GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A 30-foot sign was put up this week to remind drivers on Lombardi Avenue that the Military Avenue Business District is right around the corner.
Competing with nearby Ashwaubenon, and the Packers’ new Titletown District, Military Avenue businesses admit they can sometimes be the forgotten neighbor.
“Keeping up with the times sometimes can be hard, especially with the newer establishments that are being grown around us,” said Linnea Berg, the manager of the Bay Motel.
The Bay Motel and Family Restaurant just celebrated 60 years on Military Avenue.
Berg tells FOX 11 she’s happy to see a new sign welcoming people to their area.
“Love the new sign. We’ve been looking forward to it. It’s really going to bring some attention to the Military Avenue area and for people coming off the highway, they’re going to be able to see how to get to our area.”
$50,000 of the $75,000 sign came from Green Bay’s portion of excess Lambeau Field stadium tax money. The rest came from the Military Avenue Business Association.
Quick Signs, a Military Avenue business, designed the sign.
Electrical work still needs to be done before the lights and digital message-board can be used.
“That look will be repeated throughout the district,” said Leah Weycker, the business association’s executive director.
“It’s slightly retro, slightly industrial. That was intentional. This is a 1960s, 70s, strip mall area and that’s not going to change. It is what it is.”
A more uniform look isn’t the only thing the district is doing to attract new interest. Pop up storefronts are also being worked on for businesses interested in short-term leases.
“It’s fairly trendy in other cities,” said Weycker. “I think it would work really well because we have so many entrepreneurs here.”
A new opportunity has also presented itself on one of the corners of the city’s busiest intersection, at Military Avenue and Mason Street.
One owner now controls the future of Green Bay Plaza and the former Sears building.
Weycker tells FOX 11 the owner is weighing options for the site.
“So we’re working with him on doing some green space in that parking lot and it would be great to have a better facility even for our farmer’s market.”
Weycker says Sears has a lease on its former building until November. She says the building will likely be split into multiple businesses.
Weycker says estimates are also being gathered to renovate the kitchen in the former Country Kitchen, in Green Bay Plaza.
She says a year-round farmer’s market with a restaurant and bar has been discussed.
