Packers Heritage Trail in Downtown Green Bay, showcasing Packers legends. July 10, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Packers Heritage Trail monument will be moved, as the Green Bay Packers have acquiesced to the city’s demand it make way for a development at the site.
The Packers Heritage Plaza features the statues of Paul Hornung, Johnny “Blood” (McNally), Bart Starr and team co-founder George Whitney Calhoun, among others. The Plaza also includes a large recognition wall and green space enhancements. It opened in 2013. However, when the city approved plans for an apartment complex on the site, it said the plaza would have to be moved to an undetermined location. Packers Heritage, Inc., sued, seeking to keep the display in its current location at the corner of Washington and Cherry streets.
The team issued this statement Tuesday:
The Packers are disappointed with the City’s insistence that the Packers Heritage Trail Plaza be removed. The City approached the Packers Heritage Trail Foundation in 2012 to establish the Plaza. The City chose the location, which is centrally located and has historical significance, as a permanent addition to the Heritage Trail. Through the donations of the Packers and many others, the Plaza opened in 2013 and was a tremendous success. The Packers felt the current location was the best location. The City insisted on moving the Plaza so they can move forward with their planned development, so the Packers will take the Plaza and determine a suitable and permanent new location.
Deputy City Attorney Lacey Cochart said:
The parties reached an agreement to remove the hearing from the Court’s calendar. We have no further comment at this time, as it is ongoing litigation.
David Weber, who represented the Packers Heritage Trail, Inc., said the organization still opposes moving the monument.
“The resolution allows the City removal of the Packers Heritage Plaza to make way for the City’s preferred development project. While my client does not wish to keep the City from moving forward in its preferred direction, it also needs to protect the Heritage Plaza. With proper protection now in place, my client will work to establish a more permanent location for the monuments,” Weber said in a court filing.
A lawsuit in the case will be closed, and a hearing scheduled for Wednesday has been canceled.
Weber told the court he anticipates getting the court documents to dismiss the case before the end of year.
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