Three buildings proposed for an empty lot at the intersection of Lombardi Avenue and Ridge Road, across the street from Lambeau Field. (Photo courtesy: City of Green Bay, Fox 11 Online)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Neighbors of Lambeau Field tried to take a stand Monday night against proposed development across the street from the stadium.
However, preliminary approval was given to make way for three new buildings.
The corner of Lombardi Avenue and Ridge Road, one of the most prominent corners in the stadium district, has sat empty for about eight years after a handful of homes and an office building were bulldozed in 2016.
“We want to see development, we are just asking that it to be cohesive with our current neighborhood,” said Cheryl Wolf, a resident near the stadium.
Ten people who live near the property spoke at Green Bay’s Plan Commission meeting in opposition of zoning requests which would allow for the three new buildings.
A three to five-story building along Lombardi Avenue is proposed to house commercial, retail and office uses.
A four-story, 24-unit apartment building would go on the corner of Ridge Road and Thorndale.
And a four-story, eight-unit condo building would go on the corner of Thorndale and Frank Streets.
“Is it going to be restaurants? Is it going to be bars?” questioned Mike Wood, a nearby resident. “We are unknown on this fact of what’s all going in there.”
Three people who live near the site spoke in support of the proposed plans.
“This is a chance for Green Bay to develop on our side for the Packers games,” said Sara Draeger of Green Bay.
Those in opposition voiced a variety of concerns. Two of the biggest were increased traffic going down residential streets and losing views of Lambeau Field.
“The placement of these buildings was really strategic,” said Stephanie Hummel, a planner for the city of Green Bay. “They were done at the corners and along the frontage on purpose to still allow for some visibility through the neighborhood so you can still get some sight lines with those buildings.”
Hummel says a traffic study shows neighborhood streets won’t get extra traffic and traffic changes are being explored to further deter going through the side streets.
“If people are shopping or working at this development, they wouldn’t be cutting through the neighborhood,” said Missy Peterson, who lives near the site.
“I understand the traffic study says no one will take Thorndale, but we’re all human,” said Wolf. “If all the traffic is going out Ridge and you need to get somewhere, you’re going to take the path of least resistance and it’s going to be on Thorndale. It’s human nature.”
The plan commission voted 6 to 0, approving the zoning requests. The full city council will have the final say, starting next week.
The zoning requests require readings and approvals at two consecutive city council meetings.
Tim Kuehn, owner of the property and the nearby Margarita’s restaurant, says he will provide a timeline for the buildings if the requests are approved by the city council.
Kuehn is behind two of the three buildings that are proposed and has previously said they will likely cost more than $50 million.
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