GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Say your prayers chewing gum.
A new machine unveiled in Downtown Green Bay is blasting away an all too common sticky menace.
A presentation in Downtown Green Bay on Thursday unveiled new physical improvements that will enhance Green Bay’s first impression.
One of the new features is “The GumBuster” machine, which pairs an eco-friendly solution with high-powered steam to make gum spots on sidewalks a thing of the past.
Jeff Mirkes, Executive Director of Downtown Green Bay Inc., says the new machine will enhance their first impression and keep the city’s momentum going forward.
“We have a downtown that’s starting to move, employees want to be here,” he says. “There are 500 residential units on the river and all 500 are a hundred-percent occupied.”
Alex Renard, Operation Manager of Renco Machine, was also high in his praise of the city’s direction.
“We have a beautiful downtown and over the last few years being a resident here I’ve been able to see our downtown area blossom,” he says. “The GumBuster is the next step.”
Renard is donating 40 hours of Renco employee labor to help in the gum removal process.
He says that for his employees this opportunity will be like a dream come true.
“Our guys are excited, they knew that they never would be able to be Ghostbusters, but now they will be able to be GumBusters,” says Renard.
In addition to the new gum removal machine, new art was introduced at the unveiling.
Mirkes explains that newly designed street banners that will be installed on 200 light poles throughout the Downtown District are extra special.
“We wanted to work with a local artist,” he explains. “So many downtowns just buy their banners right out of a catalog and that wasn’t good enough.”
The local artist, Rachael Wirth, worked to encapsulate both the iconic local landmarks and vibrant colors that the area features.
Lastly, 100-holiday wreaths that later will line the streets of downtown and welcome visitors received a new vibrant ribbon. The ribbon upgrade is courtesy of The Plant People.
The Grow ‘n Glow Capital Campaign raised $250,000 to fund these initiatives. The campaign is aimed at physical improvement enhancements.
