GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Plans are forging ahead for Green Bay’s Shipyard project.
The city’s redevelopment authority has approved spending $10,000 of neighborhood enhancement funds to revise the project proposal.
That after the Green Bay Bullfrogs pulled out of the project, in favor for a move to Ashwaubenon.
Mayor Jim Schmitt tells WTAQ’s Mid-Morning News that they haven’t given up on the concepts of hosting sporting events and concerts, and that’s not all.
“There’s 81 homes in that area are going to be eligible for some assistance, to maybe upgrade that and maybe get some millenials to come in and buy and say ‘this is where we want to live.’”
Schmitt says private businesses who were originally tied to the project, like Anduzzi’s and Festival Foods, are still interested in the area.
“People are going to say ‘well, is this your second choice?’ I think it’s another choice. I think the investment is still going to be there from the private sector. Met with them (Thursday) and showed them a bit of the redesign. They said ‘this is awesome. We actually like this better.’”
Schmitt says the goal is to finalize a revised proposal within the next three months.
“Some construction on a couple of the entities this fall would be our goal.”
Meanwhile, efforts are moving forward to bring a beach back to Green Bay’s Bay Beach Amusement Park.
Schmitt claims that the DNR intends to approve the city’s plans, but notes a public comment period runs through early March.
“We just want people to spend more time (on the waterfront). We want people to, when they think of Green Bay – we obviously have the sports- but we want them to think of Bay Beach.”
Schmitt says the plans call for a 1,000-foot beach, 400-foot long pier, bath house, and concession stand.
It’s expected to cost $5-million dollars. He’s proposing the city cover 60% of the cost, with grants and donations paying for the rest.
