Phases Detailed in Reworked Bay Beach Amusement Park Plan

A rendering of Green Bay's proposed beach project at Bay Beach Amusement Park. (Photo courtesy: City of Green Bay)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — It appears the City of Green Bay has a new plan to phase the construction of a beach at Bay Beach Amusement Park.

A lack of money and high-water level concerns has had staff, city council members, and the park’s fundraising group debating how to rework the $7 million plan approved two years ago.

According to documents for next Wednesday’s parks committee meeting, city staff is now proposing construction of a pier, shoreline walk, stormwater management pond, and erosion control before moving ahead with a sand beach. Those projects would total $4.8 million and make up ‘Phase 1.’

‘Phase 2’ would include replacing the Falling Star ride, installing the sand beach, constructing a bathhouse, relocating the original train ride, and paving a parking lot. Those projects total $5.6 million.

In 2018, the city council agreed to bond $5 million for the beach project and use park revenue to pay off the bond. No money from the general tax levy would be used. The additional $2 million was supposed to come from donations and grants, but those efforts have fallen about $825,000 short.

According to the meeting documents, the Friends of Bay Beach will donate $500,000 to replace the Falling Star ride in 2021 and an additional $500,000 to put towards debt reduction in 2026 if the city council approves the staff’s new plans.

The plan has been for the pier to be 450 feet. However, the meeting documents show it could be shorter to accommodate its $2.1 million price tag.

All Phase 1 projects would begin in fall 2020 or spring 2021.

Phase 2 projects would be completed in priority order as funding becomes available. The beach and bathhouse would not be installed until water levels come down a minimum of 12 inches from the August 1st level of 582.22 inches or the parks department, mayor, and Friends of Bay Beach come to an agreement.

The meeting documents also say staff will continue to search for additional grants, donations, and funding sources.

A letter from Friends of Bay Beach President David Charles says the fundraising group worked with the parks department and mayor’s office on the new plans. Charles says the group hopes the new plans are supported.

The parks committee is expected to discuss the new plans at its meeting August 12th at 5 p.m. The full city council would eventually have to approve any recommendation the committee makes.