Green Bay, WI Development News [Archive]

JT-MI

March 5th, 2005, 12:35 AM

Green Bay courts developer Cordish for downtown

By Karen Rauen
krauen@greenbaypressgazette.com

A one-day trip to Baltimore may reap rewards for downtown Green Bay.

Mayor Jim Schmitt, Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce President Paul Jadin, Downtown Green Bay Inc. executive director Jeff Mirkes and Green Bay planning director Rob Strong headed east last Friday in hopes of wooing national developer Cordish Co. to the city.

“This is a major developer in the United States,” Schmitt said. “We are really looking to partner with and get advice from a major developer.”

The team met with Cordish chairman David Cordish and toured some of the company’s entertainment and mixed-use developments in Baltimore. Power Plant Life, a $30 million entertainment district with offices, spanning two square city blocks, once stood vacant.

The company also partnered with the city of Baltimore to create the Power Plant in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The mixed-use project includes Hard Rock Cafe, Barnes & Noble, Gold's Gym, the first ESPN Zone and offices.

“It was very impressive to deal with a company with a vast knowledge in working in urban areas and challenged urban areas,” Mirkes said. Cordish’s redevelopment in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor served as a catalyst, he said.

The company also has worked in Louisville, Ky., Kansas City and Houston, among others.

Schmitt is hoping Cordish will consider purchasing and redeveloping Washington Commons. The mayor has the OK from mall owners Development Associates to seek out a potential buyer for Washington Commons.

Mall owners have said if an offer to purchase was made and the price was right, they would consider selling.

Also included in the mayor’s talks with Cordish were the other areas of downtown’s east side, the former Agrilink site at Dousman and Broadway streets and the greenfield site at the south end of Broadway.

“I truly believe the fact that Green Bay is an NFL city could really work in our favor,” Mirkes said.

David Cordish committed to visiting Green Bay within the next four to six weeks.

“The next step is for him and some of his people to come to Green Bay and really walk through some of the sites we would like his advice on,” Schmitt said.

Cordish Co., he said, is one of three or four premier developers in the country.

“We are looking to partner with a significant, well-known, well-established organization who has done it before and who has a successful track record, Schmitt said. “Cordish is one of those developers.”

Not the only one, though.

The city is meeting with a southern California developer Thursday and is working on making contact with a third.

“We want to have the right project, the right partnership in place this year,” Schmitt said. “These things take time, however it’s not something we’re going to wait a couple of years on.”

JT-MI

March 5th, 2005, 12:38 AM

Downtown Green Bay hotel may see major expansion

Days Inn plan includes 12- to 14-story tower

By Jose de Jesus and Karen Rauen
jdejesus@greenbaypressgazette.com
krauen@greenbaypressgazette.com

A local developer on April 6 will present the Green Bay City Council with a plan to expand the downtown Days Inn to 12- to 14-stories.

The city’s Advisory Committee Tuesday asked developer Russ DeMille to present the City Council with a more detailed plan — including a visual presentation and a financial outline — of the possible tower on the north end of the Days Inn. The addition would include parking, hotel suites, condominiums, a restaurant and a banquet facility overlooking the Fox River.

“I think this is good news,” DeMille told the committee.

DeMille said it would take a good design that’s marketable, both in price and identity, to make the project work.

“If they are too high-priced the project is not going to happen,” he said.

DeMille also told the committee he would need to purchase land near Washington Street from the city in order to continue with the plan.

Part of the overall project includes a complete renovation — inside and outside — of the Days Inn.

While the interior renovation is already in full swing, DeMille said, the exterior facelift would begin as soon as weather permits.

“It would look like a brand-new complex,” he said.

Days Inn owner Mohammad Rashid is in the process of putting more than $750,000 worth of work into the building with new beds and carpeting, improvements to guest rooms, a new whirlpool and pool deck. Rashid, of Appleton, has owned the hotel for eight years.

Rashid is working with DeMille and Fred Fleck to study the expansion.

Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt said he has had preliminary discussions with Rashid about the proposed development and said the city would be interested in a 13-story condominium development at the Days Inn.

“The time comes when you have to do something substantial to make an impression,” Rashid said.

JT-MI

March 9th, 2005, 04:10 AM

Green Bay mayor, Washington commons owners tussle via mail over downtown vision

Schmitt’s redevelopment plans don’t include mall

By Richard Ryman
rryman@greenbaypressgazette.com

Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt was conciliatory toward the owners of Washington Commons on Monday but did not change his position on how he thinks downtown should be developed.

Development Associates, which owns the former downtown mall, upbraided the mayor in a letter last week, saying its plans and interests are not included in the city’s downtown development plans, and the mayor’s comments are making it difficult for them to be successful.

“This whole thing boils down to we don’t share the same vision,” Schmitt said Monday. “The Development Associates individuals are nice guys. I do plan on calling Tom Schumacher today and see if we can get together, be professional and be gentlemen about this.”

Schumacher said Monday Development Associates’ “primary intention is certainly to work with the city,” but the company made it clear in its letter last week that discussions with the mayor would be “more cautious and formal.”

Both parties said they did not intend to discuss their differences in the media. Development Associates sent copies of its letter to city aldermen, one of whom apparently made it public.

Development Associates is riled because the mayor has stated a preference for rebuilding the street grid, which would require removing parts of the former mall, or entirely replacing the 7.2-acre structure with some other kind of development.

They also said in their letter that they do not want the mayor to seek a buyer for the property. Development Associates had provided the mayor with a letter setting terms for a sale, but said they were not happy with his public statements about a possible sale.

“You by no means ‘have our blessing’ to seek a buyer for our property,” the letter said. “Please consider the terms of the aforementioned letter withdrawn, not because of our inflexibility, but due to your actions and statements.

“Also understand that your public statements on both the grid and sale issues constitute, in a real way, an inverse condemnation of our property.”

Development Associates asked for a written response as to whether the city intended to condemn Washington Commons.

In a return letter, Schmitt said restoring the street grid “is a long-term vision,” and “at this time, neither the Council nor the RDA has initiated condemnation proceedings against any property owned by Development Associates.”

Schmitt also wrote that he “will consider the offer letter (with sales terms) sent by your partner Andrew Hilliard to be withdrawn.”

Schmitt said Monday the city has “high expectations” for the property, which he believes could be a $50 million development. Development Associates paid about $5 million for the property.

“I can work with anyone who has high standards and sees this as the city of northeast Wisconsin. When you own 7.2 acres of it, you need to realize how important your projects are not only to the city, but to the whole of northeast Wisconsin,” he said.

Development Associates and the city also disagree on a special assessment for a walkway through the mall connecting Adams and Main streets. The city believes the special assessment, similar to the kind homeowners receive for new sidewalks, should be paid beginning in 2005. Development Associates believes payments should begin in 2009, Schumacher said.

Washington Commons
• Owner: Development Associates

• Address: 320 N. Adams St., Green Bay

• Size: 460,000 square feet of leaseable space. Includes J.C. Penney building, but not former Boston Store and Younkers buildings.

A brief history

• Opened Aug. 4, 1977, as Port Plaza Mall with two anchors and space for 99 smaller stores.

• 1986, Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. buys Port Plaza Mall from Mansur & Associates of Chicago.

• December 1997, Whitehall Funds of New York buys Port Plaza and nine other malls from Metropolitan Life. It names Zamias Services Inc. of Johnstown, Pa., general manager.

• March 2000, Boston Store closes.

• Feb. 28, 2001, Zamias ousted as manager of Port Plaza Mall.

• November 2001, Development Associates, a group of Green Bay investors, buys Port Plaza Mall and changes name to Washington Commons.By the time of the sale, many retailers had left the mall and more would leave over the next four years. JC Penney, the remaining anchor, has not announced a departure, but is building a new store in Ashwaubenon.

Conceding national retailers prefer suburban malls, Development Associates says it is pursuing a mixed-use strategy which would include college classrooms, offices, entertainment venues, specialty retail and restaurants.

• July 25, 2004, Younkers closes.

JT-MI

March 20th, 2005, 05:52 PM

Green Bay mayor wants action on old Younkers site

Juza tweaks plan for downtown redevelopment
By Karen Rauen
krauen@greenbaypressgazette.com

March 14, 2005

After slipping off the radar for a couple of months, Tom Juza’s plans for the former Younkers building in downtown Green Bay will be back before the Green Bay’s Redevelopment Authority later this month.

“We need to bring this to a decision point,” said Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt. He will likely call a special meeting of the RDA on March 24.

“He has changed and actually improved his project quite a bit,” Schmitt said. The developer has revamped his plans since his last public presentation, bulking the $22.9 million development up to about $32 million.

Juza said he’s eager to bring his plans to the RDA and move forward with the project.

The project includes:

• Commercial space geared toward such things as delis, coffee shops, bookstores and offices

• A boutique-style hotel with 45 upscale suites

• A residential component with penthouses, condos and urban-style flats for rent.

Schmitt said Juza’s Younkers redevelopment is dependent on the activated waterfront laid out in the city’s recently adopted downtown plan.

That vision, put together by Boston-based landscape architect StoSS and Milwaukee-based Vetter Denk Architects, extends piers out over the east side of the Fox River — with room for public gatherings — and welcomes boaters with transient docks. On the west side of the river, the plan creates a softer image with enhancements to the water’s edge and additional plantings.

How those riverfront enhancements will be funded remains at issue. Schmitt hopes the city will be able to use some tax increment financing from development projects along the river to build the boardwalk system, but Juza maintains he needs the tax-increment finance dollars to prepare his site for development, Schmitt said.

“We just need to work out a mechanism that’s going to work out for both of us,” Schmitt said. “It’s something we would expect from any developer.”

The city still needs details on Juza’s financing for his project, Schmitt said.

The downtown plan also calls for development of Admiral Flatley Park and the site immediately south of the new Nicolet National Bank building.

Bringing Juza’s project back before the RDA ramps up attention to the north end of Washington Street, where developers have also proposed a 12- to 14-story tower adjoining the Days Inn.

Juza supports expansion of the Days Inn and would like to see Washington Street remain as is. Juza has reservations about the development of his northern neighbor, Admiral Flatley Park.

“I thought I was buying the corner lot,” Juza said.

Schmitt said the city is committed to its downtown plan, which straightens Washington Street and opens Admiral Flatley up for development.

“The city adopted a comprehensive plan for the downtown, which talks about reinstating a grid system and development of four sites along the waterfront,” Schmitt said. He maintains that there is room for development on both sides of North Washington Street.

Juza said he hopes Washington Commons owners Development Associates can succeed with their plans for the downtown mall.

“We like all the activity downtown,” Juza said.

Tensions have been on the rise between Washington Commons owners and the mayor’s office in recent weeks. Development Associates upbraided Schmitt in a letter earlier this month, saying its plans and interests are not included in the city’s downtown development plans, and the mayor’s comments to that effect are making it difficult for them to be successful. Development Associates sent a second letter last week reiterating its concerns.

Two members of Development Associates, Russ DeMille and Fred Fleck, are working with the Days Inn owner Mohammad Rashid on the proposed expansion there. DeMille is expected to present the Green Bay City Council with a more detailed plan at its April 6 meeting. The addition would include parking, hotel suites, condominiums, a restaurant and a banquet facility overlooking the river.

Schmitt hasn’t seen anything from the Days Inn yet and is concerned about bringing DeMille before the April 6 council meeting.

“I don’t know if that’s the best process. It’s a very public process,” Schmitt said.

JT-MI

March 20th, 2005, 05:53 PM

Council reviews downtown projects

By Karen Rauen
krauen@greenbaypressgazette.com

March 16, 2005

Green Bay aldermen Tuesday were confused about what exactly they had or had not committed to when they gave their unanimous blessings to a downtown design plan developed by Boston-based landscape architect StoSS and Milwaukee’s Vetter Denk Architects.

The city’s Advisory Committee Tuesday met with developer Tom Juza to talk about his plans for the former Younkers site.

Juza laid out the issues that still need resolution before work can start on his proposed redevelopment of the long-time downtown retail site:

• The possibility of Admiral Flatley Park being developed.

• How much, if any, of Juza’s tax increment will go toward building an extensive boardwalk system called for in the city’s vision for downtown.

• What are the detailed plans for that boardwalk system.

“With Flatley Park being developed by John Vetter, or whoever, that affects our project big time,” Juza said.

If the park stays, Juza said he can beef up his $32 million project at least another $3 million by adding additional hotel rooms to the north side of the development.

“I’m not sure if Admiral Flatley development is the best thing for the city,” Juza said.

In October, the council unanimously backed a plan that calls for:

• RiverTower — a $25 million to $40 million “signature” mixed-use building at North Washington and East Walnut streets. The building could stretch 20-stories tall if the market demands it. It would include underground parking, ground-level retail, mixed-use office, condominiums, commercial office space and penthouses.

• Main Street site — a $15 million development in lieu of Admiral Flatley Park.

Along the river itself, the plan works to draw people to the water. It advocates extending piers out over the water — with room for public gatherings — and welcoming boaters with transient docks.

Not forgetting the west side of the river, the plan creates a softer image with enhancements to the water’s edge and additional plantings.

The long-term comprehensive downtown plan goes further, encouraging the city to reclaim its street grid system to re-establish a neighborhood feel. In other words, get rid of Washington Commons and find a “better and higher use” for the land underneath.

At issue is whether the city promised that Vetter Denk would have the right to develop the site south of the new Nicolet National Bank building and Admiral Flatley Park.

“I’ll just ask every member that’s here: Was anybody under the illusion that we were committing to the development of that park when we approved those plans?” Alderman Guy Zima asked. “No one had that thought. If our staff pulled that across on us.”

“John Vetter did say in his presentation to us that he gave us the development and for that he wanted development rights to two parcels: the Flatley Park, and it was even talked about we’d still keep a monument there or something, and the south side of the Nicolet project,” said Alderman Tom Weber. “That’s my recollection of his presentation.”

“At this point gentlemen, because we want to make sure the facts are correct, I would suggest you have us review the stuff and bring it back in closed session, we can show you our position from a litigation standpoint,” said city attorney Jerry Hanson.

The committee took Hanson’s advice and asked the city’s legal department to review meeting minutes and agreements regarding the downtown plan.

JT-MI

April 2nd, 2005, 01:42 AM

City, developer clash over downtown plan
Conditions set for project

By Karen Rauen
krauen@greenbaypressgazette.com

Tom Juza’s proposed $38.7 million Younkers redevelopment plan saw a setback Wednesday as Green Bay’s Redevelopment Authority approved terms that fall short of what the developer had hoped for.

The 15 terms and conditions, Juza said, short him on the tax incentives he needs to make his project happen, don’t guarantee him boat docks or the ability to put tables and chairs on the boardwalk, and give away his “corner lot.”

“We were completely blindsided by the RDA’s proposal,” Juza said.

Juza’s plan calls for redeveloping the long-time retail site into a mixed-use development that would include a hotel, condominiums, apartments and commercial and restaurant space.

Under the RDA’s stipulations, Admiral Flatley Park will be developed, something Juza says will detract from his project by eliminating the “corner lot” views. Milwaukee-based Vetter Denk Architects will present its proposal for a development on the park to the RDA next Wednesday.

Juza, who maintains he was guaranteed corner lot views, will take his case to the Green Bay City Council that night, when it is set to review the terms approved by the Redevelopment Authority.

“We’re going to present our plan and we’re going to let them take a vote,” Juza said. “If they take a vote that they would rather see the park being developed, then we’re going to step aside.”

The terms, which will be the subject of continuing negotiations between Juza and city officials, call for, among other things:

• Development on Admiral Flatley Park, as called for in the city’s downtown plan. The city will guarantee that development on the park won’t block all riverfront views from the north side of Juza’s project.

• The city to retain ownership of a 50-foot easement along the river, but Juza can apply for the necessary permits to place tables and other items in the city’s right of way.

• Boardwalk plans to be approved “at the sole discretion” of the city, with input from Juza. The boardwalk is dependent on council approval and appropriate financing.

• Juza to receive up to $7 million of tax-increment financing on a $38.7 million project. That number will be adjusted if the project is scaled back. Tax-increment financing would allow property tax revenues generated by improvements to the Younkers site to be used to pay for utilities and other public construction.

• Juza to be responsible for the costs associated with acquiring and removing the overpass connecting the Younkers building to Washington Commons.

• The city to have the right to begin marketing the property to other developers as of April 25 if the city and Juza haven’t reached an agreement.

Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt maintains the terms are a fair compromise.

“All the (tax) increment is going to that project,” Schmitt said. “That was a bold move on our part.”

Juza says differently. His math shows the project supporting $8.85 million in tax increment. He asked for $7.6 million to help make his site buildable.

But Schmitt said those figures are based on flawed assumptions and that $7 million is all the increment the development can support.

“It has been nothing but difficult to get to this point and I’ve got $450,000 of out-of-pocket expenses,” Juza said. “If the city is ready for us to bring our building down there, then we can continue discussions.”

At the city’s urging, Juza has bulked his project up since his original November presentation to the $38.7 million mark trying to meet what he sees as a “moving target.”

Buildouts for tenants will bump the project’s value to more than $45 million.

“The message the city of Green Bay has sent to Thomas J. Juza Custom Home and Design today is that they would rather see a proposed $10-to-$15 million building by John Vetter and not have a $45 million hotel and a … project from Days Inn,” Juza said.

Schmitt said he likes the project and wants to see it work on the city’s waterfront.

“This project is not just about Tom Juza. This project is about the comprehensive waterfront plan,” Schmitt said, referencing the City Council–approved downtown redevelopment plan.

“We need a developer that understands that this is a total waterfront development project,” Schmitt said. “They need to work comfortably with all the projects along the waterfront.

“He understands that, or used to understand that.”

JT-MI

April 10th, 2005, 05:19 PM

Ground broken on Green Bay’s downtown condos
Developer calls drawing residents to urban area ‘critical’

By Karen Rauen
krauen@greenbaypressgazette.com

Downtown living was kick started Tuesday with a gold-tipped shovel and a parking lot full of well-wishers as Vetter Denk Architects OF Milwaukee broke ground on their $8.4 million, 24-unit condominium project.

With a large rendering of Riverfront Lofts and a Selmer Co. construction trailer behind him, Vetter Denk principal John Vetter told the crowd that bringing residents downtown was “critical.”

“If we can bring people to the waterfront … everything else will follow,” Vetter said. The Riverfront Lofts project, he said, has raised awareness about urban living.

Calling them “urban pioneers,” Vetter thanked the buyers, “who made an investment into the community, into the vision and into the vibrant urban neighborhood which will start right here today.”

Mark Albright knew he wanted to buy a condo and when he stumbled on Vetter Denk’s project downtown Green Bay, he was sold.

“When I come home from work, I want to be able to just relax and not have to do yard work,” Albright said.

Vetter Denk brought the Riverfront Lofts project to the city last June and has since also created a comprehensive downtown plan for the heart of Green Bay.

“There’s a real vision that people can put their arms around and embrace,” Vetter said.

He will also present plans for another development at Admiral Flatley Park to the Green Bay’s Redevelopment Authority and City Council today.

JT-MI

April 10th, 2005, 05:25 PM

Development bidders plan to meet, discuss downtown compromise
Three scenarios for downtown reconstruction in disaccord

By Karen Rauen
krauen@greenbaypressgazette.com

Three would-be North Washington Street developers are headed for talks with one another in hopes that the city can facilitate all three projects.

Russ DeMille and Fred Fleck, partnering with Days Inn City Centre owner Mohammad Rashid, said they hope to build a 14-story Beaumont Tower adjoining the downtown hotel. To do so, Washington Street would need to remain curved and Admiral Flatley undeveloped.

Vetter Denk Architects wants to straighten Washington and build a $25.2 million development at Admiral Flatley, as is called for in the comprehensive plan the Milwaukee-based firm helped create for downtown Green Bay.

Thomas J. Juza Custom Home and Design has redevelopment plans for the former Younkers site, but doesn’t want its views obstructed by Vetter Denk’s 17-story project.

“The only way we’re going to settle it is to get all the developers together,” said Alderman Carl Arnoldi, who represents the downtown district.

More than four hours of talk about which North Washington Street developer would get his way came to an end early Thursday morning as the Green Bay City Council directed staff to facilitate a meeting between the three developers and report to the Advisory Committee in two weeks.

“There are three good projects, but there are some issues with each one,” DeMille said. “We’ll go in with an open mind.”

Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt said he’s optimistic about bringing the three developers to the table. He prepared a letter for all three asking for their timetables, market studies, personal guarantees, financials and status for financing.

“I sent a letter today asking for this information … to know that these projects are real,” Schmitt said. He expects to coordinate a meeting by the end of next week.

“I would like to think that we could work together, as long as we adhere to the comprehensive plan that was adopted in October,” said John Vetter, a principal of Vetter Denk Architecture.

The comprehensive plan, which won unanimous approval from the Green Bay City Council in October, works to draw people to the waterfront. It advocates extending piers over the water — with room for public gatherings — and welcoming boaters with transient docks.

Some aldermen backed away from their support of the plan at Wednesday’s meeting and told Vetter that approving the plan didn’t mean the city had to follow it.

The plan, Schmitt said, has been a focus for his administration. “To have a handful of people try to renege on the plan or to change the plan … for no good reason … just doesn’t make sense to this community.”

The Green Bay City Council sent back the Redevelopment Authority’s recommendation that city staff draft an eight-month planning option for Vetter Denk’s proposed Astor Place and The Market at Astor Place project on Admiral Flatley Park.

The delay in the eight month planning option worries Vetter because of the message the council’s action sends about the comprehensive plan for downtown.

“I think that’s what’s at risk,” he said.

Vetter returned to his Milwaukee office Thursday to find e-mails from Green Bay residents.

“It’s amazing the public support and outcry that I’ve just received personally,” he said.

Despite the cool response from some aldermen Wednesday, Vetter maintains his firm still plans to deliver on its promises.

“We’re still very excited about not only the Riverfront Lofts, but the entire downtown plan that we unveiled to the city in September,” Vetter said Thursday. “We’re still extremely committed and devoted to making that a reality.

“We’re not going to let the community down. It won’t be us.”

The City Council also heard from developer Tom Juza and his architect Jim LaPlant Wednesday about the proposed Younkers redevelopment.

Juza told the council he was continuously pulled off agendas at the mayor’s request. Schmitt agreed, saying the developer and city couldn’t find common ground on tax-increment finance issues.

In a TIF district, property tax revenues generated by improvements within the district are used to pay for utilities and other public construction during the life of the TIF.

Juza has said he needs the tax-increment to deal with issues on his site such as asbestos abatement, demolition and excavation. Schmitt told the council he was reluctant to bring them a project that requires all of its increment.

“I just had this feeling that this council wouldn’t accept a project that used 100 percent TIF,” Schmitt said. “If this council, if you’re telling me you’re willing to give a developer … 100 percent (TIF) financing, then I’m learning too.”

Alderman Guy Zima, the council’s most vocal opponent of TIF, told the mayor that he was wrong to not bring Juza’s proposal before the council.

“All these things that he’s doing here are barely leveling the playing field,” Zima said. “That doesn’t sound anything like the subsidies we’ve given to other people.”

The City Council extended Juza’s exclusivity clause on the Younkers site an additional 60 days.

Juza recommended the city come up with guidelines for how development proposals should proceed through the city, pointing out that the three developers before the council Wednesday all took different paths.

Fiddlerontheruf

April 10th, 2005, 08:43 PM

I know this may sound ignorant, but does green bay even have a downtown? I mean a central business district, not neccesarily tall buildings. I can't find any pictures online anywhere that show a discernable central area, including the ones you just posted.

Clashman

April 12th, 2005, 05:35 PM

Green Bay has a "downtown", but it isn't much of one. A lot of that is due to the Port Plaza mall, (now called Washington Commons), which when it moved in destroyed a lot of old businesses and basically the concept of Green Bay's downtown. After the PPM was built in the late 70's, the focus of the city was lost and dispersed outwards to the suburbs. Green Bay has been trying to recover from it ever since. They've had some success in revitalizing Broadway by moving in nice little coffee shops like Kavarna and whatnot, but they haven't thus far succeeded in really redeveloping downtown into the center of the city/metro area. There have been big plans like the ones being discussed here for downtown for at least 8 or 9 years but they haven't managed to take off yet. Former Mayor Paul Jadin was a big proponent, if I recall correctly. It sounds like these might be closer than the other ones ever got, so let's hope so. Green Bay needs something to drag it out of the muck, (literally. The Fox river is outright filthy).

JT-MI

April 12th, 2005, 11:49 PM

Posted Apr. 12, 2005

Adams Street Station is good to go
Complex will include nightclub, pizzeria, New York-style lofts

By Richard Ryman
rryman@greenbaypressgazette.com

Jazz, pizza and pastry are coming to the corner of Adams and East Walnut streets.

To be called Adams Street Station, the three-building complex that was home to Schauer & Schumacher Furniture until 2001 will house three entertainment businesses as well as five New York-style lofts.

The businesses will be:

• 109, a jazz, blues and dance nightclub owned by Clarence Crane and Tyrell Sims.

• Moonshines, a pizza restaurant and speakeasy, owned by Brian Peot and Chris Knuth, who also own Oxfords on Washington Street.

• A European-style cafe and pastry shop. The owners have not been identified.

The city Protection and Welfare Committee approved liquor licenses for 109 and Moonshines Monday night. The city council will take them up April 19.

Larry Webster, vice president of The Creative Group, which owns the property, said Adams Street Station will open in August, close to the scheduled completion of the new Cherry Street parking garage in September.

“I think we can retain people downtown after 5 p.m. and appeal to conventioners,” Webster said of the development.

109 will include back-to-back bars, with one oriented toward live entertainment and the other toward a dance area. The space can be divided or opened up as needed. The live entertainment side will include two grand pianos in the floor-to-ceiling front windows.

“We’ve always wanted to be club owners,” Sims said. “There’s something about downtown Green Bay that’s screaming for live entertainment.”

Webster said the establishment is aiming for the older, professional adult clientele.

“It will be familiar to any who would remember the Top Shelf days,” said Michael Schwantes, president of The Creative Group.

“The carrot was the visibility in the windows. What facilitated this is now we have parking,” Webster said. “Whoever came up with that idea for parking sure helped our properties.”

Webster said the black-tin covered 15-foot ceilings were also an attraction.

Moonshines will include a pizza parlor in front on the ground floor. A moving brick wall will open to a 1920s-style speakeasy in the rear of the ground floor. A second floor will include a bar and pool tables.

Webster said the unnamed owner of the cafe and pastry shop is an experienced pastry chef. The business will occupy the former funeral home building facing Adams Street.

The loft apartments will be on the second and third floors of that building, which will have a new elevator. The apartments will be 800- to 1,000-square feet.

All three businesses will open onto a European-style courtyard in the rear of the buildings.

Design and construction are being done by Schuh Construction Co.

djcody

April 16th, 2005, 11:41 PM

I didn't know that these plans were in the mix. I'm glad to hear that Green Bay is taking the steps to revitalize their downtown. Keep the news coming JT-MI!!

EastSider

April 18th, 2005, 10:42 AM

Great great great news. Really exciting to hear about.

JT-MI

May 13th, 2005, 07:58 PM

Boardwalks, piers at center of proposal by StoSS
By Karen Rauen
krauen@greenbaypressgazette.com

Chris Reed calls it Green Bay’s new front porch, a place to come and sit for a spell.

“Hang out here — shoes off, feet up,” said Reed, principal of the Boston-based landscape architecture firm StoSS.

That’s how he envisions the riverfront redevelopment he presented Thursday, first to a crowd of about 280 at Downtown Green Bay Inc.’s Good Morning Downtown, then to the city’s Redevelopment Authority and Plan Commission, and finally at an evening open house.

“Wouldn’t it be nice … if we could go down to the river every day and really enjoy it for what it is?” Reed said.

Having spent the last few months studying regulatory and technical issues and meeting with Green Bay-area residents and stakeholders, Reed prepared three alternative waterfront plans. The options, with price tags ranging from $1.5 million to $18 million, include a simple path, a boardwalk system with pockets of grass and plantings and a series of large piers sloping down to the water.

“Both the pier and boardwalk schemes are high-quality, world-class schemes,” Reed said.

The city’s Redevelopment Authority and Plan Commission eagerly embraced Reed’s options, and both bodies voted unanimously to recommend that the Green Bay City Council pursue the boardwalk option. The council takes the issue up Tuesday.

“I’m really excited about this,” Alderman Chad Fradette told the members of the RDA and Plan Commission, assuring them that he will support their recommendation.

The boardwalk system, priced at $10 million to $12 million, includes multiple boardwalks that step up and down, creating overlooks and bringing visitors down closer to the water. The option incorporates plantings and grasses along the length of riverfront stretching between the Walnut Street and Ray Nitschke Memorial bridges.

The riverfront would be paid for with a combination of tax-increment financing from projects along the river, state dollars and private donations.

A survey asked Good Morning Downtown participants to rate the three options as undesirable, good, very good or excellent. Nearly all favored the piers or boardwalk system, several added comments urging the city to “be bold” and “do something substantial.”

Only two respondents preferred the path option, a choice that others labeled “not an option at all.”

“Green Bay needs to make a major change,” said Laura Baker, who works in downtown Green Bay. She favored the piers options. Big change on the river will bring more people downtown, she said.

All three options seek the same result — invite the city out to the front porch.

“I really like the idea of the boardwalk option; it would bring the most people downtown,” said Cory Borys, who works downtown. “There’s not many places on the river. It’d be nice to have more places to go and enjoy what the city has to offer.”

Having lived in Duluth, Minn., Borys has seen what an activated waterfront can do for a mid-sized city.

“There were some comments about how Green Bay doesn’t have the community to support something of this nature,” he said. “I lived in Duluth … it thrived.”

Reed is confident that Green Bay is city enough to support its riverfront.

“What we’re hearing is, ‘I want a place to bring a child down to the river. To watch the river,’” Reed said. “It’s about the river and it’s about families.”

As he flashed images of ships coming into Green Bay on the river, Reed called the scene “great theater.”

“We can’t invent this,” Reed said.

StoSS approaches the west side of the river with a softer touch, suggesting wetland terraces and possibly public access docks. That’s what the RDA and Plan Commission agreed they’d like to see on the river’s west bank.

Work to the west will come with a price tag of $2.5 million to $4 million, but additional funding sources may be available, Reed said.

Both east- and west-side treatments have upgrade possibilities down the road, if the city wants to continue improving its waterfront.

Pat Quinn, downtown property owner and president of Downtown Green Bay Inc., stopped Reed after the presentation to express his excitement.

“Maximize what you can do to an irreplaceable asset,” Quinn said. “Compel people to come.”

THE PLAN:
Riverfront Options

Piers

• $15 million-$18 million project.

• Consists of three large piers/platforms: one at the water, one sloping toward the water and one overlooking the water; requires extensive cutting down of the retaining wall; includes plantings; maintains the recreation trail.

• The pier system would slope down toward the water.

• Includes 12-15 transient docks and 13 leasable docks.

• “Here’s the idea that you make a very large move toward, something bold,” said Chris Reed, principal of Boston-based landscape architect StoSS.

Boardwalks

• $10 million-$12 million project.

• Multiple boardwalks that step up and down, creating different levels; doesn’t impact the wall; includes more grass and other plantings; maintains the recreation trail.

• Includes 7-10 transient docks and 18 leasable docks.

• “What that scheme creates is some really nice spaces for the waterfront,” Reed said. “I don’t feel the boardwalk scheme is a compromise at all.”

Path

• $1.5 million-$2.5 million project.

• Simple extension of the Fox River Trail with occasional plazas, no changes in level; maintains the recreation trail.

• Economical.

• “You can certainly be economical, but it doesn’t create the diversity of spaces, it’s not going to generate the activity that the other schemes are going to generate,” Reed said.

JT-MI

May 24th, 2005, 02:30 AM

Posted May 18, 2005

Green Bay council votes to move forward with boardwalk
Vetter Denk also gets OK to plan Flatley Park project

By Karen Rauen
krauen@greenbaypressgazette.com

The city of Green Bay will push forward with an extensive boardwalk system lining the east side of the Fox River downtown.

At the Redevelopment Authority and Plan Commission’s urging, the Green Bay City Council on Tuesday voted 10-2 to move forward with plans for a riverfront boardwalk system, priced at $10 million to $12 million.

The plan, put together by Boston-based landscape architect StoSS, includes multiple boardwalks that step up and down, creating overlooks and bringing visitors down closer to the water.

The option incorporates plantings along the length of riverfront between the Walnut Street and Ray Nitschke Memorial bridges.

“This is an exciting night,” StoSS principal Chris Reed told the Green Bay City Council as he presented options for the city’s riverfront.

The council also voted 11-1 to add wetland terraces and possibly public access docks to the west side.

“I was just impressed to no end with the product you folks have put together,” said Harold Grimes, one of several area residents who stood to praise or criticize the redevelopment.

Other speakers worried about cost, the staging of projects, and whether the plantings would be able to thrive in the soils.

Alderman Guy Zima took Reed to task for not giving the city a “real” third option.

The east-side treatment was one of three options Reed presented to the city. The options, with price tags ranging from $1.5 million to $18 million, also included a simple path and a series of large piers sloping down to the water.

“I really think there’s something in between,” Zima said.

Zima and Gary Kriescher opposed the boardwalks, and Kriescher was the lone vote opposed to west-side enhancements.

The riverfront would be paid for with a combination of tax-increment financing from projects along the river, state dollars and private donations. Work to the west would come with a price tag of $2.5 million to $4 million, but additional funding sources may be available. The council action specified that no funds for the project would come from city’s general fund.

By an 8-4 vote, the City Council Tuesday also approved an eight-month planning option for Vetter Denk’s proposed Astor Place development. Aldermen Earl Van Den Heuvel, Andy Nicholson, Kriescher and Zima opposed the option.

The vote came after nearly an hour of questions and debate.

The Vetter Denk project includes a riverfront market; retail sites on Washington Street; condominiums; and parking.

Alderman Ken Dax urged the council vote on the issue.

“If we postpone this, we could potentially kill all three,” Dax said. “We need to take action.”

Zima worried that moving forward with the project could put the proposed Beaumont Tower expansion of the Days Inn City Centre in jeopardy.

Several area veterans have objected to the idea of development at the park, which honors Green Bay-born war hero Vice Admiral James Flatley Jr.

Vetter has worked to quell concerns by making the development more of a tribute to Flatley. Vetter Denk principal John Vetter said Tuesday he would dedicate the first level of The Market to Flatley and will consider naming that portion of the project after the war hero.

The StoSS plan gives the Flatley memorial a place on a raised terrace overlooking the river. Veterans, who had opposed a proposed development at the park, said they had resigned themselves to the idea that the monument would move, but they asked the city to upgrade the monument to a 6-foot tall bronze statue.

Green Bay Packers player Rob Davis, who was at Tuesday’s City Council meeting to support Vetter Denk plans to develop at Admiral Flatley Park, told the veterans he would donate $25,000 toward the statue and help raise more funds for the monument.

Clashman

May 25th, 2005, 07:05 AM

I see Guy Zima is still on the city council there. That guy is such a wanker, and the last thing Green Bay needs right now.

KingShizzznit

May 25th, 2005, 06:45 PM

Green Bay = Packers

I don't think any other town in America is known for just one thing more than Green Bay is known for the Packers. Green Bay will always be a small town with a football team. It's only natural that the leaders of this community take steps to further the city's importance in business areas as well as residential development. By the way, Packers suck!

JT-MI

May 28th, 2005, 05:40 PM

Posted May 24, 2005

Downtown Green Bay park project casts off

By Karen Rauen
krauen@greenbaypressgazette.com

By next summer, boaters will be able to dock their boats along the west bank of the Fox River, canoeists and kayakers will be able to access the water from downtown and Green Bay will have a place to host festivals.

“It will be a nice place to come and enjoy and reconnect with the Fox River,” said Bill Landvatter, director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry for the city.

Although work on portions of the park began earlier this month, the vacant 7 acres of grass will start to take shape into a park in July. The finished product will be landscaped with trees and walkways. Rivergoers will be able to get out of their boats at transient boat slips, and large vessels will be able to dock at the north end of the site.

Transient boat slips may go a long way toward helping Broadway businesses attract customers.

“It’s one of the things we’ve been working on for years,” said Naletta Burr, director of On Broadway Inc. “It’s probably one of the biggest highlights.”

In addition to the city-owned 2.5 acres, the park includes 4.5 acres that are being leased for 10 years from Western Line Corp. That additional land will allow the park to host larger-scale special events such as festivals, picnics, and arts and cultural activities.

“Leicht Park is going to be a great venue to celebrate waterfront festivals and the uniqueness of our area,” Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt said.

Eventually, Schmitt said, the city will decide whether to make those 4.5 acres a permanent festival site or to create a larger festival park where the C. Reiss Coal Co. now operates south of Mason Street. He hopes that within the next 10 years the coal piles will be moved off the 40-acre riverfront site they occupy.

Regardless, the city-owned portion of Leicht Park will remain a park. Leicht Park will carry historical references to Fort Howard, which operated on the site from 1816 through 1852, with the exception of a few years in the 1840s.

A Leadership Green Bay group is hoping to raise funds for a statue of President Zachary Taylor, who served as commander at Fort Howard for 20 months.

Plans for Leicht Park have been in the making since Russell Leicht and his mother donated the 2.5 acres to the city in February 1999. Two months later an arson fire destroyed Leicht Transfer & Storage Co.’s warehouse on the adjacent property.

“It’s been quite a project … the idea that it’s breaking ground and things are actually happening is very exciting for everybody,” Burr said.

While the first phase of work at Leicht Park will be done this fall, Landvatter said additional improvements will be made in years to come.

avissers

June 15th, 2005, 07:48 PM

Looks like the City and Juza are getting closer to a deal on the Younkers property. This has only taken what, two years?

Plus another interesting bit of news mentioned in the article is local developer Paul Kaczrowski is proposing two twin 10 story condo towers and retail near the Tundra Lodge. They seem a little bit out of place and scale in this area to me. Of course this is the same guy that failed to get the Kaukana Dog Track turned into a hotel/convention center/water park and failed at his attempt at the 14 story office building Prestige Place (NEC of Walnut and Washingon) a short time ago. Looks like he needs a lot of help with financing which with Guy Zima on the Council is one negative vote already...

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_21430979.shtml

Younkers redevelopment plan hinges on TIF funding

By Mike Hoeft
mhoeft@greenbaypressgazette.com

After a five-hour meeting Tuesday, the Redevelopment Authority and developer Tom Juza were one sticking point away from agreement on a $38 million redevelopment plan for the former Younkers site in downtown Green Bay.

But it’s a sticking point that could scuttle the deal. It concerns delayed disbursement of $7 million in tax-increment financing funds to allow the developer to prepare and clean the site.

After the meeting, Juza told news media he hoped that a compromise could be reached when the City Council takes up the issue June 21.

“I’m excited that we’re down to one issue,” Juza said. “We hope to move forward on the project.”

Juza’s plan calls for redeveloping the long-time retail site into a mixed-use development that would include a hotel, condominiums, apartments and commercial and restaurant space.

Since March, the city and Juza have debated 15 terms and conditions set by the city.

The city will relocate Admiral Flatley Park in accordance with the comprehensive waterfront plan. The city will guarantee that development on the park won’t block all riverfront views from the north side of Juza’s project.

The RDA agreed to Juza’s maximum cost at $571,000 in acquiring the overhang that connects the Younkers building to Washington Commons.

However, the RDA disagreed with Juza’s proposal on disbursing $7 million in TIF funds. Juza proposed receiving the funds less the $1.35 million purchase price of the building and less overhang price. Juza wants the remaining funds by May 1, 2006 to pay for site demolition and cleanup. But the RDA said the funds would be prorated, with Juza paying $8 up front for every $2 he receives in TIF funds.

Juza’s exclusivity clause on development rights was extended to June 25. The RDA also agreed that if Juza’s proposal is not approved by the council on June 21, Juza would receive his $75,000 back.

In other action, the RDA heard a proposal from local developer Paul Kaczrowski on developing land south of Lombardi Avenue near Tundra Lodge Resort and Waterpark.

Kaczrowski said the Lombardi Park Center, valued at $65 million, would include a 127-room hotel, twin 10-story condominium project with retail shops and a grocery store.

“It’s going to be a great asset and addition to Green Bay,” he said.

The site is roughly between Lombardi and Potts avenues and Holmgren Way and Ashland Avenue.

He envisioned creating 12 monuments to legendary Green Bay Packers players and changing existing street names of Progress, Advance and Forward to Reggie White Way, Bart Starr Drive and Legends Lane.

Kaczrowski said he may need city help in acquiring three properties. He also would need $4 million in TIF money for phase one, and about $15 million in aid for phase two of the project.

The proposal was referred to city staff for evaluation at the RDA’s meeting in July.

avissers

June 16th, 2005, 05:33 AM

A rendering of what the east side of Green Bay, WI could look like if the recent Downtown Comprehensive Plan, approved by City Council, that was done by Vetter Denk and Stoss takes shape.

http://www.geocities.com/arvissers/DowntownGreenBayEastRendering.jpg

A rendering of the Tom Juza project. The building on the right with the slender tower is the existing vacant Younkers building that will be partially renovated and razed. The building on the left will be an entirely new hotel and condo tower.

http://www.geocities.com/arvissers/JuzaYounkersProposalGreenBayWI.jpg

The details:

Location: Former downtown Younkers site

Key components: Hotel with 78 rooms and 20 condominium suites; 36 condominiums; 32 apartments; four restaurant spaces; 10 retail spaces; 450 parking stalls; total of 167,175 square feet.

Developer: Thomas J. Juza Custom Home and Design, Hobart

Investment: $38.7 million

This rendering shows how the Juza proposal and the Astor Place proposal by Vetter-Denk (17 Story condo and market) will co-exist. A main concern by the Juza team is that river views will be blocked on the Younkers project if the Astor Place Development is built.

http://www.geocities.com/arvissers/VetterJuzaProposal.jpg

Currently, the Astor Place Project has a planning option granted by the City Council on the property for nine months while the Juza's planning option has been extended time and time again and will expire at the end of June 2005. The planning option will allow Vetter-Denk time to do a feasability study and do pre-sales to determine how many units and what price the units may go for.

The details:

Location: The current Admiral Flatley Park site at Main and North Washington streets

Key components: Riverfront market with two market levels for permanent vendors including A'Bravo Cafe and Coffee Shop and an organic grocery store, a third level would be used for banquets; retail sites on Washington Street; condominiums and parking.

Developer: Vetter Denk Architects, Milwaukee

Investment: $25.2 million

http://www.geocities.com/arvissers/VetterProposal3.jpg

This is another view of the east side of downtown Green Bay. The three buildings that are lit up have been proposed by Vetter-Denk. The development on the left is the 17 story Astor Place Development. The development in the middle is the Riverfront Lofts which is currently under construction. 22 of the 26 units have been sold. The first condo development in Green Bay seems to be pretty popular. The units ranged from $180,000 to $699,000. The building on the right is located on the most prominent corner in Green Bay, and the Mayor requires any development on this corner to be at least $40 Million Dollars and the tallest building in Green Bay. Vetter-Denk has not submitted any formal plans as of yet (as they are trying to determine interest from Green Bay's more prominent companies office needs) but initial reports show the building as 20 stories.

http://www.geocities.com/arvissers/VetterProposal2.jpg

Last but not least (no picture or renderings), the Beaumont Tower was proposed but not much has been spoken about this project as of late. This would be an addition to the Days Inn in Green Bay that is under renovation. More than likely if Astor Place gets built, this project will not happen.

Location: Days Inn City Centre, 406 N. Washington St.

Key components: Days Inn renovation, 14-story tower adjoining the hotel, which would include parking, 83 hotel rooms and suites, 28 or more condominiums.

Developer: Fleck & DeMille, LLC and Rashid Enterprises, Green Bay

Investment: $21.66 million

ReddAlert

June 16th, 2005, 06:24 AM

couldnt see the last two pictures. The first ones however were excellent. Things are looking good up there, im kind of excited.

avissers

June 16th, 2005, 03:49 PM

If the pictures do not load up try this link to see them on a web page...

http://www.geocities.com/arvissers

Also try this one for a different shot

http://www.geocities.com/arvissers/index2.html?1118874914655

Hope this works. Still learning how to post pictures. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

JT-MI

June 18th, 2005, 12:34 AM

It'll be a big change for the best in Green Bay, that's for sure

avissers

June 18th, 2005, 10:11 PM

Here are some excerpts from the Redevelopment Authority Meeting that took place on 6/14/2005 regarding some of the projects going on in Green Bay. The first excerpts are from the Tom Juza Younkers property project, again this project has been on the boards for a while, with numerous changes and delays. It looks like it might make it to City Council for approval soon.

5. Consideration of and possible action on development agreement with Thomas J. Juza Custom Homes.

R. Strong gave background information on this item. The last time the two parties met, there was a list of issues that needed to be worked out. T. Juza would like to address these issues.

A motion was made by M. Schuller and seconded T. Weber to open the meeting to the public. Motion carried.

T. Juza indicated that there are sixteen items on the list of issues and that he would go through each. He indicated that Items 1-5, 8, 10, 12, 13 were all agreeable to both parties.

Item 6 involves the overhang and the associated costs that shall be resolved by the developer. There was discussion about the square foot cost of this space. T. Juza is negotiating to purchase the overhang and is willing to be responsible for up to $571,000 in these costs. Should T. Juza not be able to purchase the property, the City would use condemnation and assume financial costs above $571,000.

Item 7, use of TIF funds on a proportional basis is an issue with T. Juza. He indicated that the 80/20 proportional proposal use of the TIF funds would not work and would like that item reconsidered by the RDA.

Item 9, the City wanted to obtain some proforma information from him and this would be forthcoming. T. Juza would like Item 11, the exclusivity clause, to be negotiated further.

Regarding Item 14, T. Juza said the street cost was not a problem. With Item 15, he indicated that he wants to do the project and thanks the RDA for all of their support.

A motion was made by M. Schuller that the RDA agrees with Item 3, that $7.3 million in TIF money can be used for the project. Item 6, the RDA would limit the amount that T. Juza would be responsible for regarding the overhang at $571,000. Item 7, the RDA disagrees with the developer and wants the split to stay at the 80/20 ratio that the City indicated. Item 9, regarding the proforma information; this information must be delivered to R. Strong in the City Planning Department by end of business on Friday, June 17, 2005, so that staff can review the information before the City Council meeting on June 21, 2005. Item 11, exclusivity clause, will expire on June 25, 2005 for this site and if the Council does not approve a development agreement at it’s June 21, 2005 meeting, the $75,000 option fee will be returned to the developer. All other points were agreed to by the RDA. This motion was seconded by T. Weber. Motion carried.

1. The City will retain 50 feet along the river. The Developer shall receive an easement for the necessary tables and chairs and other obstructions within the Cities Boardwalk for patrons of businesses and residents to utilize. All restaurants are to be allowed to provide full services within easement. The City cannot guarantee the number of feet prior to final design plans for the boardwalk.

2. The boardwalk plans shall be approved at the sole discretion of the City, with input by the Developer. The boardwalk construction is dependent upon Council approval and appropriate financing through TIF increment and other means. Juza Acquisitions, LLC has approved the Boardwalk plans that have been approved by the City Council but needs to be flexible to our building design including appropriate accommodations to Developer’s entrances & exits.

3. 100% of the TIF Financing supported by the project $7.3 Million based on a guaranteed assessed value of the project of $36,500,000.00. The project shall include public parking, a hotel, restaurant, retail and residential components.

4. It is the intent of the City to incorporate boat docks along the waterfront to benefit residents of riverfront properties and the general public. The location and number are to be determined and are subject to approval by other governing authorities. Docks will be provided on a pro-rata share among at least 4 waterfront projects, including the Younkers site, the Admiral Flatley Park site, Riverfront Lofts and a site located at the northwest corner of Walnut and Washington Street, containing residential components.

5. The City will relocate Admiral Flatley Park in accordance with the comprehensive waterfront plan. However, the City will provide a sight easement to the north of the project as follows: The easement will be a sight easement of 45o from a point 45’ east of the city’s setback (50’) on a line that bisects and runs with the north face of the building. Said line shall not be construed to be the property line.

6. The overhang and associated costs shall be resolved by the Developer. In the event that the Developer is not able to purchase the overhang, the City will commence eminent domain proceedings and Developer will cover City costs for acquisition up to $571,000.00.

7. The TIF funds will be drawn on a proportionate basis with all other funds or equities associated with the project. Example: If developer injects 80% of the total funds and City supplies 20% than each draw would be 80% developer funds and 20% TIF funds. This term has not been agreed to by the Developer.

8. Each draw would be subject to the same requirements as are required by other lenders involved in the project. Those requirements will include but are not limited to Lien Waivers, Holdbacks and Pre-Draw inspections.

9. The RDA/City will require, prior to final approval: Personal Financials; Corporate Financials, Proformas, Business Plan, Feasibility Study, Cash Flow Analysis, and Marketing Plan or other documents as are reasonable to request from time to time. The Developer is given until 4:30 PM on Friday, June 17th to provide to the Director of Planning any proformas, business plan, feasibility study, cash flow analysis and marketing plan relating to the project.

10. Language will be provided to allow borrower to list certain documents to be provided as “Confidential or Sensitive” and such documents will be viewed only in Closed Sessions of the body requesting. Some documents can be listed as “Extremely Confidential or Extremely Sensitive” and shall be viewed by a designated person/agent of the City/RDA and that person shall give his/her opinion of comfort regarding the information. The City/RDA shall designate such a person/agent. This agreement has been executed.

11. Developer’s exclusive rights to the Younkers property will expire on June 25, 2005. Should a development agreement not be approved by the City Council on June 21, 2005, the $75,000 option fee will be returned to developer.

12. It is understood that issues of collateral and issues of subordination need to be worked out. With regard to collateral a specific concern arises with the declining value of the total collateral as condominium units are sold.

13. It shall remain the right of the RDA/City to have outside agents provide expert opinion regarding various concerns, some of which are project value, costs, cash flows and security.

14. Developer will assume one half of the costs for street reconstruction of Admiral Flatley Court.

15. Developer shall purchase the subject property for $1,350,000.00, which shall be included in the TIF financing for the project.

16. Any grants applied for and received for the project shall be offset against the TIF funding for the project and the TIF supported funding offset by these grants shall be used by the City for construction of the boardwalks.

The following is an exceprt regarding the Paul K. Development near Lambeau Feild in Green Bay. Interesting, but as stated before - this guy dreams big and nothing ever happens. But it looks like he as at least go a big name hotel lined up for a part of the project.

6. Request by Paul Kaczrowski for assistance for redeveloping property in TIF District No. 7.

R. Strong gave a brief history of the project, reminding the RDA members that P. Kaczrowski’s presentation at the last meeting was in closed session, and asked that the meeting be opened to the public.

A motion was made by J. Blumreich and seconded by T. Weber to open the meeting to the public. Motion carried.

P. Kaczrowski presented a site plan indicating the properties he has control of and additional properties he is looking at for the entire project and site layout. The project includes a premier hotel, a grocery store, retail space, two ten-floor towers each comprised of five business floors and five residential floors. Construction could begin this year for Phase I.

Chairman Maier asked what the total investment would be. P. Kaczrowski indicated the investment in the hotel would be $11 million and the entire project, when completed, would be about $65 million. He indicated that the grocery store would be about 25,000 square feet with about 12,900 square feet of retail space on either side of the grocery store.

Chairman Maier asked how would the TIF request of $4 million be used. The developer stated that $1 million would be for public street projects and $3 million would be used for improvements. J. Blumreich asked if the TIF request would cover both Phases of the project. P. Kaczrowski said it would not. Chairman Maier inquired if the project could be completed in three years and P. Kaczrowski said no, but the project would begin the summer of 2005.

The hotel developer from Badger Midwest indicated that the Cambria Suites would compete with Hilton Hotels in the character and quality of the development. He indicated this would be a state of the art hotel and very upscale. He indicated that construction would begin September, 2005, and, hopefully, open September 2006. Premium rooms would face Lambeau Field.

T. Weber asked if there were any TIF projections. P. Kaczrowski stated there were not. He said that Master Fleet was ready to vacate as soon as the development agreement is in place. J. Blumreich asked if Project 3 is part of Phase I and P. Kaczrowski said it was. J. Blumreich asked if the land was under his control and P. Kaczrowski stated yes, for Phase I.

T. Weber asked if there were three property owners that must be dealt with. P. Kaczrowski stated that those three parcels would complete his control of all the area inside the proposed property area. T. Weber asked if there were plans for Forward Street to go all the way through to Potts Avenue. R. Strong stated that the Department of Public Works was working with the Village of Ashwaubenon to connect with a Village street. Both entities are working on what would be the best design. T. Weber asked if there was any land in this project outside of Green Bay city limits. R. Strong said that no TIF dollars would be used for any work done in the Village of Ashwaubenon.

Chairman Maier asked what the City needed from the RDA. R. Strong indicated that this item needed to be referred to staff to draw up terms for a development agreement. P. Kaczrowski’s attorney indicated that they would like to put together one agreement to cover both phases of the project and they would work with staff and report back to the RDA. T. Weber asked if the Planning Department was comfortable with this approach. R. Strong indicated that it was and that the TIF numbers needed to be run to see if the payback from this project meets the RDA and City Council expectations. T. Weber stated that he is not comfortable with the size of the TIF numbers, those numbers would be scrutinized.

Chairman Maier asked P. Kaczrowski if he wanted to present his concepts of the Phase II project. P. Kaczrowski said the towers would have pools, workout rooms and sunny exposures with lots of glass. He stated that he may need assistance with acquisition and relocation for some of the parcels. T. Weber asked how many condo units would be available and P. Kaczrowski said that 10,000 square feet would be available on each floor. The condos would be a minimum of 2,500 square feet per unit or 4 units per floor. He said some tenants may want more than the minimum 2,500 square feet and they would be willing to accommodate.

P. Kaczrowski introduced the artist to discuss streetscape for the project. A marketing plan was introduced with plans for renaming some of the streets to reflect the Packer image. The entrance would be a gateway with a series of monuments throughout the project for former Green Bay Packer players.

A motion was made by J. Blumreich and seconded by M. Schuller to return to the regular order of business. Motion carried.

R. Strong indicated that he would put together the terms for a Development Agreement for the next meeting. J. Blumreich asked staff to gather the details for this project and present it at the next meeting.

A motion was made by T. Weber and seconded by J. Blumreich to direct staff to work on this project and present their findings at the next meeting. Motion carried.

All in all, some exciting news. Hopefully things will start coming together.

avissers

June 19th, 2005, 08:08 PM

Still unbuilt, waterfront condos go on market

Juza, city negotiating downtown development
By Paul Brinkmann

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_21492125.shtml

pbrinkma@greenbaypressgazette.com

When the Green Bay City Council reviews waterfront plans Tuesday, developer Tom Juza plans to have a few sales commitments under his belt.

Juza published prices and a presale invitation Saturday for condominiums proposed at Admiral Place — the former Younkers building.

“Some city employees have said, well you don’t have presales, when are you going to market this project,” Juva said in an interview Saturday. “So, we want to get some presales under our belt.”

In a full-page ad in the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Juza announced presale discounts of $5,000 to $30,000 for condos ranging from $84,900 to $899,900. By late Saturday, he said, his firm had received 20 inquiries and two formal commitments.

According to Juza, someone committed buying one of the three large penthouses at the top of the price range, but he declined to name the buyer.

Alderman Tom Weber, a member of the city’s Redevelopment Authority that negotiated with Juza, said he’s not surprised by the announcement.

“It’s not uncommon for a developer to obtain presales before final approval,” Weber said. “If there was a ton of presales, I’m sure we’d consider that information, but I don’t know what effect it will have on our decision.

Last week, Juza and the Redevelopment Authority were close to agreement on the $38 million redevelopment plan.

But the final sticking point could be a large one — it’s about delayed disbursement of $7 million in tax-increment financing funds to allow the developer to prepare and clean the site.

Juza is hoping for a compromise Tuesday. His exclusivity clause on development rights expires Saturday.

If approved, Admiral Place would be the second new riverfront building to offer condominium units. Riverfronts Lofts to the south includes 26 units, most of which are listed as sold on the developer’s Web site.

avissers

June 19th, 2005, 10:42 PM

http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/geninfo/astor_place.html

Astor Place Project Moves Ahead

The City Council recently approved an 8-month planning option for Milwaukee developer Vetter Denk's $25 million mixed use project in downtown Green Bay.

A planning option allows time for developers to pre-market their project, thereby increasing the odds of success. Following the 8-month planning option, the developer will enter into an agreement with the city. This agreement then must be approved by the City Council.

Astor Place will be located on the southwest corner of Washington and Main Streets.

A market area, tentatively called Metro Market, will occupy the ground level facing the Fox River. During the warm summer months, the market walls can be opened for an open-air market concept.

a'Bravo, presently located on Main Street near 3-corners, is planning on relocating to the Metro Market. They offer deli items and a coffee shop. Plans are also in the making for a small health food grocery. a'Bravo may also offer a banquet facility on the second level.

The ground floor will also feature areas for retail shops. This retail area will face Washington Street. And finally, a 17-story tower will house approximately 80 condominiums having a spectacular view of the Fox River and downtown Green Bay.

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/images/newsweb0514.jpg

This architectural drawing shows the metro market on the first level riverside. Planned items selling at the market are deli products, coffee, and health foods. The market will be open air during the warm months and enclosed during winter weather.

avissers

June 19th, 2005, 10:52 PM

As mentioned above, The Beaumont Tower faces a tough road towards reality due to the Astor Place Project. In order for Astor Place to be constructed, Washington Street will need to be straightend. If Washington Street is straightend, then the area where Beaumont Tower is proposed to be constructed will be compromised. However, at the last RDA meeting a bit of hopeful news came out.

R. Strong stated he will be getting together with Mr. Vetter and the developers regarding the Beaumont Tower Project to discuss the Washington Street design. This meeting should occur sometime within the next month and R. Strong will report back to the RDA on the progress made.

ReddAlert

June 20th, 2005, 09:00 PM

avissers

June 20th, 2005, 09:58 PM

Astor Place looks like a really cool building. Ill say this again, Green Bay is really starting to impress me with whats going on. Its riverfront is going to be awesome when this all gets completed. Do you think Green Bay can support a mini condo boom?

Honestly, it remains to be seen. I hope it can, because of the national attention the City gets for other reasons (namely the Packers). The condo phenomenon has taken off in places like Milwaukee and Madison here in Wisconsin, so one would think it could and would work in the 3rd largest city.

http://www.loftsontheriver.com/

The first all-new condo project downtown (with the link above) Riverfront Lofts has sold 22 of the 26 Units (84%) they had available so far. These were not all cheap units either (Price Range $189,000 - $699,000). Groundbreaking was just two months ago and occupancy is scheduled for Spring of 2006.

The Washington Street Apartments recently converted the buildings apartments into condo units and has been successful, however the retail portion of the building has been lacking in attracting tenants. In addition, there are also a lot less publicized, smaller “condo-only” projects that have been successful as well in the Metro area.

For Green Bay, the upper price range of all the units is going to be the key. Green Bay area residents seem to be rather frugal with their money, and it will have to be a great project for them to commit to buying a 2,100 square foot condo vs. a 3,500 square foot house for about the same money.

I ultimately think it will have to be a number of projects coming together and the success or failure of how the Riverfront Lofts project goes (i.e. word of mouth from those that live there) to determine if Green Bay will support a condo boom downtown. In Green Bay, a condo boom could be considered 200 total units over a number of projects.

With the boardwalk plan soon to become a reality, the CBD becoming the financial center of NE Wisconsin and the reinvestment of a number of properties in the downtown area – things look positive.

Then you have the failing Washington Commons (a.k.a. Port Plaza Mall) which should be just torn down to open developable land in downtown area, the lack of everyday retail necessities, no grocery store, and the relative ease it takes to get around Green Bay in a short period of time and you could see those as negatives against the boom.

I see the lake in Milwaukee and the Capitol Building and lakes in Madison as reasons why certain condos with a view fetch hefty prices, but In Green Bay the Fox River is no Lake Michigan, and the activity of Madison downtown is light years ahead of Green Bay. So that is a cause for concern as well.

The Juza proposal goes before City Council soon, and from the article above it looks like there is buying interest in this project as well. If approved, ultimately it will only add about 20 condominium suites, 36 condominiums, and 32 apartments but most importantly retail, hotel, and restaurants which will bring in outside traffic making this area feel more lively after 5:00 PM. The condos are ranging in price from $84,900 - $899,900 (with the initial discount pre-approval discount, scheduled to go up if approval takes place).

The Astor Place Project would contain 80 condo units, ranging from $149,000 on lower floors to lure first-time buyers, up to a penthouse costing $900,000. Again, a food market and retail space make up this project as well which I think will have to be the norm before large scale “condo-only” projects will take off here.

The Beaumont Tower (which may not happen at all) would add only about 28+ units total.

In all about 190 units are being talked about, under construction, or being pre-sold. Not exactly a boom, but a start and in Green Bay a fresh new start is what the downtown area needs, badly.

That being said, my fingers are crossed.

avissers

June 22nd, 2005, 03:54 PM

City Council ponders Juza proposal

City Council agenda - Juza development

• What’s up: Tom Juza’s proposed $36.5 million redevelopment of the former Younkers building downtown. The city’s Redevelopment Authority last week fell just short of an agreement with the developer for his Admiral Place project — a mixed-use development that would include a hotel, condominiums, apartments and commercial and restaurant space. The sticking point: Disbursement of $7.3 million in tax-increment financing funds to allow the developer to prepare and clean the site.

• What’s happened: During a lengthy presentation and question- and-answer session Juza told the council Tuesday he was prepared to accept the 16 terms set up by the Redevelopment Authority last week. The Green Bay City Council headed into closed session discussion on the project at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Developer: ‘We are here to move forward’
By Karen Rauen
krauen@greenbaypressgazette.com

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_21525774.shtml

Tuesday was the night for the city of Green Bay and developer Tom Juza to fish or cut bait on the proposed $36.5 million Younkers redevelopment.

The Green Bay City Council took its debate behind closed doors at about 10:30 p.m., and the fate of the mixed-use development remained unclear.

“We are not here to ask for an extension; we are here to move forward,” Juza told the council.

The Hobart-based developer spent 45 minutes explaining his plans for the long-time retail site, which continued to evolve through the day Tuesday.

The City Council spent more than an hour asking questions about tax-increment financing for the project, developer contributions to the city’s riverfront boardwalk development and the likely value of the project.

Juza’s plan calls for redeveloping the site into a mixed-use development that would include a hotel, condominiums, apartments and commercial and restaurant space. His project would include a 94-unit hotel — either a Wingate Inn and Suites or Four Point Sheraton hotel — and 87 condominium units, three restaurants and a wine bar called Dolce.

Since March, he and the city have debated several terms and conditions set by the city. After a lengthy meeting of the city’s Redevelopment Authority last week, only one issue remained: The disbursement of $7.3 million in tax-increment financing funds to allow the developer to prepare the site.

The RDA said the funds would be prorated, with Juza paying $8 up front for every $2 he receives in TIF funds.

On Tuesday, Juza said he could live with the RDA’s terms but hoped the City Council might improve how the funds are disbursed.

Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt told the council he had concerns about the project financing but saved more specific comments for a closed-door discussion.

At issue for some aldermen Tuesday, and in the past, is the lack of contribution to the boardwalk system. The city has plans for a $10 million to $12 million boardwalk system with multiple boardwalks that step up and down, creating overlooks and bringing visitors down closer to the water.

Instead, under the terms set forth by the RDA, Juza would be allowed to use 100 percent of the tax increment generated by his project to clean up the site and prepare it for redevelopment.

“I will never vote for a TIF project that takes 100 percent of TIF funds and puts them all into the project,” said Alderman Tom Weber.

Juza’s exclusive rights to the property expire Saturday.

avissers

June 22nd, 2005, 03:57 PM

Younkers redevelopment plan hinges on TIF funding

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/downtown/local_21430979.shtml

By Mike Hoeft
mhoeft@greenbaypressgazette.com

After a five-hour meeting Tuesday, the Redevelopment Authority and developer Tom Juza were one sticking point away from agreement on a $38 million redevelopment plan for the former Younkers site in downtown Green Bay.

But it’s a sticking point that could scuttle the deal. It concerns delayed disbursement of $7 million in tax-increment financing funds to allow the developer to prepare and clean the site.

After the meeting, Juza told news media he hoped that a compromise could be reached when the City Council takes up the issue June 21.

“I’m excited that we’re down to one issue,” Juza said. “We hope to move forward on the project.”

Juza’s plan calls for redeveloping the long-time retail site into a mixed-use development that would include a hotel, condominiums, apartments and commercial and restaurant space.

Since March, the city and Juza have debated 15 terms and conditions set by the city.

The city will relocate Admiral Flatley Park in accordance with the comprehensive waterfront plan. The city will guarantee that development on the park won’t block all riverfront views from the north side of Juza’s project.

The RDA agreed to Juza’s maximum cost at $571,000 in acquiring the overhang that connects the Younkers building to Washington Commons.

However, the RDA disagreed with Juza’s proposal on disbursing $7 million in TIF funds. Juza proposed receiving the funds less the $1.35 million purchase price of the building and less overhang price. Juza wants the remaining funds by May 1, 2006 to pay for site demolition and cleanup. But the RDA said the funds would be prorated, with Juza paying $8 up front for every $2 he receives in TIF funds.

Juza’s exclusivity clause on development rights was extended to June 25. The RDA also agreed that if Juza’s proposal is not approved by the council on June 21, Juza would receive his $75,000 back.

In other action, the RDA heard a proposal from local developer Paul Kaczrowski on developing land south of Lombardi Avenue near Tundra Lodge Resort and Waterpark.

Kaczrowski said the Lombardi Park Center, valued at $65 million, would include a 127-room hotel, twin 10-story condominium project with retail shops and a grocery store.

“It’s going to be a great asset and addition to Green Bay,” he said.

The site is roughly between Lombardi and Potts avenues and Holmgren Way and Ashland Avenue.

He envisioned creating 12 monuments to legendary Green Bay Packers players and changing existing street names of Progress, Advance and Forward to Reggie White Way, Bart Starr Drive and Legends Lane.

Kaczrowski said he may need city help in acquiring three properties. He also would need $4 million in TIF money for phase one, and about $15 million in aid for phase two of the project.

The proposal was referred to city staff for evaluation at the RDA’s meeting in July.

avissers

June 22nd, 2005, 04:13 PM

It's in Juza's Hands to make his project a reality - but he only has until Saturday to Decide...

No Vote on Downtown Development
WGBA-TV - Green Bay

Heated debate dominated a Green Bay city council meeting that went well past midnight. City leaders were set to vote on the future of the old Younkers building downtown.

Instead, they asked developer Tom Juza to meet three requirements before they give the green light.

Those requirements are to disclose financing options for a $36 million hotel and condo project, get a commitment from a hotel company, and put more of his money toward a boardwalk on the waterfront.

Juza has had exclusive rights to the Younkers site for more than two years.

That contract ends Saturday.

If an agreement isn't reached by then, the city can accept new proposals from other developers.

avissers

June 22nd, 2005, 11:49 PM

Green Bay's Downtown Plans

A Late Night At The Green Bay City Council Meeting Tuesday Night.

Tom Juza Presented His Plan For A $38 Million Redevelopment Of The Old Younker’s Building In Downtown.

The Council's Inaction On The Proposal, Led To Accusations Of "Double-Dealing" Against The Mayor's Office.

It Was A Closed-Session Negotiation, An Early Morning Vote, And Then A Heated Exchange, Between Major Jim Schmitt And Alderman Guy Zima.

Zima Accused The Mayor’s Office Of Favoring Developer John Vetter And His Plans For Downtown.

Last Night Developer Tom Juza Presented His Plan For Admiral Square, 87 Condos And 94 Hotel Rooms.

Juza And The City Have Been Negotiating Over This Deal For More Than Two Years.

Juza Thought The Two Sides Came To An Agreement, But Then The Council Added Three More Conditions: Confirm The Project’s Financial Projections, Secure A Hotel Commitment, And Make A Significant Money Contribution To The City's Boardwalk Redevelopment.

Mayor Jim Schmitt Says The City Need To Make Sure The Plans Are The Best Thing For The City 50 To 100 Years From Now, And Said The Council Did Not Have Enough Information To Make That Decision Tuesday Night.

Because Tom Juza Loses The Exclusive Right To Negotiate With The City On Saturday, The Council Decision Opens The Door For Other Developers To Make Proposals On The Site.

Alderman Guy Zima Thinks That's What The Mayor's Office Wanted All Along.

But The Mayor Says His Office Isn't After A Downtown Vetter Monopoly, Just A Good Plan For Development Of The Area.

It’s Not Clear Yet Whether Juza Will Try To Meet The Three New Conditions, But What Is Clear, Juza Will Have To Compete With Other Developers.

avissers

June 23rd, 2005, 03:43 AM

Late this afternoon, developer Tom Juza met with Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt behind closed doors to talk about his plan to remodel the former Younkers building. Juza wants to build condos and a hotel on the site. Both Mayor Schmitt and Juza say they're getting closer to making the deal a reality.

"I think we've made significant progress and hopefully we can continue this and get this put together by the next council meeting," says Juza.
Their optimism is a stark contrast to last night at City Council when aldermen failed to approve the project.

Juza said he would build the project in line with the list of terms proposed by the city for the project, but then aldermen decided to add three other conditions before they would approve the plans.

Tempers flared and things got ugly between the mayor and Alderman Guy Zima. Zima, who support's Tom Juza's project, was telling reporters that the new requirenemts were all politics in the Mayor's Office.

Mayor Schmitt caught part of his interview. This is what was said:

"It's been double dealing from day one here. He fell out of favor 3 or 4 months ago. John Vetter is the new fair here, boy, and that's the guy the mayor wants to give everything to, point, final," alleges Zima.

Mayor Schmitt resonded saying, "You're the guy who voted against selling it to Tom Juza."

As he was walking away, Zima responded, "Oh, stick it up your...."

Now, the city and Tom Juza will continue to negotiate. The mayor says no other developers will be considered for now.

At around 6:00 PM Wednesday night, Developer Tom Juza And Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt Just Wrapped Up A Meeting At City Hall.

Both Say They Made Major Progress And Juza Says He Will Get Another Chance To Go Before The Council, In July.

Juza Presented His Plan For Admiral Square To The City Council Last Night Juza And The City Have Been Negotiating Over This Deal For More Than Two Years.

Juza Would Have Lost The Exclusive Right To Negotiate With The City This Saturday.

ReddAlert

June 23rd, 2005, 03:58 AM

lol...stick it up your...

tensions are flaring :)

avissers

June 23rd, 2005, 04:08 PM

The building in the background is the Younkers Building that Tom Juza is proposing to remodel into condos.

http://www.loftsontheriver.com/image/InProg06.17.05.jpg

avissers

June 29th, 2005, 04:07 PM

Although the article says the status of the downtown store is unclear, it looks like Washington Commons will lose a rather large tenant and leave a huge hole downtown for shopping options. However, this could open the door for an expansion to the KI Conference Center, which to me, is really the only logical location for an expansion. The Penny's store is already connected via a skywalk to the Regency Suites (which is connected to the KI), it has about 150,000 square feet of floor space, and is surrounded by abundant parking. This would also be an oppurtunity to renovate the exterior and make it more street friendly. Something the mall took away from downtown Green Bay when it was built. It is unfortunate that downtown will lose a large retail store, espcially with more residential planned, so hopefully that will not deter people from buying into the condo proposals. Oh well, here is the article.

JC Penney workers told they’ll staff new store

No official word given on downtown location’s closing
By Lisa Hildebrand
lhildebrand@greenbaypressgazette.com

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/biz_21617987.shtml

Employees of the JC Penney store in downtown Green Bay’s Washington Commons will staff a new store at the Village at Bay Park when it opens in early October, store supervisor Barb Brooks said Tuesday.

While no one is saying yet that the downtown store is closing, employees have been told that they’ll be working at the new Ashwaubenon store in October. And now that an opening date for the Ashwaubenon store has been set, Development Associates — owners of Washington Commons — can move forward filling the space, said mall spokesman Tom Schumacher.

“The biggest positive is that it takes away a cloud of uncertainty,” Schumacher said.

Brooks said she didn’t know the fate of the downtown store, but noted, “All of us are supposed to be going over to the new store.”

Penney store manager Phyllis Neumann was in Texas on Tuesday planning for the new store and unavailable to provide additional details about the two stores, Brooks said.

Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce President Paul Jadin believes the two-story Penney building would be a good addition to the KI Convention Center, which is directly across Main Street.

Expanding the KI center “has to happen.”

“There still are conventions they cannot attract because of the size and their breakout facility is a little awkward,” Jadin said.

A second-floor walkway connects the KI and Regency Suites to the city-owned parking ramp across Main Street, which provides access to the Penney building.

The city of Green Bay owns the KI Convention Center, which opened in September 2000. It is managed by the adjoining Regency Suites hotel.

Schumacher said Tuesday he did not expect JC Penney to keep two stores in the Green Bay area. He has not received any date when the 150,000-square-foot store would close.

“That was evident since they announced they were opening their Ashwaubenon location,” Schumacher said about the store under construction directly north of Simon Bay Park Square mall. “The key thing for them was to make sure they had a Green Bay location for the holiday season.”

Schumacher would not reveal details of Penney’s lease with Development Associates, but he said, “there’s nothing that prevents tenants from leaving.”

The Penney store is the only remaining anchor and one of the few retail outlets remaining at the Commons, formerly Port Plaza Mall, with about 100 stores.

Pfefferle Cos. of Appleton manages the Commons for Development Associates and the two companies have been working to attract new tenants, Schumacher said.

“We’re talking to several prospective tenants for that space,” he said. “That is a very unique space.”

Schumacher would not say what type of business might fill the two-story space, which faces Main Street.

“Our overall plans are to develop (the Commons) as a commercial facility,” Schumacher said. “Retail will be a part of it, but commercial office will be more the style of it.”

The Penney store’s proximity to the KI Convention Center makes it attractive to tenants, he said.

“That’s got to be a plus,” Schumacher said.

Mee Lor, who has worked at the downtown Penney store since August, said store management hasn’t informed her that the store was closing.

“I like it downtown,” said Lor, who worked at the Penney store in Wausau for three years. “It’s just too bad this mall isn’t in good shape anymore.”

A University of Wisconsin-Green Bay student, Lor wasn’t sure if she would work at the new store because of its distance from campus.

Barbara Murray was one of a handful of shoppers on the first floor of the Penney store Tuesday night. As a former Penney employee in San Antonio, Texas, she will follow the store to Ashwaubenon.

“I guess it will be more convenient if it’s where the other stores are,” said Murray, who moved to the Green Bay area in October.

avissers

June 29th, 2005, 04:11 PM

The Younkers Money Pit

Younkers Building is Costing Green Bay

By Mick Trevey

The City of Green Bay has owned the old Younkers department store building since September. Since then, the city has spent nearly $150,000 maintaining it.

The empty Younkers building racks up all that money in utility bills and maintenance expenses. The most expensive thing for the city is keeping the building heated in the winter just to keep the pipes from freezing.

Gas bills in January were about $35,000;
In March, about $19,000;
In April, about $20,000;

Those costs drop dramatically in the summer: In June, the heating cost was $130. Electricity for the old downtown building isn't cheap, either. Keeping things like the security lighting on costs more than $5,000 a month.

In all, the building has cost Green Bay about $150,000 over the last ten months. Who's paying the bills?

The city planning director says the money was borrowed along with funds the city used to buy the building. When the building is sold and redeveloped, the costs will be recouped by the new project, not paid by the taxpayers, Rob Strong said.

Strong emphasized why it's important for the city to own the building despite its cost. "The Younkers property is probably the key property on our waterfront. So yes, any redevelopment of quality on there will be a fantastic addition to downtown."

How long will the Younkers building stay empty? The city is still negotiating with Green Bay developer Tom Juza behind closed doors. Juza envisions a hotel, condominiums, and a restaurant there.

We're told no other developers are being considered while the city talks to Juza, and that both sides hope for a resolution before the city council meeting next Tuesday.

avissers

June 30th, 2005, 03:57 PM

Hard to believe to be honest. Green Bay still has a bunch of land to develop and every time I visit, it is...

Where do they come up with this stuff?

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_21614508.shtml

Green Bay slips in ’04 census data

Since the census
New data from the U.S. Census Bureau estimate the population changes in Brown County municipalities since the 2000 census. As of July 2004, the estimates show a population increase for Brown County as a whole and for most of its municipalities despite projected decreases in the city of Green Bay and villages of Allouez and Ashwaubenon. Data for incorporated places around the nation were posted online today at www.census.gov/popest.

July 1, 2004 April 1, 2000 % Change

Brown County 237,166 226,658 4.6%

Green Bay 101,100 102,793 -1.6%

Source: U.S. Census bureau

City’s loss is suburbs’ gain
By Andy Behrendt
abehrend@greenbaypressgazette.com

The city of Green Bay’s population dropped 1.6 percent since the 2000 U.S. Census while many developing suburbs welcomed more residents, according to annual estimates released today by the Census Bureau.

The latest data reported as of July 2004 seem to echo the exodus to the suburbs of folks like Matt and Melanie Bos.

“Our house was a two-bedroom starter home,” said Matt Bos, 29, of his former home of five years on Eighth Street in Green Bay. “We just outgrew it and wanted something bigger and newer.”

He and his wife, who plan to start a family, moved to the town of Lawrence in February after Melanie fell in love with a new home there, he said. The couple said they had nothing against their former neighborhood, but there weren’t any striking distinctions in Green Bay to keep them from moving elsewhere.

Lawrence, with an estimated 22 percent population increase between 2000 and 2004, continues to be one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Brown County, which itself grew by nearly 5 percent in those four years.

Along with Green Bay, the more established communities of Allouez and Ashwaubenon continue to decrease in population, by 2.6 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively.

While state estimates have projected growth in Green Bay, as well as all other Brown County municipalities, during the same period, the Census Bureau’s numbers show a small population drop in each annual estimate since the April 2000 population of 102,793.

In the latest year available, the data showed a 0.5 percent drop for Green Bay, from 101,659 in 2003 to 101,100 in 2004, leaving Titletown alongside many Midwestern cities whose population apparently dropped in the four-year span.

“No mayor wants to experience any decline,” said Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt. “I do think people do have choices, and we’re aware of that. And we need to provide the services and recreation and a special place to live. We’re working on that.”

The city needs to do a better job selling its story, said Schmitt, citing close-to-home urban conveniences that people can’t always get in the suburbs.

He pointed to the city’s plans for waterfront condominiums on the Fox River as well as sales of new homes on the far-east side and renovations to older homes elsewhere as reasons for optimism.

Marcelo Cruz, an associate professor of urban and regional studies at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, said the estimated 1.3 percent decrease in population isn’t very significant in itself.

Cruz guessed that the bigger story behind the demographically nonspecific numbers is who’s moving out and who’s moving in — in terms of race and ethnicity.

“I think it reflects a nationwide trend that one would have hoped that Green Bay would have corrected here because we have the hindsight,” said Cruz, arguing Green Bay is about 15 to 20 years behind many other cities.

“I think we’re just following the same kind of trend in which the outlying metropolitan area, if you look at Brown County, is becoming more and more polarized by race.”

Cruz hypothesized that white non-Hispanics were the ones flocking out of the city toward the housing boom in the outlying “x-burbs,” unlike the older, closer suburbs like Allouez and Ashwaubenon.

Meanwhile, primarily non-white Hispanics have tempered the flow by moving into the city. Supporting that scenario is the city’s 2000 census data, in which a Hispanic population of more than 7,000 was nearly six times that of the 1990 census.

Little can be done to fight the trend or retain families in a free market where people can move where they want, Cruz said: “People want that single-family, detached housing in which people look and think a lot like them. You really can’t do much about that.”

But Cruz, a resident of downtown Green Bay, said there’s an age-related countertrend nationwide that Green Bay can start to see in which young professionals and empty-nesters move into condo developments in the city center to enjoy the offerings of an urban setting. The city must work within the market system and pinpoint those groups, he said.

The estimates conflict with those released last year by the state Department of Administration that projected a 0.9 percent increase in Green Bay’s population from the 2000 census to a total 103,653 as of January 2004.

All Brown County municipalities grew within those figures, including Allouez and Ashwaubenon, albeit by a slim margin.

Bob Naylor, research analyst with the Department of Administration’s Demographic Services Center, said the Census Bureau uses a more top-down model to estimate populations at the municipal level. He noted the state center’s July 2004 estimates for the entire state were about 46,500 residents higher than the federal bureau’s, he said.

The Census Bureau applies changes in housing units to divide up county population estimates into each community. Naylor said his center also considers other factors such as vehicle registrations and tax returns.

In the Census Bureau study, Green Bay now ranks 244th in population out of the 251 incorporated communities with more than 100,000 people.

It’s not that an established city like Green Bay can’t fight the trend away from the urban center — Madison saw a 5.4 percent population gain during 2000-04, and De Pere grew almost 12 percent in the Census Bureau estimates.

And it’s not that Green Bay is doomed to a future of empty homes and no room to build new ones within city limits. There’s always the option of more annexation from outlying towns, if it’s a win-win situation, Schmitt said.

More immediately, even though the city can’t provide the 2- or 3-acre lots that outlying areas offer, Schmitt said, there’s major residential development on the far east side that will cater to a variety of incomes and housing styles.

Beyond the new buildings, as Cruz also noted, the mayor said the city would have to provide parks, schools and services that families would find attractive.

“This is a concern we’re confident we can turn around,” Schmitt said.

avissers

June 30th, 2005, 04:08 PM

KI Center eyes mall expansion

JC Penney site could add business

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/biz_21625212.shtml

By Richard Ryman
rryman@greenbaypressgazette.com

The soon-to-be-vacated JC Penney building is one of several options being discussed for expansion of the KI Convention Center.

Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt said a study, possibly to be co-sponsored by the city and the Regency Suites, will be discussed at the July 12 Redevelopment Authority meeting.

It was learned Tuesday that JC Penney, the remaining retail anchor in Washington Commons, will relocate to Ashwaubenon in October, raising the possibility that one floor of the store could be used for conventions.

“It’s still in the talking stages. A lot of work needs to be done yet,” said Scott Dettmann, director of sales and marketing for Regency Suites, which manages the KI Convention Center for the city.

Schmitt said Wednesday the Penney store was one of several options that have been floated for expanding the KI Center.

“I think it makes that property a real possibility,” Schmitt said. “Can the site work for conventions today? There may be some issues with the ceiling height.”

Dettmann said the KI Center, at 46,000 square feet, is undersized compared to centers in other Wisconsin cities. He said, for instance, La Crosse and Wisconsin Dells are both about 100,000 square feet.

“We have a list of about 40 conventions right now that are too big for us to handle,” Dettmann said. “There is an opportunity there to go after bigger groups.”

Two advantages of the Penney building are its size — 80,000 square feet on one floor — and its connection to the KI by covered skywalk.

“You like to keep everything under one roof,” Dettmann said. “People don’t like to go outside.”

Dettmen said the KI Center attracts mostly state-wide conventions. Expansion would open it to more regional and national conventions.

Kari Sliva, president of Packer Country Visitor & Convention Bureau, said the Green Bay region had 17 national conventions last year.

“I think there is room for growth in that market,” Sliva said. “I haven’t seen any recent studies on this as it pertains to the KI Center downtown. There are a lot of market conditions that go into expanding a convention center.”

She said surveys have determined that downtown also needs more higher-tier hotel rooms, though improvements to Quality Inn & Suites and construction of St. Brendan’s Inn have helped.

“It’s venue and space followed very closely by rooms within walking distance,” she said. “It’s almost a chicken and egg thing.”

Dettmann said the KI could get bigger conventions than now with existing rooms. “We can work with what we have.”

A new JC Penney store is scheduled to open in October in Village at Bay Park in Ashwaubenon.

avissers

June 30th, 2005, 08:38 PM

For those not familiar with the KI Convention Center in Green Bay - here you go.

The Regency Suites is the 8 story brick building to the right and just barely visible is the WPS Building (next to the smoke stack) which is 7 stories. I know, I know not giant skyscrapers by any means - but we're working on it.

I'll try to find some really great photos of Green Bay for some who have no idea or who have never made it here.

http://www.pro-drafting.com/projectgallery/ki/1.jpg

Picture of the Resch Center

http://www.cbsportsbeat.com/arenas/uwgb/wisgb2.jpg

Clashman

July 4th, 2005, 06:57 AM

avissers

July 4th, 2005, 11:25 PM

Since this development thread has been going on for sometime, perhaps there should be a sticky for it? Or, alternatively, maybe they could make a subforum for minor Midwestern cities, since I know this doesn't really compare with Detroit, Minneapolis, St. Louis, or even Madison.

A agree, although I have no ideas what a "Sticky" is or how to get it desiganted as such. Still new to this some. I know the info doesn't really compare to what is coming out from larger cities - I'm just excited that there is any positive information at all coming out of Green Bay.

Clashman

July 5th, 2005, 04:38 AM

A "sticky" is when a thread is marked by an administrator, and thus is always one of the first threads you view when you enter a forum. If you look in this forum, there are "stickies" for development in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Detroit, etc.

VansTripp

July 5th, 2005, 07:46 AM

Sweet project, Hopefully that gey build.

avissers

July 5th, 2005, 03:49 PM

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/images/070505localweb.jpg

avissers

July 6th, 2005, 03:59 PM

Last night's Green Bay City Council Meeting was supposed to include discussion reagrding the proposed Younkers property redevelopment that Tom Juza and Mayor Schmitt were working hard to have ironed out. Looks like that didn't happen. Again we wait...

avissers

July 6th, 2005, 10:38 PM

Juza still front-runner for Younker’s site

— Mike Hoeft

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/update_21709961.shtml

Although Tom Juza’s exclusivity clause has run out on the former Younkers site, the local developer still leads in the race to redevelop the downtown riverfront site.

“Tom is in the driver’s seat,” said Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt.

If the city and Juza can settle a performance agreement, Juza’s proposed $36.5 million Admiral Square would proceed to the city's Redevelopment Authority meeting on Tuesday. Then it could advance to the City Council on July 19.

“We’re getting close on this. We want to make sure the numbers are solid and that we’re on the same page,” Schmitt said.

The city wanted Juza to make a more significant contribution to the planned riverfront boardwalk system, provide specifics on finances and hear from his Sheraton partner on hotel plans.

Juza’s plan calls for redeveloping the site into a mixed-use development that would include a 94-unit hotel, 87 condominium units, three restaurants and a wine bar.

Since March, he and the city have debated several terms and conditions set by the city.

Juza had exclusive rights to the longtime retail site through June 25, after which time the city could entertain offers from other developers.

Milwaukee-based Vetter Denk Architects, the firm that helped create downtown Green Bay's comprehensive plan, has expressed interest in any available riverfront property downtown. Schmitt said he expected to see proposals from Vetter Denk and other developers.

avissers

July 10th, 2005, 05:56 PM

The Green Bay Redevelopment Authority will discuss a number of items at the Tuesday, July 12th meeting including what progress the Mayor has made with Tom Juza on the Younkers redevelopment. If the authority likes what it hears, the item will be back in front of Council on the July 19th meeting. A major sticking point from the Council perspective is what Mr. Juza will contribute to the boardwalk project.

Another item will be to discuss the possible uses for the soon to be vacant JCPenny store. There has been some discussion about possible expansion of the KI Convention Center. The additional space will put the Green Bay convention center more in line with other cities of similar population. Plus, the hotel proposed with the Juza project (rumored to be a Sheraton) will add some much needed "up-scale" rooms within walking distance of KI. I would hope they would redo the exterior of the JCPenny Store (if or not KI Is expanded) and make Main Street a little more attarctive on the west side of the street.

Last but not least there will be some discussion on the Lombardi Street landscape and streetscape plan. This is one of the main streets around Lambeau Field and could use some enhancing.

More to follow after the meeting...

avissers

July 11th, 2005, 05:49 PM

Green Bay

City Meets with Milwaukee Developer About Younkers Property

July 8, 2005

City Meets with Second Developer About Younkers Site

By Mick Trevey

Local developer Tom Juza once had exclusive rights to redevelop the Younkers Department Store property in downtown Green Bay. But Friday, Mayor Jim Schmitt and Milwaukee developer John Vetter met behind closed doors to discuss new plans.

The location of the meeting was not disclosed but Action 2 News found the mayor spent most of the afternoon meeting with Vetter at a real estate office in the Astor Park area. We also saw a city attorney, city planning director, and the director of public works inside the office most of the afternoon.

The office belongs to a realtor already selling condominiums for Vetter's existing project on the Fox River. Now that Juza's exclusive rights to the Younkers site have expired, Vetter is taking an interest in the neighboring riverfront property.

We learned he started his day with a tour of the Younkers building then spent the afternoon talking with city officials about concepts for the site.

"I'm interested in seeing [the Younkers site] live up to its highest potential," Vetter said.

Mayor Schmitt told Action 2 News Vetter's ideas are actually quite similar to the project proposed by Juza -- a hotel and condos.

Juza is still trying to negotiate for the site but, as of Friday, the mayor is talking with other developers before the city's redevelopment authority meets next Tuesday. That's when Juza will present his latest draft for his proposed project.

"Tom Juza is coming closer to what we're looking for as a city. If another developer wants to be at that meeting and offer input, the exclusivity is off," Mayor Schmitt said.

When we asked the mayor why the closed-door meeting was held at an off-site location, his explanation was they were there to eat lunch.

One alderman we talked with said meetings like Friday's make him feel Juza is getting a raw deal.

"From what I've seen, I don't think the city is really working with him; I think they're trying to work against him. That is just my personal opinion though," Earl VandenHeuvel said.

avissers

July 12th, 2005, 09:07 PM

Lombardi Avenue Gateway Concept

The Lombardi Avenue Gateway Concept, designed by GouldEvans Goodman of Kansas City, will be presented to the Redevelopment Authority at its monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 12 at 1:30 PM.

The concept plan is intended to create a distinctive environment and sense of 'place' within the City of Green Bay.

http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/artwork/lombardi_streetscape/gateways2004_01.jpg

http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/artwork/lombardi_streetscape/gateways2004_03.jpg

http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/artwork/lombardi_streetscape/gateways2004_04.jpg

http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/artwork/lombardi_streetscape/gateways2004_05.jpg

http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/artwork/lombardi_streetscape/gateways2004_06.jpg

http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/artwork/lombardi_streetscape/gateways2004_08.jpg

For more pictures, the City of Green Bay will have this on their website for a period of time.

http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/geninfo/mayors_office/mayor_lombardi_gateway.html

ReddAlert

July 13th, 2005, 01:19 AM

I really like the streetscaping. The gateway sign is very cool...but those street lights are awesome. I am excited to see what this looks like if completed. I think they will look very nice when its snowing.

avissers

July 13th, 2005, 03:37 PM

Click here to see a rendering and for key points along the street...

http://www.packersnews.com/pdf/071305lombardigateway.pdf

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_21782175.shtml

Streetscape plan gives Lombardi a face-lift

On the Net
View the Lombardi Avenue gateway concept on the city of Green Bay’s Web site at www.green-bay.org.

Proposed design for Lombardi facelift.

Possible $1.8M proposal would line area with Packers icons

By Andy Behrendt
abehrend@greenbaypressgazette.com

Just as Curly Lambeau’s namesake stadium got a classy makeover a couple years ago, Vince Lombardi’s street could soon be getting the same treatment.

A streetscape plan for Lombardi Avenue, as unveiled on the city of Green Bay’s Web site Tuesday, would line the street with monuments in the style of the newly renovated Lambeau Field. Most notable: a massive sign planned outside the stadium proclaiming Green Bay as Titletown and street-side football field footpath celebrating the Packers’ history with statues of players on the sidelines along the stadium’s parking lot.

“So they’d have like a statue of like Rich Wingo,” mused Kevin MacLeod, who lives within a block of the site. Regardless of what obscure Packers heroes might be highlighted, the season-ticket holder supported the concept and plans to add more trees and old-world decoration to the corridor.

“If they keep up with the style they have been, I can’t imagine anyone would have a problem with it,” MacLeod said.

The streetscape plan designed by Gould Evans Goodman Associates of Kansas City, holding a price tag between $840,000 and $1.8 million for full implementation, would identify both the city of Green Bay and nearby village of Ashwaubenon in the spirit of Lambeau Field’s style of brick and green steel.

The concept is resurfacing after more than two years since Gould Evans Goodman began working with the city on the initiative while updating a downtown design plan. The Lombardi plan was supposed to be presented to the city’s Redevelopment Authority on Tuesday but was left warming the bench with other decisions at hand.

Authority Chairman Harry Maier said he’s nonetheless confident that the city would support the plan.

“The idea is great,” he said. “This whole thing of focusing attention on that area ties into the whole Lambeau Field renovation, the Resch Center and everything else out there.”

Along with the city itself, the Resch and nearby Don Hutson center would get Lambeau-style signage to create an “event campus.” The residential area on the west side of Lombardi Avenue would similarly be identified as “Lombardi Neighborhoods” with signs and added trees along the street.

The Titletown sign outside the stadium at the corner of Lombardi and Ridge would list the years of the Packers’ championships and include space “reserved for future Super Bowl titles.” The interpretive walkway stretching northward along the stadium property would mimic the side of a football field with a lawn and concrete hash markings. Each 10-yard increment, beginning with 1919 and ending with the current decade, would celebrate the team’s history with storyboards and the statues lining the benches.

Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt said the plan would bring Lombardi Avenue, which in recent years has undergone street reconstruction, to a new level. He noted money has been set aside for the project.

The plans outline a three-tier matrix for implementation, starting with a municipal gateway sign on Ashland Avenue and street-side monuments and median treatments on Lombardi. The pricier Titletown and campus signs would arrive later, and the historical bench setup would come in the last phase.

All of those later elements would be funded in part by the Packers, according to the plan. The city would be involved in funding all aspects, and Ashwaubenon and Brown County would join in for other projects. Funding sources described in the plan include tax-increment finance dollars, city and village capitol improvement programs, grants, corporate sponsorships and donations.

The Redevelopment Authority on Tuesday tabled review of and possible action on the plan until its next meeting. Schmitt expected that would come in a couple weeks, with the City Council weighing in afterward

avissers

July 13th, 2005, 03:39 PM

Redevelopment Authority explores new vision for downtown Green Bay

Vetter Denk proposes plan; Juza says he’s ready to walk

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_21768564.shtml

By Andy Behrendt
abehrend@greenbaypressgazette.com

The site of the former Younkers department store would be a shopping ground once more under a recommendation from Green Bay’s Redevelopment Authority to solicit development proposals from other groups until Oct. 1.

The unanimous decision came Tuesday, with the authority awaiting a new plan for the riverfront property promised by Milwaukee-based Vetter Denk Architects while stepping away from an existing proposal by local developer Tom Juza.

But Juza, whose exclusive rights on the property ran out last month after two years, said he in turn will step away from the downtown site and look to develop elsewhere unless the City Council next week goes against the authority’s vote and approves his proposal with no further wait.

“The city has a bird in the hand,” Juza said. “They seem to be going after two in the bush right now.”

The Redevelopment Authority’s decision came after more than 2½ hours of closed-session discussion that included a preliminary presentation from Vetter Denk principal John Vetter, whose group created the city’s comprehensive downtown plan and is developing the nearby Riverfront Lofts while planning other riverside buildings.

Vetter, who recommended the request-for-proposal process on the Younkers site, said he was thrilled with the new timeline proposed Tuesday. He promised the authority members that he could deliver a development with a value higher than Juza’s proposal, pegged at $35.4 million in new figures.

Redevelopment Authority Chairman Harry Maier said the RDA had to take advantage of renewed opportunity to consider other options.

He said both Juza’s plan and Vetter’s framework were both very good proposals but emphasized that the RDA wasn’t setting Juza aside.

“I think Tom Juza is still very high on our list — there’s no doubt about that,” Maier said. “But it just means that if there’s something better out there, to be responsible, we have to take a look at what he’s (Vetter’s) got to offer or what anybody else has to offer, too.”

The Younkers site is the largest piece along the planned waterfront boardwalk that Vetter said would become the lifeblood of the city.

He emphasized the importance of unique design, linking the river walk to the building on a community level and creating more variety through more mixed-use development.

“We can create an internationally renowned project here, and that’s what I’d like to bring to the table,” he said.

Vetter wouldn’t talk publicly about dollar figures but said he’d put more than $80,000 worth of work into the proposal.

Juza meanwhile said he’s frustrated after investing $800,000 into his proposal for a complex of 94 hotel rooms and 87 condo units, plus retail space, restaurants and a wine lounge.

The Hobart-based developer said his group rolled with changes to accommodate Vetter Denk’s Astor Place development on the site of Admiral Flatley Park and agreed to city terms such as providing $2.5 million upfront for the boardwalk.

He was joined Tuesday by Mark Heisler, regional development director for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, who endorsed Juza’s plans for a Four Points by Sheraton hotel. But he said his hotel company could not guarantee its commitment, as demanded by the city, unless the city grants Juza control of the property.

Juza, who worked with Vetter in early plans for the site, said the City Council’s Tuesday meeting will be its last chance to accept his offer before he looks to build a Sheraton development at other sites outside city limits.

“My request will be a simple one,” Juza said. “We’ve met all of the terms and conditions. And if the City Council decides not to support our development, we need to look at other developments that will turn into jobs that will produce revenue for our company. We cannot continue to wait any longer.”

But Chad Fradette, one of several Green Bay aldermen who were present Tuesday, said after seeing Vetter’s closed-door proposal that the city needed to wait to see it fleshed out.

“If we don’t see this project and what he would propose, it would be a mistake for this city,” he said. “If he can deliver what he says he can deliver, it’s going to be the greatest thing Green Bay has seen in a long time, and we’ll know that when we see it.”

Mayor Jim Schmitt said he would meet with staff and aldermen, along with Juza himself before the council’s meeting. Contemplating Juza’s potential departure, Schmitt said downtown’s momentum has changed over the two years that the developer has had exclusivity.

“I think on both sides, things could have probably been done a little better. However, it is what it is, and here we are with a bird in the hand, if you will, and something that deserves consideration,” he said. “We need to do the right thing for city.”

• In other matters Tuesday, the Redevelopment Authority voted unanimously to authorize $5,000 toward an architectural study of possible expansion space for the KI Convention Center.

Blaze Brigman, general manager of convention center and adjoining Regency Suites, said his hotel would put forth another $5,000 toward the study of space options across Main Street including the outgoing JC Penney’s building or within Washington Commons.

Brigman said the KI center, now at 42,000 square feet, sought at least 75,000 more square feet. He said the center needed more meeting space and is competing with larger convention centers in the state such as those in LaCrosse and Madison.

The KI center has secured 100 conventions in 2005, up from 91 in 2004 and 84 in 2003, and has had few dates open, Brigman said.

avissers

July 13th, 2005, 03:41 PM

Ashwaubenon awaits public’s views on pedestrain boulevard

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_21782934.shtml

By Patti Zarling
pzarling@greenbaypressgazette.com

ASHWAUBENON — Ashwaubenon leaders want residents to know it takes a village … to build a village.

Plans to create an ambitious pedestrian boulevard between the Resch Center and Bay Park Square mall have been in the works for several years, and officials are ready to move forward.

The plan would include an entertainment/sports district, a village center and a mix of homes and offices. Leaders say several developers have expressed interest in the project, and many business owners say they’re prepared to sell.

“It’s older wrinkled tin buildings,” said village President Norbert De Cleene. “Those buildings have been around for 40 or 50 years and are ready to be replaced. It’s the heart and soul of the village, and we want to make sure we’re using it in the best way possible.”

But before working on the nitty-gritty details, leaders say they want to hear from the people.

“We’ve had about 15 meetings already that have been open to the public, but we thought, ‘Let’s go the extra mile,’” said Trustee Jerry Menne. “We want input from the community.”

To that end, the village will host the first of several information meetings about the proposed pedestrian boulevard at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Resch Center. It will kick off with a presentation, followed by questions, concerns and comments from the public. De Cleene said 200 community members chosen at random received invitations to the event.

De Cleene, who has been going door to door, said the biggest misconception people have is that the pedestrian boulevard will be a pathway.

“It’s not a pathway,” he said. “It’s a pedestrian-friendly street.”

That street is proposed to run from the Resch Center to Willard Drive. The upper entertainment district would include restaurants, hotels and sports-oriented businesses. Initial plans call for construction in the years 2008-2013.

The middle portion, or village center, could include a civic center, a library and a community center, as well as some apartments or condos. Construction there could begin in 2013.

The southern section, a live/work neighborhood, would include a mix of commercial, retail and residential development. Planners say work on that section could begin in 2008.

The plan would be developer driven, meaning the village won’t acquire or redevelop any of the property.

The village would, however, help fund infrastructure costs, such as sewers, the new road, landscaping and street lights. Those costs would be paid for through the creation of a tax-increment finance district in the area.

Helping folks understand the TIF concept is one goal of Thursday’s meeting, Steve Kubacki, director of administrative services, said.

In a TIF district, tax base is frozen so that tax revenues from development are used to cover public works costs in the area.

Because Ashwaubenon is unable to create another TIF until 2008, consultants have plotted out other planning and financing tools to start development before then, if necessary.

The village could create a special assessment district between Potts and Morris avenues this year, and any debt would be transferred to the new TIF in 2008.

After the first phase of construction, the village would create a business improvement district, in which property owners would assess themselves to fund physical improvements to the area, as well as maintenance and extra policing costs.

While village leaders acknowledge redevelopment likely would occur on the stretch of land without a grand design or TIF, they say a plan would create a cohesive look and purpose.

“We could step back and let development happen,” Menne said. “But then it would be hodgepodge. But we determined to get someone in here who can take a look and see what the best use would be.”

Once the public has had a chance to sound off, the plan would go back to consultant Vandewalle & Associates for fine-tuning and cost analysis, Kubacki said.

Various committees would review the plan as it moved along, with the Village Board having final say.

“This is just a vision or possibility,” De Cleene said. “Nothing is written in stone, and it isn’t like the whole project is going to be started tomorrow.

“Right now we want to hear from the community, ‘Do you like this? Do you not like this? What would you like to see?’”

-------------------------------------------------

I will post pictures of this when I get time - I have a few that show the plans by Vandewalle and Associates

avissers

July 13th, 2005, 03:43 PM

Titletown Plans Major Facelift for Lombardi Avenue

Lombardi Avenue Facelift Planned

By Jeff Alexander

Lombardi Avenue as we know it today would be changed forever. What is arguably Green Bay's most famous street may soon be in for a major facelift, and Action 2 News got a first look at the city's plans to dress up the avenue and the area around Lambeau Field.

The city wants to make the area more attractive by adding a bunch of new elements. Along Lombardi from Ashland Avenue to Ridge Road and around the stadium it wants to put in what it calls the "Lombardi Avenue gateway concept."

Six gateway pillars made from limestone and brick would stand along the south side of Lombardi Avenue from Ashland to Ridge.

At the corner of Lombardi and Ridge would be what's called the "Titletown columns," creating a grand entrance to Lambeau Field and the city.

An elaborate streetscape would span the entire project on both sides of Lombardi Avenue, and around the stadium, Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena, and Don Hutson Center. There would also be brick facades at intersections surrounding the different facilities.

It's also proposed to put benches between Lambeau Field and Lombardi Avenue. They're called "decade benches" and include sculptures of famous Packer players through the years.

The project also includes a number of banner poles in the median along Lombardi, and a new City of Green Bay sign on Ashland Avenue.

The Kansas-based architectural firm the city hired last year to draft the project estimates it would cost between $800,000 and $1.8 million, depending on what the city chooses to do. The city planning director feels that's a very fair price.

Planning Director Rob Strong also said the Packers played a role in the design process. "They found some of these elements very exciting. This is their doormat if you will be coming into the stadium, so they're very excited about some of the plans we have out there."

Strong says the city hopes to partner with the Packers to help pay for the project.

The Green Bay Redevelopment Authority got its first look at the plans Tuesday afternoon. The city council will get its first official look at the plans next week.

If approved, Green Bay could begin construction next spring.

avissers

July 13th, 2005, 03:45 PM

Developers Go Head-to-Head for Younkers Site

RDA Hears Competing Downtown Plans - Developers Go Head-to-Head Over Younkers Site

By Mick Trevey

The Green Bay Redevelopment Authority decided Tuesday evening to give Milwaukee developer John Vetter more time to develop his plan for a sought-after piece of downtown property.

For the first time, Green Bay developer Tom Juza and Vetter went head-to-head in the same meeting vying for the city's blessing to redevelop the Younkers department store property. Both developers call Younkers a signature site that will set the legacy of the city for years.

Juza has been working for two years to put a hotel, condominiums, and a restaurant where the vacant Younkers department store now stands. He was close to finalizing a deal with the city but his eleventh-hour competition fought back Tuesday.

Juza brought a representative from Starwood Hotels to the Redevelopment Authority meeting to vouch for Starwood's interest in putting a Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Juza's project.

Vetter said he wants to develop a new plan for the riverfront property. He told the RDA it would take another six or eight weeks for him to finish his plans, so he showed a picture of the site completely empty as he promised whatever he builds there would be bigger and better than Juza's and will attract international attention.

"I think what we did is that we're trying to bring the best there is for the city of Green Bay. We came to Green Bay two years ago with a vision and I think we're fulfilling that vision," Vetter said.

Vetter shared more specific information only when the Redevelopment Authority in closed session so his ideas would be hidden from public view and Juza would not be able to hear them. Mayor Jim Schmitt said previously that Vetter's project was similar to Juza's with a hotel and condominiums.

After the closed-door meeting, the RDA voted to give Vetter until October 1st, or almost 12 weeks.

Juza's response: If the city council doesn't decide to give him the project at next Tuesday's meeting, he's walking away from it.

"We've rolled with the changes that have happened in the downtown for the last two years. We've met the RDA requirements. We've met the city council requirements. And we've met the mayor's request. So, we'll wait to see if the council supports this. But if the council does not support this development, and have the staff enter into a developer's agreement, they will be looking at one less project," Juza vowed.

After the meeting, Mayor Schmitt wouldn't say whether he's in support of the RDA's decision to welcome more proposals. He did say that even after two years discussing the project, he's still looking for what's best for the city.

"It's been a lot of give and take. It's been frustration on both sides," the mayor said. "Tom's done everything that I've asked, he's done, and Tuesday night we're going to debate it and see if we want to take a look to see if there's something better out there for the city or if this is indeed the project, and that's all going to be there Tuesday."

Vetter also said he'll have concrete plans for the corner of Washington and Walnut streets in one month. He wants to build a 17-story office tower there.

He told the Redevelopment Authority he already has serious interest from several tenants. He said more information about who those tenants would be will come out at the RDA meeting in August.

avissers

July 13th, 2005, 09:44 PM

Lots of interesting news to come out of little ‘ole Green Bay on Tuesday. I’m still taking it all in myself. So – I’ll break down each project and comment.

1) Lombardi Avenue Gateway District –

The design elements of the plan are really exciting. But that is where my concern lies. I don’t want them to only implement some portions of it and leave the rest to burn in our memories forever of what we could have had. Like it or not, the Packers bring national attention to Green Bay. They play in probably the most historic stadium in any league, but the area surrounding it leaves a lot to be desired. The lighting features, statues, benches, monuments, and arches bring the area into more of a district feeling – almost like a neighborhood. With this plan taking shape, you will know when you’re getting close to the stadium because you begin to see signs of the history and the love of the town for its team.

It is essential that not only the City of Green Bay gets on board, but the Village of Ashwaubenon, and the Green Bay Packer Organization. I also am stoked about the additional landscaping they are proposing with this area as well. All in all, it doesn’t seem like that large of an investment to drastically improve the look and feel of this area.

2) Ashwaubenon Pedestrian Boulevard –

For those that don’t know, Ashwaubenon is a suburb of Green Bay. It was become the retail center of Brown County with Bay Park Square Mall and the amount of restaurant and retail establishments that surround this area. Lambeau Field sits in the City of Green Bay, but is surrounded on three sides by the Village of Ashwaubenon. Ashwaubenon is also home to the Resch Center (the new arena), the Brown County Arena (the old arena), and the Don Hutson Center (Packers practice facility).

Again, in addition to the streetscape proposed above, the further enhancement of this district will aid the Green Bay Packers in boosting revenue by not only making Lambeau Field a year round destination, but the entire area around it a year round destination as well. There is some horrible architecture in this area (mostly rather old building and gas stations) which have no historical significance. There are already numerous bars and hotels in this area but they are hardly connected by anything other than sidewalks –making them seem distant from each other.

Construction and anything concrete is years away – but it is good that they are planning for the future and being bold, because this area is extremely important to the region since it is probably the area most who visit the Green Bay area – see.

3) Younkers Property Redevelopment –

Wow, what can you say? I feel for Tom Juza, but two years is an awful long time for this process to take. I am curious to see the plans Vetter will bring forward for this site and am stoked he will have the opportunity to do it. When someone says the proposal will be bigger and better than Juza’s proposal as well as provide international attention – then it must be “HUGE”…

I don’t like monopolies, but Vetter designed the Riverfront Lofts which are directly to the south of the Younkers property and currently under construction, proposed the 17-story Astor Place development (directly to the north of the Younkers property) and has a planning option currently on the site, as well as he will be bringing in the 17-story office tower on the corner of Washington and Walnut within a month to which he says, has interest from possible tenants. That would leave the Younkers site and the new Nicolet Bank building (to be completed in September) as the only two sites in the redevelopment/development area that he did not have a part in.

I think when you have the same architect/developer with his hands on a rather large/important area – which really is the future of Downtown Green Bay, they are better able to integrate the designs and have a real flow to it - which will possibly lead to a greater chance of success. Throw in the boardwalk and wow – a drastic change for Green Bay.

To me, the Younkers building is ugly. I was somewhat disappointed when Juza decided to integrate the cream colored storage building and tower into the development and combine it with a very attractive hotel building, but over the past two years, this was all City Council and the Redevelopment Authority had to go on. When someone says “bigger & better”, then you have to listen because he has so much invested in Green Bay already to walk away and not live up to that statement (I hope).

It’s hard to believe that in a couple of years Downtown Green Bay could have two 17 story buildings, hundreds of new condos, a boardwalk system, an expanded convention center, a new Federal Courthouse, and the shot in the arm to continue this onto the west side of the Fox River. And maybe, just maybe (if Vetter is serious) an internationally renowned project on the Younkers site – that could be the tallest building in Green Bay??? The suspense will kill me, but I hope it will be worth the wait.

avissers

July 14th, 2005, 02:25 AM

Vandewalle & Associates out of Madison, WI is the consulting firm hired by the Village on the Pedestrian Village concept.

Entertainment District Perspective
http://www.ashwaubenon.com/images/pedblvd/entdistper.jpg
Pedestrian Promenade
http://www.ashwaubenon.com/images/pedblvd/pedprom.jpg
Village Center Perspective
http://www.ashwaubenon.com/images/pedblvd/villagecenterperspective.jpg
Ray Nitschke Field
http://www.ashwaubenon.com/images/pedblvd/nitschkefield.jpg

For more info and layout proposals...

http://www.ashwaubenon.com/general/pedblvd.aspx

avissers

July 14th, 2005, 03:51 PM

A Look at John Vetter's Resume`

Developer John Vetter's Resume`

By Mick Trevey

It's not the landmark it once was, but many eyes are on the vacant Younkers department store building in downtown Green Bay. For two years, Green Bay developer Tom Juza had exclusive rights to develop the riverfront property. He envisioned a hotel, condominiums, and restaurants there.

After two years of fine-tuning his plan to the demands of city leaders, Juza's rights expired, and the Redevelopment Authority said it's accepting proposals from other developers until October 1st. Chief among those developers is Milwaukee's John Vetter, who presented his competing vision to the RDA on Tuesday.

Juza said if the city council does not agree on his project when it convenes next week, he's walking away.

Vetter has had his eyes on the Younkers building property for these past two years, and working on a project that includes condominiums on property right next door and a riverfront boardwalk running in front.

Vetter is known for his redevelopment work in Milwaukee, so Action 2 News went there to look into his past projects.

The length of the waterfront he developed in Milwaukee is almost identical to the size of the Fox River land he's working on in Green Bay.

And Vetter developed a significant stretch of the contemporary neighborhoods being built in the Beer Line neighborhood, which was named for the train tracks that ran through an industrial area of breweries.

"We have created three, maybe four, different types of condominium living. We have rowhouse configuration that we just walked by -- this is more of a multifamily configuration -- and then across the street we're building rowhouses but they have much more of a loft-like feel," Vetter presented.

Most of the condominiums are sold, and people who live in the project gave the area's design rave reviews. They say it attracted people from all walks of life.

"It's a pretty interesting mix. We're on the younger end, I would say. There are a lot of empty-nesters, young professionals, depending on what kind of place you're talking about," said Chris Vanderlinden, who lives in the development.

While Vetter tells us he's proud of the work they've been able to do in Milwaukee, he adds the plan they're putting together for downtown Green Bay could be one of the biggest projects of his career.

"The approach may be the same from Milwaukee to Green Bay but the final designs will be different because they're completely different cities, completely different contexts if you will," Vetter said.

The biggest difference is the Milwaukee development is mostly residential. He says Green Bay would blend commercial and residential properties on the waterfront.

ReddAlert

July 15th, 2005, 01:23 AM

avissers

July 17th, 2005, 02:48 AM

Well that ends that - It looks like Vetter Denk will be able to bring forward their proposal with no competetion from Tom Juza as he has dropped his plans for the Younkers redevelopment site. This proposal better be something great - as I'm sure it will be... But I hope Mr. Juza still considers downtown in future plans, because we could really use some additional up-scale hotels there.

From today's Green Bay Press-Gazette

Juza axes downtown proposal

Developer frustrated with city demands on project

By Paul Srubas

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_21830438.shtml

Saying he felt insulted and frustrated by negotiations with the city, developer Tom Juza announced Friday that he is pulling the plug on his $35.4 million development proposal for the old Younkers site in downtown Green Bay.

“We climbed every mountain and shimmied up every pole,” Juza said in a hastily organized press conference Friday night at his Hobart office. “The city of Green Bay has left me no choice. We’ll focus our energies on other more pressing projects.

“This has been the most stressful negotiating process myself and this company have ever experienced.”

In making the announcement, Juza essentially jumped the gun on what was supposed to be a City Council decision Tuesday that would have decided the fate of his plan for mixed-use development in the former Younkers site on North Washington Avenue. The plan called for a 94-unit hotel, 87 condominium units and three restaurants.

The city’s Redevelopment Authority earlier this week had voted to recommend soliciting proposals other than Juza’s. It received a rival plan by Milwaukee-based Vetter Denk Architects and gave that company until Oct. 1 to formalize its proposal.

The City Council was to vote on the RDA’s recommendation Tuesday night. Juza had said previously an opposing vote Tuesday would force him to walk, but Friday night, he announced he wasn’t going to wait for the City Council’s decision. He said he wouldn’t attend Tuesday’s council meeting.

Vetter Denk created the city’s comprehensive downtown plan and is developing the nearby Riverfront Lofts and other riverside buildings.

Juza said he had been prepared to wait for the City Council’s decision Tuesday, but Mayor Jim Schmitt met with him earlier Friday and presented him with one last demand on his project that caused Juza to call it quits, he said.

He said Schmitt told him Juza’s project no longer had the City Council’s support, and the only way for him to regain that support was to agree to partner with Vetter Denk on the development.

“I just about fell out of my chair,” Juza said. The mayor “said partner with John (Vetter) or divide your site and give John the retail and you keep the hotel, and you can negotiate over who keeps the condos,” Juza said.

Schmitt also told him that Juza’s chances to win the project would improve if he agreed to let Vetter do the architecture and general contracting.

“We feel this latest demand was insulting,” Juza said. “I was shocked, speechless. … Still am.”

Schmitt could not be reached Friday night for comment.

RDA chairman Harry Maier, when contacted at home, said he was disappointed but not surprised by Juza’s departure.

“If I could encourage Tom to change his mind, I’d ask him to at least keep his plans on the table,” Maier said. “I can’t comment on Mayor Schmitt’s comments, because I was not there when he said it. I don’t know what he based his comments on. From the standpoint of the RDA, when we adjourned Tuesday, we still welcomed Tom Juza to be part of the program.”

Maier said he believes Juza’s proposal still had strong support from the City Council.

“We, the city, both the mayor’s office and the RDA, have been working with Tom more than two years on this project,” Maier said. “Tom has done everything the city has asked of him. The problem that arose was when his exclusivity clause expired June 25, which meant the city could accept any new proposals for development of that site.” Vetter Denk’s proposal, for a larger project than Juza’s, is certainly intriguing, and the city has a responsibility to at least hear it, Maier said. And the RDA believes some unidentified third party may also pitch a plan by the Oct. 1 deadline that the RDA gave Vetter Denk, he said.

“Whatever we decide is going to be for the next 40 or 50 years,” he said. “If I could convince Tom Juza to keep his plan on the table, I’d do that. I’d tell him his plan would receive the same consideration as any other plan. The only thing that changes (since the expiration of Juza’s exclusivity) is we have to look at others that come in, whether it’s from Vetter or XYZ.

“He’s been with us two years — don’t quit now.”

Former Mayor Paul Jadin, president of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, whom Juza thanked Friday night for being one of his staunchest supporters, would not comment on the news of Juza’s departure, other than to say, “I had a discussion with Tom as late as noon today, and I sensed the frustration.”

Alderman Ken Dax said he was surprised and disappointed to hear of Juza’s announcement.

“I told him he should hang in there and that his chances were reasonable Tuesday night,” Dax said.

Alderman Chad Fradette, when told of the announcement, said, “I’d rather he stayed in and improved upon (his proposal). Maybe he just wants to exit briefly. We saw something good in what he had.”

avissers

July 17th, 2005, 02:57 AM

so this entertainment district is right outside Lambeau?! It sounds like a great idea to me. I dont know how far the walk would be...but I would go hang out at a bar or resturant there while waiting for the parking lots to clear out. They could snag alot of businesss from people entering and leaving games...as well as people who watch Training camp or visit the Hall of Fame in summer. This whole area around the stadium is going to look very cool in a couple years.

I am suprised there isnt alot more involvement in this thread. Im kind of excitied having Wisconsins three largest cities having cool waterfronts, architecture, and recreation.

I am suprised as well that there hasn't been as much involvement in this thread. This is a very exciting time in Green Bay with redevelopment proposals coming in downtown and an interest not only to make downtown Green Bay more appealing but the entire City and burbs as well. There are a bunch of more things going on in Milwaukee and Madison, but Green Bay just hasn't gotten as much talk I was would hope for... I think a lot of Green Bay natives, who are really into downtown, have been discouraged for years by great proposals never really happening, such as the VK Development 21-story building and the 14-story Prestige Place proposal falling apart even though their was legitimate interest.

The entertainment district would not be located "right" outside Lambeau but close. As many know who don't like to pay high parking prices at the field, numerous people make quite a hike to the game while parking for free on an adjacent neighborhood streets or at one of the many "home" parking lots. The walk would be about the same (2 - 5 blocks).

The entertainemnt distrcit would include more restaurant and tavern establishments as well as spruce up the practice field to create permanent belachers around Ray Nitschke Field rather than the temporary ones used during training camp, almost like a "Mini" stadium. In addition it would tie together the major venues (Lambeau, The Resch, and Don Hutson Center) together to create the "entertainment district" that is proposed. This "vision" is extremely early in the planning stages and may take a minimum of 10 years before it actually starts to look like it is proposed - but it is a start.

I think the Streetscape improvements on Lombardi Street is the best place to start.

Thanks for checkin' in to Green Bay development...

avissers

July 17th, 2005, 03:01 AM

Editorial: Plan gives Lombardi its due

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/opinion_21799269.shtml

Issue
Lombardi Avenue

Our view

Green Bay’s plan to make the nondescript street a gateway to Lambeau Field is a good one

Lombardi Avenue is anything but an attractive approach to Green Bay’s most famous landmark.

A multilane, busy arterial, it straddles the Green Bay-Ashwaubenon border.

Called Highland Avenue before the late coach Vince Lombardi worked his magic here, Lombardi Avenue is lined with a mix of billboards, businesses, public buildings and houses but nothing that shouts, “You’re in the neighborhood of Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers.”

Wisely, the city of Green Bay wants to change that with a three-stage, $1.8 million plan called the Lombardi Avenue Gateway Concept. It would line Lombardi with monuments in the same style as the Packers’ recently remodeled stadium. Additional trees and old-world decorations would be part of the anticipated face-lift.

A large sign would go up outside the stadium at Lombardi and South Ridge Road, proclaiming that Green Bay is Titletown and listing the years of the Packers’ championships.

A walkway stretching north along stadium property would replicate the sidelines of a football field with turf and hash marks. Each 10-yard increment would celebrate a period in the team’s history, beginning with 1919 and ending with this decade. Storyboards and statues of players on benches would be on the walkway’s “sidelines.”

The three-stage plan would begin with a municipal gateway sign at South Ashland Avenue and Lombardi and street-side monuments and median treatments on the approach to Lambeau Field. The Titletown and other signs would arrive later and the football-field walkway would be the final phase.

Money for various parts of the project would come from Green Bay, Ashwaubenon, Brown County and the Packers, all of whom stand to benefit. It could be tax-increment finance money or dollars from city and village capital improvement programs. It also could be grants, corporate sponsorships or donations.

Drawings and a description of the plan are on the city of Green Bay Web site at www.ci.green-bay.wi.us, where it says that the city’s Redevelopment Authority will discuss it on Aug. 9.

Given the strong identity the Packers and their stadium provide to the Green Bay area, and the economic rewards the whole state reaps as a result, Green Bay should proceed with the Lombardi Avenue plan to highlight its two most unique and valuable assets.

avissers

July 17th, 2005, 08:43 PM

Mayor: City will move on without Juza

New proposals sought after developer yanks downtown project

By Rowena Vergara

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_21838045.shtml

As one door closes, another opens.

That’s the stance Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt is taking as he plans to make phone calls to at least two other developers on Monday to discuss possible plans for the former Younkers site.

On Friday, Hobart-based developer Tom Juza called off his $35.4 million development, a two-year work in progress with the city.

“I respect him as a home builder and I respect his tenacity … The city will be fine with this development,” the mayor said.

Juza’s exclusive rights to develop the site expired on June 25, after which the city was free to accept proposals from other developers.

The city will entertain ideas for the Younkers site until Oct. 1 with hopes of starting construction by the end of the year, Schmitt said.

For Juza, the Younkers site would have signified his largest urban development with the city, an undertaking Schmitt said was a new learning experience for the homebuilder.

“It’s such a high priority for us and it’s such a big thing. This is a decision we’re making that will affect our city for the next 50 years,” Schmitt said.

Schmitt and Juza met Friday afternoon with Juza expressing his concern for the city’s lack of support for his proposal.

Schmitt then suggested that Juza partner with Milwaukee-based developer Vetter Denk, in an effort to “capitalize on both their strengths,” he said. Schmitt also discussed this possibility with the lead developer of that group, John Vetter, earlier that afternoon.

“I was trying to strengthen his proposal, which would be working with a quality urban architect,” Schmitt said.

Juza on the other hand, said he was confident that his project would pass and that it had met the approval of City Council members during a June 21 meeting.

But, after the conversation he shared with the mayor on Friday, Juza said he did not feel that same support anymore.

“I had climbed mountains for the city and watched them move mountains for John Vetter,” Juza said Saturday.

Juza said Schmitt’s suggestion implied a sort of silent partnership where the two would collaborate, but Vetter would become the general contractor and architect of the site.

The mayor was not aware of Juza’s decision to call off the project until late Friday evening when he received several voice messages regarding Juza’s decision, and then a voice message from Juza himself, in which Schmitt said Juza was “friendly.”

Juza has not issued a formal written statement to the city on his decision, but said he will not be present at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, although a few aldermen have urged him to attend.

Juza said he has spent approximately $800,500 on the project.

“It was a spontaneous decision, and by no means, this is not how we wanted it to turn out,” he said.

Before Juza’s exclusivity rights ended, Schmitt said, the city did not receive any actual proposals, just inquiries from interested developers.

So far, Vetter and two other developers have expressed interest in the Younkers site, Schmitt said.

ReddAlert

July 17th, 2005, 11:23 PM

I am suprised as well that there hasn't been as much involvement in this thread. This is a very exciting time in Green Bay with redevelopment proposals coming in downtown and an interest not only to make downtown Green Bay more appealing but the entire City and burbs as well. There are a bunch of more things going on in Milwaukee and Madison, but Green Bay just hasn't gotten as much talk I was would hope for... I think a lot of Green Bay natives, who are really into downtown, have been discouraged for years by great proposals never really happening, such as the VK Development 21-story building and the 14-story Prestige Place proposal falling apart even though their was legitimate interest.

The entertainment district would not be located "right" outside Lambeau but close. As many know who don't like to pay high parking prices at the field, numerous people make quite a hike to the game while parking for free on an adjacent neighborhood streets or at one of the many "home" parking lots. The walk would be about the same (2 - 5 blocks).

The entertainemnt distrcit would include more restaurant and tavern establishments as well as spruce up the practice field to create permanent belachers around Ray Nitschke Field rather than the temporary ones used during training camp, almost like a "Mini" stadium. In addition it would tie together the major venues (Lambeau, The Resch, and Don Hutson Center) together to create the "entertainment district" that is proposed. This "vision" is extremely early in the planning stages and may take a minimum of 10 years before it actually starts to look like it is proposed - but it is a start.

I think the Streetscape improvements on Lombardi Street is the best place to start.

Thanks for checkin' in to Green Bay development...

no problem man! I am very excited because GB is really only known for the Packers. Although some of this has to do with the Packers, its quite tasteful and unique. All 3 of the WI cities are showing some great development.

How are GBs population growth btw?

avissers

July 18th, 2005, 03:57 PM

no problem man! I am very excited because GB is really only known for the Packers. Although some of this has to do with the Packers, its quite tasteful and unique. All 3 of the WI cities are showing some great development.

How are GBs population growth btw?

The U.S. Census estimates Green Bay's population at 101,100 which would actually be a drop from 102,793 that was the official 2000 Census number. However, the Wisconsin Department of Administration estimated the 2005 population as 103,540.

The population for the City isn't growing very fast, but there is a significant portion of land on the far east side left to be developed and the portion of land near highway 54/57 on the far northeast side is starting to develop (which includes a new industrial park). The City just completed a north/south road east of I-43 which should lead to some further residential development in both areas.

The WDOA estimates the City of Green Bay's population will continue to increase through 2025 when it will be 107,737. However, Kenosha, according to estimates, will pass Green Bay in population in in 2025 to 111,191 becoming the State's 3rd largest city... :cry: Bittersweet for me... Thanks Chicago.

But with renewed interest in Downtown - who knows the numbers may change.

Brown County is seeing a pretty significant increase in population. The current estimate for Brown County by the U.S. Census for 2004 is 237,166, while the WDOA estimates the 2005 population of Brown County at 237,515 which are pretty close.

In 2030 - WDOA estimates BC's population will be 291,862, which will firmly hold on to the #4 spot in Wisconsin behind Milwaukee, Dane, and Waukesha Counties. Add in the Fox River Valley Metro Area of Appleton and Oshkosh and this entire area will be about 700,000 +/-.

The suburbs are seeing the largest gain in population. In 2025 - Green Bay's suburbs are estimated to be:

City of De Pere - 28,152
Village of Bellevue - 22,044
Village of Howard - 21,700
Village of Ashwaubenon - 18,429
Village of Suamico - 16,120
Village of Allouez - 15,620

Hope this helps.

avissers

July 18th, 2005, 06:22 PM

Reading the minutes from the Green Bay redevelopment authority, some interesting items were discussed that were not reported as much in the newspapers and local television stations…

Younkers Project – Juza

There were three main items that the Council had directed Juza to work out since the last consideration of this item. Those three items were:

1) A significant contribution to the Boardwalk System.
2) The financial information that was provided had some unclear figures that needed to be answered.
3) Secure a hotel commitment.

As far as Item 1, the City has set the contribution towards the Boardwalk System for the Younkers site at 2.5 million dollars. Supposedly, Juza agreed with that payment – but it is unknown when that money would be collected or what timing mechanism was in place in order for the City to move forward with the Boardwalk project.

Item 2 – The City of Green Bay Finance Director had been working with Juza on the needed/missing financial info.

Item 3 – Four Point Sheraton was the hotel that was to be a part of this development, who was eager to get the project started this calendar year.

Juza indicated at the meeting that he had currently 14 accepted offers on the proposed 87 condo units to be included in his project. He said that 264 jobs would be created for building and completing the project and that once completed, 131 full time jobs would be available.

It will be interesting to see what happens at the July 19th City Council Meeting. Although Juza has dropped his proposal, he has not submitted a formal withdrawal letter to the City. Some Council members still indicated he should show up, or more than likely nothing will happen and he will go back to building custom homes in the burbs.

Younkers Project – Vetter

J. Vetter said that he maintains an interest in the Younkers site stating that he believes this is the signature riverfront site. He stated that this should be a community-based project with importance placed on design excellence with higher mixed-use and diversity. He said that he is willing to put the time and money into a proposal for the Younkers site to present to the RDA in October of this year. As we all know – he will get that chance. It will be interesting to see what happens. There are rumors that this may end up being Green Bay’s tallest building (after demolition of the existing buildings on site) framed by the two other proposed 17 story buildings (Astor Place and River Tower). Only time will tell. I still think it needs to include a hotel as an element as well as restaurants and retail (following what the Juza proposal had included). I think Vetter knows that – at least I hope he does.

Riverfront Lofts –

As we know construction is progressing and a spring 2006 completion date is obtainable. According to the web site 4 units still are available and unsold out of 26 total.

Astor Place -

A press conference will be scheduled soon to kick off the sales of the condos in this building, and I’m sure a website will soon follow. Possibly the 14 offers on condos in the Juza development will shift over to Astor Place if indeed the Younkers deal is dead.

River Tower – Building 4

This development is proposed to be a heavy mixed-use project that will be primarily commercial office space. Vetter is in negotiation with an anchor tenant for that site. He will come back to the RDA in August to discuss a planning option. The local news reports have indicated this building will be 17 stories which will be equal to what is being proposed initially at Astor Place. Previous reports had this building stretching to 20 stories depending on market conditions.

Early on in his tenure, Mayor Schmitt had indicated that at the time the corner of Washington and Walnut Street develops (where River Tower is proposed) that it must be the tallest building in Green Bay. Now I’m not sure if that means height wise or floor wise. Who knows if this will be mandated???

KI Convention Center Expansion

The KI Convention Center reported on the occupancy rate at the Convention Center. Brigman said that in 2003 there were 84 conventions with 21 open days; in 2004 there were 91 conventions and 16 open days; in 2005 he is expecting 100 conventions. During the first quarter of 2005 there were zero open days, two open days in the second quarter, three expected open days in the third quarter and currently, fourteen open days in the fourth quarter, mostly around the holidays. The goal in 2006 is 100 conventions. He stated that an open day is one-half day.

Brigman stated that the KI is performing well with the space available. He would like to see additional space of 75,000 square feet to go along with the current 42,000 square feet. He reported that 20-25 groups could not have their conventions at the KI due to space restrictions. He said that Regency Suites would partner with the RDA to conduct a study to identify possible additional convention space. The study would cost approximately $10,000.

R. Strong stated that a site selection process could be put into place. He said that KI revenue could be used for the study. After the study is completed, a proposal will be brought back to the RDA for recommendation (no set time table indicated).

Well if anything else pops up, I’ll be sure to post it.

avissers

July 18th, 2005, 10:50 PM

The Riverfront Loft's Website updated the construction progress photo's today. Although today is July 18th, these photos are said to be from June 24th - but the file name lists them as July 17th??? As stated above, the expected completion target is Spring of 2006.

In the background is the Nicolet National Bank Headquarters Building which should be completed in September. Just to the left of that (can just see the top of it) is the new 8-story Cherry Street parking garage.

http://www.loftsontheriver.com/image/InProg07.17.05.jpg

avissers

July 19th, 2005, 01:15 AM

Story Behind the Downtown Development Breakdown

Downtown Deal Breakdown

By Mick Trevey

Local developer Tom Juza wanted to redevelop the vacant Younkers department store building in downtown Green Bay into a hotel, condominiums, and restaurants. Juza agreed to all of the city's conditions for the project.

But the deal broke down Friday when the mayor suggested Juza collaborate with Milwaukee developer John Vetter on the deal -- the developer who pushed a competing project for the site earlier that week.

Juza decided to walk away.

When we asked Mayor Jim Schmitt about the site Saturday, he said working with Juza has been a learning process and a bit of a struggle for both sides. He says listening to what other developers could do with the building is the best thing for the city in the long-term.

"I think he was a little bit on a learning curve, and the frustration was maybe in some of the things that we were looking for in that we needed to protect the city, too, with a $35 million project. This wasn't a $200- or $300,000 house, this was a $35 million vision for the city," the mayor said.

Juza announced he was walking away from the project at a news conference Friday night -- before telling city leaders. Mayor Schmitt said that caught him by surprise.

"To have all the press calling with a major, major decision, I just don't think that's appropriate," the mayor said.

Juza told us Saturday afternoon that two years working on the Younkers development cost him more than $800,000, and he says it's tough for him to see the city so interested in a competing proposal from Milwaukee.

"I think it's a bad message sent to local developers that the local developers aren't good enough unless you're more than 100 miles away. It's shocking. And they wonder why the downtown area has struggled for years," Juza said.

Juza said he'll continue working on his other existing projects in the City of Green Bay, but for now he's done with anything downtown.

The city will collect proposals for the site from developers until October 1st. Vetter has already promised to bring forth a major plan but Mayor Schmitt said he's calling a number of other developers so the city will have a variety of proposals to look at.

Schmitt said he wants construction on the site to begin by the end of the year.

------------------------------------------

In addition, the Astor Place news conference is scheduled for this Thursday, July 21st, 2005 to announce the beginning of pre-sales for the project.

I will follow this closely and keep a look out for a possible web site. In addition, on the invitation for the news conference sent by the developer, Downtown Green Bay, Inc., and the City of Green Bay, a new rendering shows up which makes the building a little more visible...

http://www.geocities.com/arvissers/AstorPlaceRendering.jpg

avissers

July 20th, 2005, 03:45 PM

Developers have until October 1 to propose downtown plans

By Andy Behrendt

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_21871483.shtml

After two years with a local developer pegged to rejuvenate the old Younkers property along the Fox River, Green Bay will wait another two months for other parties to offer their own plans for the site.

Shaking hands one by one with builder Tom Juza as he officially withdrew his project Tuesday, members of the City Council moments later unanimously approved a recommendation from the city’s Redevelopment Authority to solicit new proposals from developers until Oct. 1.

The decision came with no discussion despite the sudden uncertainty since Juza, the only developer with plans for the downtown site, pulled his $35.4 million development Friday. The city has at least one taker in Vetter Denk Architects, which last week asked the RDA for time to develop a project with a value higher than Juza’s.

“Hopefully there’s going to be a lot more. Let’s not base it on one,” said Council President Fred Graves after the short meeting adjourned. “Let’s pick what’s best for the city of Green Bay. Not that Tom’s wasn’t good — it was his choice to withdraw.”

Graves in April 2003 was the sole council member to vote against selling Juza the Younkers building on North Washington Street.

Juza held exclusive rights to the property until late last month, still without approval for his hotel, condominium, dining and retail development.

Juza’s decision to withdraw came with frustration after the city’s Redevelopment Authority last week recommended soliciting new development proposals including Vetter Denk’s and after Schmitt on Friday urged Juza to partner with Vetter Denk in developing the site on North Washington Street.

“We have come to realize that if the mayor and the Redevelopment Authority can be easily influenced by each promise of a bigger project and with no weight to previous efforts, the redevelopment project may never come to fruition,” Juza told the council Tuesday, flanked by his wife, Michelle.

“With this in mind, we have decided that it is time for us to pursue other opportunities,” he said.

Mayor Jim Schmitt meanwhile has pursued other opportunities for the city by speaking to local and national developers. He said an East Coast developer within the past 24 hours had expressed interest in the site and with further meetings with the city.

As to whether the best developer would be local like Juza, Schmitt said that wasn’t a big factor.

“We want some jobs and the beneficiaries to be Green Bay community people, and that’s what we’re looking for,” he said.

John Vetter, principal for Vetter Denk, which created the city’s comprehensive downtown plan and is developing the nearby Riverfront Lofts, said his firm would look forward to the new timeline and submit a plan. If the city decides his isn’t the best, “That’s a good day for Green Bay,” Vetter said.

-----------------

Another article on the same report...

Juza Faces City Council

By Jason Allen

A Green Bay developer showed up one last time in front of the city council Tuesday night. Tom Juza pulled out of a major downtown project last week, and he wanted to address and end the battle with the city that led up to it.

The Younkers department store building was the focus for Juza for more than two years. He never could gain the support of this city council, though, and gave up proving himself to them last week.

He showed up in front of them one last time, ironically on the night he, once upon a time, expected to get final approval for his plans for the empty building.

"It has become a struggle for us as guidelines and parameters have continuously changed," Juza said.

Then, with none of the contention or arguments marking past meetings, he thanked each member personally, including Mayor Jim Schmitt.

"There was a request from several people that we be here. I think there was some controversy going on and we just wanted to address it through the letter," Juza said.

Competing developer John Vetter from Milwaukee sat nearby watching, also hoping the battles over development he was caught up in is over.

"I hope that we can get away from politics and we can just focus on a quality project and really look at building downtown Green Bay the best way possible, doing the best thing for the city," John Vetter of Vetter Denk Properties said.

Even when asked about a lawsuit, Juza didn't have a comment and the mayor said he didn't know why there would be one, going so far as to say if Juza changed his mind and had new ideas for the project, he'd like to see them.

"He's a professional. I respect his decision," Mayor Schmitt said. "We're going to move on. We're going to get the right project for the City of Green Bay."

avissers

July 22nd, 2005, 04:21 AM

Riverfront Condominium Plans Made Public

By Mick Trevey

A Milwaukee developer plans to build a high-rise tower where Admiral Flatley Park now sits along the Fox River in downtown Green Bay. The plan is complete and the condominiums are up for sale.

Astor Place will be 17 stories tall. The lower floors will have six condominiums on each floor starting at $180,000 for about 900 square feet. The top floor will be a single penthouse unit for $2 million. Every condo has a view of the water.

The unveiling of the architect's plans marks the kickoff of sales. Real estate agents will now start taking orders.

"We're hopeful that the urban dwellers -- the 'urban pioneers,' as I've called them -- will really embrace the project," developer John Vetter said.

The architect believes having some units that cost less than $200,000 will bring in customers who normally wouldn't buy an upscale condo.

"We see it as a fabulous luxury project but one that's attainable and accessible to a wide range of the public," said Vetter.

The base of the building will be called Flatley Market. The a'Bravo Cafe will be a main tenant, and other businesses, like a florist, hair salon, and natural foods store, are being recruited.

"It just seems that it's really picking up momentum. There is more development interest in downtown, and it's just exciting to be part of that," Julie Brunette of a'Bravo Cafe said.

Vetter hopes to have 30 to 40 percent of the condominiums sold in the next eight months, when he goes back to the city council for the final approval to buy the Flatley Park land.

--------------------------------------------------------
From the WFRV Local News Station Article...

Plans For Downtown Green Bay Condos Unveiled

Plans To Develop Green Bay's Downtown Waterfront Continue To Expand.

Another Proposed Development Was Unveiled To The Public Today.

Chelly Boutott Joins Us Now Live From The Site.

Chelly, This Is Another Condominium Project.

It Is, And Its A Big One.

The Developers Want To Build A 17 Story Condominium Complex On This Site Which Includes Part Of Admiral Flately Park.

The Vetter-Denk Architects Unveiled The Plans To The Public This Afternoon.

Astor Place Towers Will Offer 72 Condominium Homes.

The Condos Will Range In Price From 190-Thousand Dollars To 2.1 Million.

The Lower 3 And A Half Floors Will Be A Public Market Place, Including A Restaurant, Grocery Store And Retail Shops.

Vetter Denk Is The Milwaukee Company Who Is In The Process Of Building The Riverfront Condominiums On The Other Side The Younkers Building.

They Also Plan To Make A Proposal To Refurbish The Younkers Building.

And Develop A Office Complex On The Corner Of Washington And Walnut.

The Mayor Says It's All Part Of The Big Comprehensive Plan To Develop The Boardwalk And Waterfront.

Astor Place Towers Is Not A Done Deal.

Vetter-Denk Still Has To Get Financing And Have Selling Agreements With 30 To 40 Percent Of The Building.

And Then The City Council Has To Approve It.

If That Happens Construction Could Start As Soon As Next Year.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

$2 Million in Green Bay??? Wow, if that condo sells I will fall out of my chair. But I sure do hope it does sell. More than likely the Green Bay Press-Gazette will have an article in tomorrow's edition which may possibly be more detailed.

In addition, as promised, a website has been created for the Astor Place Project.

http://www.astorplacecondos.com/

Pretty impressive views shown on the site, but little info as of yet on floor plans and pricing of units.

avissers

July 22nd, 2005, 03:42 PM

Astor Place condos hit the market

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_21902833.shtml

The Astor Place Condominiums Web site is now online at

www.astorplacecondos.com

Still in planning stages, 17-story building would hold 72 units

By Andy Behrendt

The tallest building to hit Green Bay’s downtown cityscape has gone public.

Whether and when it will be built is uncertain, but the 17-story Astor Place Condominiums planned at the site of Admiral Flatley Park went on the market Thursday as the latest piece toward revitalizing the Fox River waterfront with both residents and business in a truly sky’s-the-limit fashion.

“What we’re really trying to do is bring together all the amenities that you typically only see in a Chicago, Minneapolis or San Francisco and package those together into the Astor Place project and bring it to Green Bay,” said John Vetter, principal for Vetter Denk Architects of Milwaukee.

With the door now open to presales, interest in the roughly $25 million development’s 72 units will determine whether Green Bay gives it a go.

The City Council in May gave Vetter Denk an eight-month planning option, the same day it approved an extensive boardwalk system to line the redeveloping east-side riverfront. Vetter hopes to have 30-40 percent of the units sold by the end of that term, at which point, Mayor Jim Schmitt said, talks of a development agreement and groundbreaking would begin.

The condos aren’t your average downtown Green Bay residences. Prices range from $189,900 to $324,000 for units between 780 and 1,450 square feet that make up two-thirds of the building’s total living space. There also would be upper-level units ranging from $350,000 to $1 million. And there’s a $2 million penthouse.

But Vetter cited his nearby, in-progress, 26-unit Riverfront Lofts. It went on sale a year ago and is now three units shy of sold out under a similar price range. With that, he’s confident demand will continue.

“When you look at other cities,” Schmitt said, “there is a couple percent of people who do enjoy living in a downtown, urban environment. We’re not even close to the 1 or 2 percent where in other markets it’s as high as 5 or 6 percent. I do think the market is there statistically, but that’s why we have this planning option right now.”

The mayor and architect each expressed a belief that confidence in downtown is returning. They pointed to the three-story Flatley Market planned at Astor Place’s base as another key piece. The open-air marketplace, along with the boardwalk, would draw folks from throughout greater Green Bay and offer them something they can’t find elsewhere, Schmitt said.

Vetter said commercial presales in the market have already met his two-thirds expectations, although only one tenant has been revealed: an expanded incarnation of A’Bravo Catering, currently at 1425 Main St. A’Bravo owner Julie Brunette said she has other ideas for the present location and would expand to between 2,500 square feet in the market, plus a 4,000-square-foot banquet space on the third floor.

“I have always thought that a banquet facility on the water would be just fabulous,” Brunette said. “I just think that downtown has been underutilized — I think we have this great waterfront, and I’m pretty excited for the plans.”

Ideally, if Astor Place is approved, work on deep pile systems could begin in the winter with upward construction beginning in the spring, Vetter said.

He said the plans he is developing for the neighboring Younkers property wouldn’t disturb the views from the Astor condos.

Vetter Denk, which developed the city’s comprehensive downtown plan last year and also has designs on an office building at East Walnut and North Washington streets, could be in control of virtually the entire riverfront stretch between Main and East Walnut streets if the city opts for his Younkers plan later this year.

That wouldn’t be a bad thing, Vetter said. He said the city would be better able to follow comprehensive plans by only working with one team.

“You won’t have competing programs or competing businesses — competing interests, so to speak,” he said. “You can really design it and develop it accordingly to market and what’s best for the city, in my opinion.”

Some potential conflicts remain to the north, however, with the 13- to 14-story Beaumont Tower planned to adjoin with the Days Inn City Centre.

“We’d like to move ahead, but the city can’t tell us what the lot size will be,” said Russ DeMille, one of the partnering developers behind the project who have sought to keep Washington Street curved. But that depends on Astor Place, he said.

DeMille said a meeting with the city and Vetter Denk has yet to happen. Schmitt insisted the city would work with both developers to create a compromise toward a win-win situation.

avissers

July 26th, 2005, 04:08 PM

Good news for Green Bay...

Procter & Gamble to build new machine

Procter & Gamble in Green Bay

• Headquarters: Cincinnati

• Green Bay facility: 501 Eastman Ave.

• Green Bay employees: 1,065

• Products produced locally: Charmin bathroom tissue, Bounty paper towels, Puffs facial tissue. All were initially manufactured here and are now made in other plants as well.

Green Bay project boosts regional paper industry

By Richard Ryman

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_21806665.shtml

Procter & Gamble confirmed Tuesday it will build a new paper machine in Green Bay, providing affirmation the paper industry will continue to play a key role in the area’s economy.

The company’s Green Bay plant, 501 Eastman Ave., will be home to its newest machine producing Charmin tissue and Bounty towel products.

The project likely will not create any new mill jobs, but it will help keep existing jobs from leaving and provide hundreds of construction jobs.

Construction will begin in August and is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2007, said Bill Ward, Procter & Gamble spokesman in Green Bay. In addition to the paper machine, the company will build a 103,000-square-foot building to house it at the northwest corner of its existing plant. It also will install associated converting equipment.

“This helps solidify our position as the No. 1 papermaking state in the country and keeps us on the leading edge of paper production,” said Patrick Schillinger, president of the Neenah-based Wisconsin Paper Council, an industry trade group.

The paper industry employs 40,000 people in the state and is one of the highest-paying manufacturing segments, according to the Paper Council. Green Bay considers itself the tissue-making capital of the world.

“Hopefully, this will send a message that some of the traditional barriers to attracting capital investment in this state are being knocked down.”

Ward said it has been 35 years since Procter & Gamble built a new paper machine in Green Bay, though it has built two in other states in recent years and rebuilt several others. Schillinger said it’s the first new paper machine in the state since 1994.

“We’ve worked together to make this project possible and it is a great opportunity for all of us and our community,” said Byron Grover, president of United Steel Workers Local 47 at the plant. “This signifies a strong commitment to our Green Bay plant.”

Some may have questioned Green Bay’s place in the Procter & Gamble system after the company announced in late 2002 that it was moving Bounce and Downy production to Canada. That cost more than 130 jobs. After that, the company sold its University Avenue plant to American Foods Group.

On the other hand, the opening in early 2002 of a 1-million-square-foot warehouse servicing Procter & Gamble in the I-43 Business Center is one reason the paper machine will be built in Green Bay.

“It’s a combination of the plant and public utilities as well as distribution infrastructure,” Ward said.

The paper industry in Brown County, which is primarily centered on tissue manufacturing and converting, and printing, has fared better than in the Fox Valley, where more copy and writing paper is made.

The emergence of the nonwovens industry and equipment upgrades at existing tissue companies — Georgia-Pacific spent $61 million to upgrade equipment locally — have solidified paper manufacturing here.

That hasn’t always meant jobs would be saved. Companies have been able to reduce jobs because their investments have resulted in more efficient equipment that boosts productivity.

Procter & Gamble will receive $3.4 million in employee training, equipment acquisition and infrastructure improvement assistance from the state.

Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt said the city and company discussed Tax Increment Finance District assistance from the city, but nothing has been decided on.

“They were looking more from us on the expediting and streamlining of permits,” Schmitt said.

The company filed a site plan and storm water management plan with the city last week.

The cost of the project has not been determined, Ward said, though Schmitt and others in the past have mentioned $200 million as the ballpark cost of a paper machine.

“We have not estimated all the work and bid it yet,” Ward said.

“We are also investing in existing operations and believe productivity improvements will make people available,” Ward said.

Another factor in the decision was the state’s improvement of its permitting process.

The Wisconsin Paper Council successfully lobbied the state on the issue, which it says routinely held up projects. Gov. Jim Doyle agreed and ordered state departments to streamline permitting.

Procter & Gamble received air quality permits for this project from the Department of Natural Resources on June 30.

“We’ve certainly worked hard as an industry to try to reform Wisconsin’s economic and regulatory climate and I think this is really one of the fruits of our labor,” Schillinger said.

Green Bay was one of two locations reportedly under consideration. The other was Oxnard, Calif., though according to a Procter & Gamble spokesman there Oxnard dropped out of the running some time ago.

:)

avissers

July 26th, 2005, 04:13 PM

An editorial on the P&G Expansion

Editorial: P&G expansion says a lot about Green Bay

Issue
Producing paper

Our view

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/opinion_21880932.shtml

Procter & Gamble’s announcement that it will build a new paper machine in Green Bay promises multiple benefits for a community that long has relied on the paper industry

Green Bay, the Toilet Paper Capital of the World, has reason to celebrate after a decade of paper-industry instability.

Procter & Gamble announced Tuesday that its plant at 501 Eastman Ave. will be the site of a new 103,000-square-foot building housing a machine to produce Charmin tissue and Bounty towels.

It will be the first new P&G machine in Green Bay in 35 years and the first new paper machine in Wisconsin in 11 years. “It’s paper’s way of saying, ‘Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated,’” Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce President Paul Jadin told the Press-Gazette.

It’s easy to take the announcement for granted because paper production has been almost as much a part of the community’s identity as the Green Bay Packers. For generations, thousands of households have relied on good-paying mill jobs for employment and financial stability. Even today, many manufacturing jobs in Brown County are in the paper industry or directly related to it. Paper manufacturing itself accounts for about 6,600 jobs in the county, according to the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and, statewide, 40,000 people work in the paper industry.

P&G’s new machine probably will not create jobs in paper manufacturing but it will help to keep existing ones and provide hundreds of construction jobs from the time the project gets under way in August until its completion in the second half of 2007.

And that’s not the only benefit. P&G’s decision will help to stabilize the paper industry in the Fox River Valley. And as Meir Russ, an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, said, it’s “a vote of confidence in this economy and definitely sending a very good message to the people of this region.”

It also will send a very good message to other companies considering whether to move or expand in the Green Bay area — the message that this must be a good place to do business if Cincinnati-based P&G has decided to make a major investment here.

“People can say that industry is not like it once was, but it’s such a solid industry and employs so many people, a project of that significance has a ripple effect throughout the economy in a positive way,” Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt said.

That’s a reason to celebrate.

avissers

July 26th, 2005, 10:40 PM

http://www.loftsontheriver.com/

http://www.loftsontheriver.com/image/progrss07.23.05.jpg

avissers

July 28th, 2005, 02:05 AM

The Redevelopment Authority Meeting, to be held on the 2nd Tuesday of August, should be pretty exciting. Vetter Denk will reveal their plans for the 17 story River Tower (Corner of Washington & Walnut) to the commission, as well as the anchor tenant to make this project a reality. This project is primarily office, but the make up of it will more than likely will be known after this meeting. The building will be located to the right (south) of the Nicolet National Bank Building.

http://www.loftsontheriver.com/image/popups/siteplan.gif

Also, the October deadline for the Younkers site is slowly ticking away. Hopefully some proposals will start to filter in soon.

avissers

July 29th, 2005, 06:15 PM

TIF talk tied to development

What’s a TIF district?

A municipality sets the boundaries of a tax-increment finance district. When a TIF district is formed, the tax base in that area is frozen so that any revenues from construction during a specified number of years will be applied to the cost of public works in the district. Such public works include sewers, water, streets, street lighting, sidewalks and parking lots.

What’s next

Green Bay’s Redevelopment Authority will hold public hearings on the proposed tax-increment finance districts No. 11 and 13 at the authority’s meeting at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 9. The City Council is expected to consider districts 11, 12 and 13 on Sept. 6.

Three districts aim for growth in Green Bay

By Andy Behrendt

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_21955455.shtml

Three new tax-increment finance districts may kick off in Green Bay this year to spur continued development in the new growth center on the east side while redeveloping two of the city’s oldest areas.

Talk of TIF has floated throughout plans to revitalize the city’s downtown east of the Fox River. The downtown plans call for the return to a street grid that would dissect Washington Commons in the next several years.

The two other plans would apply the tool to expand the Interstate 43 Business Center and continue the redevelopment of the Olde Main Street corridor.

The TIFs proposals are expected to reach the City Council in September.

“It’s just a matter of projects that we know are getting ready to occur, and we need some funds to be able to get the projects moving,” said Jennifer Brown, the city’s interim director of economic development, of the push for three districts at once.

In a TIF district, a municipality uses property-tax revenues generated by development to finance improvements, such as roads and sewers, within that district. Once the TIF district dissolves, the development is added to the municipality’s tax rolls.

If the city approves the new TIF plans in time for the state’s Oct. 1 deadline, the districts would become retroactive to the start of 2005. The city likely would first see those revenues in 2007, Brown said.

Street grid downtown

The proposed downtown district, TIF District 13, would stretch east from the riverfront property south of Main Street where redevelopment plans are in the works at the site of the former Younkers store and Admiral Flatley Park. The area includes Washington Commons north of the new Baylake Bank City Center.

As projected, TIF District 13 would require borrowing more than $24 million, the most required of the three proposed districts, said city Finance Director Doug Daul.

The substantial tax increment expected in the area would fund the roughly $12 million boardwalk project planned along the Fox River, sewer, water, street and lighting projects, loans and grants to developers, and property acquisition costs.

The first improvements listed in the draft project plan are cutting through Washington Commons to open access from Gregby Way east to Madison Street and expanding Gregby Way while extending Adams and Jefferson streets north to Main Street.

The restored street grid was a priority of the comprehensive downtown plan approved by the City Council last year. The draft TIF plan’s investment summary, which is subject to change, projects that to happen between 2006 and 2010.

“Whenever we do a plan like that, it’s going to be driven by development potential,” said city Planning Director Rob Strong. “We’re hoping that within that timeframe to be able to find a redevelopment for that area that may include punching those streets back through.”

Strong noted the City Council would have to specifically approve such plans later on.

“We realize that the mall is in the process of trying to redevelop, but it still is the plan that was adopted by the council, and we’re just basically incorporating that into the plan,” he said.

Tom Schumacher, spokesman for Development Associates, which owns Washington Commons, said he wasn’t aware of the draft’s timeline.

“The city has put this together, and we have not had any conversations with the city regarding the TIF,” he said.

Strong said the city has told the property owners that the street routes are part of a 20-year plan. He said it may be aggressive, but the city would like to see the property improve in value and use within the next few years.

Expanding the business park

Another of the proposed districts, District 12, would expand the I-43 Business Center eastward to the city’s eastern limits. The city, which has seven districts in operation, in recent years closed a previous TIF district at the center after only seven years.

Expecting a similarly quick timeline, the city would likely borrow $15 million to install infrastructure, Daul said.

Brown said the city is eyeing $26 million worth of projects in the 901-acre area.

Brown said goals would center on getting more planned commercial districts in the area, which includes sites where a new hotel and Marcus Theatres development are planned. Marvin Rentmeester, who has lived on Finger Road for more than 80 years, is all for those goals.

“I’ve been involved with this business park business since it started, and we’ve got enough homes,” said Rentmeester, who owns about 50 acres in the planned TIF area. “I want more land in for business. So I’m 100 percent for it.”

Rentmeester was among area stakeholders who turned out for this week’s public hearing on TIF District 12 before the city Plan Commission. He said he’s had chances to sell his property to create new homes a number of times but has held out with hopes of locating more business to complement the residential boom.

No borrowing for Olde Main

The proposed TIF District 11 in the Olde Main area would be a redevelopment TIF, like the downtown district proposed. But Daul said the smaller-scale Olde Main district likely wouldn’t require upfront money and would instead run on a pay-as-you-go model based on the availability of increment.

Sue Bessert, program manager for Olde Main Street Inc., said her organization for several years has discussed added financial tools with the city.

“We are already a redevelopment area. We’re already a business-improvement district,” she said. “Let’s keep those funds, if possible, right there in the district for future improvements that can help the community and city and district all at the same time.”

She cited streetscape work on Olde Main Street, as included in the TIF draft plan, as a top priority for the district with street resurfacing scheduled for 2009. Parking improvements and trail connections along the East River are also part of the draft plan.

Bessert noted some in the Olde Main area have been upset by their properties’ designation as blighted in the plan, but she argued that’s necessary to forward the interest and commitment in the area.

avissers

July 29th, 2005, 06:31 PM

The Astor Place website has finally added the floor plans and pricing levels. As of today there are 3 units sold. A solid start, but a long way to go. Hopefully it keeps up...

http://www.astorplacecondos.com/

djcody

July 29th, 2005, 10:59 PM

Great website, very user interactive!

CTroyMathis

July 31st, 2005, 05:51 PM

What a cool thread.

appletonwi

August 1st, 2005, 08:52 AM

avissers

August 1st, 2005, 03:55 PM

Vetter Denk is doing a magnificent job of moving along with this project. I have no doubt they going to ask for a significant amount of city money, but that is normal any TIF. Growing up in Appleton and traveling on occasion to Green Bay, city of Green Bay had a well deserved reputation of being behind the times and a stagnent downtown. If this project goes through, Green Bay will not only have a building taller than Appleton's tallest but will have jewel that can be seen from miles away. Good for you Green Bay. I hope this works out for you.

We'll see how the interest continues in the condo sales. One positive is that there is also interest from commercial users who would lease the space set aside for those uses in the Astor Project.

This may not be the only building to rise in downtown Green Bay... Stay tuned August 9th as Vetter makes public at the Redevelopment Authority Meeting his plans for the Washington/Walnut Corner. As stated before, this will also be a 17-story office building and there is an anchor tenant who has shown solid interest in order to make it a reality.

Also, proposals for the Younkers property are due in October which is only two months away. Mayor Jim Schmitt wants some type of action on the site prior to the end of the year.

One huge positive that cannot be overlooked is the fact that the TIF's scheduled to be discussed also mention punching the streets once cut off from Main Street by Washington Commons (a.k.a. Port Plaza Mall) are shown to reconnect which would open up even more property to redevelopment in the future.

avissers

August 4th, 2005, 03:22 PM

Developer proposes condo and hotel project for Ashwaubenon

By Patti Zarling

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/biz_22061879.shtml

ASHWAUBENON — A local developer looking to build a condominium/hotel complex on Morris Avenue said the project could serve as the first new piece in the village’s ambitious plan to create a mix of entertainment, housing and business south of the Resch Center.

Ski Construction Management wants to build an 11-story complex in the 800 block of Morris Avenue, near the new Pioneer Credit Union building. It could fit nicely with plans to create a so-called Ashwaubenon Boulevard in that area, developers say. The plan still must be presented to the village and would require the approval of the full Village Board.

“This will help the village set some parameters for the development,” designer and co-developer Ed Fischer said. “We’ll help bring it to the table, allow the village to discuss what they want the specifics of the boulevard to be.”

The five-acre property abuts the area proposed to include a pedestrian-friendly street. The roadway would run through the heart of the proposed district from the Resch Center to Bay Park Square mall.

An initial draft for the “Paramount Towers” complex includes 16,000 square feet of retail and specialty shops and restaurants on the first floor. About 8,000 square feet would be used for conference and meeting rooms, with some space reserved for hotel services.

The second and third floors would accommodate a roughly 60-room luxury hotel. Plans call for a third-floor pool and fitness area.

The fifth through 10th floors would include about 30 condominiums, Fischer said. Sizes would range from 978 square feet to 2,214 square feet. Larger, custom-designed condos also would be available at 4,626 square feet or up to 12,460 square feet (an entire floor.) Prices are yet to be determined.

The top floor would include a single loft and private terrace.

Fischer said Ashwaubenon is one of two hot markets in the area for a hotel and that developers are sure they’ll have no trouble filling rooms.

“We could have proposed a straight hotel,” he said. “But we wanted a mixed use. We wanted to include people who are here long-term, and we wanted to be part of the community.”

Village President Norbert De Cleene said Wednesday neither village staff nor the Village Board have seen the plan.

“I haven’t seen anything yet,” De Cleene said. “They’ve shown us a nice picture, but that’s it. Right now, it’s still a dream of theirs.”

He said he isn’t sure if the property is zoned for the proposed construction. Fischer said SCM owns the site, as well as several other properties. The site is mostly an open field with some buildings, he said, but no businesses would need to be moved.

A proposed condo project on the west side of Lambeau Field was scuttled earlier this year after nearby residents worried the complex would restrict their views. Fischer doesn’t foresee that problem with this project.

“That was a residential area. We’re not blocking anyone’s’ view at this site,” he said.

Developers plan to bring the proposal to village staff in about 30 days, Fischer said. Staff would decide whether to send it to the Village Board.

This summer, the village is hosting a number of town-hall meetings to give residents a chance to voice opinions about the pedestrian boulevard concept.

The full Village Board could vote on it as soon as this fall.

“What we’re saying is if they’re going to do a (boulevard,) is this the sort of thing they’re looking for?” Fischer said.

“It gets them talking about setting up some parameters. We might either be the good guy or the bad guy in this, but maybe it will at least get people talking,” he said.

avissers

August 4th, 2005, 03:27 PM

Too Much Room in Downtown Green Bay?

By Mick Trevey

In the next two weeks, more condominiums will hit the market in downtown Green Bay. But are there enough buyers for all that space?

There are 26 condominium units in the Riverfront Lofts. There are 65 units in the proposed Astor Place high-rise. And 133 units are soon to hit the market in the Washington Square apartment building, which is being renamed and sold as Riverside Place.

That's 224 condominiums on the market in the space of a few blocks of downtown Green Bay.

Can they sell? That's what we asked a Realtor not affiliated with the development. "I don't know, it's so new," Tonia Piontek of Premiere Realty said.

Real estate agents we talked to said the effects of a boom of condo projects remains to be seen. "It's a mystery because it has never been done before," Piontek said.

Several real estate agents predicted the units costing more than $300,000 will be harder to sell.

"In Green Bay, anything over $300,000 sits on the market longer just because there are less buyers," Piontek said.

The key, they say, is finding unique buyers -- especially from outside the area. That means people like Shelley Lengsfield and her husband, who just moved from New Orleans and bought a downtown condo. They're moving in to Riverfront Lofts, the first to hit the market last year.

"I think a lot of downtowns need this sort of development to make use of older buildings that have been neglected or vacant, and I think it's an exciting time the city has revamped their downtown," Lengsfield said.

Riverfront Lofts is being trumpted as an early sign of robust demand. Twenty-three of the 26 units are already sold before the walls are even built.

avissers

August 5th, 2005, 08:52 PM

After reading through the agenda for the Redevelopment Authority Meeting this coming Tuesday (August 9th), I did not see where John Vetter would be making the River Tower proposal. Somewhat frustrating at first sight, I know that sometimes more issues which do not require action or public hearings are discussed and not necessarily put on the agenda - but then again...

Other items on the agenda that will be discussed and have possible action are the Lombardi Streetscape Plan (mentioned earlier in this thread), an update on the Younkers Redevelopment (Letters have been sent to numerous development companies providing notice that the former Younkers property is available for redevelopment with project proposals due October 1, 2005), and the two TIF proposals for downtown and Olde Main Street District discussed as well in an earlier post.

I will keep the thread updated - because so many people are dying to know...

Here are a couple good web sites to follow happenings in and around the Green Bay area:

Downtown Vital - A progressive voice about downtown Green Bay. Includes a lot of information regarding recent events and links to those involved.

http://www.downtownvital.org/

Green Bay Press-Gazette Special Report - Downtown, Beyond Perception

The Green Bay Press-Gazette is following the health of downtown Green Bay. The special report, which is updated regularly, started Oct. 10-14, 2004, with a five-part series on the future of the downtown. Numerous articles, pictures, opinions, and information is located here. The Green Bay Press-Gazette reporters won an American Planning Association Award for their report.

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/downtown/downtownindex.shtml

avissers

August 7th, 2005, 05:16 PM

John Vetter has indicated that he is going to propose a 17-story office tower on the corner of Washington and Walnut in Downtown Green Bay. I thought it may be interesting to look back at some of the projects proposed for this corner.

The site was the first choice of the Washington Street Apartments, or now known as the Riverside Condos. This project ended up moving south of Walnut Street.

Back in 1999, VK Development announced the proposal for the Fox Tower. The building was proposed to be a 21 story mixed use development anchored by a hotel. This idea kicked around for a couple years but near the end of 2002 - it died. Not really sure why, it just faded from the press and meetings.

Replacing the Fox Tower in early 2003, the corner became a potential site for the federal courthouse. The courthouse was to be between 4 and 6 stories. A federal courthouse is still being proposed to be located in Green Bay. The last site I heard was the corner of Walnut and Monroe.

In 2004, Prestige Realty brought forth Prestige Plaza. The proposal included office space with a restaurant on the top floor. A 6-story, 700-stall parking ramp would be located on the northeast corner of the intersetion with a skywalk connecting the two and lower level retail. The proposal got local support and supposedly had enough tenant interest to get off the ground, however some requests by the Redevelopment Authority to produce signed leases by a certain date doomed the project. The next meeting the developer produced letters of interest rather than the signed leases. His claim was that he could not produce leases on a property he did not own. Thus the project died.

http://www.geocities.com/arvissers/Prestige.JPG

Later in 2004 Commercial Horizons brought the Nicolet National Bank Building proposal, which is under construction and should be done next month, for the north half of the property. Not the huge tower everyone was expecting but a start. The parking ramp originally proposed by Prestige, was undertaken by the City and is an 8-story, 800-stall ramp with first floor retail.

That brings us up to today. Hopefully, Vetter proposes something really special for this corner and it becomes a reality.

appletonwi

August 8th, 2005, 04:51 AM

Avissers,
you are a great source of information. thanks for sharing and please keep anything coming.
A

avissers

August 9th, 2005, 02:20 AM

Avissers,
you are a great source of information. thanks for sharing and please keep anything coming.
A

Thanks. I hope I have a lot of things to report in the coming months and it remians steady. I know Green Bay is not like Milwaukee or Madison in terms of size and number of projects, but being my hometown - it is exciting none the less. I just really truly like having a lot of information in one place where a number of people can access it and say, wow - I never knew Green Bay had this much going on. If you don't follow it very close, you may never know that something was proposed or is in the works to happen.

I haven't really kept up with the City of Appleton as much, even though I've visited it many times and know a ton of people from the area. I loved going out on College Avenue and the PAC downtown is a great thing compared to the location of the one in Green Bay. I really enjoyed the Copperleaf Hotel development as well, but don't follow the Post Crescent as much anymore. Possibly there should be an Appleton, WI development thread as well?

Keep reading and I'll keep reporting, but this goes for anyone - if you find something worthwhile about Green Bay post it. I may not know every little secret in how to get info.

avissers

August 9th, 2005, 03:44 PM

Commission votes to block restored downtown Green Bay street grid

What’s next
The City Council will consider three street-renaming measures and proposed changes to its comprehensive downtown plan in its meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 16 in Room 203 of City Hall, 100 N. Jefferson St.

Plans would have cut apart Washington Commons

By Andy Behrendt

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_22116333.shtml

Hearing complaints that plans to restore a downtown street grid in place of Washington Commons is destroying hopes for the mall, Green Bay’s Plan Commission on Monday recommended that the city strike the provision from its comprehensive downtown plan adopted late last year.

“It’s the uncertainty of what’s going to happen to the downtown,” said John Ruppel, marketing manager for Development Associates, which owns the downtown mall. “Nobody in their right mind is going to plan moving their business into a situation like that. And it’s been very difficult, put it that way.”

Ruppel argued to the commission that more than 30 potential tenants have walked away amid that uncertainty since October. One such party, which offered 800 jobs to the area, backed away from discussion once word hit about running Jefferson Street and Gregby Way through the soon-to-be-vacated JC Penney building, he said.

Although Ruppel said the damage may already be done, commission member and City Council President Fred Graves called for the removal of the plan language as a step in the right direction toward getting more bodies in the downtown. The recommendation approved unanimously Monday will hit the City Council Aug. 16.

The appearance by Washington Commons’ owners, which in the past few years has sought to bring new life to the struggling center, coincided with a letter they delivered to the mayor and aldermen Monday. The letter notes a May 2 proposal written by Mayor Jim Schmitt and signed by the owners regarding a lease and possible purchase of the JC Penney space by the city’s Redevelopment Authority with thoughts of possible convention space.

Development Associates managing member Michael Schumacher said in the letter that the city effectively reneged on that plan with draft plans for a tax-increment finance district in the area that includes capital projects in 2006-10 to open access from Gregby Way east to Madison Street and expanding Gregby Way while extending Adams and Jefferson streets north to Main Street.

The letter further calls for a series of steps for the city to help reverse publicity about grid plans, starting with abandoning the grid.

City Planning Director Rob Strong maintained the plan can’t in itself damage a property owner. He emphasized the commission wasn’t admitting to doing wrong by making its recommendation. He said the draft TIF District 13 plan that includes the capital projects was a separate item and would remain as-is unless the city panels remove those projects from the plan.

Schmitt said after Monday’s meeting that Green Bay wants to help the property succeed and that the grid wasn’t essential to the comprehensive plan.

“We need the owner of the property, the developer, to come forward with a concept that we can partner with and support,” he said. “If it is a grid system, we’ll support that. If it’s a better concept, we’ll support that. It’s all about increasing the value of that property.”

• In other matters Monday, the Plan Commission voted unanimously to recommend the renaming of three streets off Lombardi Avenue: Forward Street to Bart Starr Drive, Progress Street to Reggie White Way and Advance Street to Tony Canadeo Run.

If approved by the City Council, the Green Bay Packers-related names would take effect Sept. 18, when Reggie White’s No. 92 will be retired. Local artist C. McLain Campbell spoke to the commission about an accompanying, privately funded $1.2 million project to erect 24 engraved-granite monuments in homage of Packers legends and eras in the area, which is eyed for redevelopment.

Campbell is among those who pushed for the renamings. She described efforts made with mother Sandi Campbell of Green Bay to fund their project while working with concerned property owners, including Engels Commercial Appliance and Famis Manufacturing, to minimize the impacts of the renaming.

• The commission reaffirmed its position in favor of the draft plan for the proposed Tax-Increment Finance District No. 12 to support expansion of the Interstate 43 Business Center. The City Council had referred the plan back to the commission amid concerns about the proposed mixed-use TIF district's ability by state law to donate funds to redevelopment TIF districts once it can cover its annual debt service with increment.

Jennifer Brown, the city's interim economic development director, outlined state law regulating such donations and an extensive list of approvals required by city panels and taxing jurisdictions before any donation is made.

-----------------------

My thoughts are simple... The mall is dead. It is one of the worst ideas ever in the history of Green Bay. I believe the preliminary proposal of revamping the soon to be vacant JCPenny building into additional convention space is a good idea - but apparently what some elected officials fail to realize is that the mall iteself cuts off portions of downtown from each other. I hope the City Council does not adopt this change to the Downtown Comprehensive Plan.

The individuals who purchased the mall "Guaranteed" that we would see significant positive changes for Washington Commons. All that has happened is that the vacancy rate has risen, there is almost no retail in the mall, and the last remaining anchor tenants have either left or will be leaving. This is positive?

Time for a change I think. That portion of language in the Comp Plan does not mean the grid will return, but at the very least show a potential to reconnect all of downtown and open up a huge ugly space to development that will not turn its back on the street.

avissers

August 10th, 2005, 03:13 PM

Lombardi makeover gets OK from Green Bay’s Redevelopment Authority

Plans for street call for Packers statues, walkway

By Andy Behrendt

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_22129420.shtml

There may not be any concrete projects to tackle yet, but Green Bay’s Redevelopment Authority called for forward progress with a proposal to spruce up the Lombardi Avenue corridor in the image of Lambeau Field.

The RDA’s unanimous recommendation on Tuesday will hand off the Lombardi Avenue streetscape plan, which has been complete but unexamined for a couple years, to the City Council at its Aug. 16 meeting. The authority endorsed the plan for Lambeau-esque monuments and signs as a concept while leaving details on funding and phasing to be fleshed out later.

The plan designed by Gould Evans Goodman Associates of Kansas City includes a massive sign planned outside the stadium proclaiming Green Bay as Titletown, a street-side football field-themed footpath celebrating the Packers’ history with statues of players along the stadium’s parking lot and signs to recognize the Resch Center, Don Hutson Center and Lombardi Avenue neighborhoods. The cost for full implementation is figured between $841,000 and $1.8 million.

The RDA directed the city in coming weeks to work with interested parties, including the Packers and neighboring village of Ashwaubenon, about making some of those projects happen. Green Bay Planning Director Rob Strong said any city funding in the sports complex area planned around Lambeau Field would have to be supported by the area’s existing tax-increment finance district rather than dollars from the tax levy.

Strong said the city finally brought the plan in from the sidelines after residents recently pitched a privately funded “Walk of Legends” with 24 engraved-granite Packers monuments lining three streets off Lombardi Avenue, which Strong said corresponded with the streetscape plan. The city is meanwhile considering renaming those streets after Packers greats.

Now entering Titletown

A key to the streetscape plan is city signage to let visitors know when they’ve actually entered Titletown. The plan concentrates on the area between Ridge Road and Ashland Avenue, but RDA members proposed an option to extend the gateway presence westward toward U.S. 41.

“The real entrance coming from the west is right at that Lombardi at 41 interchange,” said Chairman Harry Maier. “There’s nothing there now, and even planting trees would help, if nothing else.”

Tree-planting is one element of the plan that’s already in place elsewhere. Strong said the city last year placed several trees in the residential area, as proposed, with funds from the street improvement budget. Some elements are less likely, particularly the interpretive walkway and statues along the stadium property that would translate the Packers’ history along the hash marks of a simulated football field.

“This is one that the Packers have some concern about because of the amount of land that’s available between Lombardi and the edge of the parking lot,” Strong said. “We don’t know that this is even feasible. It was a concept to give them some idea of the exciting things that could happen.”

Strong said the city already has about $230,000 in startup funds set aside from the Tundra Lodge Resort & Waterpark. Other improvements in the TIF district, where property-tax revenues generated by development are used to finance public works projects, would fund future pieces of the plan. Capital improvement programs, grants, corporate sponsorships and donations are other potential sources.

New TIFs moved forward

Also on the TIF tangent, the RDA on Tuesday forwarded to the City Council plans for two new TIF districts in the Olde Main Street corridor and downtown area just east of the Fox River.

The endorsements came after separate public hearings. Whereas the downtown TIF plan drew fire from Washington Commons owners Development Associates at Monday’s Plan Commission meeting — due to the plan’s provisions for a renewed street grid in place of the mall — there were no comments on that plan Tuesday.

The RDA approved the plan without removing cost estimates for the grid projects, although the Plan Commission a day earlier called for the removal of similar provisions from the city’s comprehensive downtown plan. Strong noted the City Council could still choose to do so.

The Olde Main TIF, however, drew a string of concerns from area stakeholders who feared both condemnation and the designation of their property as “blighted,” along the lines of state statutes.

“Who could I possibly sell my property to in the automobile business with that label on my property?” said Ron Smits, owner of Smitty’s Auto Mart at Main and Webster Avenue. “It eliminated a whole segment of possible buyers.”

City leaders argued the TIF tool would only attract buyers. They emphasized that the city has no current plan to acquire any property in the area and would be able to do so even without the TIF designation.

Paul Kosmoski, president of the Olde Main business improvement district, echoed the officials in arguing that a TIF district would only strengthen the ability of owners to redevelop their properties by applying tax dollars that would otherwise go to other taxing entities.

“If we had any other means to do it, believe me, we’ve been trying and trying very hard for the last several years,” he said.

-----------------------------------

Lombardi Facelift One Step Closer To Reality

WBAY-TV

Green Bay's most famous street is one step closer to getting a major facelift. The city's Redevelopment Authority approved a concept to dress up Lombardi Avenue. The goal is to tie-in Lombardi Avenue with the renovation of Lambeau Field.

Six gateway pillars made of limestone and brick would run from Ridge Road down Lombardi to Ashland Avenue. The Lombardi Gateway Project, proposed by a Kansas City firm, also includes the Titletown columns at the corner of Lombardi and Ridge, creating a grand entrance to the city and stadium.

"I think sometimes people lose sight of the fact that it's an entry way into the City of Green Bay. It's Lambeau, the Tundra, it's part of what Green Bay is all about. We should be opening our arms and welcoming people to our fine city," says City Planning Director Rob Strong.

An elaborate streetscape would span the entire project on both sides of Lombardi, and around the stadium, arena and Hudson Center. Brick facades would stand at the intersections surrounding the facilities. A walkway would be placed between Lambeau and Lombardi with storyboards and benches, including sculptures of famous Packer players.

Money for the $1.8 million project could come from a number of sources, like the current TIF district, non-profit organizations, Brown County and the Packers. The city council will get its first look at the plans a week from tonight.

avissers

August 10th, 2005, 03:18 PM

Associated Bank Considers Downtown Site

WBAY-TV

Green Bay city leaders are working to recruit Associated Bank, one of the biggest companies in the area, to relocate to the corner of Washington and Walnut Streets.

Bank leaders have been talking to Green Bay's mayor about what role the bank could play in a possible development.

The site itself isn't all that big. It's nicknamed "site four" by city planners.

But it's on a very visible corner, right on the water and it's in the heart of redevelopment growth.

The mayor has been talking with most of the big companies in the area, encouraging them to relocate there.

One company, Associated Bank, has had several meetings about it.

"This is a big decision," said Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt, "they've got to look at their long term needs. They've got to look strategically where they want to be located; look at where their business is going."

Associated just spent about $1 million renovating their existing downtown building. But they want to know what incentives the city could provide if the company helped fill this signature waterfront site.

Today, the regional president of Associated Bank told us, "We're always going to listen. That's just smart business."

He confirmed bank leaders will meet with Mayor Schmitt again this week.

"They belong downtown," said Schmitt, "I think they know they belong downtown and I think if we can work it out so financially it can work out for them and their customers, I think it's something we'll continue to dialogue with."

It will also be up to a developer to negotiate terms of a lease with any company moving to the site.

Milwaukee developer John Vetter has already expressed interest.

-----------------------------

Although not exactly the news I was looking for today, this is a great positive for Downtown Green Bay if it becomes a reality - making more of a statement that it is becoming the financial center for the region. Baylake Bank, Johnson Bank, and Nicolet Bank just all have anchored new facilities in the Downtown Green Bay area, as well as US Bank, Chase, and Associated anchor large facilties as well.

I wonder what corporations Mayor Schmitt has been discussing regarding this site? I would have to say a bank is probably the most realistic, while I would also throw in there Schreiber Foods who has offices scattered around downtown.

avissers

August 11th, 2005, 03:48 PM

The Astor Place website now lists 7 units have been sold in the proposed building, including an almost $600,000, 1880 SF unit on the 15th floor which is the most expensive one sold to date in the building. (this is the one I was eyeing up - if I had the money)

This puts the proposed building at just a hair under 10% pre-sold. Vetter Denk is shooting for between 30% and 40% pre-sales before construction could begin. That would put the number of units needed to be sold between 22 and 29 for that to become a reality.

:applause: Keep it up potential residents...

appletonwi

August 12th, 2005, 12:00 AM

once agian vissers..you are all over this. i am very excited for green bay. it will be almost unrecognizable downtown from even 5 years ago.

milwaukeeunseen

August 12th, 2005, 12:08 AM

avissers

August 12th, 2005, 01:00 AM

The Green Bay - Appleton area has a bigger population than the Madison metro.

The area has seen great economic growth in recent years, and the central cities of Appleton and Green Bay are revitalizing.

I don't know if Downtown Green Bay will ever feel truly "urban" however. I remember driving through Green Bay and I remember thinking that Racine feels more urban than Green Bay, despite being about a quarter the size.

At any rate, it's a first class American city. God Bless Green Bay!

I'll agree with you there. Although Green Bay is the third largest city in the state, it doesn't have the dense urban feel that you get in some places like Racine, West Allis, Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, Madison, etc.

There are not many examples of row houses in Green Bay, or mixed use areas (such as one would see on Prospect, Farwell, North, and Oakland Ave in Milwaukee), and much of the downtown area, that would aid in making it feel more urban, was torn down when the "wonder" mall came through. The City of Green Bay has a different kind of feel that is hard to put my finger on. It seems almost relatively new and suburban, even though it is a large City - and by large I mean large for Wisconsin.

Downtown has a long way to go to feel urban, but at least that issue has been recognized and developers are starting to address this. Tall buildings won't do a thing unless it creates activity on the streets and a demand for more essential everyday needs in the downtown area. But one positive about downtown that is has a number of vacant parcels that can be redeveloped - so it can only get better from here.

As far as the Fox River Valley Metro area -

Yes - Brown, Outagamie, Winnebago, and Calumet Counties are estimated to grow from 585,143 population (2000 Census Figure) to 754,994 population in 2030 according to the WDOA estimates. That is a pretty significant sized region. Most of this growth will be in the suburbs though - but good lord, traffic is going to start to suck.

Of course Dane County, from 426,526 population (2000 Census) to the 2030 WDOA estimate of 579,976 population, is doing it within one county. Another major difference is the City of Madison is still seeing a pretty steady growth in the city limits, while growth in the City of Green Bay will start to level off.

MJinOshkosh

August 12th, 2005, 04:20 AM

avissers

August 12th, 2005, 02:36 PM

3 companies to open at I-43 site next spring

I-43 Business Center project

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/biz_22163567.shtml

• Country Inn & Suites by Carlson: 107-room hotel owned by Swift Hospitality Group of Freeport, Ill.

• The Ground Round restaurant: owned by B&L Holdings of Neenah.

• The Meadows: 500-person conference center owned by The Visionary Group of Lake Forest, Ill.

By Richard Ryman

Country Inn & Suites hotel, Ground Round restaurant and The Meadows conference center will open next spring in the I-43 Business Center.

Located at the high-profile intersection of Interstate 43 and East Mason Street, the more than $10 million development is the joint project of Swift Hospitality Group of Freeport, Ill., B&L Holdings of Neenah and The Visionary Group of Lake Forest, Ill. Consolidated Construction Co. of Appleton is the contractor and matchmaker that brought the principals together.

“We think this is the new area of development in Green Bay,” said David Swift, president and chief executive officer of Swift Hospitality Group.

The I-43 Business Center has one hotel, Amerihost, and one restaurant, Mackinaw’s Grill & Spirits, both near the development site.

“Business parks are a great source of demand for hotels,” Swift said.

The Country Inn & Suites in Ashwaubenon is not owned by Swift's company, which has five properties in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Florida, and has three under construction.

The hotel will offer 107 rooms and an aquatic center featuring adult and child pools and a 12-person spa.

Rich Batley of B&L Holdings said his group has owned a Ground Round in Neenah for two years and has a second under construction in Tomah.

Batley said when Ground Round abruptly closed its 52 corporate-owned stores and filed for bankruptcy two years ago, 60 of the 72 franchise owners who stayed open stepped in and bought the company. He said the former corporation lost $7 million in its last year of business, and the new owners made a profit in their first year, just completed.

The restaurant will use the two-room concept, a family-friendly restaurant on one side and a sports bar on the other, Batley said. It will offer the same menu, and there will be a small outdoor deck.

The restaurant will employ 80 to 85 people, half of them full time.

“Although attached to the hotel, we look to be a local restaurant first,” Batley said.

The Meadows conference center will serve groups up to 500 for meetings, weddings and other events, said Brian Pesmen, president of The Visionary Group.

The 17,000-square-foot center will have its own kitchen and a full-time staff of six to 10. The part-time staff will depend on scheduled events.

Fritz Jaeger, business-development manager for Consolidated Construction, said Green Bay does not have too many hotels, “especially on the east side. Not a lot of hotels were built since 9/11. There is a lot of pent-up demand.”

avissers

August 12th, 2005, 03:12 PM

Avissers keep up the good work on this thread. I read it just about every other day and enjoy your view of Green Bay. I live in the humble city of Oshkosh so I have an interest in how well Green Bay and the Fox River Valley is doing. I will say if some of the buildings are built in Downtown Green Bay, Green Bay will have a nice start on a new downtown area, and maybe the other close by cities of Appleton, Oshkosh, Manitowoc, Sheboygan and Fond du lac will spend a little bit more time getting their Downtowns to look in better shape.

I will agree that downtown shopping malls have done their damage and really don't work. The original of those downtown shopping malls Park Plaza in Oshkosh is empty except for office's and a street mall along pearl ave west of north main street. The Avenue Mall in Appleton never really worked either. To the Milwaukeeans who look at this site can site why the Grand Ave Mall in Downtown Milwaukee is in its death throws. To me it is simple why these malls failed so misserable and it comes down to paid parking or lack of parking in other cases. There is nothing more irritating than having to find a parking place and to others having to pay for a parking place.

Thanks -

-----------------

The Grand Aveune is actually in the midst of a revival. Sure it may not be as good at drawing retail traffic as Mayfair or Fox River but vacancy rates are way down and they have had a number of larger tenants such as Border's, TJMaxx, and Linens & Things open stores within the Mall. They also rededicated the mall to being pedestrian friendly from the street. Although far from perfect, it does a heck of a lot better than Washington Commons in Green Bay. The more and more residentail units we see booming downtown in Milwaukee, the more likely the Grand Avenue will continue to sustain itself.

I can remember in Green Bay when Washington Commons (a.k.a. Port Plaza) was the mall to go to in the area. It did have 2 parking ramps connected to it, which you did have to pay for - but to many this was the place to go.

Trouble for PP started when development occurred around Bay Park Square offering more restaurant and free-standing retail choices as well as available free parking. It didn't hurt that Fox River Mall in Grand Chute become the regional shopping draw as well. Over the past few years, owners of PP, opened the parking ramps up to free parking to draw shoppers, but the flatline was already well underway. When I think of all the history that was bulldozed to make way for this "downtown revival" project, it makes me cringe.

It would be great if they could redevelop the main portion of the mall, but it hasn't been successful in attracting office tenants either. There has been some modest success but not what the new owners made us believe they could do more that two years ago. Then they turn around and blame City Officals for driving away business oppurtunities. ???. Oh well, it is easier to fail and blame someone else than it is to fail and face yourself.

Even if the new condo developments bring in a number of new downtown residents, I don't see that alone sparking the revival of this mall. It won't even be close to the population that Milwaukee has drawn downtown. Ultimately, I do hope they tear down a major portion of the mall that they cannot redevelop.

At least the 3 anchor stores (who were or are not owned by the same people that own the main portion of the mall) have had success redeveloping or interest in redeveloping. Typcially, those are the hardest to redevelop w/o tearing them down and starting over from scratch. Baylake Bank redeveloped the old Boston Store into offices, and although put up a cheesy outside facade to replicate what it replaced when the mall came in, it is better than a vacant store with no visual appeal. The Younkers property has had some interest from developers, and we are all still waiting on the October 1st deadline to see what could be. Finally, the JCPenny store may find new life as an expansion to the KI Convention Center.

But the rest, in my opinion, can go opening up the downtown again, reconnecting the street grid, and potentially creating new redevelopment sites which will only make downtown better.

I see a lot of potential when I look at this. I can only hope that the elected officials, City Staff, and potential developers see the same thing.

avissers

August 12th, 2005, 08:58 PM

Was reading through the minutes of the Redevlopment Authority Meeting that took place on August 9, 2005 and found some interesting information.

Younkers Redevelopment

As stated before, letters have been sent to numerous development companies providing notice that the former Younkers property is available for redevelopment with project proposals due October 1, 2005.

R. Strong (Green Bay Planning Director) stated that the Younkers property is available for redevelopment. Approximately 130 letters were mailed out to companies identified through WHEDA as having done development throughout the Midwest. Nine companies have contacted the Planning Department requesting additional information. Those companies were sent a link to a City website offering additional information regarding the project proposals. The proposals are due October 1, 2005.

River Tower (Site #4)

A. Swanson (???) stated that the Vetter Denk Site 4 Planning Option is still being discussed and will be brought to the RDA at a later date.

------------------

In addition, there is a special meeting to be held on August 18, 2005 regarding the Prestige Park Development. Not sure what this is as of yet, but I will keep looking and post whatever I find.

Till then, we do what we do best... Wait. :poke:

avissers

August 13th, 2005, 12:55 AM

This actually was dedicated in June of this year, but it is still worthwhile.

The WTC Memorial is located on the west side of the Fox River next to the Nitschke Bridge. It honors those who lost their lives on September 11 with each victims name engraved on the black granite base. A portion of a steel truss from the WTC is also mounted on the granite base shaped as a pentagon. In addition, two 30 foot stainless steel towers rise from the pentagon representing the WTC towers. This is the first of its kind in the country. The plan is to put one of these memorials in each of the 50 states.

http://www.downtowngreenbay.com/photogallery/images/911Memorial.jpg

http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/artwork//wtc_memorial/wtc_memorial3.jpg

http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/artwork/wtc_memorial/wtc_memorial1.jpg

http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/artwork/wtc_memorial/wtc_memorial2.jpg

CircleCity27

August 13th, 2005, 11:07 AM

Here's A Development', the Green Bay Fudgepackers r going to suck again!!

So Cheer The Colts On!!!

avissers

August 13th, 2005, 06:09 PM

Here's A Development', the Green Bay Fudgepackers r going to suck again!!

So Cheer The Colts On!!!

Thanks for that intellectual insight. :toilet:

CircleCity27

August 14th, 2005, 02:06 AM

Is Green Gay Fudgepackers more intellectual & intelligent for u??? Mean Bay perhaps???

Once again, GO COLTS GO!!

avissers

August 14th, 2005, 07:07 AM

Is Green Gay Fudgepackers more intellectual & intelligent for u??? Mean Bay perhaps???

Once again, GO COLTS GO!!

:wtf:

If you would like to respond to development news, please do so. If not, please find some other medium where people can relate to your level of insight.

CircleCity27

August 14th, 2005, 08:08 AM

I appoligize to u for 1 because I may be a bit ignorant about Green Bay, for all I really know about is that it's unbearibly cold & that ur only pro sports team is the 1 most people including myself love to hate...Truth Sucks!!!

Anyway if I may say I'm sorry 'bout those comments 'bout Green Bay, okay???

avissers

August 17th, 2005, 03:46 PM

Green Bay Common Council Delays Lombardi Gateway Concept

WFRV-TV

The City of Green Bay is looking to draw more attention to its most famous landmark. But last night, the Green Bay Common Council delayed approval of the Lombardi Avenue gateway concept.

The city wants to extend the look and architecture of the stadium to surrounding neighborhoods.

One big part of the makeover is a huge brick and steel sign reminding people they are in "Titletown." The plans also call for a walkway on the north side of the stadium lot that would recall the team's history and include statues of Packer greats.

The city plans on paying for the project with grants and tax increment financing, but the Council wants more funding details.

The Council also gave its approval to rename three streets off Lombardi Avenue. Forward Street changes to Bart Starr Drive, Progress Street becomes Reggie White Way and Advance Street turns into Tony Canadeo Run.

djcody

August 17th, 2005, 09:40 PM

Thanks for the info avissers, keep up the good work.

avissers

August 20th, 2005, 09:35 PM

Thanks for the info avissers, keep up the good work.

Thank you.

I wish there has been a little more news lately...

--------------------

In other news the Special Redevelopment Authority Meeting to discuss the Prestige Park Development (still searching for info on this one) was cancelled. No make up date or reason was released. I'm assuming they will discuss this project (if it is still a go) at the next meeting.

avissers

August 21st, 2005, 06:37 PM

Views from Nicolet Center are great

New downtown building is 80 percent leased

By Richard Ryman

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/biz_22219876.shtml

You’ve got to admire the view from Nicolet Center, the new home of Nicolet National Bank and AON Risk Services.

Through large and abundant windows you can look up, down or across the Fox River, see a good deal of the length of Cherry Street, or gaze at Lambeau Field, which like a mountain looks closer than it is.

Construction of the $12 million, 81,000-square foot building began in May 2004. Nicolet National Bank, part owner of the building and its first tenant, has begun moving in, to be followed by AON in October and Commercial Horizons, the developer and other building owner, in November.

Mike Maedke, marketing director for Commercial Horizons, said the building is 80 percent leased. A quarter of the second floor and about two-thirds of the fourth floor are available.

Building amenities include a 65-space lower-level heated parking garage and an outdoor ground-level patio on the south side.

The city is building a $10 million, 795-space parking ramp across Washington Street from the bank that is scheduled for completion in September.

Brain Netzel, senior architect for Performa of De Pere, said the building was designed to showcase the assets of both main tenants, including strength and timelessness.

“There is kind of an Old World look to the building with a contemporary flair,” he said.

Robert Atwell, president and chief executive officer of Nicolet, is pleased with the result.

“We spent a lot of time with them talking about who we are and how the bank should feel. They really got it,” he said. “It’s very much an expression of who we are.”

Netzel said a goal was to bring in as much natural light as possible. To that end, Maple wood is used throughout the Nicolet offices, reflecting rather than absorbing light.

Even the large staircase to the bank’s second floor has open stairs so as not to block light or the view of the river.

“We’ve accomplished an awful lot in that space we are in, but this is a much better physical expression of our long-term business plan,” Atwell said.

Nicolet National Bank, which opened Nov. 1, 2000, will occupy all of the first floor and half of the second.

A couple of Nicolet commercial lenders are already in their new offices. Other staffers will move over from the current North Washington Street offices before Labor Day weekend, when the rest of the bank’s 80 employees will move en masse.

“That gives us three days to make sure we’re up and running,” Atwell said.

Nicolet is leasing its current space at 110 S. Washington St. That lease is due to expire.

Roger Ferris, managing director of AON, said his company and its 80 employees will be moving from Cherry Street to South Washington Street about mid-October.

“It’s going to be great for us. Here, we are on three levels. The vast majority of our staff will be on one floor,” Ferris said.

Ferris said AON has been at various locations in downtown Green Bay for 80 years. He said it was important to stay downtown and to have a building that would showcase the national insurance provider’s local operation.

Its current office at 701 Cherry St. — one of the few AON owns — will be sold.

“We’ve been in this building close to 30 years,” Ferris said. “We really needed to do some upgrades.”

avissers

August 22nd, 2005, 04:09 PM

Kroc center closes in on reality

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/biz_22246356.shtml

About the center

The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center would consist of:

• Aquatic center

• Ice rink

• Auditorium/Salvation Army Corps center (including a church)

• Child-care center and after-school program.

• Computer lab for job searches and adult education (employment resource center for all ages)

• School of music and arts held in conjunction with the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra

Center timeline

• Late September-early October: Final proposal to be submitted for six-week review

• Oct. 7: Grand Gala annual charity dinner sponsored by Merrill Lynch will culminate capital campaign

• January: Final approval for project possible

• Summer 2006: Break ground for construction

Organizers not far from meeting project requirements

By Terry Anderson

Day by day, dream by dream, and dollar by dollar, plans are moving forward for the $37.5 million Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center on Green Bay’s east side.

Green Bay is one of 10 communities in the Midwest — and the only Wisconsin community — that has been approved for the project, and organizers say they are well on their way to meeting the two major stipulations that will allow the “campus of opportunity” to move from dream to reality.

Already they have a 14-acre site on Lime Kiln Road, a gift from Smithfield Foods, the parent company of Packerland Packing Co., and are 83 percent of the way to meeting their goal of a $7.5 million capital endowment fund.

“I think that we will be the first community to complete the application process, the first to break ground and the first to be serving the underserved people,” said Jack Meng of De Pere, who with his wife, Inky, is chairing the community capital campaign. “I think that this speaks volumes about the philanthropy within this community.”

When Joan Kroc died in 2003, the widow of McDonald’s restaurant founder Ray Kroc designated $1.5 billion for The Salvation Army, earmarking it for community centers. The money will be used to build about 25 to 30 community centers across the country similar to the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in San Diego.

It’s fitting that a significant gift for the Green Bay center is coming from Romaine and Mary Schanock, an Allouez couple who have operated McDonald’s franchises in the Green Bay area for 45 years.

“What a wonderful thing this will be for (the) community. And it will be special not just for 50 years, but for 100 years,” said Mary Schanock. “I think that Green Bay plucked a plum out of the pie when it got this project going.”

The Schanocks were among the first McDonald’s franchise owners in the nation, and their first restaurant still stands at the corner of Shawano and Military avenues. They now own 16 McDonald’s restaurants in Northeastern Wisconsin.

Like the Krocs, the Schanocks have been involved with The Salvation Army for many years. And like the McDonald’s corporate philosophy, they believe in giving back to the community.

It’s not just big gifts that are propelling this project, Meng said.

So far organizers have received more than 128 contributions of varying sizes, and all are thoroughly appreciated. When all is said and done, the capital campaign will exceed the $7.5 million goal, Meng predicts.

“We won’t have to come back to the community and say we need funds to operate the center,” Meng said.

If the group meets the requirements, it will receive a 4-to-1 matching grant that will provide $15 million for construction of a center on the city’s east side, and $15 million for an endowment fund to pay operational costs.

The Salvation Army should know in January whether the area will receive the Kroc money for the center. Construction could start by next summer.

Even as organizers are raising funds, the plans for the center are coming into focus.

“We will have three major collaborators who will occupy space and help run the facility and other collaborators who will help with programs inside the center,” said Mary Jane Rintelman, who is chairing a steering committee.

The major collaborators include:

• Encompass Child Care, which would operate an infant care, preschool and after-school center for about 180 children.

• Bellin College of Nursing, which would staff a health care clinic with medical personnel and nursing students.

• Cornerstone Community Ice Center, which would operate an ice rink large enough for competitive matches, but will also offer skating lessons, figure skating and open skating for families.

Also, there are ongoing discussions about additional programs through the Green Bay Police Department, the Green Bay Area School District, the Green Bay Area YMCA, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Green Bay, the Green Bay Diocese and St. Norbert College.

The city of Green Bay has agreed to make improvements for easier access. A bus route would be extended to the center, sidewalks would be added along connecting streets and a trail could connect the Imperial Lane area with the center, Rintelman said.

Although the center is being built through philanthropic donations, it would be wrong to think that it will serve just families of low to moderate income, Rintelman said. In fact, planners envision the center as a focal point for the entire east-side community.

Eventually there will be some membership and participation fees, but those will be set at such a level they will not discourage participation, she said.

“The spirit behind this project is amazing. There are businesses and organizations that could have raised objections about competition, but that hasn’t happened,” Rintelman said. “I think that there’s a general understanding that this is an area of the community that has been underserved, and there’s a determination to make this dream come true.”

avissers

August 22nd, 2005, 09:21 PM

The Astor Place website indicated another condo sale bringing the total up to eight units total or 11% of the units. Again, 30% - 40% pre-sales are needed in order for Vetter-Denk to secure financing for the project. Sales are going somewhat slower than expected or maybe the condo boom in Green Bay will be a condo bust. I'm hopeful that it won't... But that's all I will be.

downtownVital.org

August 23rd, 2005, 12:29 AM

avissers

August 23rd, 2005, 02:33 AM

I was at the grand opening of the new Baylank City Center building last week, very nice to see another project come to completion. When that project was in the planning phases there was some discussion of tearing down the old Boston Store building, putting Cherry Street through, and the putting buildings in between Cherry St. and the mall (a footprint that is about half the size of the old Boston Store). I wish that had been followed through on, buy hey, beggers can't be choosers sometimes and I'm grateful that Baylake Bank stepped up to redevelop the property and it's a good addition to the downtown.

As for Nicolet Bank, it think it's looking very nice and should be open in a couple of weeks or so. One nice touch is the outdoor lighting. I was driving through the area about two weeks ago and they had the lights on and it was very bright and well done. It will be great when the whole riverfront is done and lit up along with the decorative lighting the have on the bridges.

I give Nicolet Bank a lot of credit. They are a fairly new Bank, but have taken pride in their city and belived in the downtown and the riverfront before a lot of other people did. Their headquarters has turned out very nicely and they should be proud.

Finally, I just came across this thread today... thanks to all who are spreading the word about the downtown!

I was unaware that there were preliminary plans to punch Cherry Street through and then build a stand alone building for Baylake Bank. I tend to agree with you, although now that I heard that and I would have preferred that scenario, something is better than nothing.

I like the idea of trying to recapture the style of Olde Green Bay with the facade treatment but wish there would have been some more variety leading to it looking like a number fo different buildings rather than just one large building. I understand that it is hard to redevelop a "big-box" and they did a great job and I applaud them for investing in downtown Green Bay, I just think that Green Bay has a huge oppurtunity to create an identity for itself through the redevelopment and devlopment in Downtown and hope that the projects that are on the board or under construction are buildings that will add to Green Bay for a long period of time and become (excuse the pun) "timeless".

Other than that - I agree with you on the Nicolet National Bank Building. I was skeptical of Commercial Horizons early on (partly because I was disappointed that Prestige Place fell through) but seeing the close to finished project I am happy with the end result. Especially since the building is over 80% leased.

I know that you have a lot more "ins" than I do, have you heard anything further on the hard corner of Washington and Walnut? I saw the article that the Mayor was in discussion with Associated Bank, but that was it...

Thanks DowntownVital.org for your comments and website.

avissers

August 23rd, 2005, 03:37 PM

Cut to downtown plan spares Washington Commons

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_22249768.shtml

What’s next
The City Council will consider final approval of three TIF district plans, including one for downtown Green Bay, on Sept. 6.

Restored street grid no longer in the works

By Andy Behrendt

Washington Commons’ place in a redeveloped downtown Green Bay looks to be more secure now that city officials have axed plans to cut through the mall for a restored street grid.

The initiative of reconnecting Adams and Jefferson streets with each other and with Main Street is no longer part of the city’s comprehensive downtown plan or the proposed plan for a downtown TIF district.

It hit the curb due to concerns from the mall’s owners as strained relations between the ownership and city in past months look to have hit an upswing.

“It’s a very positive development for us because it removes a cloud of uncertainty,” said Tom Schumacher, spokesman for Washington Commons owner Development Associates.

Since the street grid concept became part of the downtown plan approved in October, the owners have voiced concerns about difficulties gaining confidence from prospective tenants, Schumacher said. Following a report that more than 30 potential tenants had walked away since then and that a party offering 800 jobs to the area hung in the balance, city leaders this month pushed to return confidence to the largely vacant mall.

“This means it should be there unless everybody gets together and decides, other than the city of Green Bay, that something other should be done,” said City Council President Fred Graves, apologizing on the city’s behalf. “Now hopefully this will get the mall started and people that would consider relocating there are assured that their businesses will be there.”

Coupled with the concerns from the comprehensive plan was the inclusion of the street extensions in the draft for Tax-Increment Finance District No. 13, planned in the downtown area east of the Fox River. Whereas the grid had been considered a long-term goal, the TIF district plan pegged the street projects between 2006 and 2010.

The City Council last week approved the removal of the grid provision from the comprehensive plan by approving an Aug. 8 Plan Commission recommendation raised by Graves. The council also gave preliminary approval to a revised TIF district draft plan without the grid components.

Green Bay Planning Director Rob Strong said the city revised the TIF plan since it is designed to implement the comprehensive plan. The TIF district would allow the city to use property-tax revenues generated by development to finance public works projects and assist the development within that district.

Mayor Jim Schmitt, who in the past has backed the restored grid, said the city wouldn’t mandate that system to accomplish goals of increased property values. But he said that goal remains for the city and property owners.

“When they come up with the right plan that brings the value that needs to be down there, they’re going to get support from this office, and I hope, from the council as well,” Schmitt said. “We’ll entertain and we will work with them on plans, but at the end of the day, it needs to bring more value to the downtown and to the whole area.”

Schumacher said Development Associates, which bought the mall in 2001, would heighten that value by continuing a plan to shift Washington Commons from a retail focus to a mixed-use complex of office, educational, specialty retail and family entertainment spaces that would bring traffic, jobs and economic activity.

“It’s a chicken-egg challenge where you need to have those first few pieces of the puzzle come together in the new format, and all of a sudden, it starts making sense to everybody,” said Schumacher, emphasizing that things are now looking up.

“There is real good substance going on,” he said. “We’re getting good cooperation from the city, and we’re partnering with them, and that’s really important.”

Among recent hints of possibilities for the mall: a proposed lease and possible purchase of the soon-to-be-vacated JC Penney space by the city’s Redevelopment Authority with thoughts of expanded convention space. Schumacher noted a list of 30 potential new tenants.

The restored street grid isn’t completely out of the picture and could still be funded by TIF dollars, although interim city economic development director Jennifer Brown said that would likely require amending the TIF district plan.

The proposed $5.7 million in grid project expenses included in the earlier plan draft would now be reallocated between property acquisition and site preparation ($1.7 million) and loans and grants ($4 million), according to the revised draft. Strong said that if redevelopment doesn’t come in the form of the street grid, it would require other means of activating the downtown.

“We’ll work with any developers and of course the mall owners to do whatever we can to improve that portion of the downtown,” he said. “It’s a key element in our downtown — we want to make sure it’s improved to be a benefit to the community.”

downtownVital.org

August 23rd, 2005, 06:11 PM

have you heard anything further on the hard corner of Washington and Walnut? I saw the article that the Mayor was in discussion with Associated Bank, but that was it...

I don't really know much beyond what you have posted, and am awaiting an announcement about that property.

As for the issue regarding the mall. While I support the restoration of the grid plan, I'm fine with taking that out of the plan for now to appease the mall owners. The key right now is to focus on the riverfront, and the city can worry about the mall later. It's not as though the city planners are going to stop thinking about the grid concept now. For now, I wish the mall owners luck, but I'll believe they can succeed when I see it.

Finally, regarding the architecture of Baylake Bank... that's what you get when you try to replicate and old style. In this day, the cost of materials and craftsmen to do the masonry work they did on buildings 80 years ago is prohibitivly expensive, so you end up with kitsch. That's one fear I have about the need by some parties to replicate an old style, I don't want to turn developments into cheap reproductions of a style that's past us by.

That said, I actually don't hate the Baylake Bank design. It is what it is...kitsch... but I can live with it so long as that doesn't become the norm. Nicolet Bank is a much more successful design in that it references the older styles but in a more modern way... it looks like it was built in 2005, which it should because it was!

avissers

August 24th, 2005, 03:53 PM

New Green Bay parking facility will open Friday

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_22310047.shtml

The about 800-stall parking facility at Washington and Cherry streets will open at 10 a.m. Friday. Mayor Jim Schmitt will drive the first vehicle into the newly constructed ramp as part of a ceremony at the entrance on Cherry Street.

Parking near entertainment hot spots just east of the Fox River has been hard to come by in recent months, particularly at night. The new ramp will replenish parking space that was lost after the demolition of the Fox River Ramp three years ago and the construction of new riverfront buildings — and the new ramp itself — that replaced former parking lots.

-----------------------

Parking Available in Downtown Green Bay

By Mick Trevey

After months and months of construction, downtown Green Bay's new parking ramp will finally open on Friday. Called the Cherry Street ramp, it's on the corner of Washington and Cherry streets and covers the length of a city block to Walnut Street.

It has 800 parking spaces, and will eventually have retail stores on the first floor along Washington Street.

A business neighboring the parking ramp, the Candlestick Lounge, will reopen Thursday.

The bar closed for the summer because owner Debra Dalebroux said she couldn't compete with all the construction going on around her.

The Candlestick is a staple in downtown Green Bay. It's been in business there for more than 40 years.

Down the street, in the old Schauer & Schumacher building, construction is slated to begin in mid- to late fall on the proposed Adams Street Station.

Owners plan a bar, pastry shop, and restaurant on the lower level, and apartments above them.

The City of Green Bay financed the project. Leaders hope more parking will help spur development downtown.

It got the attention of a group of young professionals, called HYPE, working to improve downtown. They told Action 2 News that as they've studied the downtown issue, people told them they don't think there's enough parking. It's that perception they hope this new structure -- obvious on the city's skyline -- will help overcome.

The main focus for their meeting was a show-and-tell, looking over their latest sets of photographs of what's good and bad about downtown. As they met just days before the new downtown parking ramp opens, members said they're excited.

"Any development in downtown is an important day," Jason Ring said.

Ring said he'll try to get off work Friday to attend the ceremony for opening the parking ramp. He thinks it will fuel more growth.

"I believe that downtown Green Bay is growing and that it's offering more things, from shopping to eating to recreation to nightlight," he said.

The opening of the Cherry Street parking ramp comes just in time for this weekend's ArtStreet in downtown Green Bay.

Each year, more than 200 artists and vendors line downtown streets.

ArtStreet starts Friday night with food vendors and runs through Sunday.

Vendors sell different types of art and there are stages for performing artists.

"This event really is to positively impact the quality of life downtown and also to impact development and tourism," ArtStreet director Tina Quigley, said, "so I hope we can continue to do our part in that."

Another group member said she thinks the parking structure will help performing arts. Stacey Crease said, "I think when the shows start up again at the Meyer this season, a lot of people will park there. It will be very convenient for the Meyer Theater."

It also coincides with this weekend's ArtStreet.

Leaders of the young professionals group say they've heard a lot from members about parking.

"The parking issue has been something I've heard in every one of the HYPE sessions, from all of the young professionals. It has been a constant," Matt Rentmeester of the Chamber of Commerce said.

Members say they also hope to bring new visitors to downtown by reassure them there is now plenty of room to park.

avissers

August 24th, 2005, 04:12 PM

Downtown Green Bay, Inc. has added a photo gallery showing recent and current development taking place in downtown Green Bay.

Follow this link for the page...

http://downtowngreenbay.com/photogallery/

Some of my fav's...

New Baylake Bank Center (used to be the Boston Store)

http://downtowngreenbay.com/photogallery/images/BaylakeCityCtrProfBldg.jpg

Cherry Street parking Ramp and Nicolet Bank Building

http://downtowngreenbay.com/photogallery/images/CherryStRampNicBank.jpg

New Nicolet Bank Building

http://downtowngreenbay.com/photogallery/images/NicoletNatBank.jpg

St. Brendan's Inn

http://downtowngreenbay.com/photogallery/images/StBrendansInn.jpg

Johnson Bank Building

http://downtowngreenbay.com/photogallery/images/JohnsonBankBldg.jpg

ReddAlert

August 24th, 2005, 04:16 PM

Green Bay has a really nice downtown. Cant wait for the new stuff to be built!

avissers

August 24th, 2005, 04:23 PM

Green Bay has a really nice downtown. Cant wait for the new stuff to be built!

It's got a ways to go, but there is interest and the City has seen much progress lately. It will be dramatically different after Riverfront Lofts opens, the Younkers property redevelops, and if the Astor Place and River Tower get built. Correcting mistakes made in the past and changing people's thoughts about downtown are probably two of the biggest challanges downtown Green Bay faces...

avissers

August 25th, 2005, 08:54 PM

As mentioned in an earlier post...

Country Inn & Suites is under construction in I-43 Business Center. The new addition to the business center will open in spring of 2006 and is located on the highly visible corner of East Mason and I-43. The more than $10 million development is the joint venture of Swift Hospiltality Group of Freeport, Ill., B&L Holdings of Neenah and The Visionary Group of Lake Forest, Ill.

The hotel will offer 107 rooms and an aquatic center featuring adult and child pools and a 12 person spa.

A Ground Round restaurant will reature a two-room concept, a family friendly restaurant on one side and a sports bar on the other, along with a small outdoor deck. The restaruant will employ 80 - 85 people, half of them full time.

The Meadows conference center will serve groups up to 500 for meeting, weddings and other events. The 17,000 square foot center will have its own kitchen and a full-time staff of 6 - 10.

avissers

August 26th, 2005, 06:05 AM

The Prestige Park development and term sheet will be discussed at the September 1st, 2005 Green Bay Redevelopment Authority Meeting. I still know no details on this project or proposal but am continuing to look.

downtownVital.org - do you have any insight on this project at all?

avissers

August 26th, 2005, 03:57 PM

The Astor Place web site price list indicates 10 units have now been reserved. That gives the development almost 14% reserved units (remember the goal is between 30% and 40%). In addition, previously the site listed the units as sold and now they are reflected as reserved. More along the lines of what they should be doing.

I'm still keeping my fingers crossed.

I am out for vacation in the northwoods of Wisconsin as of tomorrow for a week to do some musky fishing so if anyone sees anything related to Green Bay development, please post it. I won't be near the internet at all and don't want to miss a thing. :okay:

GBSurveyor

August 31st, 2005, 08:55 PM

GBSurveyor

September 2nd, 2005, 05:01 AM

The Astor Place web site price list indicates 16 units have now been reserved...
inching closer to reality

avissers

September 3rd, 2005, 04:45 AM

I remember a while back there were a couple projects floating around.

Does anyone know what ever happened to the Days Inn Project??
The Washington Commons redevelopment plan?
The old canning factory on Broadway?
The Adams Street Station?

The Days Inn project (Beaumont Tower) hinges on the development of Astor Place. In order for Astor Place to be constructed, Washington Street will need to be straightend. If Washington Street is straightend, then the area where Beaumont Tower is proposed to be constructed will be compromised. There was to be meetings between the prospective developers to see if both projects could be feasible. But little to no news or progress has come from those meetings that has been at least made public. There is still hope, but it is slim.

Washington Commons was given a stay of execution when the Council removed the the reconnection of the grid pattern through the mall from the Downtown Comprehensive Plan. So the owners of the mall now say that perspective tenants will not be scared off of an uncertain future. The success or progress of this redevelopment project remains to be seen. More than likely, it will include more office space than any retail.

Not sure about the factory on Broadway. Will look into that. Any additional info would be appreciated.

Adams Street Station is still a go. From what I understand construction is slated to begin in mid- to late fall on the proposed Adams Street Station. Owners plan a bar, pastry shop, and restaurant on the lower level, and apartments above them.

avissers

September 4th, 2005, 05:25 PM

The website as of today (9/4/05) lists 17 units have been reserved in the Astor Place Condo Tower (23.6%). Again, there are 72 total units planned and Vetter Denk is looking to pre-sell between 30% to 40% of the units prior to seeking final approval from the City of Green Bay and starting construction. That would mean between 22 to 29 units would need to be reserved and converted into sales contracts for this to become a reality.

As previously stated by GBSurveyor, "inching closer to reality".

As we enter September, the deadline on proposals for the Younkers property redevelopment inches clsoer as well. October 1st was the deadline that was established, and yet no news has been made public on any specific proposal.

Still have not heard any news on the River Tower proposal since there was a short article indicating the Mayor was speaking to Associated Bank representatives on their interest in the potential project.

The minutes from the Special Meeting of the Green Bay redevelopment Authority should be posted in the upcoming days which will finally fill in the details, hopefully, on the proposed Prestige Park development. Possibly another business park on the NE side???

avissers

September 7th, 2005, 01:11 AM

The picture taken on 8/28/05 shows the construction progress of the Riverfront Lofts in Downtown Green Bay.

http://www.loftsontheriver.com/

http://www.geocities.com/arvissers/RFL.JPG

avissers

September 7th, 2005, 03:32 PM

Lombardi Ave. makeover too extreme, Green Bay officials say

City Council sends pricey idea back to staff

By Andy Behrendt

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_22490174.shtml

A plan to pepper Lombardi Avenue with monuments in the image of the renovated Lambeau Field is back on the sidelines after action by the City Council on Tuesday.

Citing other undertakings that should come first in the city’s playbook, officials voted overwhelmingly to refer the Lombardi Avenue Gateway Concept plan back to city staff to incorporate the concept’s recommendations among other needs in the Lombardi Avenue area.

“I like this plan in the same manner I like a Corvette,” said Alderman Tony Theisen. “I wouldn’t buy one — it’s too extravagant.”

Like many aldermen, Theisen argued that the plan at between $841,000 and $1.8 million is too much, and he said it goes beyond what’s expected of city government.

The proposal, which surfaced this summer long after consultants completed it last year, included a massive “Titletown” sign at Lombardi Avenue and Ridge Road and a mock sideline celebrating the Green Bay Packers’ history along Lombardi at the edge of the stadium property.

City Planning Director Rob Strong said the city could use about $230,000 set aside from the Tundra Lodge Resort & Waterpark as part of the area’s tax-increment finance district to start with landscaping, street-side monuments and a sign identifying Green Bay on nearby Ashland Avenue.

He said the goal would be to finance all elements of the plan without any money from the tax levy and instead rely on tax-increment finance dollars and donations.

But many aldermen noted great concern from constituents about even using the TIF dollars, which are generated by new development for projects in TIF districts.

Lombardi-area Alderman Guy Zima said that removal of blighted property should come first with the use of the available money. His successful motion to kick the matter back to staff directed the city to look into financial partnerships with the Packers, Ashwaubenon, Brown County and the state.

In related matters Tuesday, the council granted final approval to rename three streets south of Lombardi Avenue after Packers legends: Forward Street to Bart Starr Drive, Progress Street to Reggie White Way and Advance Street to Tony Canadeo Run. And it OK’d terms for a $20 million first phase of Paul Kaczrowski’s Prestige Park development in that area.

• The council also OK’d measures to create three new TIF districts: one in the Olde Main Street district, another in an area eyed to expand the Interstate 43 Business Center and one in the downtown area just east of the Fox River. The districts now need approval by a panel representing local taxing entities.

---------------------

WFRV-TV

Lombardi Avenue Makeover On Hold

The area around Lambeau Field won't get a makeover, for now.

With a 10 to 1 vote, the Green Bay City Council told city staff to talk with the Packers and Ashwaubenon to see if more money can be raised for the project.

The cost of the Lombardi Avenue Gateway Concept plan would cost between $840,000 and $1.8 million, which aldermen say is too much.

Most council members want no Tax Increment Finance money involved, so the plan is likely dead until it can be paid for without any city money.

In other action...the council approved the renaming of three streets south of Lombardi Avenue after Packer greats. Forward Street will be changed to Bart Starr Drive, Progress Street to Reggie White Way and Advance Street to Tony Canadeo Run. The city also approved terms for a $20 million first phase of Paul Kaczrowski's Prestige Park development in that area. It includes a 25-thousand square foot grocery store and a 127 room hotel.

And the council met in a closed session to discuss a Washington Commons proposal that will be announced soon.

-----------------------

Also mentioned above, Paul Kaczrowski’s Prestige Park development terms for the fisrt phase got the okay as well. As you may recall, Kaczrowski initially called this development Lombardi Park Center (mentioned on Page 2) The entire development is valued at $65 million, and would include a 127-room hotel, twin 10-story condominium project with retail shops and a grocery store.

“It’s going to be a great asset and addition to Green Bay,” he said.

The site is roughly between Lombardi and Potts avenues and Holmgren Way and Ashland Avenue.

Looks like Phase I includes the grocery store and the hotel portion, while phase II would include the twin 10-story condo towers.

Another positive step in the redevelopment of Green Bay.

avissers

September 9th, 2005, 04:02 PM

The Astor Place Condo website (9/9/05) indicates that 19 units have now been reserved out of 72 total. The website is also indicating that Vetter is pushing for 40% pre-sales.

This puts the development at just over 26% reserved units. 29 units will need to be reserved to hit the magic 40%.

10 more to go.

avissers

September 9th, 2005, 04:05 PM

Procter and Gamble Break Ground on Major Expansion

Mick Trevey - WBAY-TV

Big economic news for one of Green Bay's major employers, as Proctor and Gamble breaks ground on a major expansion of their paper mill.

If anyone was excited Wednesday, it was the dozens of mill workers who took a break from their work to watch the ground breaking ceremony.

"It just gives you that much more security - that's all - with all of the things going around in the world with jobs and everything - it's hope, it's good," said technician Donn Bramer.

Not only do they feel their jobs are mjore secure - - more workers are already being hired for the expansion.

Many of these workers had to do things like improving productivity to prove this factory was worth the investment.

A new paper machine is a very big deal in the paper industry.

"It didn't come easy and a lot of people, like I say - put a lot of hard work into it - and here's the reward," said 13 year P & G employee, Tony Phillippi.

To give you an idea of just how huge this one machine will be, it will be as tall as an 8 story building - which is as tall as the Bellin building in downtown Green Bay.

Now imagine that height - filling three-quarters of a football field.

"It's certainly going to secure my future...things are looking a little rosier," said Phillippi.

Although the rain chased the shoveling ceremony under a tent, leaders still spoke about the government's involvement in the project.

The state is contributing a package of grants and loans worth about $3.5 million dollars.

The total expansion is expected to cost more than $150 million.

downtownVital.org

September 9th, 2005, 06:50 PM

A few thoughts on recent items in the news.

First, I can't say I really know anything about Prestige Park. I spend most of my time worrying about Downtwon Green Bay, and only loosly follow other areas. The developer for that has failed in a couple of other endeavors, but successfully built the Tundra Lodge in the same area as the Prestige Park. Good luck to him, this plan seems pretty doable.

As for the city council shooting down (for now) the Lambeau Gateway concept, I'm kind of ticked about that one. Nobody said the city needs to pay for the whole thing, but the council, and it seems often the city as a whole, sometimes has this attitude about itself that Green Bay maybe isn't "good enough" for first rate developments. Why not set the goal high and if you can't raise the money to build the best then scale back at that point. But if you scale back now, what donor is going to have confidence in contributing to a plan that the City doesn't have confidence in. This sort of thing bugs me a lot.

Finally, ragarding a few of the downtown GB developments:

- Go Astor Place... almost 2/3s of the way there. John Vetter and Jen Kuo seem to be really making things happen, which is very refreshing to see.

- The Day's Inn / Beaumont Tower project is indeed on hold (as far as I know) peding the outcome of the Astor Place development. John Vetter seems to think that development at the Day's Inn could take place even with the Astor Place being built, although I guess that's easy for him to say. Even Russ DeMille who is involved in the Day's Inn plans seemed to indicate that he wasn't unhappy to see Astor Place move ahead, as it would let everyone know what they are dealing with (what lot size, what views of the river, etc.).

Additionally, the owners of the Day's Inn are to be commended for the improvements they have made to the facade of their building. It used to be horrifically ugly, and now is quite attractive. So if nothing else, that's an improvement.

- Finally, don't count on the Adams Street Station coming to a downtown near you (or near me as the case may be). From what I've heard, the tenants for that are unable to get financing, so no work is being done there. I'm really bummed about this, as I was look forward to this development and what it would mean for surrounding properties. But I'm sure as activity in the downtown picks up this can be developed into something nice.

avissers

September 10th, 2005, 12:29 AM

The minutes to the Special Meeting held by the Green Bay Redevelopment Authority on September 1, 2005 were posted to the City of Green Bay website today. The meeting was held to discuss the term sheet for the Prestige Park development being brought forward by Paul Kaczrowski.

I will include the link to the actual minutes, but have posted the main points below.

The proposed development is located west of the Tundra Lodge. The project is broken up in two phases, with the current emphasis on Phase I. The first phase of the project includes a hotel, a natural foods grocery store and additional retail space.

Phase I

Mr. Kaczrowski indicated at the meeting that the project is a little behind his planned schedule, but he would still like to get the hotel started this year. He said that the hotel has its financial commitment. He said he has preliminary financing for the land acquisitions and would have the final commitment next week, after approval of the Term Sheet. He stated that the hotel would be 5-story building, with approximately 125,000 square feet. He would like to start the 25,000 square feet grocery store about the same time as the hotel. The truck company has agreed to move the trucks that are parked on the land for this project. Several building will remain until next May or June and will then be demolished. The retail space will not be started until the buildings are gone. He stated that he would be donating right-of-way land for the continuation of Bart Starr Drive (Forward Street) to Potts Avenue. He is continuing work on purchasing the land north or the retail area.

Badger Midwest Holdings LLC, a hotel development company, spoke about the planned hotel. The 127-room hotel would be a Cambria Suites, a new product by Choice Hotel International. This would be a great chance to get into the Green Bay market. The planned hotel would be select and upper-end, along the line of a Hilton Garden Inn. The hotel would be contemporary with unique architecture of a European design. He stated the building would be built closer to the road with no parking in front. There will be two wings, with the longer side facing Lambeau Field. Rents will be from $80-150, with average daily rates about $110. There will be two small conference rooms available. The projected completion date is October 31, 2006 and the hotel will have a ten-month build period.

R. Cook spoke about We Do Natural Foods grocery store. The store will offer fresh, natural or organic foods, coffees, teas and herbs. The store will be about 25,000 square feet. The store will employ thirty fulltime and thirty part-time persons, with a payroll of approximately $700,000 per year. He projects $200,000 of business per week. He said that there is not a store like this one in the Green Bay area.

Phase II

Mr. Kaczrowski wants to move quickly on Phase II, and is working on acquiring the remaining parcels in order to be able to move forward. He indicated there are no real hurdles besides the land acquisition that may potentially hold up Phase II.

Plunkett Raysich Architects discussed the planned condos for Phase II at the meeting. Because there are two towers planned, two entryways are planned. About ten acres of land will be used for this area. The pedestrian area, or colonnade, is being emphasized. A private plaza area is planned, as well as an elevated parking garage. Both towers will be twelve (12) stories with four (4) units on each floor, with 80-90 units planned with an average of 1,800 square feet per unit. There may be some possible retail space in the towers. There will be flexibility in the units as far as square feet and amenities. Mr. Kaczrowski stated he would like to begin construction on both towers at the same time.

http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mins_agd/

The term sheet was approved by the Common Council this past Tuesday, September 6th.

avissers

September 10th, 2005, 04:45 AM

Recent Happenings...

Prestige Park Development:

To the say the least, this is a pretty significant project for the Green Bay area if it all comes true. I know the track record of Paul Kaczrowski is spotted with failed attempts at large scale projects, but he has had some moderate success with the Tundra Lodge and any type of reinvestment in this area near Lambeau and along the Lombardi corridor is a good thing.

A hotel is a pretty safe bet here, but it is hard to believe that this area (as it is now) would be able to support twin 12 story condo buildings. I am stoked that individuals are coming forward with larger scale proposals though - somethings gotta stick. If Ashwaubenon's entertainment district becomes a reality, the Paramount Tower proposal gets off the ground, and the Prestige Park Development occurs - it would be really a shot in the arm for this area.

Lombardi Corridor:

Unfortunately, the Lombardi Corridor Plan has been put on the back burner which I too am very disappointed in as well. I hope they were will be enough private support for at least some of the elements to become incorporated. We do have a national treasure here, in Lambeau Field, and the area around the stadium deserves to be world class as well.

Granted, monument signs, low walls, lighting, statues, and landscaping do not make something instantly world class but it would be a heck of a lot better than it is now. More visitors probably drive through this area that any other area in Green Bay. It would be nice to get a little more direction from our City Leaders that would make me think that they really listen to Staff and see projects more for what it could mean to the area in the long term rather than what they may cost in the short term.

Days Inn - Beaumont Tower:

I agree with DowntownVital.org that the improvements to the facade of the Days Inn is a major improvement over what used to be. In its day that had to be one of the ugliest buildings in downtown Green Bay. It is nice that the owner is taking pride in the appearance of the exterior of the building.

Adams Street Station:

I was unaware of the development that the owners were not able to secure financing for this project. It sounded like a really great idea to me. A recent article I saw indicated that construction was to start late this fall. I guess you don't always get the whole story from the news media. It would be nice to see redevelopment and investment in the areas of downtown further away from the river.

Other things to look for in the near future...

The next Redevelopment Authority Agenda has an item regarding the Larsen Canning Building Study. Stay tuned for details.

October 1st deadline is looming for the Younkers proposals. These better be good.

There was to be a large announcement regarding Washington Commons this past week. That didn't happen. Possibly next week. A large announcement for Washington Commons may be no tenant left in the past month... Just kidding. I'm hoping this announcement will be a "true" positive.

Still waiting for Vetter to release details on River Tower.

The City is still working on a plan to move the C. Reiss Coal piles out of downtown which would open up almost 40 acres of land to redevelopment on the west side of the river. This has been kicking around for a while and may take years to achieve. But overall, this would be a positive for sure.

avissers

September 14th, 2005, 06:54 PM

The Green Bay Press-Gazette had two articles that had information somewhat related to the Lombardi Streetscape Plan.

The Campbell's who led the renaming effort for a number of streets around Lambeau Field to reflect past players names, are planning a privately funded “Walk of Legends” with monuments to Packers heroes lining the streets, which are in an area eyed for redevelopment. Possibly, this may aid in being a private partner that the City should contact.

In addition, Brown County has pushed back improvements to Lombardi Avenue from 2006 to 2007 because of bonding limits set by County Executive Carol Kelso. The delay gives officials time to firm up enhancement plans discussed by the City of Green Bay.

Hopefully, this news will not let the streetscape plan die. Who knows? I will keep looking for information related to the Larsen Canning Building Study discussed yesterday at the Redevelopment Meeting.

GBSurveyor

September 14th, 2005, 09:02 PM

avissers

September 15th, 2005, 02:09 AM

There hasn't been much talk of this project for a long time. I would bet that a portion of the building could be redeveloped and the rest razed for a nice infill project. With this site being on the northern edge of the Redeveloped Broadway, there may be some interest in street level retail, with housing above or maybe some decent row houses.
Anything at all will be an improvement.

If you are unfamillar with the site it is roughly bounded on the south by Dousman on the west is Broadway, north is Mather and east is the Railroad.
...or Titletown Brewing it is just east :cheers:

I am familiar with that area. Just waiting to see what new details will be released on this project in the upcoming days. I really love how the Broadway area has reinvented itself over the past couple of years, except for the Beerntsen's Candies stand alone store (too suburban style for this street). I think this area (not specifically on Broadway itself) is prime for larger (Green Bay scale larger) mixed use projects. It would be nice to generate some more foot traffic on this street. Titletown Brewery and Hinterland Brewery are two of my favorite Green Bay restaurants.

The worst part about this area is the coal piles to the south, the larger white warehouse just south of Walnut Street that needs to be redeveloped, and those suburban style apartments built right on the river (Rivers Edge Apartments). But there is so much potential for this area, that it is hard to believe that this was once one of Green Bay's most seedy areas.

downtownVital.org

September 15th, 2005, 05:24 PM

I just yesterday saw a rendering of the Larsen complex that I can only guess reflected what was supposed to be presented to the RDA on 9/13 (incidentally, I don't know if that preentation ever happened). I was told that Dimension IV architects was working on the plans. This is the same firm that had been working with Tom Juza on the Younker's project.

The rendering looked nice... about what you would hope for. I seemed like it would be first floor retail/commercial space, and I presume apartments/lofts above that. It also seemed that most of the current buildings would be preserved with some new construction on the Dousman St. end of things.

It definitly would be great for the On Broadway district if something like this came to pass. I think these drawings are pretty preliminary, but this is the sort of thing I think everyone is looking for at that location so hopefully there will be progress made here.

avissers

September 15th, 2005, 10:46 PM

The Astor Place web site indicates 20 units reserved as of today. Single digits. 9 to go to hit the magic 40% mark. I'm a little surprised that a number of the larger (square footage) and IMO more attractive view units have not been reserved. Obviously, price may have something to do with that...

I hope they make the rendering of the Larsen Complex available somewhere for public viewing. With all the articles recently by the GBPG, I'm surprised they didn't at least mention this somewhat.

avissers

September 16th, 2005, 05:59 PM

The minutes were posted today regarding the Redevelopment Authority Meeting.

The Larsen Canning Building Study was not considered... This item would be held up for a future RDA meeting. About $15,000 was provided for On Broadway to hire a consultant, Dan Roarty, to look at the building, and to gather information of value for anyone interested in developing that property such as environmental, design or structural issues. Also, the consultant was to come up with conceptual ideas as to how the building could be reused.

So it may be a while until further details are available on this study.

The Planning Director reported that the Lombardi Streetscape Plan was not approved or denied by Council at this time. He said that Council members had concerns that other developments should take place in the TIF district that would add more value than the Streetscape Plan. This has been referred back to staff to look into further Lombardi area developments.

One such development in the area is the Prestige Park development. An update on this project disclosed that the hotel developer is already in touch with the Inspection Department regarding the building plans and stormwater issues and that the developer's agreement is being worked on currently.

That's all for now...

downtownVital.org

September 19th, 2005, 11:46 PM

Just to make a connection between my last post about the Larsen Canning complex and the comments from the RDA minutes that AVissers posted. Dan Roarty, the consultant hired to look at options for the complex, is the head of Dimension IV. I know Dan, he's a good guy and will to a good job on this.

GBSurveyor

September 20th, 2005, 04:57 AM

It is my belief that the city does not own this property. Has there ever been a formal development plan for this property? or is the city just trying to expedite development by this study?

avissers

September 21st, 2005, 03:41 PM

Proposal could bring 800 jobs to downtown Green Bay

Washington Commons owners present new plan to City Council

By Andy Behrendt

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_22678887.shtml

A closed-door discussion Tuesday night had the owners of Washington Commons presenting to the City Council a new proposal involving the future of the entire downtown structure.

“It’s a little different than what they’ve been thinking about in the past, which is something that just needs to be discussed,” said Mayor Jim Schmitt, who provided limited details about the matter before Tuesday’s council meeting.

The presentation from owner Development Associates, modified on the heels of a closed-door proposal that went before the council two weeks ago, involves the entire 450,000-square-foot commons, said Schmitt, who met with members of the ownership group earlier on Tuesday. He said it also involves a potential deal noted in past months by Development Associates that would bring 800 jobs to the downtown.

The closed session regarding the proposal was in progress at press time Tuesday, and city staff said no action would be taken. Schmitt said the decision on the proposal would be too large for the council to make in one night.

The plan comes within weeks of the coming move by J.C. Penney, the mall’s final anchor tenant, to a new shopping center near Bay Park Square mall in Ashwaubenon. Meanwhile, the 42,000-square-foot KI Convention Center, connected to Washington Commons by a skywalk, has sought at least 75,000 more square feet.

Development Associates has agreed to a proposition made by Schmitt in May with J.C. Penney due to depart and with the KI Convention Center across Main Street seeking more space. The agreement called for the city to lease the entire, 160,000-square-foot J.C. Penney building for 20 years with an option to purchase while working with the owners to secure a new downtown employer with a large employee base.

The commons’ owners this summer publicly noted negotiations to bring a tenant with 800 jobs to the property. But the mention came amid strained relations with the city, whose original plans for a tax-increment finance district to aid redevelopment in the area included provisions to cut apart the mall by extending three streets through it.

The city has since removed those projects from the plan, along with similar provisions for a restored street grid that were originally part of its comprehensive downtown plan. But Washington Commons representatives have said the damage has already been done in scaring away many potential tenants.

Development Associates spokesman Tom Schumacher also offered little detail about the proposal, but he confirmed that the party poised to become a tenant is not retail-oriented.

The former Port Plaza Mall opened in 1977. Development Associates has owned the property, not including the Baylake Bank City Center and former Younkers buildings, since October 2001, at which point the mall was about half occupied. The owners since then have refocused the property away from a retail mall in favor of a mixed-use center.

Washington Commons has about a dozen tenants remaining, including three restaurants and two retail spots: J.C. Penney and Things Remembered, which is liquidating in its final days. J.C. Penney and Kandy Zone, which recently closed, are moving to The Village at Bay Park shopping center in early October.

In related matters, a review panel made up of area taxing entities on Tuesday gave a final local nod to the new downtown tax-increment finance district and two other TIF districts — one planned in the Olde Main Street corridor and the other in an area that would expand the Interstate 43 Business Center.

avissers

September 21st, 2005, 03:45 PM

Planned Downtown Condo Selling Out Fast

WBAY-TV

By Mick Trevey

Demand is so strong for condominiums in a proposed, 17-story tower in downtown Green Bay that the developer plans to raise the prices on remaining units.

Sixty percent of the condos are spoken for, even before the city has even given its final approval to build the condominiums on top of Admiral Flatley Park. So the law of supply-and-demand is kicking in. Every condo left will likely cost $10,000 over what existing buyers have been paying.

The so-called Astor Place is set to be the tallest building in Northeast Wisconsin, and finding people to pack the place turned out to be easier than even the optimistic Milwaukee-based developer thought, with the majority of units reserved. "And to think that all happened in a five-week period. It's just incredible," John Vetter said.

Vetter said the real deal came to those who bought early. Buyers of the first 15 units got a $10,000 discount. That's combined with the extra $10,000 the rest of the buyers will pay -- a $20,000 advantage, but for a building that doesn't exist yet.

"The very first people, the 'urban pioneers,' as we've called them, the first in line, always benefit in value the most from their investment," Vetter said.

Construction won't begin until spring of 2006 at the earliest, if the city puts its final stamp of approval on the project.

-------------------------

This is awesome. Hopefully, this shows that Green Bay is ready for people to move downtown and thus lead to other projets being proposed. I'm giddy... :cheers1:

downtownVital.org

September 21st, 2005, 06:07 PM

Here is another bit of info from the WBAY wwebsite that offers more insight into the proposal for the mall:

The owner of Washington Commons met with Green Bay's mayor and city council in a closed-door meeting that lasted until 12:30 Wednesday morning. The discussion centered on the future of the downtown mall and the JC Penney department store building.

Sources told Action 2 News the owner, Development Associates, is working to get a light manufacturer to move into the first floor of the JC Penney building, and wants the city to lease the second floor. JC Penney moves out of Washington Commons the first week of October, leaving the mall with no anchor stores.

Mayor Jim Schmitt said Development Associates proposed a plan that asked the city to be a partner in the building, but Mayor Jim Schmitt said they are asking for "significant participation," something he feels is beyond the role of city government.

"We've got to be a consistent government," Mayor Schmitt said. "We can't do something for one person and look at others who have been here and that are employing people and not treat them, you know, offer assistance to them as well, as we've got to weigh this out not just for the one property but the whole downtown area."

"Initially, what we discussed, it wasn't the right thing for the city, but we're going to get back together to see if there's anything that's a little bit more of a win-win situation," the mayor said. He said that meeting will take place next week.

avissers

September 21st, 2005, 08:21 PM

^^

Not sure how I see that one. I am not too crazy about putting a light manufacturing company a floor below the potential expansion of the KI Center.

I am all for more jobs in Downtown Green Bay, but this type of redevelopment use just doesn't seem to fit in with the uses that are or will be directly adjacent. I could see offices, retail, or entertainment - but manuafcturing???

Wrong answer, try again.

Plus when Penny's moves out, if it is redeveloped into a convention center expansion, I can see the facade being redone, if it is redeveloped into a manufacturing use - I don't. To me, the mall is just plain ugly.

IMO - Development Associates were just the wrong people to put in charge of this whole redevelopment cause. I think they are way over their heads. I could be wrong, and I hope I am - but nothing from the day they bought it and the promises they made never coming true have made me feel any different.

avissers

September 22nd, 2005, 03:00 AM

APAC Looks to Move Offices to JC Penney Building

By Mick Trevey

Action 2 News has learned APAC Customer Service is in negotiations to move its offices from Allouez to move into the soon-vacant JC Penney building in downtown Green Bay.

The deal was discussed during a closed-door city council meeting Tuesday night. Multiple sources confirmed to Action 2 News that APAC Customer Service is the center of the city council's talks.

Moving the telemarketing company's offices to the Washington Commons would mean a boost of 800 jobs to the city's economy.

One issue the city is working through is interest from another potential tenant. The KI Convention center is right across the street from the JC Penney building, and both the convention center and APAC want to be on the first floor of the department store building, which will be vacant in the first week of October.

The building's owner, Development Associates, went to the City of Green Bay for help because, we're told, APAC wants city financing. Before the Allouez office can move into the former big-box department store, the building will have to be remodeled, and that will take money.

Alderman Chad Fradette would not name APAC but he did talk to us in general terms about what the potential tenant wants.

"They want a loan," he said, "so we're not going to do the build-out, they want a loan to do that, and I don't have a problem with that. It's the terms. We just need to work on the terms."

We asked Mayor Jim Schmitt how soon the deal could come through. He said city staffers expect to have another draft of the proposal to look over by the end of this week.

"That whole area is really in need of a major change, and they came to see us with a proposal to help that property realize quite a bit more value, and that's something we discussed and will continue to discuss," the mayor said.

An APAC spokesman said the company is not commenting -- at least for now.

avissers

September 22nd, 2005, 03:30 AM

The Riverfront Lofts web site updated their construction photo for the progress as of 9/21/05.

Please visit the Riverfront Lofts web site at http://www.loftsontheriver.com

http://www.geocities.com/arvissers/rvl92105.JPG

avissers

September 22nd, 2005, 02:05 PM

Financing issues stall downtown Green Bay mall talks

Commons owners’ new plan promises to deliver 800 jobs

By Andy Behrendt

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_22693768.shtml

The owners of Washington Commons have yet to find common ground with Green Bay city leaders on a proposal that would determine the property’s future while bringing 800 jobs downtown. But negotiations will continue, and the parties may reconvene as soon as next week.

It’s a matter of revitalizing the property for the long term and bringing significantly greater value to the site of the largely vacant downtown plaza, Mayor Jim Schmitt said Wednesday, on the heels of a late-night closed City Council session with the mall owners Tuesday.

But it’s also about a matter of unknowns and how big a financial role the city must play in the scenario proposed by commons owners Development Associates.

“It’s a large piece of property, and if we address one part of it, I need to know what’s going to happen with the other part of it. And if we address 25 percent, what’s going to happen to the other 75 percent?” Schmitt said. “Before we participate financially, we want to see the whole picture and the financing package of the whole picture. I think those things must be worked out before we go to our coffers to participate.”

Schmitt indicated the concerns for the city are not simply with the soon-to-be-vacated J.C. Penney building but also with the rest of the commons.

Although the details behind the proposal aren’t yet public and those who know them are staying tight-lipped, some circumstances are clear. The commons in a matter of days will lose its two remaining retail tenants, including J.C. Penney, which will close Oct. 1 to open a new store in Ashwaubenon.

And across Main Street, the KI Convention Center is looking to expand, with the J.C. Penney space just a skywalk away.

“We had a very constructive session last night,” Development Associates spokesman Tom Schumacher said Wednesday. “We’re continuing discussions and moving forward.”

Schmitt said Development Associates, which has made closed-door presentations to the council at each of its last two meetings, could be approaching the city again as soon as Friday. If the developers come through with enough information, Schmitt said he may then call a special City Council meeting.

Despite disputes between the city and mall owners over matters such as special assessments and plans that originally would have extended three streets through the commons, the property owners and city reached an agreement in May.

The deal proposed by Schmitt called for the city to lease the entire, 160,000-square-foot J.C. Penney building for 20 years with an option to purchase while working with the owners to secure a new downtown employer with a large employee base.

Schmitt argued the 20-year lease offer assumed a 20-year client — not a five- or 10-year client, he said, since the city needs to make sure it’s protected and that the numbers work out. He said jobs are important, but it again boils down to how big of a role the city must play.

Development Associates has said it will deliver an 800-job enterprise. A local company that could fit that scale is APAC Customer Services in Allouez, which provides customer service support by telephone for other companies. Mark Carver, vice president of consulting services at APAC’s Deerfield, Ill., headquarters, said the company wasn’t prepared to make any comment on the matter Wednesday.

In the meantime, the city has also partnered with the KI Convention Center to fund a study looking at the feasibility of using some of the Penney property for expanded convention center space.

Blaze Brigman, general manager for the KI center and Regency Suites, said the study should be complete within 45 days. He looks for something to materialize between the city and property owners.

“We would hope, but there’s a lot of variables out there,” he said. “We’re just working with the city and Development Associates and waiting for the study to get back.”

Although the mall owners didn’t come to an agreement with the council Tuesday night, east-side Alderman Chad Fradette was responsive to the plan in concept.

“It needs some more work, but it would be great to get those 800 jobs downtown,” he said. “I think we can get to a deal, though, and help them out, help the city out, get those bodies downtown — and we need those very badly.”

avissers

September 22nd, 2005, 02:07 PM

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/opinion_22695295.shtml

Editorial: City’s method on downtown cause for concern

Public perceptions matter in Green Bay’s efforts to revitalize the downtown

Appearances can be deceiving. So, let’s give the city of Green Bay the benefit of the doubt.

Let’s say it wants a healthy downtown, that it wants people from all income classes coming to the heart of Brown County to work, shop, eat, walk the Fox River bank, attend a play, check out a library book or jog on the recreational trail.

That would be a plus for the whole county: a thriving center with a healthy tax base that says this is a great place to live.

Given the logic of that and the potential benefits it offers, it’s hard to understand why the Redevelopment Authority, the mayor and the City Council seem unconcerned that they come across as an unfriendly adversary standing in the way.

No matter what the possible shortcomings of developer Tom Juza’s $35.4 million plan to redevelop the downtown Younkers site, it was easy for the public to conclude that the city treated him poorly. Juza had exclusive rights to the Younkers property until late June, when Mayor Jim Schmitt urged him to partner with Milwaukee-based Vetter Denk Architects on the project “to capitalize on both their strengths,” and the Redevelopment Authority chose to seek new proposals for developing the North Washington Street site. Juza subsequently withdrew his plan, saying he already had spent $800,500 on it but felt it no longer had the city’s support.

Now, the city is toying with a proposal from Development Associates, owner of downtown Washington Commons, the former Port Plaza Mall. Not only has Schmitt already said publicly that Washington Commons should be leveled but the city earlier proposed, then rescinded, a plan that would have extended three downtown streets through it.

The group told the City Council in a meeting closed to the public Tuesday night that it was close to a deal to bring 800 jobs to the J.C. Penney building once Penney’s vacates it in October for a site near Ashwaubenon’s Bay Park Square mall. But, can the public assume that the city will give the group serious consideration after the mayor publicly wrote off the declining shopping mall?

Schmitt, the City Council and the Redevelopment Authority undoubtedly will argue that they’re just doing what’s best for Green Bay. It’s not their motives in question here, however. It’s how they’re going about it that should concern city taxpayers, who continue to wait and wonder whether they’ll ever have a thriving downtown with a healthy tax base.

downtownVital.org

September 22nd, 2005, 05:55 PM

A few thoughts:

First, I believe GBSurveyor is correct in that the City does not own the Larsen Canning building. I think they're just trying to come up with uses and generate excitement around the property.

Second, I disagree with avissers about light manufacturing in the downtown. Although the 800 jobs in the Penny's building would it seems be customer service and not mfg, light manufacturing definitly has a place within a downtown. That doesn't mean that they don't need to fix up that building...they do, but such a use would, I think, be totally appropriate.

NOTE - In an ideal world, I'd like to bulldoze the whole mall, but if its going to be there, I'm not against that use.

Finally, I was walking along the riverfront last night looking at the riverfornt lofts. They are coming along nicely and will be great when finished. Add to that the Astor Place development, which now seems more likely to happen than not, and whatever Vetter (and hopefully some other developers) present next month for the Younkers site... its a good time to be a downtown supporter!

avissers

September 22nd, 2005, 07:07 PM

Second, I disagree with avissers about light manufacturing in the downtown. Although the 800 jobs in the Penny's building would it seems be customer service and not mfg, light manufacturing definitly has a place within a downtown. That doesn't mean that they don't need to fix up that building...they do, but such a use would, I think, be totally appropriate.

NOTE - In an ideal world, I'd like to bulldoze the whole mall, but if its going to be there, I'm not against that use.

I do not disagree with you that light manufacturing uses have a place in downtown. In fact I completely agree. I just think with my previous statement is that the Penny’s building to me, is not the most ideal place for that type of use. Now I know the company that is in negotiations and being mentioned for the Penny’s building is more customer service than light manufacturing – so it may be a mute point.

Plus 800 jobs is 800 jobs – these are more people that can take a walk outside on their lunch break and hit some of the existing stores and cafes, or potentially go out for a drink or two after work. I’m not saying 800 jobs will be the ultimate end all be all and push Green Bay into the “Downtown 24/7” but it is a start – as long as it is a win/win for the City and that they aren’t asking for the farm.

So back to my first thought, the Light Manufacturing deal… In my opinion, I guess I just look at the relationship of the uses surrounding the Penny's Building and the make up of the immediate general area of downtown Green Bas as it is now. I understand that Washington Commons will not reinvent itself as the retail center of the region anymore and that uses seem to be hard to come by these days for Development Associates.

But you have office uses, lodging, a convention center, and a highly visible corridor on Main Street that the Penny’s Building faces – which I think most will agree isn’t exactly the most attractive building in the world. It is what it is, a big-box store, worse yet an 80’s big-box store. Residential is starting to finally trickle in to the downtown region and potentially to follow more office and retail establishments to serve the new influx of people.

I guess maybe I need to clarify myself. Not everyone’s definition of light manufacturing is the same. A quick glance through the Zoning Ordinance of the City I work for and a metal industrial manufacturing plant is an allowed use and is considered light manufacturing, as is a medical laboratory. I understand that many cities have come a long way in the architectural standards and performance regulations in regard to noise and exhaust, but in the same breath depending on what use it is it could cause more of a headache.

Say it the use did manufacture something, clothing for example. Deliveries and loading of products more than likely will occur on large semi trucks with at times a good amount of frequency. My recollection is that the Penny’s building is kind of limited in the areas where a large truck could back up to and unload or pick up goods. So the view from Main Street, although not the greatest now may have constant semi trucks backed up to loading bays that face the street. In addition, all the noises associated with the loading docks may make staying at a nearby hotel or living in a nearby condo tower a little less appealing. I know this is a stretch and can be remedied. But trying to recreate the image of the central area seems to be important, and that does include the views many will get when visiting the KI Center.

And that is what my point was before, until I found out that it was a customer service office use. We have plenty of areas where the light manufacturing uses would be a perfect fit, like the I-43 Business Park or up at the new 54/57 Business Park or even just north of downtown near the mills.

That is all really. I see your point of view and appreciate actually a discussion regarding an issue on this thread which can be sometimes, hard to come by…

avissers

September 23rd, 2005, 03:10 PM

Proposed Green Bay riverfront tower gains ground

Almost 60 percent of units reserved

By Andy Behrendt

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/downtown/local_22693735.shtml

With more than half of its upscale condominium units reserved, a proposed riverfront tower that would be the tallest structure in Green Bay is building toward reality.

Forty-three of the 72 units in the 17-story Astor Place Condominiums were spoken for as of Wednesday, said real estate agent Jen Kuo. That amounts to almost 60 percent of the building, planned by Vetter Denk Architects at the site of Admiral Flatley Park.

Should the nonbinding reservations all translate into formal offers to purchase, the commitment would be well above the 30 percent to 40 percent that city officials have anticipated in order to OK the development.

“Finally, I’m getting so much, so much support from the community,” Kuo said of the reservations so far in the first two months. “A majority are local residents.”

Kuo said it was a different story taking reservations for Vetter Denk’s 26-unit Riverfront Lofts nearby on the Fox River. Having that project under way and the city committed to a boardwalk along the east-side riverfront, local residents have been more confident in Astor Place.

The City Council in May gave Vetter Denk an eight-month planning option, the same day it approved the extensive boardwalk system. The developers will also have a four-month extension on that option, said John Vetter, principal of the Milwaukee-based Vetter Denk. He expected to approach the city again, perhaps by the end of this year, once the developers are comfortable with the amount of committed offers on the condos.

The project could get started as soon as the first third of 2006, Vetter said.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled, and I always look back to the huge difference in enthusiasm, motivation and just flat-out civic, urban pride that I’ve seen in Green Bay in the last year,” he said.

Mayor Jim Schmitt said Wednesday that he was encouraged by the progress, which he said indicates people are indeed interested in living on the riverfront and that in doing so, they’ll attract functions like grocery and drug stores to the downtown.

Since Astor Place kicked off the pre-sale process in late July, prices have ranged from $189,900 to $324,000 for units between 780 and 1,450 square feet that make up two-thirds of the building’s total living space. Upper-level units range from $350,000 to $1 million, and a penthouse is $2 million.

On Oct. 1, the price range across the units will rise to $195,000 to $2.1 million, based on market demands, Kuo said.

Vetter said his team is now laying the groundwork for those with reservations to formalize the deal with offers to purchase in the next several months.

That will include a 5 percent non-refundable commitment, Kuo said.

Vetter Denk, meanwhile, continues work on a proposal for the former Younkers property nearby, Vetter said. Proposals are due to the city Oct. 1.

downtownVital.org

September 23rd, 2005, 05:50 PM

Now that I see your extended thoughts on light mfg. I see some things I agree with and some I don't. In the case of an 800 person facility in that location, I think success of it would depend greatly on what they were manufacturing, and how the building was being utilized. If there were semis constantly coming and going off of Main St., that could be a problem. Perhaps it would be difficult to have manufacturing on that scale, although I guess I wouldn't be against it with out knowing what the exact use would be and how it would affect the issues you raised.

In a broader sense, I don't think manufacturing, especially on a smaller scale, needs to be put only in business parks and kept outside of downtown. Many downtowns are having great success with smaller companies locating downtown, usually in upper floors or back-office locations, that employ smaller numbers of people. Often these companies sell largely over the internet, and are shipping one load a day (often via smaller load carriers such as UPS). If Washington Commons is going to remain, these sorts of uses may be a perfect fit for that property. Additionally, many of these uses would fit in throughout the downtown, not just in the Commons. These sorts of uses do, however, differ greatly form mfg. in the Penny's building.

So, I can see where you come from, but would extend the discussion to include that small-scale manufacturing certainly is appropriate within the downtown.

avissers

September 27th, 2005, 09:08 PM

Was viewing the pricing page at the Astor Place website and it indicated that 54 of the 72 units have now been reserved. The looming price increase really kicked sales in over the last week. The equates to 75% of the total units being reserved - well above the 40% the developer was hoping for. A number of the larger, pricey units on the top floors are left. Now those reservations need to be turned into sales agreements and finall approval by the City will need to take place.

I am stoked that there has been this much positive response to the first two truly downtown living condo developments. Again, I hope this tells developers that there truly is a market for these types of projects in Green Bay. With a number of the units being reserved that don't even have a direct water view as well - possibly other parcels downtown may be potential condo sites.

Only time will tell.

Only a few more days until the October 1st former Younkers property deadline. With the success that Vetter has had in his two other projects, hopefully his proposal will be something really special.

As far as the Light Manuf. discussion. I do agree that small scale light manuf. uses do have a place downtown and should be a welcome addition to the mix. However, I guess my main concerns are the intensity of the use, how compatible that use is with the existing surrounding uses, and the architecture associated with the manufacturing use.

The mall turned it's back on the street and the City Leaders and other groups are working hard to change the perception of downtown. I, myself, just wouldn't want a redevelopment to continue to not open up to the street (design wise) or increase semi traffic and noise that might hurt all of the positive steps Green Bay has made in the past year. I just don't kow of too many examples of manufacturing facilities that look pedestrian friendly. But small scale manufacturing facilities that fix into exisiting buildings or can mask what they are in a way that it looks like an office building or what not - I am all for.

avissers

September 28th, 2005, 03:50 PM

Green Bay ranks high for entrepreneurs

Hot City rankings

Small Cities

• Auburn-Opelika, Ala., 1st

• Green Bay, 5th

• Appleton-Neenah-Oshkosh, 32nd

• Eau Claire, 47th

• La Crosse, 71st

• Sheboygan, 96th

• Duluth-Superior, 111th

• Wausau, 138th

• Janesville-Beloit, 142nd

Mid-Sized Cities

• El Paso, Texas, 1st

• Madison, 6th

Large Cities

• Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz., 1st

• Milwaukee-Racine, 20th

To see the lists:

www.entrepreneur.com/bestcities/

Magazine slots city fifth for small municipalities

By Richard Ryman

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/biz_22779346.shtml

Green Bay is a Hot City. Entrepreneur Magazine and the National Policy Research Council ranked Green Bay as the fifth-best small city in the nation for entrepreneurs; in the magazine’s lingo, a Hot City.

Green Bay was the highest-ranked of the Wisconsin metro areas listed in the October edition of the magazine. Madison was sixth among mid-sized cities.

“It’s something we want to be known for,” said Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt. “To be known as a community with an entrepreneurial spirit, with an entrepreneurial support system, is going to pay huge dividends down the road.”

Paul Ehrfurth, vice president of economic development for the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, said the area has a culture of entrepreneurship resulting from its history and a conscious effort to encourage new businesses.

“When I look at what we are doing here in Brown County … I believe we have significant infrastructure focused on entrepreneurial activity,” Ehrfurth said.

This is the third high business ranking Green Bay has received from a national publication.

In 2004, Inc. Magazine ranked Green Bay as the best medium metro area in the nation to do business. In 2005, the area ranked third among medium metro areas and fourth among all 274 metro areas surveyed nationwide.

Spencer Tracy, a senior researcher at the National Policy Research Council, said factors in the selection for Entrepreneur Magazine’s rankings included a strong transportation system, a quality education network and a high quality of life.

The council, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, uses its Entrepreneurial Activity Index to measure the cities. It measures the percentage of businesses started four to 14 years ago and the percentage of those young businesses that have experienced rapid growth over the last four years.

Green Bay ranked fourth in the Young Business category and 10th in Rapid Growth.

“That really says there have been a significant number of new business formations and those new business formations have added employment,” Ehrfurth said. “That’s a pretty good measure of a healthy entrepreneurial climate.”

Green Bay has a history of growing large, successful companies — Fort Howard Corp., Schreiber Foods, Schneider National, to name a few — and Paul Jadin, Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce president, has emphasized a need to create a new wave of entrepreneurs who will repeat the process.

“We have to plant the seeds to grow these larger companies in our community,” Schmitt said. “Entrepreneurs get it. They understand that successful businesses give back to the community.”

Ehrfurth said the focus now is on encouraging New Economy businesses which perform high-tech, value-added work and create high-paying jobs.

“What we want to see happen is more of the large, rapid-growth, New Economy, high-pay entrepreneurial activity,” he said. “We have seen that focus coming out of the Small Business Development Center (and) Urban Hope. We all see that need. We want to respond to it.”

Kathi Seifert, co-chair of the Northeastern Wisconsin Regional Economic Development Partnership, an 18-county economic development consortium, said it was good to see Green Bay and the Fox Valley cities ranked highly by the magazine.

“This is great news and helps open people’s eyes across the country to the opportunities that exist in northeast Wisconsin,” she said.

avissers

October 4th, 2005, 05:30 PM

Georgia-Pacific to cut 1,100 jobs

http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2005/10/03/daily16.html?jst=b_ln_hl

Georgia-Pacific Corp. will eliminate 850 jobs in North America -- mostly in Wisconsin -- and 250 in Europe as part of a restructuring.

The Atlanta-based manufacturer (NYSE: GP) also said it will idle up to four tissue paper machines. In its international consumer products business, the company plans a reorganization in France and belt tightening in the United Kingdom and the Nordic region.

The initiatives include a restructuring of the company's commercial business by modifying production and distribution processes at its mills in Green Bay; Muskogee, Okla.; and Savannah, Ga.

The largest impact will be at the Green Bay Broadway mill, where the company will move most of the mill's warehouse operations to a new product mix center in the Green Bay area and will close small, non-core operations. Job cuts at Green Bay account for most of the targeted 850 layoffs in North America.

Georgia-Pacific is Green Bay's largest employer with more than 3,600 workers in the area.

The initiatives also include recent job cuts at tissue facilities in Plattsburgh, N.Y., Camas, Wash., and Wauna and Halsey, Ore., as well as at the company's Dixie manufacturing facility at Epic, Mich. Georgia-Pacific also plans to shut down tissue converting operations at Old Town, Maine.

Georgia-Pacific expects to take $106 million in charges over the next two years related to the moves, including about $42 million in the third quarter of 2005. However, the company expects the restructuring will allow it to reduce ongoing costs by nearly $100 million a year over the next two years, with about 75 percent of the savings realized in North America.

The company said the reductions in North America are part of an overall cost-reduction strategy to reach a $1.2 billion annual operating profit goal.

These restructuring follows similar moves the company has made in recent years to reap the benefits from its Fort James acquisition. Since 2001, the business has shut down nine tissue paper machines, with 170,000 tons capacity, and idled 47 converting lines in the tissue and Dixie businesses. Much of the capacity of these machines and lines was moved to newer, faster assets. In addition, more than 2,250 jobs already have been eliminated.

In the company's international consumer products business, the new restructuring is part of an ongoing program to eliminate costs. Changes already implemented include the closure of one operation in Greece and the closure of two operations in the United Kingdom. Georgia-Pacific's management team in France is directing the shutdown of a paper machine at its Kunheim facility. Management teams in the Nordic region, as well as in Great Britain and Ireland, are directing further investments and rationalization across their businesses to improve operating efficiencies.

:no:

downtownVital.org

October 4th, 2005, 05:33 PM

avissers

October 4th, 2005, 06:52 PM

Supposedly, the various plans for the Younkers site will be presented at the RDA a week from today (10/11). There should be three presentations, but the only present I know of "for sure" is Vetter. Supposedly it will be a VERY impressive plan. We'll see...

I'm a little surprised that there were only three submissions. However, imo, I hope that they all start with a clean lot rather than reuse the Younkers Building.

I still like the hotel design in Juza's proposal that died, but didn't think that adding a bunch of glass windows to the beige storage building made that much of an impact for the better.

Oh well, I will be patiently waiting for next Tuesday. Hopefully the papers and local television stations will cover it, so us "out-of-towners" have an oppurtunity to see what is presented.

avissers

October 5th, 2005, 10:49 PM

Green Bay offers $3M loan to lure APAC to downtown mall

from Green Bay Press-Gazette - Andy Behrendt

The city of Green Bay has offered to lend $3 million to the owners of Washington Commons to bring 800 jobs from an Allouez-based customer-service call center to the recently vacated J.C. Penney building in the city’s downtown.

Following the third closed-door meeting in two months between the City Council and commons owner Development Associates, the council late Tuesday night voted to provide a $3 million interest-only loan with a balloon payment due in five years and provide parking to secure APAC Customer Services within the 160,000-square-foot building, said Chad Weininger, assistant to Mayor Jim Schmitt. The offer would be contingent on the owners’ private lender participating in the project, Weininger said.

Washington Commons property manager John Pfefferle said Wednesday that the owners were discussing the city’s offer, which differed from what Development Associates had proposed, and expected to have a decision by the end of the day.

Only a handful of tenants remain in the 450,000-square-foot commons, formerly known as Port Plaza Mall. Development Associates bought the mall in late 2001 with occupancy dipping to about one-half and has blamed a lack of new tenants on the city’s past plans to extend nearby streets through the mall. J.C. Penney’s move on Oct. 1 marked the exit of the mall’s last retail outlet.

Fillmore

October 6th, 2005, 03:47 AM

Fillmore

October 6th, 2005, 04:01 AM

Yeh, Zima needs to go. He is one of those conservative hypocrites who would rather be in a pissing match for years than to see growth in Green Bay. He is obviously old Green Bay and he needs to make way for the new.

GBSurveyor

October 6th, 2005, 05:42 AM

I just heard on Fox 11 news that Vetter's Younker proposal includes a space for the return of the Children's Museum on the corner of Washington & Pine Street in the renovated building. So it sounds like Vetter's proposal retains a portion of the complex.
I have also heard that there are now 2 proposals and possibly a 3rd to be presented at the RDA meeting on Tuesday

GBSurveyor

October 6th, 2005, 05:54 AM

I am one of the few who has purchased a condo in the Astor Place project, hoping it takes off. I don't want to sound snooty, but I think when people see that glimmering building on the river, downtown will start to take off. Up to this point in GB, people have just been used to small buildings. It's about time they look upwards.

I lobbied my wife to try to talk her into Astor Place, I did not succeed. So I congratulate you. I will have to admire that building from the ground. I really hope the place gets built. I believe that there is still a fight looming to make it a reality. There are a few members on the council who seem to think that Vetter is out to screw the city. That is the vibe I got when I attended a few council meetings and In reading the Park committee minutes I have seen constant attempts by Zima & co. for Vetter to remove the Astor Place signs from Admiral Flatley park.

downtownVital.org

October 7th, 2005, 07:47 PM

I am one of the few who has purchased a condo in the Astor Place project.

You lucky dog! That's awesome. I think you're right, and I think people are already starting to believe in the downtown more. But surely when Astor Place is built it will affect people's perception of the downtown. It's a great project which I too will have to admire from the ground.

And yes, there will be those on the city council who will try to stop Astor Place. I don't think they can win... at least I hope not. It would be pretty hard for the council to turn away a project that they have already give a planning option to, will bring that many people into the downtown, and bring that much tax base into the city. Any alderman who votes against this will have outed themselves once and for all as being more interested in trying to play some strange game than trying to improve the city.

avissers

October 8th, 2005, 06:33 PM

The only think that may be an issue in the reality of the Astor Place project taking its place on the river is the development agreement. That was one of the things that was a contributing factor to the demise of the Younkers project by Juza. It really depends on what Vetter is going to asking for and what the City is willing to give.

You see all of these successful downtowns in similar sized cities around the country that took a chance and now it is paying big returns. That is one of the things that has frustrated me over the years as numerous projects or pitches have come and gone. This is the one time where it looks and we need our City Leaders to be proactive. This one stretch of land along the Fox River could really be something special. Really give a great first impression as people work, live, play, and visit Green Bay.

Paule

October 8th, 2005, 06:45 PM

Hello avissers, do you have a rendering of that 17 story proposed office building? I'm interested in seeing it.

avissers

October 8th, 2005, 07:10 PM

Hello avissers, do you have a rendering of that 17 story proposed office building? I'm interested in seeing it.

The first picture shows the three Vetter Proposals. The one on the left is Asror Place, the 17 story condo building which is currently in the pre-sales phase and has a planning option. The buildings 72 condo units are 75% reserved. The middle low rise is the Riverfront Lofts project currently under construction. And finally on the far right is the River Tower proposal. Again, there was supposed to be a formal anouncement a little while ago, but then the whole Younkers thing happened.

http://www.geocities.com/arvissers/VetterProposal2.jpg

This picture was included with the Fox River Boardwalk proposal. A little fuzzy, but gives you a alight idea.

http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/artwork/fox_riverfront/page15.jpg

Paule

October 8th, 2005, 07:15 PM

Not Bad!

Like I said in the Wausau thread, hopefully the news coming out of Wausau will help push these people in Green Bay to get started. I hope so because those renderings look good!

avissers

October 8th, 2005, 07:19 PM

In the last photo "the Civic Room" the Bellin Building is shown in the right hand center, directly across the street from the River Tower Proposal. Emporis lists the Bellin Building at 98 feet. Not exacly rocket science, but if imagine two Bellin Building on top of each other and compare it to the River Tower, it looks like the River Tower will be well over 200 feet. Maybe not the 241' that is in Wausau - but height wise, a world above what Green Bay has now.

gbtundra

October 9th, 2005, 04:41 PM

avissers

October 10th, 2005, 04:21 AM

I have been reading this forum for a while and have enjoyed the info about my city. I just wanted to say I don't see the childerens museum moving back downtown since they are building a new building at the National Railroad Museum. What would be their benefit to movig downtown?

Welcome.

It is my understanding that the facility for the Children's Museum at the National Railroad Museum is not a done deal. The Execuative Director for the Children's Museum is looking at all options before making a final decision. If one of the other proposals is given the nod for the Younkers Redevelopment Property and not Vetters, than more than likely you'll see it at the RR Museum unless one of the other proposals would approach the Children's Museum.

A big benefit of the Children's Museum downtown, imo, is being a part of a redeveloped city center. Having a more prominent location downtown may spur more use and recognition of the facility. I know the RR Museum is a great attraction for Green Bay, but the location at the RR Museum means that more people aren't coming downtown and the downtown area is missing out on attracting visitors and creating foot traffic in what is turning into one of the most important blocks in the Green Bay area. For the museum to be centrally located and in an area where you will have the boardwalk, new residents, and hopefully more mixed uses associated with the area will only help in the success of the redevelopment of Downtown Green Bay.

avissers

October 11th, 2005, 03:10 AM

Supposedly, the various plans for the Younkers site will be presented at the RDA a week from today (10/11). There should be three presentations, but the only present I know of "for sure" is Vetter. Supposedly it will be a VERY impressive plan. We'll see...

If you or anyone else in this thread that posts has an oppurtunity to attend the RDA Meeting this Tuesday to see the Younkers proposals, it would be great to hear first hand accounts of what was seen and presented and personal thoughts as well. Your input and insight is greatly appreciated in this time of importance that is Downtown Green Bay.

If not, we'll have to hope that media coverage is spot on.

GBSurveyor

October 11th, 2005, 06:16 AM

Emporis lists the Bellin Building at 98 feet.

http://www.geocities.com/stdebak/pics/bellinbld0204.jpg

Here is a shot of Green Bay tallest office building, from Feb. 2004

GBSurveyor

October 11th, 2005, 06:26 AM

This pic captures the Nicolet Bank, Cherry Street parking ramp and other downtown fixtures.
http://www.geocities.com/stdebak/pics/downtown0905.jpg

Hopefully there will be more to look at by this time next year!

avissers

October 11th, 2005, 01:30 PM

^^

Nice photos. Thank you.

avissers

October 12th, 2005, 12:42 AM

The RDA heard two proposals for the redevelopment of the old Younkers site.

They voted to give Milwaukee developer Vetter Denk a 60 day planning option. This plan will be presented to the City Council at its next meeting, October 18.

The City of Green Bay Website has the following photos of the proposal. Sorry for the smallness...

Aerial view looking southeast towards the development. Astor Place is on the far left, while the entire Younkers redevelopment project would encompass the mid-rise building directly next to Astor Place to the high rise building directly north of Riverfront Lofts.

http://downtowngreenbay.com/photogallery/images/RiverCenterAerial.jpg

Looking east across the Fox River to downtown. Generally what you are looking at is (left to right) Astor Place (pre-selling units), the Younkers Redevlopment (60-day planning option), Riverfront Lofts (under construction), Nicolet Bank Building (completed), and River Tower (somewhat proposed, but no concrete details)

http://www.geocities.com/arvissers/V-Y6.jpg

A night view...

http://www.geocities.com/arvissers/V-Y9.jpg

Called the River Center.

http://downtowngreenbay.com/photogallery/images/RiverCenterCourtyard.jpg

http://downtowngreenbay.com/photogallery/images/RiverCenterWinter.jpg

When more is known, I'll post more...

avissers

October 12th, 2005, 01:49 AM

^^ More early info on pictures shown above...

River Center Planned for Downtown Green Bay

By Jason Allen - WBAY-TV

http://wbay.images.worldnow.com/images/3966598_BG5.jpg

http://wbay.images.worldnow.com/images/3966598_BG4.jpg

The City of Green Bay gave the go-ahead Tuesday to a new building planned for the city's vacant Younkers department store building downtown. If everything goes as planned, the downtown riverfront would be transformed in as little as two years.

The plan is called River Center, and the big selling point to some city leaders was the way it connects with the boardwalk planned for the Fox River shoreline.

River Center would have a town square area with a performance plaza. The plaza would have a walkway leading people into a building with garden space, shopping, restaurants, movie theater, hotel, lofts, and condos.

Milwaukee developer John Vetter's plan is anchored at the north end by Astor Place, where Admiral Flatley Park is right now. Vetter's condominium development is still waiting for final approval before construction can start.

The old, five-story Younkers building that sits empty would be torn down and replaced with a hotel. The adjacent space, including the old Prange's building, would also come down and be filled with boutique shops and retail stores, restaurants, a movie theater, and the Green Bay Children's Museum.

Farther to the south is another high-rise development with 14 floors of lofts and affordable condominiums. The Riverfront Lofts are currently under construction by the same developer, John Vetter.

He says his plan brings a needed entertainment and cultural aspect to a downtown riverfront that's starting to fill up with condominiums and office space.

The design isn't just for attracting people downtown in the summer months, because in winter the stage becomes an ice skating rink, addressing the concerns of some city leaders that the riverfront can only be used for a few months of the year.

All told it's a building with a price tag pushing above $50 million. The city is going to take the next 60 days to work out the details with the developer. If they can agree, it could start taking shape by the first part of 2006.

This isn't the first time the city tried to work out a development agreement for the Younkers property. A deal with a local developer fell through earlier this year. This time, the city and a different developer expect a different outcome.

When talking to developers and city leaders about making the Younkers building into something useful again, the word "difficult" comes up a lot. The city sent 100 invitations for proposals for the property, a dozen replied with a request for more information, and eventually only two developers were interested.

Vetter won the chance to move to the next step. He still calls it a project with many difficulties but cites his other projects in the city as his reason for optimism. "We have an existing business relationship with the city. That's number one. Two, it really is our specialization."

City leaders also cite that comfortable working relationship as a reason this plan might succeed where others haven't. Mayor Jim Schmitt said, "That is a difficult project. We're not building a new property on a cornfield in the suburbs."

----------------------------------

Plan for Younkers building gets OK from Green Bay RDA

Andy Behrendt - Green Bay Press-Gazette

Milwaukee developer John Vetter’s proposal for the former Younkers department store property on the Fox River won a unanimous nod from Green Bay’s Redevelopment Authority Tuesday afternoon.

Vetter’s proposed River Center would include a hotel, water park, movie theater and the Children’s Museum of Green Bay, plus 86 condominiums and 72 rental lofts, all centering on a “new town square” connecting to the boardwalk planned east-side waterfront. The plaza would include a performance area that could become an ice-skating rink in the winter.

The development would boost the Younkers site’s current assessed value to roughly $56 million, Vetter said. He said he would need as much as $12 million in tax-increment finance dollars from the city to assist with the project, including $6 million for the land, abatement, demolition and boardwalk extension.

The authority had no fleshed-out alternative, with Milwaukee developer Bill Orenstein of Williams Development Corp. admittedly offering rough ideas in contrast to Vetter’s vibrant computer-generated renderings.

The Redevelopment Authority’s report will head to the City Council on Oct. 18.

-----------------------------------

Big Plans For Downtown Green Bay

WFRV-TV

Today a Green Bay City Council committee took a big step in re-shaping their downtown. Green Bay may soon begin negotiating on redeveloping the old Younker's building.

As early as next spring, construction could begin on the building. Milwaukee developer John Vetter's vision for the old Younkers site won unamimous approval from Green Bay's redevelopment authority today.

Vetter proposes a $67 million town square named River Center......and it has everything.

A 164 room hotel, 86 condos, 72 rental lofts, shopping, a movie theater, restaurants and a new 15-thousand square foot children's museum.

Vetter envisions a place where all of Green Bay can work, live and play.

As for the bad news........maybe a little. Vetter says he needs $10 to $12 million from the city to make it happen. But, Mayor Schmitt is confident the common council will go forward.

Fillmore

October 12th, 2005, 06:33 AM

Thanks. I have always seen Green Bay behind the "curve" and have suffered many a nights wondering why the downtown area was so underdeveloped. I jumped at the opportunity to own one of these places, and I think once groundbreaking takes place on Astor Place there will be a lot of people with lightbulbs above their heads. It's never easy going first...but you get done right away and you set the standard for all the followers. I really believe that if you make people believe anything can happen.

araman0

October 12th, 2005, 08:00 AM

Hey guys, I have been following NE Wisconsin's projects for some time now, but have spent most of my time in SSP and never realized that this thread exists. I will be moving to Appleton permanantly at the end of the year, so I am glad I found this forum!
The design for the Yonkers site blew away all of my expectations for the site. Glad to see that GB is on its way to becoming Wisconsin's #3 skyline, and can't wait to see all this go up in the coming years.

araman0

October 12th, 2005, 10:29 AM

Avissers, I just spent a little bit of time reading up on this forum, and you have done a great job in covering the rapidly changing news on the various DT Green Bay developements. It is because of people like you that the excitement in DT continues to spread. Hopefully, now that I know about this forum, I will be able to help you out. I am now more excited than ever to be moving to the Fox Cities, and if everything works out and I stay there for the long run I will hopefully make DT Green Bay my new permanent home.

avissers

October 12th, 2005, 03:25 PM

Architect given development agreement for work on downtown city center

About River Center

What: Complex of a proposed 164-room hotel, water park, movie theater and the Children’s Museum of Green Bay, plus 86 condominiums and 72 rental lofts.

Where: Site of the former Younkers Department Store.

Who: Proposed by Vetter Denk Architects of Milwaukee.

Value: Anticipated $56 million in assessed value.

When: If approved, eyed for completion in the third quarter of 2007.

What’s next

Green Bay’s City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Room 203 of City Hall, 100 N. Jefferson St.

Former Younkers site eyed for $56M project

By Andy Behrendt

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_22943427.shtml

Milwaukee developer John Vetter said Tuesday that he wants to restore downtown Green Bay into the vibrant hub of activity that can be seen in old photos of the once-thriving city center.

His response, showcased in an array of images Tuesday, is a riverfront complex in place of the vacant Younkers department store that aims to bring back public interest and activity to the downtown.

With the proposed River Center, families in Green Bay could expect a new Children’s Museum of Green Bay, a 164-room hotel and water park, multiplex cinema and riverfront restaurants and retail, plus 86 condominiums and 72 rental lofts, all centered on a “New Town Square” connecting the planned Fox River boardwalk to an outdoor performance space or ice-skating rink — depending on the season.

“This will be the place where people will congregate. They’ll say, ‘Hey, meet me at the New Town Square’ — the town square of Green Bay,” Vetter told the city’s Redevelopment Authority. “I think Green Bay has a lot of soul, but what they’re missing is this heart.”

The authority in short order on Tuesday unanimously called for city staff to work with Vetter Denk Architects on a development agreement under exclusive rights and come back to the authority in 60 days. Should the City Council be as receptive, demolition could begin early next year, said Vetter, targeting majority completion in late 2007.

River Center, the latest project from the Milwaukee firm that is poised to redevelop most of the Fox River’s eastern bank between the Walnut Street and Ray Nitschke Memorial bridges, would boost the Younkers site to $56 million in assessed value, Vetter said. But Vetter’s multifaceted plan to integrate the people drew just as much support.

“I think the most exciting is the public space that he has designated that would link in and tie in with the development of the boardwalk,” authority Chairman Harry Maier said. “This is important to the success of not only this project but I think other projects that will come along. I really feel that this will just stimulate additional investment in the downtown area.”

However, Maier said he was disappointed in the lack of competition, even though the city contacted about 110 firms about the redevelopment. The RDA received no fleshed-out alternative to Vetter’s plan, with Milwaukee developer Bill Orenstein of Williams Development Corp. offering admittedly rough ideas in contrast to Vetter’s.

Vetter Denk helped create the city’s 2004 comprehensive downtown plan and has since proposed the in-progress Riverfront Lofts and planned Astor Place Condominiums that would bookend the Younkers property. Three months ago, after Hobart builder Tom Juza’s two-year exclusive rights to the site ran out, Vetter asked the RDA to step back and solicit new proposals while promising one of his own that would be a step up from the $35.4 million value proposed by Juza.

He did that Tuesday with his plans for the Younkers site, assessed most recently at $2.6 million. Razing about 90 percent of the existing building, the developers would construct a 14-story residential tower on the southern edge, with the waterfront plaza to the north inclining toward a windowed galleria connecting to the ground-level retail. Cinema and parking space would be on floors above, with Pine Street tunneling beneath. The unnamed hotel and “splash park” would stretch to the north, and the 15,000-square-foot Children’s Museum would front Washington Street.

Jeff Mirkes, executive director of Downtown Green Bay Inc., praised Vetter’s team for keeping the museum downtown and for working the market. The proposal caters to a larger population than previous waterfront proposals, as the museum would serve low-income and at-risk children, the rental units would be a new option, and the condos would be more affordable to target first-time home-buyers.

Vetter said he would need $10 million to $12 million in tax-increment finance money from the city for the project, $6 million of which would cover challenging site costs including environmental abatement, cost of land, demolition and the extended boardwalk. One of the final sticking points in Juza’s plan was the disbursement of $7.3 million in tax-increment funds, which are applied from increased property value in a designated TIF district.

Vetter on Tuesday offered guarantees that developers would receive TIF money once they delivered on the progress they guarantee.

Mayor Jim Schmitt said he was confident in the plan being best for the long term and was worthy of investments from the city. He added that the project was difficult, which he said explained the lack of other proposals.

Orenstein said that although he wasn’t among the developers contacted by the city, he became interested since his team has similarly redeveloped the former Marshall Field’s property on the Milwaukee riverfront into a hotel and office complex.

Expertise aside, Orenstein said he hadn’t expected to make a presentation to a large group and made perfectly clear that his concepts, which included condominiums and perhaps a hotel, weren’t as fleshed out as Vetter’s.

“I hope nobody’s writing this down,” he said while verbally calculating rough costs before the Redevelopment Authority.

City Planning Director Rob Strong said that although the RDA’s decision Tuesday would be part of the report directed to the City Council on Oct. 18, it was uncertain whether the council would weigh in at this stage.

Aldermen Fred Graves and Chad Fradette each noted their approval of the plan after Tuesday’s meeting. Fradette, who broke out in applause after the RDA’s vote, said that considering the previous plans, the city is better with Vetter.

“As long as we can work out the details with the financials, this is what we need,” he said. “This is the mixed use that the people want and what will bring people downtown. I’m very excited.”

avissers

October 12th, 2005, 03:32 PM

Thanks everyone for posting and having an interest in downtown Green Bay. We may not have the same amount of development being proposed in Milwaukee, Madison, or Chicago - but all the same it is important for everyone with ties to Green Bay that the interest is finally there to make a well-rounded community for current and future residents in and around downtown and the Green Bay metro area.

This is just one place where the interest and news for Green Bay can be found. Downtown Vital is a great website that has been going on for some time which holds a lot of the same type of news including many links to different avenues of Green Bay area info.

http://www.downtownvital.org/

Keep reading and any help finding intersting news or related articles is so much very appreciated and welcome...

downtownVital.org

October 12th, 2005, 05:04 PM

Here is a link with basic info and some photos of the Vetter proposal for the Younkers site: http://www.downtownvital.org/html/october11.htm

Here is a link to the Press Gazette article about the same: http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_22943427.shtml

It was an interesting presentation. I wish there had been more interest from other developers, but there wasn't so what can you do? I think it's a nice plan. The public areas will be nice and if you look at the elevation showing the whole riverfront, it will be pretty impressive.

I have one reservation about the whole thing. While I like Vetters architectural style, I'm not sure it's the best to have the whole riverfront designed by one firm and in one style. Nicolet Bank will seem sort of odd in that context, as it will be the only different building.

I can see both sides of this argument, on the one hand it would be nice to have everything seem like a consistant whole, but on the other it would be more dynamic if there were some different but compatible architectural styles. I think I'm leaning towards the latter preference, but it's not looking like that's how things will go. I surely don't think you prevent the best plan from being built on this grounds, but it would have been nice to see some alternatives.

downtownVital.org

October 12th, 2005, 05:11 PM

Quick note, I posted some duplicate info that avissers posted, I was making my post and didn't see all the new stuff...oops.

I was at the RDA so if anyone has specific questions, I'll do my best to try to answer them.

araman0

October 12th, 2005, 09:09 PM

^^ Did you hear anything about the River Tower proposal? It is still in his diagrams, so I suppose that is a good thing.

downtownVital.org

October 12th, 2005, 09:37 PM

avissers

October 12th, 2005, 10:17 PM

No, I was hoping for some discussion of that, but other than its placement in the drawing and a mention that it would be primarily office space, there was not discussion of that site. I will be at a breakfast where Vetter will be speaking tomorrow, and if I have the chance I will ask about that site.

Sweet.

The last time I heard about River Tower (Site #4) was when there was a brief mention of Associated Bank meeting with members of Staff regarding wht types of incentives the City could provide if Associated became the anchor tenant of that development reported by WBAY-TV. It was also on a follow up item on a previous RDA Agenda that stated it would be brought back at a later date.

It could be Vetter has a lot on his plate right now. I wonder if he will continue to do projects in Green Bay, if and when the four sites are developed...

avissers

October 12th, 2005, 10:23 PM

Corporate citizens invest in downtown Green Bay

Associated the latest business to move offices, employees

Jennifer Batog

http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2005/10/10/focus1.html

Associated Banc-Corp recently finished renovating an 82-year-old building in downtown Green Bay and moving about four dozen employees from its Ashwaubenon headquarters to the downtown.

The financial services company is one of several firms that have moved into downtown Green Bay in an effort to rejuvenate the area, which has suffered as retailers moved to the suburbs.

Nicolet National Bank built a downtown office building earlier this year, the Nicolet Center; Bay Lake Bank of Sturgeon Bay refurbished a former Boston Store building, which was vacant for five years, and moved its local headquarters to the downtown; while Streu's Pharmacy recently bought a property downtown and invested $500,000 in improvements. The store had been renting a building downtown for 50 years.

Associated needed more space because it added employees as a result of its acquisition of First Federal Capital Corp. last year, president and chief executive officer Paul Beideman said. Bank officials made a conscious decision to invest in Green Bay's downtown, he said.

"We felt it was a way to meet our needs but also focus some attention on what has been our hometown for 120 years," Beideman said. "It single-handedly doesn't turn things around, but it's a contribution that we can make to those revitalization efforts."

Empty building

Associated renovated the building that once housed Wisconsin Telephone Co. Associated bought the two-story building in 1986, but it was little used. The $1.5 million renovation included creating a new floor plan and installing new carpeting and new ventilation. All of the interior walls were removed to allow for the new floor plan. The 14,000-square-foot building houses Associated's training rooms, payroll, marketing and legal departments.

About 50 employees moved from the company's headquarters about 5.5 miles southwest of the renovated building. In addition, 75 to 80 people use the training center each day, which means it's bringing about 2,000 people a year to downtown Green Bay. The renovations were finished by the end of August. Employees began moving into the new space in early September.

A healthy downtown can affect Associated's bottom line, Beideman said. The bank has branches downtown and bringing more businesses to the area could bring more business to the bank.

"If the community is healthy, then the bank is healthy," he said.

Waterfront improvements

The city is focusing its downtown efforts on improving Green Bay's waterfront area along the Fox River. Mayor Jim Schmitt said the effort, which began in October 2004, includes creating a boardwalk system, redeveloping properties along the waterfront and building festival grounds.

The downtown waterfront project will cost the city $10 million to $12 million, and will be paid for with TIF and state funds and private donations. Since October 2004, the city, businesses and nonprofit organizations have invested about $50 million in downtown.

Associated's project is a few blocks from the river. Besides businesses coming to downtown, a number of new residential developments are taking shape, Schmitt said.

Community leaders believe that having a major local firm relocate some of its departments downtown shows other businesses and developers that the area is viable.

"Seeing large players focus their efforts and energies on staying in the downtown that basically sends a message to others that the downtown is a quality place to be," said Paul Ehrfurth, the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce's economic development vice president.

Attract more companies

A strong financial center in the heart of the city hopefully will bring similar businesses, such as insurance companies, to the downtown area, said Jeff Mirkes, executive director of Downtown Green Bay Inc., a nonprofit agency involved with the city's economic development initiatives. That would bring more white-collar employees to the area, which in turn would prompt additional ancillary businesses such as restaurants, hotels and boutique shops and residential builders to locate there, he said.

"A healthy banking culture and a developing white-collar component to downtown -- that may give the residential developers a little more confidence," Mirkes said.

Associated also could attract more customers with its downtown project, he said. It shows that the company cares and is committed to the community for the long term, he said.

"I believe that everything a company does and doesn't do sends an important message out to their customers and their prospective customers," Mirkes said.

GBSurveyor

October 13th, 2005, 05:44 AM

I was also at the redevelopment meeting for a short time and have a few comments, I was excited to view Vetters proposal, to me it seems like he brings a new level of really selling his ideas to his audience. After a few slides I was sold. What impressed me probably the most was his schedule. He asked for fast approvial so he could begin demolition 1st quarter of 2006!! Imagine that... just the thought of bringing down the Younkes complex made my day. I guess I could be dissapointed that there was only one proposal, but at least we had one. It would have been nice to get a few more renderings out to the press.

I also overheard a few interesting side notes, first that there are only 2 units left in the Riverfront Lofts and second is the Astor Place project is now at like 55 units presold and there is a possibility of reconfiguring some of the floor plans that are not selling as fast.

Also I haven't seen anything mentioned anywhere in the press that Vetter is partnering up with 2 other Milwaukee firms on this new project. I wasn't taking notes but I seem to recall Tim Dixon who is working on redeveloping an old factory in West Bend. Here is an article I found on this project. http://www.jsonline.com/homes/buy/oct04/266677.asp
and I don't recall the other name but he has had a successful fairly mixed use development in downtown Milwaukee.
Apparently one of these developers may have been the 3rd proposal which was to be presented.

Paule

October 13th, 2005, 09:45 AM

Why isn't this thread stickied? I think it should be.

There odviously is interest in the city and it gets just as much trafic as some of the other redevelopment threads.

Go Green Bay!

And I'm not talking about the team

downtownVital.org

October 13th, 2005, 07:01 PM

I asked John Vetter this morning if there was much progress and/or a timetable for the River Tower at the corner of Washington and Walnut. I shall paraphrase his comments:

That is a tough site because or the scale and the uses. The mayor has indicated that he would like it to be primarily an office building, but there isn't a high demand for office space in the area, especially class A office space (Note - the downtown is already pretty saturated, and other area developments are having difficulty filling their space).

Building an office building on this scale in Green Bay would cost at least as much if not more than the same building in Milwaukee, but the demand is much lower in GB so the amount you could get in leasing the space would be less, making the project an economic challenge. It would take probably at least 2 anchor tenants to make the development a reality.

By contrast, the Riverfornt Lofts, Astor Place, and River Center projects sell to an urban residential/condo market that until the last year no supply existed for. Essentially a new market with reasonably strong demand has been uncovered and at price points that make these resiential developments possible. By contrast, there is a great supply of office space (although not much high-end space, but area businesses are not demanding such space) and therefore development of this site will require the city to recruit probably two major tenants before this can begin.

For this reason, a timeline and plans are difficult to come up with becuase we don't know who will want the space, what type/how much space they will want, and when such a tennant will come forward.

-----------------

As I said, that's not a quote from Vetter, but it's the jist of what he told me. Actually, I was surprised and impressed by how much time he spent answering my question and how much detail he went into about the site. I had basically expected the conversation to go like this:

Me - "Are you making progress and do you have a timeline for the River Tower site?"

John - "No."

I was glad he went into more detail on that, which now I can share with you all. Hopefully a plan will come forward and allow this site to be developed to its highest and best use.

avissers

October 13th, 2005, 09:04 PM

^^ DowntownVital.org - Thanks for posting that info on the River Tower development. I agree, it looks like recruiting two potential anchor tenants for the development would be difficult for an office only building. However, I seem to remember early on (and don't remember if this still holds true or not based on what the Mayor was indicated as saying) that the building may include some penthouse condo units as well as lower retail uses.

However, based what GBSurveyor said about potential reconfiguration of units that are not selling as well in Astor Place (which I'm assuming that those units in Astor Place would be on the higher end of the price point), Green Bay may not have the market yet for large condo units in the $750,000 and up range which penthouse units in this development would more than likely demand.

I hope they keep chugging away at it. It would be great for this to happen, but for all else that has happened (Vetter's 3 other projects) I wouldn't be sad to see another 17 story condo/retail building on this site (#4) - considering the orientation towards the river that most condo buyers are seeming to want to have.

downtownVital.org

October 13th, 2005, 10:43 PM

Yes, the reconfiguration of Astor Place would be the upper floors where sales are weaker, and prices are higher. And yes, origianlly the site #4 building would have been mised use with penthouse condos on top, office taking up the bulk of the building, and retail/public ammenities below. I do not know if the condos are still in the picture for this site, I have not heard either way on that, and I suppose the market will drive whatever is there.

Personally, I'm not sure if I want another primarily residentail building there. With the exception of Nicolet Bank, that would make the riverfront almost exclusively residential, and I'm not sure that would be best for the long term health of the area. I feel it's best to have a diversity of uses in the area, and would like to see something there other than condos.

That doens't necessarily mean offices either. For instance, one could (if you were a tribe) build a hotel/casino there. Now, I'm not at all sure I'd want a casino there for a wide variety of reasons, but my point is to illustrate that there are non residential/non office uses that could be placed there.

avissers

October 14th, 2005, 12:36 AM

Personally, I'm not sure if I want another primarily residentail building there. With the exception of Nicolet Bank, that would make the riverfront almost exclusively residential, and I'm not sure that would be best for the long term health of the area. I feel it's best to have a diversity of uses in the area, and would like to see something there other than condos.

That doens't necessarily mean offices either. For instance, one could (if you were a tribe) build a hotel/casino there. Now, I'm not at all sure I'd want a casino there for a wide variety of reasons, but my point is to illustrate that there are non residential/non office uses that could be placed there.

Yes, I'm on board with office or mixed uses if it could become a reality. But if office space in downtown Green Bay is truly that saturated, it may be a long period of time before anything would ever happen on this site. Retail can only make up a small portion of a tower considering the constraints of the site and how many floors of retail you can realistically make work. So to me the next best thing is including what seems to be working so far in downtown and is still relatively a small percentage of downtown land uses which is the residential component.

Astor Place has 3 floors of proposed retail uses incorporated with the proposal, you have a proposed hotel along with retail, restaurant, and cinema uses right next to that in the River Center as well as the residential component, residential w/ Riverfront Lofts, and finally the Nicolet Bank Office Building. So this section may somewhat may have a higher residential percentage than other areas of downtown, but there does seem to be a mix of uses in this area.

Say if something like a "Cathedral Place" type building was proposed for the site, I would think that could be a positive proposal. Cathedral Place is a mix of office and condos across the street from Cathedral Square Park in downtown Milwaukee. The interesting thing about Cathedral Place is the condos are located on the lower floors and the office space is located on the upper floors. In this scenario, this may keep the prices down on the condos, if there is indeed not a strong market for high price point condos (yet) in Green Bay, while reducing the amount of overall office space in the building. In addition, if a developer included a small hotel and ground level retail as well as office and condos - I think that would be great.

However, if another tower similar in nature to Astor Place was proposed, including only the residential and retail component, I wouldn't feel that Green Bay would be missing the boat, because imo office towers won't demand the same type of views that condo buyers are looking for (ala the Fox River). So if you can put another condo tower on Site #4 and locate an office building somewhere else downtown when/if the office market demands more leaseable Class A space, I'm all for it rather than this site sitting as a parking lot for another 10 years or so.

Of course this is just a "what if" scenario and I do hope that something can be worked out where two office anchor tenants are found and this building becomes a reality.

GBSurveyor

October 14th, 2005, 10:38 AM

Say if something like a "Cathedral Place" type building was proposed for the site, I would think that could be a positive proposal. Cathedral Place is a mix of office and condos across the street from Cathedral Square Park in downtown Milwaukee. The interesting thing about Cathedral Place is the condos are located on the lower floors and the office space is located on the upper floors.

After hearing avissers statement about "Cathedral Place" I beleive that the developer of Cathedral Place is the 3rd partner in the River Place proposal.
FWIW, I think that Vetter is already into this idea for site 4 based on the partners of River Place....only time will tell.

downtownVital.org

October 14th, 2005, 06:03 PM

From what I can tell ----ALERT!!! I'm about to put words into someone's mouth, which I probably shouldn't do, this is just the impression I get---- Vetter would want residentail there but seemed to indicate that it was the mayor who wants offices. As I said, that's just what I inferred, it may or may not be the case.

Yes, I believe the developer of Cathedral Place is one of the people involved in the River Center plan.

And to be clear, I guess I'm not saying that I don't want any residential on that site, I would just prefer that it's not all or mostly residentail. Something like Cathedral Place may be excellent. I would also like it if someone other than Vetter would design the place, so there would be some more diversity of design, but I'm not counting on that either.

avissers

October 14th, 2005, 06:40 PM

The developer of Cathedral Place was New Land Enterprises. More info on projects they have done and the company can be found here.

http://www.nledevelopment.com/

Just as an overall FYI - I was just doing a "what if" scenario in my previous post regarding Cathedral Place. Little did I know there possibly may be other players involved in Vetter's River Center development, and one of the possible partners having been the developer of Cathedral Place. I haven't heard this anywhere, nor seen it confirmed.

I was making a point about what other potential types of uses I think would be good for site #4 - no more no less if strictly office space was not feasible. Hopefully made that clear to all, if not, my bad.

avissers

October 14th, 2005, 11:50 PM

In the minutes of the RDA meeting, it lists the other development partners that John Vetter introduced as Tim Dixon with Dixon Development, LLC and Steve Looft with VJS Development Group. In addition, he introduced Kelly Denk, his business partner. Together they form River Vision Partner, LLC Development Team.

http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mins_agd/

Hopefully, City Council will not drag their feet on this on Tuesday, as I agree with Vetter and his goals of demolishing the majority of the former Younkers building prior to residents moving into the Riverfront Lofts and staying on schedule so that the Boardwalk is completed simultaneously with Astor Place and River Center.

Could you imagine the Boardwalk, River Center, and Astor Place all in place sometime in 2007?

In other news, it appears the hotel component of the Prestige Park Development on the west side of Green Bay near the Tundra Lodge secured its financing prior to the deadline which was one of the requirements of the development agreement.

avissers

October 15th, 2005, 06:08 PM

Downtown River Center back on council agenda

Latest downtown proposal includes water park, multiplex

By Andy Behrendt

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_22972811.shtml

A new plan for a multifaceted center on the Fox River that would bring a water park, movie theater and more waterfront apartments to downtown Green Bay will go before the City Council on Tuesday, but aldermen won’t vote on the matter until December, the city’s mayor said.

Vetter Denk Architects principal John Vetter is slated on Tuesday to again present the proposal for River Center at the site of the former Younkers Department Store, Mayor Jim Schmitt said. The city’s Redevelopment Authority, after getting a first look at the proposal last week, directed city staff to work over the next 60 days on a development agreement with Vetter’s team.

The Redevelopment Authority on its own has the power to pursue a development agreement, Schmitt said. He said the City Council could then consider that agreement in mid-December.

River Center is designed around an outdoor town square extending from the boardwalk system planned on the east side of the Fox. Included would be a new Children’s Museum of Green Bay, a 164-room hotel, “splash park,” multiplex cinema, riverfront restaurants and retail, 86 condominiums and 72 rental lofts.

• Unlike the City Council’s past three meetings, Tuesday’s will not include a discussion with Washington Commons owner Development Associates. The council on Oct. 4 proposed to loan Development Associates $3 million to renovate the former J.C. Penney building for use by APAC Customer Services, which presently operates a call center in Allouez with about 800 employees.

Schmitt said a deal with the commons’ local owners still hadn’t been reached as of Friday. The key concern was the city’s demand for proper equity and security on the loan from the owners’ bank, he said.

“We’ve discussed personal guarantees; we’ve talked about the bank allowing us to move ahead of the bank from a collateral standpoint,” Schmitt said. “But nothing has come to give us the comfort level and security level that we’ve gotten with other loans of this type.”

avissers

October 18th, 2005, 03:44 PM

First off - the thread now has a sticky. Thanks to all who read and post and keep Green Bay in the minds of many in the Midwest region.

Second. I was browsing the downtownvital.org website. There has been a Riverfront Interactive Presentation created showing details of the riverfront plan and proposed and completed buildings. Great Job. Truly there is some talent behind the web site and the creator. Visit the presentation here.

http://www.downtownvital.org/html/designplanflash.htm

Again, I was blown away by this. To see the past vs. the possible future is truly amazing. Nice job downtownVital.org! :master:

avissers

October 18th, 2005, 03:50 PM

APAC Pulls Out of Downtown Plan

By Jason Allen - WBAY-TV

Action 2 News learned a deal that would have moved 800 jobs to downtown Green Bay has fallen apart. APAC Customer Services no longer plans to move into the Washington Commons.

Less than two weeks ago, it looked like a done deal. The City of Green Bay even offered a $3 million to the mall owner, Development Associates, to renovate the vacant JC Penney department store to help bring APAC in.

The deal fell through, we learned, when Development Associates wouldn't offer a guarantee to secure that money.

That's one big reason APAC, a customer service firm currently in Allouez, decided it couldn't take the risk on a new landlord.

In a letter sent last Friday to Development Associates and the city, APAC wrote, "We feel it is appropriate to cease lease negotiations immediately."

It went on to say that APAC "do not have confidence in your partnership's overall ability to provide APAC with a long-term quality environment or facility."

We tried to contact Development Associates for this story Monday but our calls were not returned.

This deals another big blow to Washington Commons, which lost JC Penney, its last department store and anchor, early this month. APAC would have moved into some of that building space.

Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt said he wants to help Washington Commons but the city couldn't risk millions of dollars in the process. "That' property's got a lot of work in front of itself, and again we're willing to partner with the right financial deal but any time we do that we need security, and that's what this boiled down to."

Mayor Schmitt did say there may still be other opportunities to bring APAC to Green Bay, it's just not going to happen at Washington Commons.

-----------------------

Promising Deal Is No More For Green Bay

WFRV-TV

It was a promising deal that would have brought 800 jobs to Green Bay's vacant JC Penney building in Washington Commons.

But now APAC Customer service has pulled out of the deal. APAC's pull-out boils down to an unsecured loan and the rocky relationship between the city of Green Bay and development associates.

The deal hinged on a $3 million loan from the city of Green Bay to Development Associates, the owners of Washington Commons.

That money was to be used to renovate the JC Penney building for APAC and overhaul the main street exterior.

But a source close to the deal tells that the deal fell apart during a squabble over which party should be first on the note.

For those hoping the deal would move forward and bring 800 jobs downtown, this latest set back comes as no surprise.

--------------------------------------

Well maybe this could be a business that would be a potential tenant for River Tower. However unlikely due to the tenant probably wanting a more spread out space on one floor rather than being seperated over a number of floors.

This is just another disappointing story that helps solidify that Development Associates are over their heads with the Washington Commons property. Bulldoze it and start over or get an owner that truly is committed to making a difference in downtown Green Bay. :hammer:

Paule

October 18th, 2005, 04:49 PM

First off - the thread now has a sticky. Thanks to all who read and post and keep Green Bay in the minds of many in the Midwest region.
I was wondering when they were going to get around to this. no thanks is necessary, you're just to a great job at keeping out interest up.

downtownVital.org

October 18th, 2005, 06:53 PM

Thanks for the compliment, avissers. I was going to post that link here this morning for people to check out, but you're too quick for me! Glad you enjoyed it!

With the APAC deal falling through, I wonder how much longer Washington Commons can stay open? Quotes from potential tenants saying that they "do not have confidence in your partnership's overall ability to provide APAC with a long-term quality environment or facility." can't help. Well, I won't lose too much sleep if that mall goes away.

araman0

October 18th, 2005, 11:13 PM

^ Great job with that professional web site Downtownvital. It will be a great way to keep the less frequent visitors informed of all the exciting projects going on here.

avissers

October 19th, 2005, 06:17 AM

City Refuses to Step In to Save APAC Deal

By Emily Matesic and Jason Allen - WBAY-TV

The Green Bay City Council says there is nothing it can do to convince an Allouez company to move into the vacant JC Penney building, and with it bring 800 jobs downtown.

The owner of the Washington Commons mall tried to salvage a deal with APAC Customer Services. Development Associates sent a letter to city leaders Tuesday asking them to do something about APAC right away. The later dated Tuesday pleads with the city to convince APAC to reconsider.

In their meeting that lasted late Tuesday night, the council said APAC's decision to call off a deal with the building's owner, Development Associates, was not encouraged by the city.

The city had agreed to loan Development Associates $3 million to renovate the department store building to encourage APAC to move in, but Development Associates would not give the city a personal guarantee on the loan. That's when APAC pulled out of the deal.

"Development Associates asked us to work with APAC to ask them to reconsider. Well, that's between APAC and Development Associates. APAC made the decision to cease negotiations with Development Associates. We're hopeful APAC will look at other opportunities in the downtown," said Mayor Jim Schmitt.

The council still hopes to find another place in downtown for the customer service company to call home.

Development Associates threatened the city with legal action if no agreement with APAC was reached.

Jeff Mirkes of Downtown Green Bay Inc. says people shouldn't worry. He says there are plenty of other options and locations APAC could move to, if it leaves its Allouez offices. He just hopes all parties involved keep the lines of communication open.

"I would hope," Mirkes said, "that the city would maintain contact with all the parties involved to find out if an agreement which would be a win-win for everyone, especially a win for our community."

araman0

October 19th, 2005, 09:10 AM

^ I wonder if APAC is aware of Vetter's River Tower or if Vetter has tried contacting them about this. APAC could be just the anchor that the River Tower would need. Oppertunities like this won't come often.

avissers

October 19th, 2005, 03:44 PM

^^

I mentioned that in a previous post. My only concern that typcial call/customer service centers typcially all want to be spread out on one floor or one large area rather than split among many floors (at least the ones I am aware of - APAC could be different). Due to the size of the site, that may prove difficult to accomodate on Site #4. :dunno:

-----------------------

APAC backs off Washington Commons plans

Financial issues prompt call center to reconsider move

By Andy Behrendt

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_23043651.shtml

A potential deal to bring a customer-service call center with 800 jobs to downtown Green Bay is off because of a lack of financial confidence in the owners of Washington Commons.

But the ownership points to city actions late in the game for breaking up the deal.

Following the concerns of city officials that commons owner Development Associates couldn’t guarantee the return of a $3 million loan proposed by the city, APAC Customer Services has withdrawn plans to move its Allouez call center to the recently vacated J.C. Penney building.

Whether city officials would make a push for the company to reconsider remained to be seen at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

“It was the city’s decision to seek security on our loan, and that didn’t come through,” Mayor Jim Schmitt said Tuesday. “So it was Development Associates’ decision not to give us the security we were looking for, and therefore, their tenant, APAC, I think, is going to explore other options.”

Development Associates on Monday received a letter from APAC’s real estate broker, said Tom Schumacher of Development Associates. The letter cited two reasons for ceasing lease negotiations:

• The Washington Commons owners’ unwillingness to accept the city’s terms.

• APAC’s lack of confidence in Development Associates to provide a proper and long-term home to the call center.

Schumacher argued it was the mayor’s demand for a personal guarantee that broke the deal. Schumacher pinpointed the about-face to Oct. 12, when APAC officials met with the Commons owners and then with Schmitt.

“What we’re getting are additional conditions, and then we’re getting an absolutely negative projection of our company by the mayor on Wednesday,” Schumacher said. “When we left them, everything was fine. So I don’t think it takes a lot of serious guessing to figure out what happened at that second meeting.”

The Green Bay City Council two weeks ago proposed the $3 million loan to Development Associates to renovate part of the Penney building for APAC’s use, contingent on participation from Development Associates’ bank. Schumacher notes that a personal guarantee wasn’t part of that motion, but Schmitt said it was part of negotiations, which have been largely held behind closed doors, all along.

In a late-breaking addition to its agenda, the City Council on Tuesday headed into closed session on a request by Development Associates, which asked the city to help convince APAC to reconsider its decision to not lease the Penney building.

Schumacher said the request to the larger body of city officials came with the terms the mall owners were ready to present before APAC’s withdrawal. Those terms included agreements from Development Associates’ bank to offer a first-mortgage position on the larger Washington Commons parcel and a second-mortgage position on the Penney building, which together amounted to $3 million of security for the $3 million loan.

Schmitt said the mortgage positions simply weren’t enough. He argued the owners already owe the city a combined $2 million between special assessments and the remainder of a past loan, and he said the city already has a first position on the mall property. Schumacher countered that position comes about $1 million short of the new proposal.

Officials from APAC’s Deerfield, Ill., headquarters couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday.

The recent friction isn’t the first between the city and commons owners since Development Associates took control in 2001. The owners blamed plans that originally would have extended three streets through the commons for difficulty in landing tenants, and disputes have continued over the aforementioned special assessments.

In business regarding another former Washington Commons anchor store, the council earlier in Tuesday’s meeting took its first look at the mixed-use River Center proposed for the former Younkers building, which isn’t owned by Development Associates.

John Vetter, whose project got a green light toward a development agreement from the Redevelopment Authority, answered more questions about his plans for a riverfront town square, condominiums, apartments, retail, restaurants, a potential movie theater and a hotel with a splash park — a “pool on steroids” short of a full-scale water park, Vetter’s partner Steven Looft said.

Concerns from aldermen ranged from the potential draw of the incorporated Children’s Museum of Green Bay to the availability of parking. Noting 275 stalls planned within his development and the possibility of using spaces elsewhere in the city, Vetter said he didn’t plan to charge for public parking but that the matter would be among the specifics analyzed in the next 60 days.

The council didn’t take formal action but unanimously confirmed the Redevelopment Authority’s report. Alderman Tony Theisen said his only concern was the name, River Center.

“It seems that every building right now is ‘River’ something,” he said.

Vetter said he’s open to discussion on the name and added that he’s offering naming rights starting at $1 million.

Asked how his development would progress if Washington Commons would be redeveloped, Vetter said, “Regardless of if the mall stays or not, this project is a good neighbor, and it works.”

As for what will happen to the largely vacant commons if indeed APAC is out of the picture, Schumacher said the local ownership is already considering its next move.

“Our wheels are turning — believe me,” he said.

avissers

October 19th, 2005, 03:46 PM

Another link opens in eastern arterial

Humboldt to Highland Center stretch ready

By Andy Behrendt

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_23041462.shtml

The pieces have come together for eastern Brown County’s long-awaited corridor for transportation and development.

The majority of the eastern arterial, aka Brown County EA, reached completion Tuesday with the opening of a segment between Humboldt Road and Highland Center Drive. Local officials and developers heralded the completion of the four-plus mile stretch of Huron Road as a boost for growth.

Consider Huron Road to be for Interstate 43 on the county’s east side what Packerland Drive has been for U.S. 41 on the west side — a highway alternative further away from Green Bay’s core and lined with homes and businesses.

Planned for decades, the eastern arterial is already getting busy with growth.

“I think that the street in itself has just opened endless opportunities for Green Bay and all of the east side of Brown County,” said Tina Bunker, a real-estate agent focused on Green Bay’s far east side. “You look at the YMCA, the future school site for the Green Bay public schools, and you find that the majority of the growth within the city limits is going to be on the east side.”

Indeed, the opening this month of the East Side YMCA along another recently opened section of Huron Road in Bellevue and a new school planned just east of the new highway in Green Bay have many in the area with hopes high — particularly in Green Bay, whose only largely undeveloped sector is on the far east side.

“This is really going to help the city of Green Bay,” said east-side Alderman Earl Van Den Heuvel. “It’s going to make Green Bay a lot more able to compete business-wise with some of the other areas as far as bringing quality-type businesses to our area.”

The plans for the arterial prompted Marvin Cherney to pick the site of Cherney Microbilogical Services at 1110 Huron, out of all available sites in the Interstate 43 Business Center, in 2000.

“At the time it was just a two-lane road with ditches. They were just bringing the water and sewer in. We were just ahead of the major development,” said Cherney, whose company tests for bacteria and pathogens for processing companies. “The road is going to be great for exposure as far as people having it easier to find our businesses.”

Huron Road at its center is nothing new, but several pieces were completed just this year, including the northern end that meets Bay Settlement Road at Wisconsin 54/57. That includes the most dramatic change to the area landscape — an overpass above 54/57.

The $6 million total undertaking at EA’s northern end, which improves traffic safety and makes the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s Bay Settlement driveway into an easy entrance just off the highway, is a project of the state Department of Transportation, said DOT spokesman Kim Rudat.

The entire project has been figured at more than $20 million — a mix of municipal, county, state and federal dollars.

Although the main stretch is complete, it’s not done yet. The conversion of Cottage Road, the EA’s southern extreme in Bellevue, to a four-lane road is scheduled to be completed in 2007, said Ray Smith, Brown County highway engineer. That would extend the arterial south to Wisconsin 29, which Cherney, as a Kewaunee resident, is excited about.

County EA might eventually be extended directly to Interstate 43, Rudat said.

The arterial, which is four lanes throughout with a bike trail in Bellevue’s section and with sidewalks and bike lanes in Green Bay, at its busiest is projected to reach a traffic volume of 13,000 vehicles daily by 2027, said Cole Runge, principal planner with the Brown County Planning Commission.

The highway and its north extension at Bay Settlement would connect the town of Scott all the way south to Ledgeview. It’s a particularly big step for the village of Bellevue as it continues its rapid growth.

But it’s given grief to those like Harvey De Greef, owner of De Greef Small Engine, 2891 Cottage Road, Bellevue. He expressed frustration about the project and said many of his customers have to walk in to his shop from Wisconsin 29. He said demands from the state Department of Natural Resources complicated the process.

“Two years from now they will tear up the road again when they widen the road past the YMCA,” he said.

Ontario Road resident Dean Reich said the arterial’s completion will lend a bigger-city feel to the former rural back roads of Bellevue.

“Bellevue has always had a rural town feel to it,” said Reich, a real estate appraiser and former town chairman. “This will really change the way things look. It will seem more like Ashwaubenon’s arterials. People who have been living here a long time probably won’t like it, but it’s all part of growing.”

The new road will make driving between Bellevue and the UWGB area easier.

“For anybody traveling north to south or south to north, that would be the road to take,” Reich said.

— Lee Reinsch/Press-Gazette

avissers

October 19th, 2005, 03:54 PM

Former Downtown GB Younkers Site May Get New Life

WFRV-TV

The former Younkers site in downtown Green Bay is one step closer to a proposed River Center development.

The Green Bay City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to give Milwaukee developer John Vetter a 60 day planning option on his $67 million project. That means he has 60 days to work out all the details of his plan, and that includes selling naming rights to the Town Square, starting at a million dollars.

Vetter says if he gets approval from the city, he'll begin demolishing the old Younkers building in the winter of 2006.

He hopes to open the Town Square and Boardwalk in the summer of 2007.

downtownVital.org

October 19th, 2005, 05:44 PM

I'm not sure APAC would be a good fit in the River Tower. I'm not an expert in office rentals, but it would seem to me that to make River Tower viable, the leases would be pretty expensive per square foot, whereas a customer service business would be looking for an inexpensive location. For law offices, banks, corporate headquarters and the like the prestige of being in a prominent location is valuable. I'm not sure that is the case for a branch center of a company like APAC. Heck, if they'd be willing to move there, I'd be all for it, I'm just not sure that would be the case.

avissers

October 21st, 2005, 03:41 PM

What Still Brings People to Washington Commons

Who's Still Going to Washington Commons

WBAY-TV Action 2 News

Earlier this week, APAC Customer Service decided against moving from Allouez into the mostly-vacant Washington Commons mall in downtown Green Bay. The 800 employees it would have brought was seen as a chance to revitalize the foot traffic to other downtown businesses.

What's left of the once-bustling mall? When you look at the closed store gates, the dark windows, the dust and cobwebs, it's hard to imagine the downtown mall ever regaining its heyday popularity.

------------------------------------------

Washington Commons Timeline

1977: Port Plaza Mall opens with two anchors and room for 99 smaller stores.

1986 and 1997: Port Plaza Mall changes ownership.

2000: Mall's third anchor store, Boston Store, closes.

2001: Port Plaza Mall sold to local developers who change name to Washington Commons and plan mixed-use of retail and office space.

2004: Younkers, one of the mall's original anchor stores when it was called Prange's, closes after relocating to Bay Park Square Mall in Ashwaubenon.

2005: Washington Commons's last anchor store, JC Penney, closes after relocating to the growing retail area of Ashwaubenon.

----------------------------------

"It's very sad, you know, to have a big plan and have it all fall apart," said Carolyn Kittredge as she walked in the mall.

When it opened as Port Plaza Mall in 1977, it had two anchor stores and 99 smaller stores, and within five years added a third anchor store. Today, all three anchor stores are gone and the mall is mostly empty. You don't hear the hustle and bustle like a normal mall. Instead all you hear is the music playing overhead.

"The place pretty much echoes," patron Jim Zinkgraf said. "I really just come here for lunch, but for the most part it's pretty limited foot traffic."

The three lunch spots still open here say people like Jim are the only thing keeping them open.

"We rely on the people that come in from WPS or Humana Dental, or the people who work around the surrounding areas to help us," Janine Rosinski at Cheesecake Heaven said.

Other than people here to eat, the only other sign of life we saw Thursday was a meeting. In fact, a whole section of the mall's second floor is now simply closed off.

"I haven't been here for a while but I couldn't get over how empty it was, and what a shame. What a shame to spend all this money," Carolyn said.

----------------------------------------

This is pretty sad when you think of what was lost and where Commons is now.

avissers

October 22nd, 2005, 07:37 PM

APAC sets sights on Baylake center

Talks revive hopes of downtown move

By Andy Behrendt

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_23075519.shtml

APAC Customer Services isn’t moving into the former J.C. Penney space, but its next target is only across the mall.

Officials with APAC, which employs roughly 800 in Allouez, are now in talks to move the company’s call center to the upper level of Baylake Bank’s Baylake City Center, 301 N. Adams St., Green Bay.

The option arose a day after talks fizzled with Development Associates, owner of the adjoining Washington Commons, about moving into the mall’s former J.C. Penney building, said Scott Smet, president of Smet Construction Corp. in Lawrence. A real estate agent for APAC and an agent of Polacheck Co. Inc., which handles tenants for the recently completed Baylake Building, met with Smet on Oct. 13, he said.

“We obviously wanted to make sure that the other negotiations had failed before we would start, and that was the case, so we’ve been talking to them,” said Smet, noting the call center is interested in 70,000 square feet.

Months of talks between Development Associates and APAC fell apart Oct. 12 after APAC’s meeting with the city of Green Bay. City officials cited a lack of financial security in determining not to give Development Associates a $3 million loan for renovations to the Penney building, as originally offered. The City Council affirmed that stance on Tuesday.

The new option at the Baylake building, renovated from former mall anchor Boston Store, was originally set to go before the city’s Finance Committee on Tuesday in search of assistance for acquisition and renovation on the second floor. Mayor Jim Schmitt said the item was pulled from the agenda to better flesh out a financial plan.

Smet said he met with APAC officials Thursday and said his company may still need to approach the city about financial assistance with the proposed location at some point.

araman0

October 22nd, 2005, 10:44 PM

GBSurveyor

October 23rd, 2005, 04:33 AM

It seems that there has been some activity on this corner. I am not sure if the original plan fell apart but there is a sign in the window seeking tenants.
http://www.geocities.com/stdebak/pics/adamsstation.jpg

MINUTES of the PROTECTION & WELFARE COMMITTEE, Monday, October 10, 2005

REQUEST BY MICHAEL SCHWANTES TO GIVE AN UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE ADAMS STREET STATION DEVELOPMENT.

Mike Schwantes, Creative Business Brokers, 126 Pine Street, appeared before the committee and said he wanted to let everyone know where they are at with this building. They had plans done by Shuh Construction and approved by the City of Green Bay and State of Wisconsin. That was to do the two buildings on the corner, the 6600 sq. ft. which was the former furniture store and adjacent called the fire house. They had two tenants that were going in. They had the state approved plans done to their specifications and it took a couple months to get through. Now they are in a situation where those tenants were not able to get adequate financing to make those tenant improvements. They were looking at about $800,000 of their own to invest to get it where they needed it to be. They had two new tenants who were going in. The committee has been very lenient with working with them and he appreciates that. The two liquor licenses that were granted, they had a lot of faith and confidence and invested a lot of money in them in order to get the approved plans done, but they are done now and as of result of that, they have a lot of additional interest. They have two letters of intent that they put together. One has been signed, the other will be signed at 7:00 P.M. He’s just giving an update because he knows everyone wonders what is happening. He really doesn’t have anything today to ask the committee other than this is ongoing. He hopes to have the business plans for the two new tenants in two weeks. They will be making their applications subject to the committee’s approval. He knows the committee supports the downtown development and appreciates that very much. He just wants the City to know they have some other tenants forthcoming that he thinks will meet the City’s satisfaction. He checked them out financially. They look to have the cash to come in, not needing financing from some of the banks. The banks are still a little leery of some things downtown and if you are looking for a lot of debt, they are not as interesting in giving some people the funds they need, so they are cautiously optimistic. He has the letters of intent if the committee wants to review them. The leases and business plan will be ready in the next two weeks. He would like to request to come back with these tenants making an application for those liquor licenses in two weeks.

Ald. Arnoldi said the committee liked the quality of the previous applications. If something comes back that does not meet with that type of quality, what he is saying is that he is not going to support just another bar. Schwantes said he understands and does not believe that is the case. He met with these parties. Both seem to have formats and plans that he thinks will meet the committee’s approval, but he doesn’t know that. He hasn’t seen the business plans yet. They are just being completed right now. He doesn’t want to invest hundred of thousands of dollars and have it go out in six months. He shares the committee’s concerns.

Attorney Nitti said as you may recall, the 227 and 225 E. Walnut, one licensee was Brian Peot. The other was Clarence Crane. Both of those fell through. They’re the licensees. Sixty day extension that was granted originally will be basically to operate in 60 days and there’s a statement of intent signed by both of those licensees saying they will do that or the licenses become the property of the City again. Extension was granted July 5, 2005 at Council so as of September 5 those licenses reverted back to the City. Anybody can apply for them. That’s what the situation is right now. Schwantes said they are aware of that but want the City to know what they are trying to accomplish with that corner and would like the committee to review our their proposal. Ald. Fradette said it’s no longer first come, first served.

A motion was made by Ald. Fradette and seconded by Ald. Arnoldi to receive and place on file the request by Michael Schwantes to give an update on the status of the Adams Street Station development. Motion carried

GBSurveyor

October 23rd, 2005, 04:42 AM

Here are a few recent pics showing the progress.

Looking east.
http://www.geocities.com/stdebak/pics/rflofts1005.jpg

Looking west from Adams Street, It has risen over the buildings on Washington Street.
http://www.geocities.com/stdebak/pics/loftswest.jpg

And finally I had to include a Younkers shot. That building is sure big and ugly. Bring the wrecking ball!!!
http://www.geocities.com/stdebak/pics/younkers1005.jpg

araman0

October 23rd, 2005, 07:39 AM

^ That second picture is very interesting. I have spent so long focusing on what these buildings would do to the skyline from the river that I never really thought about what they could do from the East. Thanks for the updates!

avissers

October 23rd, 2005, 05:45 PM

Great news! I think APAC would be much more appropraitely located in Baylake Bank. Now mabey they can tear down the Penny building and make space for something new. The Penny building looks so out of place in downtown IMO.

There was some early discussion about expanding the KI Convention Center into the Penny's building but with the relationship that seems strained between the City of Green Bay and Development Associates, I'm not sure if this will happen.

-----------------

Nice pics GBSurveyor. I will be in Green Bay next week for an interview and will be brining along a digital camera.

avissers

October 26th, 2005, 03:48 PM

Adams St. Station plans change

Project options downsized by financing woes

By Andy Behrendt

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/biz_23028866.shtml

Plans for pizza, pianos and pastries at the proposed Adams Street Station have been derailed, but the property’s broker says new options, including an upscale lounge and restaurant, are picking up steam.

The three-building complex at Adams and East Walnut streets, home to Schauer & Schumacher Furniture until 2001, earlier this year was due to house a pizza restaurant and speakeasy; a jazz, blues and dance nightclub; and a European-style cafe and pastry shop. Although its plans received approval from the city and state, all three prospective entertainment venues couldn’t secure financing.

Mike Schwantes, principal of property owner Creative Business Brokers, blamed it in part on an apparent lack of confidence in Green Bay’s downtown by some banks. But he remains confident amid talks with several new parties and thanks to a renewed energy downtown.

“It will happen, and I’m hopeful it’ll happen soon,” Schwantes said of Adams Street Station. “We’re getting the calls, and for several years, we had no calls. And now especially with the residential mix and possibility of new office tenants coming in, some people are getting excited.”

His most solid prospect is a client who has signed a letter of intent to open a restaurant and lounge in the old firehouse building, originally slated for the Moonshines pizza restaurant planned by Brian Peot and Chris Knuth. The two determined to focus on their existing business, Oxford’s on North Washington Street.

“I’m excited about downtown and where it’s going,” Peot said. “I think it’s just maybe a little premature at this point.”

Schwantes wouldn’t name the new client, who is finishing a business plan, he said. He expected people will see serious activity there within 60 days. As for the other two properties:

• Another group is considering a format similar to the club originally planned in the main corner building, but a business plan has yet to develop. Clarence Crane and Tyrell Sims weren’t able to proceed with the initial club, dubbed 109.

• A law office has looked at the first-floor space in the former funeral home building next door on Adams Street, and Schwantes said he received inquiries last week about putting loft condominiums above.

He said his group is looking to put in about $800,000 for improvements across the three buildings’ 32,000 square feet, and the previous potential tenants looked to invest another $700,000 collectively. Two liquor licenses granted to Moonshines and 109 have reverted back to the city.

Elsewhere in the downtown area, Creative Business Brokers has a letter of intent for a deli to move into the original Angelina restaurant on Washington Street, with a construction business interested in moving upstairs, Schwantes said. He said he also has a letter of intent from another upscale restaurant and lounge to move into ComedyCity’s former home down the street.

Bartles53

October 27th, 2005, 09:53 AM

Great site. Thanks for all the info. Couple thoughts on the proposed development:

I'm with Dan on adding a little variety into the architecture on the waterfront. I'm a little concerned that the glass-intensive river center project will look dated in 20 years. Contrast that to the Nicolet Bank building which will look good 50 years from now. But don't get me wrong, I love the boldness of the project and am thrilled that it's becoming a reality. The ice skating rink in the plaza is a brilliant addition. What a cool way to bring people to the area in the wintertime. Hopefully there are no major snags in financing the project. I'd love to see it completed ASAP.

Question: Are there any noteworthy developments planned on the west side of the river? There are some cool restaurants and shops over there. You would think that factor coupled with the newly created skyline views on the east side would make it a prime area for some condos.

Bartles53

October 27th, 2005, 10:11 AM

One more question. I recently viewed a website detailing the revitalization plans for the Olde Main corridor. It's pretty extensive but here's the link:

http://www.oldemainstreetgb.com/images/plan.pdf

This area and the Broadway area both have an ecclectic feel to them. It would be cool if they could spruce this area up in a similar way that Broadway was upgraded a few years back. The whole extended downtown area would really be something to show off to out of town guests. I haven't been back to GB in a while. Has there been any noteworthy improvement in that area or is it still a ways off? Is there any development going on on the east side of the corner of Main and Monroe (it needs it)? Thanks for your time.

GBSurveyor

October 27th, 2005, 09:21 PM

Question: Are there any noteworthy developments planned on the west side of the river? There are some cool restaurants and shops over there. You would think that factor coupled with the newly created skyline views on the east side would make it a prime area for some condos.

The biggest thing to occur on the west side is "Leicht Memorial Park". It is being constructed along the river just north of the Main St. Bridge, other then that there hasn't been any formal plans. The Broadway area hasn't really seen much news as far as development goes.

The largest possible redevelopment may be the old canning factory on the corner of Broadway and Dousman, but again no formal plans. If any of the projects come to fruition I can only see development spreading over to the west side

ReddAlert

October 27th, 2005, 11:33 PM

I heard there was some money blowing around yesterday.

GBSurveyor

October 28th, 2005, 06:01 AM

I heard there was some money blowing around yesterday.

Armored truck spills bills, but it’s not finders keepers
By Paul Srubas
psrubas@greenbaypressgazette.com

It may have seemed like a gift from heaven, but hellfire and brimstone may well be the result for anybody who caught and kept part of the $80,000 in currency that fell out of the back of an armored truck Wednesday morning on the Leo Frigo Memorial Bridge.

“Technically, it’s the crime of theft, not finders keepers,” said Capt. Greg Urban of the Green Bay Police Department. “It was an accident.”

An accident, yes, but to some, the perfect storm, in which $20 bills rained down upon their heads from atop the bridge.

An armored courier owned by Badger Armor Inc., a new company in Green Bay, was traveling north over the bridge about 7:25 a.m. when its rear doors popped open, allowing a bag of $20 bills to drop out, Urban said.

As loose bills fluttered, motorists stopped in the middle of traffic to retrieve them by the fistful and then fled as squad cars arrived.

“We do know that several people got away with quite a bit of money,” Urban said.

The money was supposed to be delivered to businesses in the Wausau area, Urban said.

About $8,000 remains unaccounted for. Someone claiming to be a college student reportedly phoned into a local radio talk show Wednesday morning to claim he recovered about $700 and wasn’t going to give it back, Urban said.

The average traffic volume on the bridge between the hours of 7 and 8 a.m. is 1,300 vehicles in each direction, according to Paul Stein, manager of traffic data systems for the state Department of Transportation in Madison.

Police blocked off both lanes of the bridge for about a half-hour to halt the resulting traffic hazard and to help recover the loot.

But northwesterly winds complicated the process. The wind was officially about 7 mph at the National Weather Service in Ashwaubenon but possibly as high as 20 mph at the height of the bridge at the mouth of the river, said meteorologist Tom Helman.

“What am I doing here?” he said after hearing of the spill and how the wind turned it into a showering flutter of falling cash for outstretched hands in an enclosed parking lot below the bridge.

Both on the bridge and below, many people voluntarily turned over the windfall, and police and courier workers recovered plenty, Urban said. All told, police and the company recovered about $72,000, he said.

He described the area beneath the bridge as marshy, and some of the twenties probably ended up in the water, he said.

“In this community, we have people who are basically honest, and when they realize it was not pennies from heaven but was accidental, not intended to provide somebody with a quick payday, they’ll be honest and ethical,” Urban said.

But if they’re not, police are hoping other witnesses report them.

At least one of those people came forward around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, returning $60 to the Green Bay Police Department.

A police report stated the woman “felt bad and wanted to return it,’” said Lt. John Balza of the Green Bay Police Department.

Early Wednesday evening, a man returned $20 to Green Bay police, Balza added.

A spokesman for Badger Armor Inc. in Green Bay and spokeswoman for the company in Stoughton declined comment.

— Nathan Phelps/Press-Gazette

GBSurveyor

October 28th, 2005, 08:30 AM

What do we have to do to get these people out of office???????

MINUTES OF THE
IMPROVEMENT & SERVICE COMMITTEE
Tuesday, October 25, 2005

22. Consideration of a professional services agreement with StoSS Landscape Urbanism for the design of the Fox Riverfront East Boardwalk.

Mr. Weber distributed copies of the attached summary of the proposal for the design of the Fox River Boardwalk. He explained in detail the points set forth in the handout and recommended that the agreement be approved.

A lengthy discussion took place regarding this issue with the following alderpersons listed and their comments:

Ald. Zima:
He feels that the presentation by StoSS regarding the boardwalk was a rigged study. They presented three options: one bare bones, one extremely overblown and outrageously expensive, and the last one priced where they wanted it. He feels the Council was deceived by the presentations. He also feels that the project is a total waste of community resources (public and private). The project is a boondoggle and to proceed would be a blunder. He feels that for $1-2,000,000, the City could provide a very nice waterfront for the public. The $12,000,000 project is way too expensive for such a limited area (Main Street to Walnut Street).

Ald. Van Den Heuvel :
He agrees with most of what Ald. Zima stated. He also feels that Vetter & StoSS has had a monopoly on the development of the area. He further feels that local architects should be given a chance to present their ideas for the waterfront/boardwalk. There should be many more boat slips included. He thinks that $5-7,000,000 should be sufficient for a project of this type.

Ald. Theisen:
He supports the project and approval of the agreement. He cited the development of the River Loft Apartments, Nicolet Bank, Astor Place and Younkers as a reason for the boardwalk project. Most of these developments proceeded on the assumption that a boardwalk would be constructed. Once the design is completed, the project will be administered as a Public Works project following public bidding laws. He also cited the area south of Walnut Street as an example of how there is a lot of interest in developing downtown.

A motion was made by Ald. Theisen to approve the professional services agreement with StoSS Landscape Urbanism for the design of the Fox River East Boardwalk in the amount of $555,890. The motion died for a lack of a second.

Ald. Kriescher:
He stated that the boardwalk was way too expensive. He has heard from his constituents and they don’t want to spend $12,000,000 for the project.

Ald. Zima:
He stated that the shoreline shouldn’t be all boat slips. There should be areas for the public to come. More boats make more bridge lifts. The boardwalk, as planned, would only be for the people who live along it. The best that can be hoped for downtown is a few more hotel rooms and some offices.

A motion was made by Ald. Zima and seconded by Ald. Van Den Heuvel that consideration of a professional services agreement with StoSS Landscape Urbanism for the design of the Fox Riverfront East Boardwalk be received and placed on file. Ald. Theisen voting no. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Ald. Zima and seconded by Ald. Van Den Heuvel that the staff be directed to develop a cost estimate for what it would cost to extend the existing walkway along the riverfront between Walnut Street and Main Street and also develop an RFP to obtain alternate designs for the riverfront between Walnut Street and Main Street with costs not exceeding $3,000,000. Ald. Theisen voting no. Motion carried.

araman0

October 28th, 2005, 08:56 AM

^ I thought that the final plans for the riverfront walkway were already hammered out. It would be a shame for these fools to be watering down the riverfront proposal after Vetter's proposals along the riverfront having already included them in his designs. I guess you can't really excpect much more from these 'small town' minded city council members.

downtownVital.org

October 28th, 2005, 07:06 PM

I'm not happy about Improvement and Services at all. This is a committee that has three of the most anti-downtown aldermen on it, and I think we can assume from here on out that this committee will stand in the way of this boardwalk at every turn. Fortunatly, I think that when this comes before the entire council the right thing will be done and the contract will be approved. The anti-downtown forces would need to get 7 aldermen to vote against this, because a tie would be broken by the Mayor. I don't think they have seven against it.

The troubling thing is, Aldeman VanDenHeuvel voted for the plan back in May, and now seems against it (Zima and Kriesher have been against it all along). So I hope that there aren't others following in his footsteps.

As for the cost, when the council passed the boardwalk plan back in May, an ammendment was made to the plan stating that "Funding of the boardwalk plan and the wetland terraces riverfront plans to be funded by TIF, State funding and private donations. No general fund levy from the City of Green Bay would be expended." So this ensures that taxes will not be raised to fund this, the only outcome can be an incresed tax base. This demonstrates that the aldermen against this on a cost basis aren't interested at all in protecting the tax payers (tax payers are protected) but rather in posturing to be against all prominent spending. It's a rediculous position.

So in the end, here's my berakdown of the council ahead of Tuesday's council meeting where this will come up, and it's just my thoughts because I haven't talked to any of the aldermen.

Will vote to APPROVE the contract to design the boardwalk:

Theisen
Fradette
Wery
Weber

Will vote to put the contract on HOLD:

Zima
Kriescher
VanDenHeuvel

Voted for the Boradwalk plan on May 17 but in light of VanDenHeuvel switching positions who can say for sure how they'll vote:

Graves
Nicholson
Arnoldi (the downtown is in his district)
Vander Leest

New to the council so who knows:

Nelson

So, based on what happened on May 17, this shouldn't be a problem, but I'm not going to assume anything with this council. If you live in Green Bay and happen to be reading this: CALL YOUR ALDERMAN, especially if you live in a district represented by Graves, Nicholson, Arnoldi, Vander Leest, or Nelson and tell them how important it is that the boardwalk plan move forward, that the council's approval of the plan has protected the tax payers, and that this development is vital to the continued progress in the downtown.

araman0

October 28th, 2005, 08:54 PM

Thanks for the detailed information. When will this go for a vote?

downtownVital.org

October 28th, 2005, 10:36 PM

The City Council meeting is this Tuesday, April 1, at 7:00 at city hall. This should be handled when they get to the agenda item onthe Report of the Improvment and Services Committee.

titletown

October 29th, 2005, 08:58 PM

Who votes for this Guy Zima? Its almost 2006 and we have useless people like that on the council. We need to get rid of this dead weight.

avissers

October 30th, 2005, 02:15 PM

City authority shifts parking ramp retail plans into drive

Bank drive-through already slotted for Green Bay garage

By Andy Behrendt

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/downtown/local_23146401.shtml

Plans to vitalize Green Bay’s traditional concept of a parking garage are ramping up.

The street level of the Cherry Street parking ramp completed this summer will become home to retail, service or dining outlets, along with a bank drive-through, along North Washington and East Walnut streets.

The city’s Economic Development Authority on Wednesday gave its nod to a plan laying out expectations for the properties, the sale of which will help pay for the roughly $9 million ramp.

“It’s pretty vital to have the look of activity,” said Allison Swanson, city Economic Development director, noting the goal is to bring in quick-hit traffic with the ground floor of the ramp due to become one- or two-hour parking.

One tenant is definite: a drive-through for Nicolet National Bank as included in its development agreement with the city for its new building across North Washington Street. The authority on Wednesday OK’d selling the ramp’s two northernmost units, accessible by traffic from North Washington Street, to the bank for $33 per square foot.

The city has agreed to sell Grubb & Ellis/Pfefferle the ramp’s two primary blocks of property near the corner of North Washington and East Walnut — 7,300 square feet on North Washington and 4,500 square feet along East Walnut, both of which can be subdivided. The cost in that deal would be between $33 and $35 per square foot, depending on when closing occurs.

In the declaration for the ramp’s condominium process — a technique designed to make the properties’ uses cohesive, Swanson said — the options for the units include salons, copy shops, music stores, coffee shops and restaurants with outdoor dining encouraged. National or retail chains are ideal, she said.

Swanson said she hoped for work to begin on the bank, as well as on the other properties, within the next 30 days. The authority’s recommendations hit the City Council on Tuesday.

avissers

October 30th, 2005, 02:22 PM

Who votes for this Guy Zima? Its almost 2006 and we have useless people like that on the council. We need to get rid of this dead weight.

Zima has been around for as long as I can remember. This is the reason why there should be term limits on Council Members.

weill

October 30th, 2005, 04:42 PM

glad to see green bay like this....

ReddAlert

October 30th, 2005, 06:42 PM

Who votes for this Guy Zima? Its almost 2006 and we have useless people like that on the council. We need to get rid of this dead weight.

plus, Zima is a weak drink too.

avissers

October 31st, 2005, 06:27 AM

I walked around downtown when I came up for my interview last week. I brought my prehistoric digital camera and snapped some shots.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=275614

Nothing great, but you know...

avissers

October 31st, 2005, 02:59 PM

Green Bay council to decide on downtown boardwalk

If you go, Green Bay’s City Council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Room 203 of City Hall, 100 N. Jefferson St.

Other projects contingent on $12M plan

By Andy Behrendt

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/biz_23171942.shtml

Some Green Bay officials want to go back to the drawing board and scratch a $12 million boardwalk system, even though projects planned nearby on the Fox River’s east bank would need the boardwalk plan to get rolling on the river soon.

Whether the plan will stay afloat — and with it a larger scheme for redevelopment east of the Fox River — will be up to the City Council on Tuesday.

“It’s got to happen. We’ve got 70, 80 to 90 million dollars of development based on the plan,” said Mayor Jim Schmitt, confident that the full complement of aldermen would make the next step. “We’ve gone through a lot of detail on this project, and there’s people who’ve made commitments based on our commitment. And now it’s time to move ahead.”

The City Council in May voted 10-2 to approval initial plans by StoSS Landscape Urbanism for the multiple boardwalks that step up and down to create overlooks and bring visitors closer to the water. But StoSS’s recent proposal to finalize the design will go before the council Tuesday without any endorsement from a committee of four aldermen.

“Most of what I hear from my constituents is they think it’s a waste of time and money, so I have to go with what they figure,” said near-east-side Alderman Gary Kreischer, chairman of the Improvement & Service Committee that on Oct. 25 voted 3-1 to file away the design proposal rather than act on it.

The Boston-based StoSS, working with several local contractors, proposes to prepare a final design with specifications for bidding for no more than $555,890, as funded by $1.4 million awarded to the city by the state this year. The planning would come at no moment too soon for riverfront developers.

Two weeks ago, John Vetter of Vetter Denk Architects told the council that preparation work on the boardwalk system may need to begin in the summer in order for it to be ready at the same time as his proposed $67 million River Center development at the site of the old Younkers building.

Seeking alternatives, the committee last week also directed city staff to estimate what it would cost to extend the existing riverside walkway between Walnut and Main streets an develop a request for other design proposals in the area, not to exceed $3 million.

Schmitt stressed that city residents’ property taxes would not fund the project. The City Council in May specified that no funds for the project would come from city’s general fund, instead paid for with a combination of tax-increment financing from projects along the river, state dollars and private donations.

----------------------------------

Nothing is ever going to be easy for Green Bay to move forward. There are always those on Council that want to leave their lasting impression by keeping Green Bay from making progress and changing the face of the City for the better. Maybe they should think about the positives for the City as a whole and future generations, rather than just themselves and their ego's for once. If this falls through, developers will continually shy away from trying to do something in downtown Green Bay.

Frustration will reign down tomorrow night if this fails. Mayor Schmitt better rally the troops. It's time for guys like Zima to go away to a City that would rather live in the 80's.

GBSurveyor

October 31st, 2005, 08:35 PM

plus, Zima is a weak drink too.

Do they still make that????

I finally made my first trip to the new ramp saturday night in search of some late night entertainment. I haven't went out on Washington Street for quite a while, so I was surprised when I started to drive up the ramp and not find an open stall untill the 6th floor!!!! I am sure that halloween had something to do with it, but I have not seen that many people out Downtown for years.

I walked around downtown when I came up for my interview last week. I brought my prehistoric digital camera and snapped some shots.

Avissers-
Were you interviewing for the Green Bay Planner I vacancy?

It seems like they haven't replaced any of the staff that has left in the last few years.

If so, I wish you well, we need more people like you around and thanks for keeping this thread active.

avissers

October 31st, 2005, 08:49 PM

Avissers-
Were you interviewing for the Green Bay Planner I vacancy?

It seems like they haven't replaced any of the staff that has left in the last few years.

If so, I wish you well, we need more people like you around and thanks for keeping this thread active.

Actually, it was for a Planner II (Zoning Specialist) position. The Staff directory on the City web site is somewhat out of date. The budget has hit the City hard so this year they will be going with three positions - the Director of Plannning (Rob Strong), Principal Planner (Bill Lockery), and the Planner II. The Planner I was eliminiated for this budget year. Who knows if that will come back.

Well, job in Green Bay or no job in Green Bay - that will always be my home and I will hope for the best.

avissers

October 31st, 2005, 09:08 PM

Some new pictures of the progress of the Riverfront Lofts Project as of 10/29/05.

http://www.loftsontheriver.com/

http://www.geocities.com/arvissers/RFL1234.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/arvissers/RFL12345.JPG

You can see out the back windows towards the buildings downtown. This is actually a very neat looking view.

http://www.geocities.com/arvissers/RF123.JPG

downtownVital.org

November 1st, 2005, 07:49 PM

avissers

November 1st, 2005, 08:27 PM

First off, there are a lot of people reading this thread, and it's a very good source of information about the downtown and a good record of the history of the riverfront developments. So to those who started the thread and continue to post to it, thanks!

I received an e-mail from Alderman Fradette yesterday after he read through this entire thread. He asked me to pass along that in his view, the funding for the boardwalk design should go through by a 9-3 or 8-4 vote. So that's good news.

In my view, looking towards the future hopefully we can maintain this margin and the plans will be allowed to develop without obstruction. It will still be important to maintian a large pesence of downtown supporters at the relevant council meetings, as the council will need to see how important this is to the community and how much support it has.

GO DOWNTOWN!!!

That is great news. However, I will not rest easy until I click on either www.wbay.com or www.wfrv.com and see the report from the meeting tonight. I hope I will rest easy with a smile after viewing that tonight.

I am glad that an alderman took time to read through this thread. I agree completely with downtownVital.org that as much as we may talk about development and want it to happen, it is up to us, as well as others who do not know about this thread, to get the word out there to drum up interest and support in development projects not only in downtown Green Bay, but in other areas of the City as well. A strong voice of the people needs to be heard at meetings where large projects and investments in the future of Green Bay will be voted on by our elected officials. I would love to be there, but alas I am in Texas.

This is truly an amazing time for Green Bay. Something I'm sure other cities will point to in the future and say "Now that is a success story"...

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - THANK YOU EVERYONE who views and posts on this thread.

:hug:

araman0

November 1st, 2005, 11:19 PM

^^ Those are also the two stations that I check regularly to keep up with Northern Wisconsin. (Although wfrv is by far the superior site). This thread is a gold mine filled with informative news on downtown, and I am also glad that everyone posts on these pages.

It would be a shame for the vote to not pass tonight. A while back if I remember correctly, everyone was for the new walkway. If anyone is against it now, I think they are more so against Vetter's developements rather than the walkway, and are playing their games by using the denial of the new walkway to try and stall Vetter's developements.

avissers

November 2nd, 2005, 03:46 AM

Boardwalk or Bust?

Action 2 News - By Elizabeth Ries

Green Bay's city council is expected to decide Tuesday night whether to move ahead with a boardwalk plan for the downtown riverfront.

Although most city alders agree something needs to be done to attract people downtown, they disagree on what needs to be done.

The $12 million boardwalk plan was chosen by the council last May but now, as a final vote approaches, alderman Earl Van Den Huevel is saying no.

"I don't think the people of Green Bay would pass the $12 million to spend on this boardwalk. I think people would be more comfortable spending five to seven million dollars," Van Den Huevel said.

He said he and his constituents want more choices. "We want to see some other drawings. We want to see some other types of costs where we're going to get more bang for our buck."

But not everyone wants to go back to the drawing board. Some alders worry if they ditch the boardwalk plans, developers who have since committed to downtown will ditch out as well.

"If we pull the rug out from under them, why wouldn't they want to just pick up their bags and move?" alderman Chris Wery phrased it.

Wery says the cost of the project would be covered by state money, private dollars, and TIF money from new businesses in the district. And, Wery said, his constituents are ready to go ahead with these plans.

"It's time to do this," Wery said. "There's so much excitement and energy down there. I haven't had anyone in my district say no, don't do this. I've had e-mails to the contrary."

-------------------------------------------

Council Votes On Green Bay's Boardwalk

Bill Walsh - WFRV-TV

The City of Green Bay's push to develop it's downtown continues tonight.... as the Boardwalk Plan for the Fox River goes before the Common Council.

Here's what's at stake tonight- A Milwaukee Architect wants to spend 12-million dollars to transform this area - from Main to Walnut Street into a huge Boardwalk with Piers and areas for the Public to gather.

The Council liked the plan in May and now it's time to put it's money where it's mouth is.

Tuesday night, the council is scheduled to vote on an agreement with Stoss Landscape Urbanism. The agreement would pay Stoss $555,000 to draw up the detailed design on the 12 million dollar Boardwalk Plan.

The Council approved that plan by a 10-2 vote back in May but now some Alderman are having second thoughts....

Alderman Zima told me he expects approval to come down to one or two swing votes.

If this Boardwalk project is killed or delayed, it could affect other multi-million dollar downtown projects like the Younkers building and Astor Place.