GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Green Bay’s city council signed off Tuesday night on a funding agreement that will allow the stadium bleachers at West High School to be completed.
A cellphone tower has been in the way from the stadium renovation to be completed as originally designed.
The school district leases the land the stadium sits on from the city.
The agreement appears to be a compromise of sorts, but most importantly, allows the bleachers to be finished with the only difference being an obstructed view for 30 to 50 spots in one of the top corners.
Voters approved the renovation of Del Marcelle Stadium two years ago, as part of a larger referendum.
District officials said they didn’t anticipate it would be a problem moving two cellphone towers as part of the $9 million project.
It was projected to cost about $1 million to move the tower in question.
The district explored all options and decided it was most cost effective to just move the tower’s equipment on the ground. That will allow the bleachers to be finished up to the tower, but only cost $120,000 – which the district will cover.
However, asking to move the equipment allowed the cell tower owner to re-negotiate its lease with the city, costing the city $150,000 in revenue through the next 13 years.
Green Bay Parks Director Dan Ditscheit says the district has agreed to pay the city $100,000 for part of that lost revenue – something district officials previously said they wouldn’t use taxpayer dollars for.
“My understanding is that would be a lump sum check right at the beginning, so it wouldn’t be a little bit each year,” said Ditscheit. “It would be one check. They’re hoping that is a good compromise and would at least provide you enough information to approve the amendment to the lease.”
The council unanimously approved the deal, as long as the terms are finalized.
Once those bleachers are finished, West’s stadium will have a capacity of 2,019 people.
The first football game at the renovated stadium is this Friday.
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