Proposed development in the Shipyard District to be considered, May 2021. (Image source: Slingshot Architecture/Merge Urban Development Group/City of Green Bay agenda)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Five years after a plan to build apartments in Green Bay’s Shipyard project was approved, but still with no construction underway, the city is now trying to jumpstart the project along the Fox River.
Iowa-based Merge Urban Development agreed in May 2021 to build 238 apartment units on the west bank of the Fox River, just north of Mason Street. One building would contain 109 units in two wings. A separate building would have 129 rental units, with restaurant or retail space.
On Tuesday, the city’s Redevelopment Authority considered an amendment to the deal, including a possible provision that “vertical construction” start no later than June 1, and if it doesn’t, the city could repurchase the properties for $1.
Mayor Eric Genrich called it one of the prime locations in the city, “and if you’re not the guys, we need to know that,” he told Merge.
Merge managing partner Brent Dahlstrom said the company is working on the project, but wasn’t prepared to respond to the city’s proposed changes to the development agreement. He suggested a Sept. 1 start date.
“We do need more time,” Dahlstrom said.
He said some of the delay was due to discussions between Merge and Green Bay engineers on details of the project regarding, among other things, soil issues and road plans.
After discussion in both open and closed sessions, the RDA said it would postpone any action until its next meeting. That would allow Merge to offer a formal response to the city’s proposal.
When the project is done, the site is expected to have an assessed value of at least $15 million.
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