STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – An Oshkosh development firm is hoping to use state tax credits to bring new life to an old school in Sturgeon Bay.
Northpointe Developments is proposing a 40-unit apartment project to transform the old West School. The affordable housing would be called Sawyer School Lofts.
The goal is for the project to be ready for the building’s 100th birthday in 2021. It has sat empty for about 20 years.
“In economic development, we really, really like to see if we can come up with new life for buildings rather than just have them disappear for all time,” said Jim Schuessler of Door County Economic Development Corporation.
The goal is to save the building while addressing the area’s need for affordable housing. A recent Door County housing study found 285 affordable housing units should be built in the area.
10 of Sawyer School Lofts’ 40 units would be in the old school and 30 would be built new, attached to the school.
“It really just scratches the surface,” said Schuessler of the project’s impact to the area’s affordable housing needs.
As part of the plan, 8 of the 40 units would be set aside for veterans. That is a requirement for the project to receive state historical tax credits.
Another contingency of the tax credits and the building receiving historical status is the new construction must be attached to the school’s south end, according to Sturgeon Bay Mayor David Ward.
Carl Bridenhagen and Woody Wodack, both of Sturgeon Bay, tells FOX 11 they’re against the project because of what it would mean for West Side Field, which sits on city property just south of the school.
“We’re not against affordable housing,” said Bridenhagen. “We think it’s a great thing, but it just doesn’t need to be done right here.”
The softball field is currently used for YMCA t-ball and an adult softball league.
According to Ward, the city would sell about half the field to the housing developers, likely at a “token price.”
“The city staff has been working really hard to come up with additional accommodations,” said Schuessler. “I absolutely do not believe that the city of Sturgeon Bay will be left without a softball diamond.”
“It’s got great sightlines,” said Bridenhagen. “Probably some of the best sightlines in the state for a softball field.”
“This is not replaceable and if it is you’re looking at a lot of money,’ said Wodack.
More than 700 people have signed an online petition to save the field.
The city’s plan commission is expected to take up the housing project at the end of the month. The full city council would likely then vote at its first meeting in October.
Even if the city signs off on the project, the developers aren’t expected to hear whether they’ll be awarded state tax credits until April.
