GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – It comes as the newly formed nonprofit Shipyard District, Inc. pushes plans to beautify the area.
It’s been more than six years since the idea was first proposed to turn longtime vacant land on the western edge of the Fox River into a public destination called the Shipyard.
In the past year, business and property owners, many impatient with the lack of progress, have come together to form Shipyard District, Inc.
“A lot of people came to this project feeling overlooked for a longtime and maybe rightfully so,” said Tarl Knight, executive director of the Shipyard District.
Organizers of the group say the district is a mile-and-a-half stretch between Mason Street and Lombardi Avenue, east of Ashland Avenue. The area has more than 50 businesses and more than 1,000 residents, according to Knight.
On Tuesday, the first State of the Shipyard District was held at the Tarlton Theatre, which is just north of the district.
“We’re still struggling to find some footing with local parties and the city of Green Bay and other governmental and authority figures because we’re so new, so a lot of what we’re doing tonight is spreading the word and really getting people to buy into this idea of development,” said Knight.
Green Bay Economic Development Director Neil Stechschulte says the city supports the efforts.
Stechschulte told the group he’s hopeful construction could start as early as this summer on a walking and biking trail, marina, and kayak launch. Bids for construction are currently being sought.
This fall, Stechschulte says he is hopeful construction will start on 225 apartment units just north of the Shipyard. Merge Urban Development is the company behind the project.
Stechschulte tells FOX 11 he expects Impact Seven, another developer, to submit formal plans for at least another 200 apartment units across the street from the public area within the next two months.
“In this economy, with all the questioning going on and now obviously things in the Ukraine and the pandemic, it seems like the least likely time that something would move forward, but I think with a lot of hard work from the developers and really everybody involved, it looks like we’re going to be able to move it forward this year.”
In the meantime, the district plans to raise money to spruce up the area on its own, with new Shipyard District street banners, public art, and bike racks.
Four years ago, the city council authorized borrowing $10 million for the Shipyard’s public amenities. The money is to be paid back through tax revenue generated on new development in the area.
An urban beach, dog park, playground, and plaza with permanent or seasonal structures for food, beverage, retail, and recreation businesses are also planned for future construction phases.
Green Bay’s downtown coal piles are also within the Shipyard District.
A $15 million grant was recently awarded to Brown County to help move those coal piles about two miles north. The money will be used to get their new home ready at the former Pulliam Plant site.
The relocation effort was discussed at the Shipyard event. City officials say they’re focused on helping the county get the new site ready, so they can work to acquire the current site for redevelopment.
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