GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Georgia-Pacific is considering a major expansion of its Broadway mill but isn’t ready yet to move forward with the project.
The 458,800-square-foot building — that’s more than 10 acres — would be constructed on the northeast side of the plant, along the Fox River and its dock. The project would include the construction of a wet paper machine and building, broke processing pulper, bale pulper, parent roll storage building, and a converting building. It’s designed to “streamline” the paper production process, according to the application for a conditional use permit.
But Mike Kawleski, public affairs manager for Georgia-Pacific, said on Friday the company hasn’t made a final decision if or when it will happen.
Georgia-Pacific would need city approval because parts of the building would be 90 feet tall, exceeding the city’s usual height maximum. While the item appears on an agenda for the Plan Commission Monday, the company does not expect to pursue the permit at this time, he said.
Part of the planned location is currently coal storage. The plant is converting to natural gas boilers, and won’t be using any coal by the end of 2020. But the site may need cleanup before the expansion could happen. There are other factors under review, as well, he said.
Kawleski declined to say how much the project would cost, or if any additional jobs would be created as a result.
The company has invested about $75 million in the facility in about the last year, with a new towel line, converting line, natural gas boiler, and warehouse automation, Kawleski said.
