GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Bullfrogs may no longer be in play, but plans for Green Bay’s Shipyard project are taking a step forward.
The city’s redevelopment authority has approved spending $10,000 of neighborhood enhancement funds to revise the project proposal.
Mayor Jim Schmitt says “we’re not giving up on the concepts. We’re not going to give up on concerts. We’re not going to give up on sports.”
The city council passed a $13.5 million dollar plan in December for an outdoor events center that included waterfront and parking improvements. The owners of the Bullfrogs were going to pay $5.5 million dollars of that, mostly through a 20-year lease with the city.
Kevin Vonck is the city’s economic development director.
“I think without that lease, we’ll either have to look for a new tenant who can provide a lease or a source of income. If not, we’ll have to look at some options for what type of facility and what cost we could build down there.”
Vonck says they’re looking at the possibility of hosting a soccer, football, lacrosse, or rugby team at the revised stadium.
“There is some burgeoning leagues who have shown some interest in maybe having a team in Wisconsin or in Green Bay. We just kind of want to circle around and see what opportunities there might be for these types of franchises to land up here.”
Alderman David Nenning voted against the project in December, saying he wants to see a thorough plan for the entire South Broadway area.
“The key is attracting good business development and good investment from private businesses.”
City leaders claim private businesses who were originally tied to the project, like Anduzzi’s and Festival Foods, are still interested in the area.
The city’s goal is to finalize a revised proposal within the next three months.
