said Hummel.
Hummel says that is largely because a driveway from Ridge Road will now allow traffic to turn left toward Lombardi Avenue. Previously, the driveway was only a right turn in and out.
Wilhelm says the traffic changes bring some safety assurances, but the building heights keeps him in opposition.
“If it was two stories, I’d be all aboard with that,” said Wilhelm.
A city committee will take up requests for planned unit developments on each building on Monday, with the full city council getting the final say in the coming weeks.
Hummel says the city has not received any requests for financial assistance, which would require additional approvals.
Tim Kuehn, the developer for two of the three buildings, is also the owner of the nearby Margarita’s Restaurant. He previously said his developments will likely cost more than $50 million.
A spokesperson for the Packers says the team does not have a stance on the proposals.
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