GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – More plans are being drawn up for a frequently discussed Green Bay island.
Renard Island has long been a hot topic for Brown County officials.
55-acres of unused waterfront property doesn’t come around often and the most recent proposal discussed on Monday would incorporate Ho-Chunk Nation, who has discussed turning the land into a Native American cultural site.
“The opportunity for us to share our culture with the community at large, is something that means a lot to us,” explains Ron Wilber, Ho-Chunk Nation Member.
Renard Island would be home to a Native American Cultural and Education Center under the proposal.
According to Wilber, the site would include replicas of large burial effigy mounds, a campground, and an observation tower.
“We’ve had rough estimates for the plan that we have on there. Low ball, we’re looking at $10 million. That’s with us doing everything ourselves,” he says.
He adds that the Ho-Chunk Nation hopes to form a non-profit in order to help raise money, and represent many groups, native, and non-native.
“We’re very interested in having a stakeholder, or multiple stakeholders begin investing in the island and get it developed,” says Dean Haen, Brown County Port Director.
Brown County owns Renard Island and Haen says a final report detailing the county’s recommendations should be released in the coming months.
While prior to any development taking place, Haen says the county needs to provide parking on the island.
“Everybody that we’ve heard from, is in full support of it,” says Wilber.
It’s still early, but Haen appears to be a fan.
“Hopefully there’s a way to incorporate some of the components that they’re interested in having there,” he says.
Changes to Renard Island first have to be approved on the Committee level and then by the full Brown County Board of Supervisors, according to county officials.
