double post

An article ran in the GBPG a couple of days ago regarding a proposed Green Bay Packers Heritage Trail downtown. I thought the idea was interesting but was surprised by the negativity of some of the responses in the comment section attached to the article. I would think with all the positive things that have been happening downtown recently it would have been met with a more respective response.

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110802/GPG0101/108020468/-1/7daysarchives/Packers-Heritage-Trail-proposed-downtown-area

Hopefully this will liven up some discussion here.

Besides the obvious of Watermark opening, the mall and Day's Inn coming down and Schrieber HQ work beginning, what does everyone think will be the big storylines for next year? Another corperate HQ? Larsen project finally gets off the ground? Smaller projects that are energized by the Schrieber deal?

Personally, I am most hoping for new residential developments in the downtown area, giving more options for people to live downtown and provide more reasons for businesses to locate there.

Hopefully this will liven up some discussion here.

Besides the obvious of Watermark opening, the mall and Day's Inn coming down and Schrieber HQ work beginning, what does everyone think will be the big storylines for next year? Another corperate HQ? Larsen project finally gets off the ground? Smaller projects that are energized by the Schrieber deal?

Personally, I am most hoping for new residential developments in the downtown area, giving more options for people to live downtown and provide more reasons for businesses to locate there.

I think an announcement of another corporate HQ is realistic, but nothing done, probably not started yet at this time next year.. Probably/hopefully some smaller things going on. One thing that I think will/should happen is some small independent lunch/sandwich/deli time places on the east side of the river. We had a place in our building DT milwaukee that served lunch, then had wine/happy hour in the evening. Lots of people stopped in after work & it was always busy. A couple place like that, to keep people downtown past 5pm, would be good.

Along with residential, a grocery store would be good, but that's kind of a chicken/egg thing, so who knows how that will shake out..

couple things I've noticed in the last week or so.. Something is going up next to Townline on Lineville. "My sources say..." (hah) that it's going to be an Autozone. Just what we need...

Looks like as of this morning they're starting the planned "addition" to Festival on Lineville. The original renders showed a row of retail connected to the south side (between the building & Lineville) of Festival. This morning they had it all fenced off, so I think they're starting that project now.

Packerland Shell (corner of Packerland & 29) is coming down as we speak..

The building next to Townline is suppose to be anduzzis, they are relocating out there. also, look for menards in howard to tbe completed in the first quarter of next year

The building next to Townline is suppose to be anduzzis, they are relocating out there. also, look for menards in howard to tbe completed in the first quarter of next year


It seems really small to be something like that. I guess we'll see... Maybe I can snap a pic on the way home tonight & post it later..

An article ran in the GBPG a couple of days ago regarding a proposed Green Bay Packers Heritage Trail downtown. I thought the idea was interesting but was surprised by the negativity of some of the responses in the comment section attached to the article. I would think with all the positive things that have been happening downtown recently it would have been met with a more respective response.

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110802/GPG0101/108020468/-1/7daysarchives/Packers-Heritage-Trail-proposed-downtown-area

The press-gazette forum is nothing more than a competition to see who can be the most negative. That forum reflects so poorly on our community, it is shameful that the press-gazette allows many of those comments.

The press-gazette forum is nothing more than a competition to see who can be the most negative. That forum reflects so poorly on our community, it is shameful that the press-gazette allows many of those comments

couldn't agree more :(
Worse yet, you can't argue with them because they know it all right?

Anyways overall the Green Bay area is seeing and going to see a good amount of construction which is obviously awesome! (really looking forward to Schreiber, new Veterans clinic and Menards 3rd location). Really looking forward and up about all of this, oh and the possible baseball stadium!

and the possible biomass plant...jobs jobs jobs!!

and though in my personal opinion US41 will be a little OVER done (yet still does need fixing), this massive project will provide good jobs for the next few years as well.

It seems really small to be something like that. I guess we'll see... Maybe I can snap a pic on the way home tonight & post it later..


Snapped a couple pics last night & one this morning, but realizing now that flickr is firewalled at work. d'oh! I'll can add them tonight from home, but I did see this morning that there is a "coming soon - anduzzi's" sign up on Lineville, but it's next to Shopko Express, ACROSS from the building that's currenty going up (that I was told will be Autozone)

I think an announcement of another corporate HQ is realistic, but nothing done, probably not started yet at this time next year.. Probably/hopefully some smaller things going on. One thing that I think will/should happen is some small independent lunch/sandwich/deli time places on the east side of the river. We had a place in our building DT milwaukee that served lunch, then had wine/happy hour in the evening. Lots of people stopped in after work & it was always busy. A couple place like that, to keep people downtown past 5pm, would be good.

Along with residential, a grocery store would be good, but that's kind of a chicken/egg thing, so who knows how that will shake out..


I wouldn't be surprised if Associated still makes a move downtown. When I worked there last year they were talking about consolidating all of their locations - similar to what Schreiber's doing.

Other things I'd like to see - defintely more residential options (or ideas in some of the vacant / less populated areas on the east side of the river). Middle-class apartments and condos (not the ones that start at $200k). I'd also like to see some places like Dunkin Donuts, Chipotle, TGI Fridays DT - could help add more consistent traffic in the area.

It is so depressing to read the comments on the Press-gazette sometimes. And the few times I have posted on there it seems to fall on deaf errors.

The press-gazette forum is nothing more than a competition to see who can be the most negative. That forum reflects so poorly on our community, it is shameful that the press-gazette allows many of those comments.

It is so depressing to read the comments on the Press-gazette sometimes. And the few times I have posted on there it seems to fall on deaf errors.

I just wrote a letter to the editor earlier this week. If they publish it, I fully expect to be told in the comments section what an idiot I am. And a communist too. But that wouldn't stop me from writing a letter if I felt I had something to say and kept the letter fair-minded. Can't give in to the bullies of the world.

By the way, I've been going over this week (again) whether to continue posting the daily summaries of local development news (and sometimes local history). They're meant to supplement what others post here and, once in a while, maybe even provide a topic for discussion. But the summaries often seem to get in the way, discouraging others from posting. So I've come up with a compromise. Unless people tell me to shut up or do otherwise, I'll post a maximum six news bits nightly (usually). Maybe others can post news too when they come across it. I'll include images when good ones are there.

I just wrote a letter to the editor earlier this week. If they publish it, I fully expect to be told in the comments section what an idiot I am. And a communist too. But that wouldn't stop me from writing a letter if I felt I had something to say and kept the letter fair-minded. Can't give in to the bullies of the world.

By the way, I've been going over this week (again) whether to continue posting the daily summaries of local development news (and sometimes local history). They're meant to supplement what others post here and, once in a while, maybe even provide a topic for discussion. But the summaries often seem to get in the way, discouraging others from posting. So I've come up with a compromise. Unless people tell me to shut up or do otherwise, I'll post a maximum six news bits nightly (usually). Maybe others can post news too when they come across it. I'll include images when good ones are there.

Tower-I would like to thank you for the time and effort that you take looking up and posting the daily news on this board. I check out our thread a couple of times a day and always look forward to the updates that you provide. Undoubtedly, this is time consuming and takes away from your daily schedule. The sacrifice in time that you make gives myself and I am sure others on here something to look forward to everyday and I really appreciate the effort!

With that said, it has been a bit slow here lately. I have been thinking a lot lately about what may happen in the future and have been digging for any new information or nuggets myself. I know that the Mayor has said that he has been talking to two prospective businesses about relocating to downtown and would like for one to commit before years end. I believe that it was said that one was from in-state and the other outside. I know that Kohl's is looking to build a new corporate headquarters and the city of Milwaukee is trying to pry it away from Menominee Falls. Though it would be very cool, I doubt this is who Mayor Schmitt is referring to. Hopefully Associated Bank will commit to downtown.

-I thought that Phase II of the CityDeck was supposed to start this summer. Maybe fall?

-I listened to the RDA minutes last night and Jeff Mirkes mentioned that they are seeing a increased demand for quality one to two bedroom apartments for young professionals wanting to be downtown. I hope this leads to some nice infill-especially on the east side. I could see something similar to this being very popular:




Article Here:
http://www.jsonline.com/business/126559853.html

-Has there been any more news on the potential Larsen Lofts project? Maybe that is something we could see in the next year.

-I think Tower mentioned a possible $23 million dollar development happening down the road. I am very intrigued by that. I understand that you cannot say anything but I am curious if it has at least been talked about on here before, the likelihood of this happening, when we may see this happen and if this will be a new project? :)

-Hopefully the Packers and the stadium district will have some grand plans and we will hear more by the end of the year. I really wish/hope that we can still get Bass Pro Shops. Speaking of the district is Anduzzi's moving out of the area to Lineville or just adding another location?

-From the sounds of the RDA meeting, I took the Bullfrogs Riverfront project as being non-existant. It sounds like nothing has brought forward in months.

-Has Schreiber selected a architect? It would be interesting to know who they are and what type of work they have done. I pray this building will be an attractive landmark.

I am just rambling and thinking about what we may have to look forward to in the future!

Broadway District. PG coverage of this year's Taste on Broadway, held yesterday. Typically attracts some 18,000 people. Thirty-one food vendors participated this year. Press-Gazette photo. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110805/GPG0101/108050557/Thousands-sample-little-Taste-Broadway?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Cimg%7CFRONTPAGE and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110731/GPG04/107310618/-1/7daysarchives/Foodies-unite-Taste-Broadway

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde8-1.jpg

Downtown. Here are some images from the Packers Heritage Trail article posted earlier this week by Bay2Bay.

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde6.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde4-1.jpg

Downtown. Fifteen new bike racks have been installed downtown - 11 of them on or just off N. & S. Washington St. - thanks to DGBI. Each can accommodate two bikes. Press-Gazette map. DGBI photo. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110803/GPG0101/108030593/Downtown-Green-Bay-gets-more-bike-friendly

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde1-1.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/205898_10150246911428595_39473118594_7550958_7746483_n1.jpg

Downtown. Feature article published last Sunday on the first bank in the U.S. west of Detroit - the Bank of Wisconsin (ca. 1835-38), located downtown on Chicago St. between S. Washington and S. Adams. The bank building later burned down, but some currency and the bank's vault doors and key are at the Neville. The historical marker below is on the Cadillac Square building at S. Washington & Chicago. GB Historic Preservation Commission photo. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110731/GPG06/107310572/-1/7daysarchives/Overspeculation-leads-downfall-first-bank-west-Detroit-located-Green-Bay

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/BankOfWisconsin21.jpg

Tower-I would like to thank you for the time and effort that you take looking up and posting the daily news on this board. I check out our thread a couple of times a day and always look forward to the updates that you provide. Undoubtedly, this is time consuming and takes away from your daily schedule. The sacrifice in time that you make gives myself and I am sure others on here something to look forward to everyday and I really appreciate the effort! Hey, thanks Morse!!

With that said, it has been a bit slow here lately. I have been thinking a lot lately about what may happen in the future and have been digging for any new information or nuggets myself. I know that the Mayor has said that he has been talking to two prospective businesses about relocating to downtown and would like for one to commit before years end. I believe that it was said that one was from in-state and the other outside. I know that Kohl's is looking to build a new corporate headquarters and the city of Milwaukee is trying to pry it away from Menominee Falls. Though it would be very cool, I doubt this is who Mayor Schmitt is referring to. Hopefully Associated Bank will commit to downtown. One of the two I'm thinking probably is Associated, not sure of the other. Hope the new economic unrest doesn't squelch any potential plans.

-I thought that Phase II of the CityDeck was supposed to start this summer. Maybe fall? Haven't seen anything there yet.

-I listened to the RDA minutes last night and Jeff Mirkes mentioned that they are seeing a increased demand for quality one to two bedroom apartments for young professionals wanting to be downtown. I hope this leads to some nice infill-especially on the east side. I could see something similar to this being very popular:

Article Here:
http://www.jsonline.com/business/126559853.html

-Has there been any more news on the potential Larsen Lofts project? Maybe that is something we could see in the next year. No news reported.

-I think Tower mentioned a possible $23 million dollar development happening down the road. I am very intrigued by that. I understand that you cannot say anything but I am curious if it has at least been talked about on here before, the likelihood of this happening, when we may see this happen and if this will be a new project? :) My guess, just a guess, is that it's the convention center expansion. But there's some disagreement about how the expansion could be paid for. Will post an article next time.

-Hopefully the Packers and the stadium district will have some grand plans and we will hear more by the end of the year. I really wish/hope that we can still get Bass Pro Shops. Speaking of the district is Anduzzi's moving out of the area to Lineville or just adding another location? Lambeau Field should be hopping with construction next year.

-From the sounds of the RDA meeting, I took the Bullfrogs Riverfront project as being non-existant. It sounds like nothing has brought forward in months. If anything's to be built, it most likely won't happen this year or at least the first half of next, it looks like.

-Has Schreiber selected a architect? It would be interesting to know who they are and what type of work they have done. I pray this building will be an attractive landmark. Nothing reported yet.

I am just rambling and thinking about what we may have to look forward to in the future!
_____

The press-gazette forum is nothing more than a competition to see who can be the most negative. That forum reflects so poorly on our community, it is shameful that the press-gazette allows many of those comments.

I mainly just stop in there when there is something about Green Bay in the PG regarding Green Bay just to see how negative they get. It is really annoying to see the constant negative post from the same people.

ok, finally had the opportunity to get those pics..

something's starting next to Festival..
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/6016389825_6cf9c886fd_b.jpg


North side of Lineville, next to Townline (supposedly Autozone)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6021/6016389183_5980bb73a9_b.jpg


South Side of Lineville, next to Shopko Express
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6022/6016388525_828af9e438_b.jpg


Something I found while looking for these - a sign in the gift shop at the Omaha airport..
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/6016939834_07ffd63d9f_b.jpg

Lodging. The Green Bay Area Room Tax Commission has recommended increasing the room tax in Brown County from 8% to 10% to provide funding for the Convention & Visitors Bureau to market tourism. The proposal will require approval from seven municipalities with hotels. For its part, Green Bay wants half of the new room-tax money to help fund a planned $18.6 million expansion of the KI Convention Center. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110804/GPG0101/108040563/-1/7daysarchives/10-Brown-County-hotel-room-tax-endorsed

Biomass Plant. The proposed trash-recycling energy plant off I-43 would not significantly harm public health or the environment, the U.S. Department of Energy says in a preliminary evaluation of the project. DOE says the 60,000-sf facility would produce emissions, odors and noise but would comply with pollution limits and not jeopardize public health. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110804/GPG0101/108040553/-1/7daysarchives/Green-Bay-biomass-plant-will-safe-feds-say

Fox River. Georgia-Pacific paper-mill operations in Green Bay will continue working under a 2010 state water-pollution-discharge permit until the DNR reviews an EPA ruling that the agency's water-permit system doesn't meet federal standards. The local Clean Water Action Council has contended for years that GP discharges too much mercury and phosphorous into the Fox River. The DNR expects to complete its review of the EPA ruling by Oct. 15. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110729/GPG0101/110729097/Environmental-Protection-Agency-tells-Wisconsin-DNR-doesn-t-meet-federal-water-standards

Great Lakes. No Asian carp were found last week in four days of stepped-up monitoring of two Chicago-area waterways inland of Lake Michigan. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110805/GPG0101/108050559/-1/7daysarchives/Feds-find-no-Asian-carp-4-day-hunt-near-Chicago

Green Bay Metro. Plans to begin free bus service during Packer home games. According to WLUK, four major routes would operate starting five hours before a game and ending three hours after. An additional "Lambeau Leap" route would be in service for night games and operate between Austin Straubel airport/the Radisson Hotel and Lambeau Field. More details expected later this week. http://greenbaymetro.blogspot.com/ and http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/new-bus-service-offered-on-game-days

NEW Zoo. Construction has started on a new $1.1 million education building at the NEW Zoo, with completion expected by next spring. The new facility will complement the zoo's existing administrative building, built in 1953. The NEW Zoo attracts more than 250,000 visitors annually. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/groundbreaking-at-the-new-zoo and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110731/GPG0101/107310577/NEW-Zoo-Suamico-breaks-ground-education-building

H.C. Prange Co. Henry C. Prange, former chairman and CEO of the H.C. Prange Co. - forerunner of Younkers in Green Bay - and grandson of the company's founder has died in Florida. The department-store chain was headquartered in Sheboygan but Green Bay was its largest store. Prange's later expanded into discount stores and boutiques. Postcard image from Packerland Annals showing the Green Bay store in 1955 before major expansions and exterior remodeling. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110804/GPG03/108040538/-1/7daysarchives/Former-H-C-Prange-Co-CEO-dies and http://packerland.blogspot.com/2007/10/pranges-in-1955.html

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/PrangesDepartmentStore19551.jpg

Packers Heritage Trail. Some video coverage. The first historical markers could go up as early as this fall. http://www.wbay.com/story/15197196/2011/08/02/packers-beat-writer-raising-funds-for-packers-heritage-trail

Highway 41. While construction continues on the Scheuring Road interchange and the Highway 29 interchange area, the Highway 41 reconstruction project has now expanded to overpasses and underpasses at Glory Road in Ashwaubenon and Larsen Road and Ninth Street in Green Bay plus culvert projects in several locations. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110804/GPG0101/108040560/-1/7daysarchives/Glory-Road-bridge-over-U-S-41-could-come-down-today

Austin Straubel. Contributed $112 million to the local and state economy in 2010, according to a study released by the state Department of Transportation. Meanwhile, the airport is unsure whether the recent temporary FAA shutdown will delay the construction of a new rescue and firefighting facility in the final planning stages and set to be bid this month. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110804/GPG03/108040534/-1/7daysarchives/Green-Bay-airport-contributes-112M-local-state-economy and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110804/GPG0101/108040551/-1/7daysarchives/FAA-shutdown-delays-Green-Bay-airport-projects-not-travel

Post Office. The Postal Service says it still plans to close its Oshkosh regional processing center and consolidate operations in Green Bay beginning in October despite a federal audit concluding the Oshkosh facility has more space, is more efficient and more cost-effective to operate. The audit was requested by Rep. Tom Petri of Fond du Lac. The Postal Service disagrees with the audit's conclusions but will look again at the capacity of its Green Bay plant on Packerland Drive. USPS also says Green Bay is better positioned geographically to service the area and handles more business customers/mail. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110803/GPG0101/108030597/-1/7daysarchives/Audit-looks-Green-Bay-Oshkosh-post-office-merger and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110806/GPG0101/108060569/-1/7daysarchives/U-S-Representative-Petri-urges-Postal-Service-stop-consolidation and http://www.wbay.com/story/15197242/2011/08/02/mail-audit-finds-green-bay-facility-less-efficient-than-oshkosh

Titletown Brewing Co. Speaking of bike racks, a bike rack has been stolen from Titletown Brewing Co. Brent Weycker thinks it either was thrown into the Fox River or, more likely, sold for scrap. Outdoor benches also have been stolen from the restaurant in the past. Any future bike rack will be anchored down, Weycker says. Free beer offered as a reward for any information. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/reward-free-beer-for-stolen-bike-rack

Hi all, sorry I've been rather silent lately. I HAVE been reading what you all write here--so I haven't dropped off this thread---I just haven't been posting as much lately and it's been fun to hear what you all have to say.

A couple of things I would like to say:

1) Another reminder to complete the most recent downtown survey
(http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/downtowngbconsumersurvey)

2) it is nice to hear that a developer seems interested in putting in some sort of townhome/rowhouse type development downtown...this is something that does indeed have a market for some people IMO and we're sorely lacking anything like it.

3) Boy oh boy I hope this latest round of market turmoil doesn't once again derail the pending projects. I'd be interested to hear your opinions on this and how it relates to the city's pending projects.

4) The folks putting events together downtown are really doing an "A+" job. Taste of Broadway received recognition all over the region, as has the farmer's market (which I believe to be one of the best in the state IMO). Art Street is always a winner. "Dine on the Deck" is super and getting better. So many other events...unfortunately I just have not had the chance to get to many of them.

5) What do you guys think of this idea: "Trolley Days". Here's how it works: Take those 2 existing trolleys that Metro has, find a few more to borrow from another city or wherever , and just get them looping around the downtown -- with frequent stops--stopping at various points on both sides of the river and also Old Main. Maybe do this during a Packer home game and have them going out to Lambeau area as well to bring more people downtown. Advertise the hell out of it and make sure people know it's happening, and that the trolley loops will be made such that they're easy to use and FREQUENT enough to let people come/go to different places as they please. Being free would be a bonus. I think there are a lot of people who come into town for Packer games who would be interested in seeing what downtown has to offer, but aren't comfortable driving down themselves, or dealing with any perceived parking problems, and arent' sure where to go anyway even if they did drive down there. Having the trolley going would alleviate any of those inhibitions and just get people down there.
^^I did see that the metro bus is going to be doing something like this for packer games, which is nice and spurred this idea; however, I think this needs to be expanded greatly upon: It needs to be more than just immediately before and after games for one. It has to be a whole weekend of frequent runs and stops at various points all around downtown--a few spots along Broadway, Washington St, Old Main, and so on. Frequency is key IMO.

ps) This is pretty much the best time to live in Green Bay...the summer is so nice, especially late summer and early fall. The town's world champions are gearing up, there are so many activities going on...it's great.

Downtown. As Puant says, a new downtown survey is being conducted by DGBI. Ends Aug. 29. Some more info here. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110807/GPG03/108070609/-1/7daysarchives/Richard-Ryman-column-How-do-you-feel-about-downtown-Green-Bay-

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/9008e179-0c9a-4b71-8243-2f13c02fe4e8.gif

Downtown. Mayor Schmitt will give a "Downtown Walk and Talk" on Tuesday Aug. 16 for downtown residents and interested citizens. Walk starts at the City Hall parking lot at 5:30 p.m. http://campaignbox.imagedistillery.com/t/ViewEmail/r/EB48CDAAC64C35C5/BFE5868C711383222438807772DD75D1

UWGB. Will have a record number of students living on campus this fall, with 2,030 accepted for campus housing. Last year the total fall headcount at UWGB was 6,636 students. http://wearegreenbay.com/fulltext?nxd_id=7517 and http://www.uwgb.edu/oira/enrollment/

Packers. More on the Packers' efforts to trademark the name "Titletown." The team also own trademarks for the names Lambeau Field and Packers and for its "G" symbol. The Packers say they have become more attentive to protecting their Titletown trademark, and indications are the team could use the name in its development of property around Lambeau Field. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110807/GPG03/108070610/-1/7daysarchives/Packers-protect-their-Titletown-trademark

Resch Center. County Executive Troy Streckenbach says not enough money is being spent each year on maintenance of the Resch Center, and PMI says repairs and upgrades are below industry standards. In the last five years, the county has allocated from a maintenance account $226,500 for seven capital and repair projects at the center. More work is needed. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110807/GPG0101/108070641/-1/7daysarchives/Not-even-10-years-old-Resch-Center-risks-becoming-outdated

Green Bay Metro. Metro Director Tom Wittig says it's premature to suggest GBM faces any big upcoming funding shortfall. The transit system has received $2.5 million in federal funds this year, and Wittig says there's no reason to think the amount will be reduced. New bus routes set to begin Sept. 6. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110807/GPG0602/108070632/1269/GPG06/Editorial-Time-right-explore-future-Green-Bay-transit

I read in the PG today that the Zippin Pippin at the end of the day Sunday, had 310,778 riders so far for the year......wonder how the PG naysayers will twist this into "failure".

after all this time, I just realized that I could get email notifications. I need to reply to be able to subscribe (as far as I can tell), so please disregard this..

Lambeau Field. Looks like another big concert is coming to Lambeau Field, apparently in the stadium's east parking-lot area. The free performance is being planned by the NFL and will be held sometime before the Packer-Saints game on Thursday Sept. 8 opening the league's 2011 season. Last year's NFL season-opening concert in New Orleans featured the Dave Matthews Band and Taylor Swift. http://wearegreenbay.com/fulltext?nxd_id=6767

Bullfrogs. Item on tomorrow's Economic Development Authority agenda: 2. Discussion and action on a request by Ald. Dorff, Wery and Zima to continue the progress started by the Redevelopment Authority to work with Titletown Entertainment Foundation and the Mayor’s Office to develop funding for a baseball stadium/entertainment complex/publicly accessible park that would have minimal impact on the City’s general fund. This item was referred to the EDA by the Common Council on April 6, 2011. http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mins_agd/

Mental Health Center. The County Board's Executive Committee says the county should do more to market and sell the former Mental Health Center before deciding to spend an estimated $1.5 million to demolish the facility. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110809/GPG0101/108090484/County-still-seeks-buyer-old-mental-health-center?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Downtown De Pere. Video on the De Pere Riverwalk. The project will consist of a scenic walkway, viewing pier, fishing deck and pedestrian-bridge construction along and between Voyageur Park and Government Island. Says here the city hopes to break ground by next spring. http://www.wbay.com/story/15196670/2011/08/02/de-pere-moves-forward-with-one-of-a-kind-riverwalk

Downtown De Pere. A three-month trial period of testing energy-efficient lights on the Claude Allouez Bridge provided by four different vendors is coming to an end. The city hopes energy-efficient lights on the bridge can be permanently installed by 2012. Press-Gazette photo. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110806/GPG0101/108060564/-1/7daysarchives/Test-LED-lights-De-Pere-bridge-coming-end-soon

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde4-2.jpg

Zippin Pippin. Picking up on the post by gbmphillips, night rides began last night at the Zippin Pippin following installation of lighting. Press-Gazette photo. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110809/GPG0101/108090465/Zippin-Pippin-roller-coaster-lights-up-night?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE and http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/zippin-pippin-takes-off-at-night

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Tonight, Wednesday Aug 10th the Tank and Seymour Park Neighborhoods are holding a informational meeting regarding the proposed multi-use sports and entertainment complex "Sporting Grounds of Titletown" at Our Place Family Restaurant, South Broadway 6pm everyone is invited. Bullfrogs Owner and President Jeff Royle will discuss the project and answer questions.

...5) What do you guys think of this idea: "Trolley Days". Here's how it works: Take those 2 existing trolleys that Metro has, find a few more to borrow from another city or wherever , and just get them looping around the downtown -- with frequent stops--stopping at various points on both sides of the river and also Old Main. Maybe do this during a Packer home game and have them going out to Lambeau area as well to bring more people downtown. Advertise the hell out of it and make sure people know it's happening, and that the trolley loops will be made such that they're easy to use and FREQUENT enough to let people come/go to different places as they please. Being free would be a bonus. I think there are a lot of people who come into town for Packer games who would be interested in seeing what downtown has to offer, but aren't comfortable driving down themselves, or dealing with any perceived parking problems, and arent' sure where to go anyway even if they did drive down there. Having the trolley going would alleviate any of those inhibitions and just get people down there.
^^I did see that the metro bus is going to be doing something like this for packer games, which is nice and spurred this idea; however, I think this needs to be expanded greatly upon: It needs to be more than just immediately before and after games for one. It has to be a whole weekend of frequent runs and stops at various points all around downtown--a few spots along Broadway, Washington St, Old Main, and so on. Frequency is key IMO.

ps) This is pretty much the best time to live in Green Bay...the summer is so nice, especially late summer and early fall. The town's world champions are gearing up, there are so many activities going on...it's great.

Twenty years ago the city in California where I lived had this service that basically ran weekdays 11am to 2pm. It allowed downtown workers pay .50 a ride and we were able to get to any dining business in the region efficiently without getting in a car. The buses ran every 10 minutes. It was a great way to keep people from going home for lunch and keep the cash flowing downtown. I wish we would do that. I work downtown and would take it to Ashwaubenon for lunch if it was timely.

Downtown Area. One of the dozen or so historic downtown-area churches — Union Congregational United Church of Christ at 716 S. Madison St. — is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year. Union was organized Sept. 21, 1835 through the efforts of Green Bay merchant William Mitchell, starting as a Presbyterian church, later changing to Congregational, still later to United Church of Christ. Its first actual service was in 1836 at the Fort Howard Hospital. The current Neogothic Revival church building was constructed in 1929, is located across from St. James Park and is part of the Astor Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places. GB Historic Preservation Commission photos. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110805/GPG0406/108050516/-1/7daysarchives/Union-Congregational-UCC-celebrates-colorful-history and http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/HistoricPreservation/2008_awards.html

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/716SMadison.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/DSC02912.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/DSC02917.jpg
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Washington Commons. Requests for bids to demolish Washington Commons — including the former J.C. Penney store — could go out in September or October. Construction on the Schreiber project expected to start next year, with a 2014 completion. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110810/GPG03/108100551/1247/gpg03/Green-Bay-RDA-discusses-Washington-Commons-mall-razing

Downtown. Oneida Casino Ticket Star is adding its first ticketing outlet downtown, at the Daily Buzz in the Bellin Building. The cafe is open 6-8 M-F and 8-3 Sat. & Sun. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110810/GPG03/108100552/1247/gpg03/Oneida-Casino-Ticket-Star-open-downtown-Green-Bay-location

Bullfrogs. Last night again pulled into sole possession of first place in the Northwoods League season's second half with a doubleheader victory over La Crosse. The doubleheader drew 2,103 fans, the team's third highest attendance in its five-year history. With five games to go — including two home games this weekend — the Bullfrogs this year are averaging 1,187 fans per game, on a par with previous seasons. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110810/GPG0206/108100508/Northwoods-League-Bullfrogs-win-pair-build-2-game-lead?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|GPG-Sports and http://www.greenbaybullfrogs.com/news/index.html?article_id=368

Bellevue Village Board rejects commercial, residential building project at Huron, Willow roads

BELLEVUE — Dozens of comments from citizens Wednesday helped convince the Bellevue Village Board to halt a proposed residential development at Huron and Willow roads.

The board voted 5-0 to reject a request to create a planned-development district that would have included a 102-unit apartment complex as well as business and single-family residential development. People living in the area targeted for development lobbied board members to reject the project during an hour-long public hearing Wednesday, with some insisting that it would create traffic problems and reduce the value of existing houses.

"Apartment buildings belong where they belong, and that's not by a church or by single-family homes," resident Kelly Phillips said.

A company called Cottage Road Development LLC sought approval to develop 17.2 acres of apartments, 16.7 acres of single-family houses and three acres of businesses at the intersection, which is between agricultural and residential areas of the village west of Prince of Peace Catholic church. Approval Wednesday likely would not have resulted in actual construction, but would have allowed the project to continue through an approval process.

Board President Craig Beyl acknowledged that the proposal had positive aspects, but agreed with 14 speakers who raised concerns about traffic.

"The current road," he said, "cannot handle this project."

Tina Bunker of Cottage Road Development said the development would appeal to seniors and others who can't "afford to own detached homes" in the village. She said the developer had intended to have someone else construct the dwellings; no timetable was mentioned.

About 100 people packed the village hall for the hearing. A steady stream paraded to the microphone to say that they moved to Bellevue to escape high-density development.

"How many apartments do we need?" Jeanne Moore, a 40-year Bellevue resident, asked to applause from the public. The village now has more than 1,800 rental units, with several hundred more planned.

The village's chief planner, Community Development Director Andrew Vissers, said at the beginning of the meeting that the proposal was consistent with Bellevue's comprehensive plan. The village expects to continue growing, and wants to manage the growth responsibly.

"Over time," he said, "the entire village will develop as something other than agricultural uses."

I have mixed emotions on this. I live in Bellevue and want it to keep growing, and their comprehensive plan does call for this type of development, and its even good mixed use development. Even the church nearby doesn't have a problem with it. But of course I have to ask why this development isn't being built downtown.

I have mixed emotions on this. I live in Bellevue and want it to keep growing, and their comprehensive plan does call for this type of development, and its even good mixed use development. Even the church nearby doesn't have a problem with it. But of course I have to ask why this development isn't being built downtown.

Rant coming...

Comments like, "how many apartments do we need?" just shows ignorance. You see this sort of thing all the time, & it's nothing more than an attempt to disguise NIMBY. How many do you need? Well, as many as the market dictates that you need. Developers aren't buildng apartment complexes without doing research on whether they will be full. Why not say what you really mean - "I don't want them near me".

This sounds an awful lot like the "health concerns" over wind farms.....

Rant coming...

Comments like, "how many apartments do we need?" just shows ignorance. You see this sort of thing all the time, & it's nothing more than an attempt to disguise NIMBY. How many do you need? Well, as many as the market dictates that you need. Developers aren't buildng apartment complexes without doing research on whether they will be full. Why not say what you really mean - "I don't want them near me".

This sounds an awful lot like the "health concerns" over wind farms.....

This proposed complex isn't that far from me. I moved to AVOID the problems that apartment's usually generate. Just like I don't want a strip club, bar, industrial business...blah blah blah... I don't want a apartment complex.

I know many people that live in apartments are fine. But like many apartment's, they start out nice, then in 10-20 years they turn into a dump that attracts problems. By having a apartment building in my back yard, it affects my property value. If crime goes up in the area, it affects property value. There is nothing wrong with people speaking up freely. I used to live in apartments, I have nothing against those people. But I see nothing wrong with property owners & long time residents speaking their mind. I'm glad it failed. And yes "I don't like them near me". Referring to apartments.

This proposed complex isn't that far from me. I moved to AVOID the problems that apartment's usually generate. Just like I don't want a strip club, bar, industrial business...blah blah blah... I don't want a apartment complex.

I know many people that live in apartments are fine. But like many apartment's, they start out nice, then in 10-20 years they turn into a dump that attracts problems. By having a apartment building in my back yard, it affects my property value. If crime goes up in the area, it affects property value. There is nothing wrong with people speaking up freely. I used to live in apartments, I have nothing against those people. But I see nothing wrong with property owners & long time residents speaking their mind. I'm glad it failed. And yes "I don't like them near me". Referring to apartments.

I was going to respond to this & then read something very similar in the PG forum, actually (which I thought was funny, since most of the comments are usually so moronic & negative)..

When we sold our house a couple years ago, we temporarily moved into an apartment, in Suamico. The complex was a mix of renters & owners, that purchased the units as condos. It was surrounded by a mix of single family homes, duplexes, & townhome/condos - basically a complete mix of renting/vs owning & different types of structures. It nice, well-kept, quiet, ZERO issues. I think these types of developments are becoming more common. Thinking about other cities I've visited over the years in my travels for work, I've seen a lot of bigger cities that have the main downtown area, but out in the 'burbs, have what I would call a "town center" - restaurants, retail, dr. offices, etc. Around those are a mix of different types of housing. It makes sense, I think it's just something that's not familiar in this area, & therefore "scary". Just like roundabouts.....

p.s.

nightrider, this isn't directed at you per se, just my opinion. I think that when you get the "shantytown" areas that are apartment complexes & nothing else, you can definitely run into the issues you've described, but a well-designed, convenient area (similar to what we've talked about here with regard to downtown living) will attract a crowd that hopefully won't let the stuff you're describing happen.

p.s.

nightrider, this isn't directed at you per se, just my opinion. I think that when you get the "shantytown" areas that are apartment complexes & nothing else, you can definitely run into the issues you've described, but a well-designed, convenient area (similar to what we've talked about here with regard to downtown living) will attract a crowd that hopefully won't let the stuff you're describing happen.

It's ok if it's directed at me. While in 20 years I would love to live in the atmosphere you described, I am not ready for that now. One mans dream is another's nightmare. Not everyone wants a big community center out there in the country. Democracy worked as intended, down the road if another developer comes in with a better plan and better educates people ahead of time, things might be different. If people hear "Apartments coming soon" and that's it. Not a chance that's going to pass.

I might even support that plan now, I just wasn't sold on it. I live further east so I actually have no say what happens in Bellevue. The entire area of Huron at Mason/JJ/29 has huge potential. I hope future developement isn't hodge podge & only quality projects. Bellevue seems to be doing a good job so far in the area of Huron & JJ.

Regarding the apartment complex, communities need to have zoning laws in place that are easy for the average citizen to understand. That way they know what the area is when they buy into it. When my mother reached her 80's she sold her home and moved into one of the apartment complexes owned and managed by Toonan. The property was lovely, the structures built around ponds, and were better maintained then many of the single home properties in the GB area.

Green Bay Metro. Formally announced today at a well-covered press conference its new bus service on Packer game days and nights. As I understand it, regular service on regular routes for weeknight games will be extended to 1 a.m., and Sunday games will have four routes serving Lambeau Field. Sunday routes begin five hours before and end three hours after a game. At least the Sunday service is free; not certain whether preseason games are included. It's been decades since Green Bay passenger buses had routes running through the metro area to and from Lambeau Field on game days. Some years back park-and-ride service was provided for certain games - drivers could park at places like Bay Beach and then bus to Lambeau. That service was discontinued.
- Routes here (click on icons): http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/transit/packerroutes.html
- 17-minute video of today's press conference here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Green-Bay-Metro/112541541663
- More here: http://greenbaymetro.blogspot.com/ and http://wearegreenbay.com/fulltext?nxd_id=8567 and
http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/green-bay-metro-bus-system-adds-new-routes-for-packers-gamedays and http://www.wbay.com/story/15253013/2011/08/11/new-bus-routes-for-packers-home-games and http://www.nbc26.com/news/local/127558653.html

Bullfrogs. The EDA yesterday discussed a new Bullfrogs stadium but took no action on the matter. http://www.wbay.com/story/15247454/2011/08/11/city-officials-discuss-building-new-bullfrogs-stadium

St. James Park. After 30 years, Grammy-winning blues guitarist Billy Flynn and his family and friends will play their last once-a-year Blues in the Park concert Sunday in St. James Park. The concert runs from 1 to 5 p.m. The Flynns plan on moving to Milwaukee. Press-Gazette photo. http://greenbayhub.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110811/GPG0502/110810180/Kendra-Meinert-column-Flynn-family-packs-up-Blues-Park?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

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Downtown. Video about the DGBI downtown survey that's now under way. http://wearegreenbay.com/search-fulltext?nxd_id=8497

Stadium District. The Press-Gazette says rumored names popping up on Twitter for the NFL's season-opening concert before the Packers-Saints game at Lambeau include Kid Rock and the Black Eyed Peas. Space outside the Resch Center and by the Veterans Memorial could be used for the concert. An announcement is expected later this month. http://greenbayhub.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110811/GPG0502/110811046/Kid-Rock-Black-Eyed-Peas-rumored-play-before-opening-Packers-game?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE plus http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/Buzz-over-Packers-kickoff-concert

Appleton FYI. Allegiant is adding twice-weekly service between Appleton and Phoenix/Mesa beginning in November. The airline already has similar service at Outagamie County Regional Airport to Las Vegas and Orlando. Allegiant flew from Austin Straubel from 2005 to 2008, then moved its flights to Appleton. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110811/GPG03/308120022/1247/Allegiant-adds-nonstop-jet-service-from-Appleton-Phoenix

Regarding the apartment complex, communities need to have zoning laws in place that are easy for the average citizen to understand. That way they know what the area is when they buy into it.
The zoning was in place, the village had a comprehensive plan (which I'm almost certain that not many people took the time to speak up or even show up at the public hearings). Its a huge problem in this area for sure, take the Military roundabouts. I attended an open house very early in the design process that was very poorly attended, there were maybe 10 people, who were in overwhelming support for the roundabouts. So that design was approved and advanced in the planning stage to the preconstruction discovery that the evil roundabouts were going to be built.

How are community's supposed follow an orderly development pattern whereas the comprehensive plan is in place but is not followed. I do understand that its only a plan, and is intended to be very generalized, but NIMBYS shouldn't deter the development solely on the premise that they don't like change...

by now I'm assuming most have taken the downtown survey. It feels like whoever put the housing part together was in my brain. Those were all my ideas. I do feel good that someone else shares my similar ideas :cheers:

after all this time, I just realized that I could get email notifications. I need to reply to be able to subscribe (as far as I can tell), so please disregard this..

well that's really a nice feature

Washington Commons. Recycling work at Washington Commons is expected to wrap up next week. About 100 tons of materials have been removed, including copper, aluminum, brass and steel. About three tons of unusable materials have gone to landfill. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110812/GPG0101/108120519/Recycling-work-Green-Bay-s-old-downtown-mall-almost-done?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE and http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/recycle-work-at-former-mall-wrapping-up

Broadway District. The Broadway BID Board is seeking bids for 47 new planters. Work on and installation of the planters throughout the district is expected to be finished by next spring. Press-Gazette photo shows what existing planters and benches in the district look like. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110812/GPG03/108120546/1247/gpg03/Broadway-business-board-finally-agrees-planters

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde-46.jpg

Surveys. Readers of the latest 8-11-11 edition of the DGBI weekly newsletter "What's Up Downtown" can take a number of surveys and vote in a contest. Hope all the links below work. http://campaignbox.imagedistillery.com/t/ViewEmail/r/0E32B9C414CBF49E/BFE5868C711383222438807772DD75D1

- DGBI downtown survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DowntownGBConsumerSurvey
- Bullfrogs survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/V8FGZQF
- Port of Green Bay survey: http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/error/survey-has-already-been-taken
- Photography contest: https://apps.facebook.com/cvent-contest/contests/132650/voteable_entries/26001363

Green Bay Metro. GBM's No. 15 Libal route will be discontinued as part of the transit system's upcoming route reorganization, but its No. 11 Allouez route on nearby Webster will be altered to travel part way on Libal in response to rider concerns. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110812/GPG0101/108120514/Allouez-bus-route-only-part-Libal-Street?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

Milwaukee FYI. The Milwaukee Common Council has approved engineering work for a downtown streetcar line. Plans call for a 2.1-mile line from the lower east side to the downtown Amtrak-Greyhound Station starting in 2014. The line could be extended an additional 1.5 miles. With completion, Milwaukee would join big-city neighbors Chicago and Minneapolis with rail/light-rail transit systems. Journal Sentinel map. Photo of a Portland, OR streetcar from http://www.milwaukeestreetcar.com Article at http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/126181478.html

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/STREETCAR16G.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/mwsc_modern-vehicle1.jpg

but NIMBYS shouldn't deter the development solely on the premise that they don't like change...


People are sick of getting "change" shoved up their a$$.

^^ change is continual. We can decide to be proactive and manage that change to make the best of it, or we can be reactionary, point fingers when things go badly, and forever be trying to clean up messes. Either way, change is constant and unavoidable.

Regarding situations like that in Bellvue, it seems suburban opposition to this sort of project causes far more harm than good. Broad distribution of housing for a range of income levels does much better than concentrated areas of like income housing. It's easy for people to think "out of sight, out of mind," but we all end up paying big time for that type of (or lack of) planning.

Fox River. The DNR has relaxed guidelines for eating small-mouth bass caught on the Lower Fox River from the De Pere Dam to Little Lake Butte des Morts. The agency says the change is due to lower PCB levels in that section of the river. "I think this is a great sign," says a DNR official. "There's still a long ways to go, especially on the lower portions of the river, but having these results on that upper portion is really good news." http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/dnr-relaxes-some-fish-guidelines

Wisconsin. An Asian carp has been found in the Lower Wisconsin River southwest of Portage and an Asian carp and Asian carp DNA have been found in the St. Croix River on the Wisconsin/Minnesota border. The fish apparently entered the two rivers from the Mississippi River. http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/127530748.html

Fox River. The Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Paddle 2011 came to the Green Bay area Friday with a "Moonlight Paddle" from De Pere to the Green Bay Metro Boat Launch. Dozens of kayakers, canoeists and paddle boarders took part in the event, sponsored by the North East Wisconsin Paddlers. Press-Gazette photo taken last night at the De Pere Lock toward the paddle event's start. http://www.wisconsinoutdoorfun.com/article/20110813/WOF03/308130068 and http://www.wisconsinpaddlers.org/media/40752/de%20pere%20to%20gb%202011.pdf and http://www.wisconsinpaddlers.org/activities/events/fox-wisconsin-heritage-paddle-2011/moonlight-paddle and http://www.wisconsinpaddlers.org/activities/events/fox-wisconsin-heritage-paddle-2011

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde8-2.jpg

Good Help Shrine. Because of recent national attention, the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help could attract a much bigger crowd for its annual Feast of the Assumption of Mary celebration August 15th (Monday). The event in the past has attracted up to 2,000 people and is typically the shrine's busiest day of the year. Shuttle buses, tour buses and police help with traffic are expected, and extra parking will be available. http://wearegreenbay.com/search-fulltext?nxd_id=8667

Bullfrogs. The Green Bay Bullfrogs have made the Northwoods League playoffs for the first time since their first season in 2007. The best-of-three South Division playoffs begin Monday night when Green Bay hosts Battle Creek at 7:05. With today's crowd of 1,996, Green Bay finished the regular season with an average attendance of 1,250, according to preliminary figures. Bullfrogs photo of Joannes Stadium. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110814/GPG0206/108140578/1239/gpg0206/Northwoods-League-Bullfrogs-secure-spot-playoffs

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/91587316051a910efec0754251f0549e3001.jpg

Brown County Arena. The Press-Gazette editorializes today "there's little to be gained by continuing to fix the Arena at the expense of the Resch Center." The paper says the Arena is a drain on county funds but to date no plan to either renovate or replace it has been brought before the public. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110814/GPG0602/108140591/1269/GPG06/Editorial-Don-t-sacrifice-Resch-Center-arena

Bellin Building. Another terrific article today by GB Historic Preservation Commission Chair Michael Iwinski, this one on the history of the Bellin Building. The Chicago Commercial Style-building was built in 1915 as the Bellin-Buchanan Building and originally was seven stories. An eighth story was soon added (and today the building has a small ninth-story penthouse conference room). The street sides feature a white terra-cotta exterior, the other two sides, brick. Among many features, the building on opening in 1916 included electric and telephone lines throughout, toilet rooms with hot and cold-running water on each floor and two elevators. A number of historic photos accompany today's article but aren't included in its on-line version. Contemporary photo by the Press-Gazette, postcard images from Packerland Annals and the Preservation Commission. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110814/GPG06/108140582/1269/Green-Bay-s-downtown-centerpiece and http://packerland.blogspot.com/2007/11/bellin-building-reawakening.html and http://bellinbuilding.com/index.html

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde102.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/Bellin-Buchananbuildingwithawnings19101.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/Bellin1918Snow1.jpg

Bellin Building. Another terrific article today by GB Historic Preservation Commission Chair Michael Iwinski, this one on the history of the Bellin Building. The Chicago Commercial Style-building was built in 1915 as the Bellin-Buchanan Building and originally was seven stories. An eighth story was soon added (and today the building has a small ninth-story penthouse conference room). The street sides feature a white terra-cotta exterior, the other two sides, brick. Among many features, the building on opening in 1916 included electric and telephone lines throughout, toilet rooms with hot and cold-running water on each floor and two elevators. A number of historic photos accompany today's article but aren't included in its on-line version. Contemporary photo by the Press-Gazette, postcard images from Packerland Annals and the Preservation Commission. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110814/GPG06/108140582/1269/Green-Bay-s-downtown-centerpiece and http://packerland.blogspot.com/2007/11/bellin-building-reawakening.html and http://bellinbuilding.com/index.html

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde102.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/Bellin-Buchananbuildingwithawnings19101.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/Bellin1918Snow1.jpg

Tower Park, to piggy-back on your post, here is a link to a slide show Warren Gerds put together for the Press~Gazette back in June 2008 on the Bellin Building as part of his "A" is for Architecture series.

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/interactive/article/20080708/GPG0803/307080059/Architecture-series-part-17-Bellin-Building

FYI - I just downloaded the update for the SSC iphone app. You can do attachments now! Finally!

UWGB & St. Norbert College. Overview of major new building construction and remodeling projects the last four years at UWGB and SNC. In addition to the new Schneider Stadium (2010), new projects at St. Norbert include the Mulva Library (2009), Gries Hall (2009) and Wehr Hall (2010). Current projects under construction are the Ariens Family Welcome Center and Michels Commons. In addition to the Kress Events Center (2007), recent UWGB work includes major remodeling/expansion of the Student Services building (2008), the University Union (2008) and Rose & Wood Halls (2010-11) plus construction of the new Pamperin Hall (2010) residence facility. SNC images left to right of Mulva, Gries and Michels. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110815/GPG0101/108150428/Donations-vital-St-Norbert-UWGB-campus-upgrades?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/mulvalibrary.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/grieshall.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/michelscommons.jpg

Good Help Shrine. An estimated 3,000 people attended the Feast of the Assumption of Mary today at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help. That’s more than double last year. The Press-Gazette says the outdoor Mass coinciding with today’s ceremony lasted about two and a half hours and included a sermon from Bishop Ricken. Press-Gazette photos. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110815/GPG0101/108150438/3-000-attend-Mass-Our-Lady-Good-Help?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde-14-3.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde-15-8.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde-12-3.jpg

Great Lakes. Video coverage of the Asian-carp issue. http://www.wbay.com/story/15271287/2011/08/15/wisconsin-waits-watches-for-asian-carp-invasion

St. James Park. The last Blues in the Park with guitarist Billy Flynn. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110815/GPG0101/108150437/Fans-get-blues-final-park-concert?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

A crane is being erected at the Watermark site. according to GB Childrens Museum's Facebook page, precast walls will begin to be erected the end of this week. Things should finally start building up there and really start to transform the area to something other than East Berlin! :)

Press Release that came out today about the West Pitcher Show / Five Six building sale:

New Life For Historic Building On Broadway

For Immediate release Tuesday August 16, 2011

GREEN BAY, Wis.— On Broadway, Inc. (OBI), Green Bay Wisconsin’s award winning Main Street community development program, is proud to announce the sale of 405 West Walnut Street, the former home of the Five Six Ultra Lounge.

The property, built as a car dealership in the 1920s, then converted into a movie theater in the 1940s, is known most as the former “West Pitcher Show” or the “Historic West Theater.” It was purchased in 2005 by Nick Barnett of the Green Bay Packers who converted the space into a nightclub. The nightclub was abandoned in 2007 amidst controversy surrounding its liquor license, and the location has remained vacant for the past 4 years.

Vertical Butterfly Investments, LLC, closed on the property on Friday, August 12th, securing the site to be the future location of a unique retail store, owned and operated by Joey and Mary Clare Vanden Boom. The announcement of the pending sale created quite a buzz amongst Green Bay citizens, who have been anxious to see development on the highly visible site. The new store's concept will be an expansion of the owners' current and successful business model operating as the Funky Monkey, in Tomah, WI. The name of their new Green Bay store is yet to be announced. Over the upcoming months the couple plans to begin renovation and restoration work to the building and plans to open an exciting store next year.

The new owners of the historic west theater are no strangers to retail, having developed the successful Arizona Computer Outlets concept in Phoenix, AZ. The pair sold their concept in 2006 and opened the Funky Monkey in Tomah, Wisconsin. Their current store is housed in a historic storefront in Downtown Tomah and offers computer sales, home theater equipment, professional sound and lighting equipment, and technology services amongst a fun atmosphere of eclectic and high quality furnishings and décor. The Vanden Booms also believe in community involvement and have donated time and a percentage of sales to those less fortunate in their community.

“We had been considering moving to the Green Bay area to be closer to family here, and when we discovered the (Five-Six) building and explored the Broadway District, we were sold!” said Mary Clare.

“It’s a very cool building, and we know how to do it right,” added Joey “we are successful wherever we locate, and this is going to be a real draw and generator of visitors to the area.”

On Broadway Inc. Executive Director, Christopher Naumann, was very pleased about the sale.“The addition of this unique concept to the Broadway District will add vibrancy and enhanced activity to the neighborhood. We look forward to the building being repaired and welcome our new investors to the District.”
On Broadway Inc. is an independent 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the historic Broadway District.

***

Also, the latest on the children's museum page is that the first 3-story north wall begins tomorrow around 10am. Cranes are already in place.

Bullfrogs. Bullfrogs majority owner and team president, Jeff Royle, says it will be at least a couple years before a new Bullfrogs stadium can be built. Ald. Pat Buckley tells WLUK he supports a new stadium in Green Bay and if the Bullfrogs bring "the right resources and right package to the city, we're here, willing to do what it takes to get it done.” The WLUK report concludes: "Royle says even if 2013 isn't the right time, the right time will come." http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/bullfrogs-aiming-for-new-field-in-2013

Port of Green Bay. Halfway through the shipping season, Port of Green Bay tonnage through July is up 17% from a year ago. Contributing to the increase were coal, cement, limestone, liquid-asphalt and petroleum-coke shipments plus domestic and foreign exports of petroleum products. The number of ships year-to-date increased from 58 to 72. Port of Green Bay photo. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110816/GPG03/108160377/1247/Green-Bay-cargo-industry-more-than-doubles-from-last-year

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Great Lakes. Noting that a Corps of Engineers study on the potential spread of Asian carp into the Great Lakes and from the Mississippi River is not scheduled for completion until 2015, the Press-Gazette says waiting until then to do something is too long. "The deadly carp keep getting closer to doing irreparable damage in our waterways, and people keep talking about what to do about it," the paper says. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110816/GPG0602/308160101/1269/GPG06/Editorial-Officials-must-move-faster-solve-Asian-carp-threat-

Lambeau Field. No surprise here. But in a preview of an editorial running Wednesday, the Press-Gazette says, "We continue to agree that weapons don’t belong in Lambeau Field unless they’re carried by law enforcement officials." http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=blogs0601&plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&U=35699dd2-da66-41f6-909b-deddb4a85df5&plckPostId=Blog%3a35699dd2-da66-41f6-909b-deddb4a85df5Post%3a72774544-13ec-4cc4-a67b-386e6e862cd8&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&odyssey=mod|blogs||umbrella

EDA. Gregory Flisram, described as an urban redevelopment specialist from Madison, has been hired as the city's new economic development director to replace Derek Lord. Flisram was previously with Vandewalle & Associates, Inc., a Madison/Milwaukee firm that worked on a proposed development district between Lambeau Field and Bay Park Square. He was among more than 25 applicants for the job. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110817/GPG0101/110817106/City-Green-Bay-names-new-economic-development-director?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

WaterMark. Here are some photos of the just-started above-ground construction and the new crane at the children's museum/restaurant/parking-ramp structure at the WaterMark site. Crane photo from DGBI, second photo from the children's museum.

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Washington Commons. The exterior overhead canopy at the Adams Street entrance to the former Washington Commons has been dismantled as part of recycling efforts at the site. Press-Gazette photos of what the entrance and canopy looked like at one time when it was the Port Plaza Mall.

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Broadway District. Maybe this is old news and I just missed it. But what may be a new concept for Green Bay - what's called a private dining studio - has opened at 335 N. Broadway in the historic Wauters Building across from the Larsen Green project site. Three Three Five can host private events for 200+ guests, has cooking classes, does personal and corporate catering, and hosts wedding and bridal showers. LoopNet and Three Three Five photos. http://www.threethreefive.com

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Bullfrogs. The Bullfrogs lost the first two games of the best-of-three South Division playoffs in the Northwoods League. Updated NWL figures show Green Bay averaged 1,226 fans for its 31 regular-season home openings in 2011. The top three teams in home attendance this year were Madison at 6,278, La Crosse 2,997 and Eau Claire 2,135. Here are NWL average regular-season home-attendance figures for the Bullfrogs' first five seasons. http://www.northwoodsleague.com/

2007.....1,030
2008.....1,309
2009.....1,149
2010.....1,176
2011.....1,226

Kroc Center. Three days before its grand opening, the Kroc Center today invited residents in its neighborhood to check out and use the new facility for free. It was one of several open houses in advance of the official opening Saturday. http://www.wbay.com/story/15284390/2011/08/17/kroc-center-hosts-neighbors-before-grand-opening

I really hate to say it but I do not see a new baseball stadium in this town for a long long time. It would be nice if the city would do some improvements at the current park. the Bullfrogs do a great job with what they have to work with, but I can't believe that this city does not have some capital to use to improve the seating, upgrade the concessions add some restrooms. I know the dream of city leaders are we become a GREEN city with a certain class of people for the downtown area, but there is more to this city than just downtown but that seems to be the only place they focus on. Is Johannes not a city park, why doesn't the city use some of the money to help imporve that park. They spent $1.5 million or so on city deck which is a very nice area, but when it comes for areas outside of Broadway, Walnut, Webster and Main, the pocket book seems to dry up. There is no reason that this city will not make a little of an investment into that park to help. Improve the seating, benches are horrible uncomfortable, get some real seats, not used plastic chairs like they have on the third base side. The Bullfrogs have done great things at that park, the city could take a little more pride in it and help imporve it. It is clear there is no funding for a new stadium in this city private or public money, but there has to be a way the city can fund improving their own city ballpark, we are a professional sports town, its really embaressing how little pride we have in that.

I really hate to say it but I do not see a new baseball stadium in this town for a long long time. It would be nice if the city would do some improvements at the current park. the Bullfrogs do a great job with what they have to work with, but I can't believe that this city does not have some capital to use to improve the seating, upgrade the concessions add some restrooms. I know the dream of city leaders are we become a GREEN city with a certain class of people for the downtown area, but there is more to this city than just downtown but that seems to be the only place they focus on. Is Johannes not a city park, why doesn't the city use some of the money to help imporve that park. They spent $1.5 million or so on city deck which is a very nice area, but when it comes for areas outside of Broadway, Walnut, Webster and Main, the pocket book seems to dry up. There is no reason that this city will not make a little of an investment into that park to help. Improve the seating, benches are horrible uncomfortable, get some real seats, not used plastic chairs like they have on the third base side. The Bullfrogs have done great things at that park, the city could take a little more pride in it and help imporve it. It is clear there is no funding for a new stadium in this city private or public money, but there has to be a way the city can fund improving their own city ballpark, we are a professional sports town, its really embaressing how little pride we have in that.

"Never say never" The good news is year 5 for the Bullfrogs was the second best in team history and should go along way! Keeping in mind 90% of the seating capacity at Joannes comes from aluminum bleachers, to average nearly 1300 in a 1500 seat outdated facility should speak volumes to how successful a new/modern facility would be! The Bullfrogs have maximized what they've had to work with to date. Adding two fan decks, scoreboard, press box, kids zone etc have allowed them to put 5 years under their belt. The issue moving forward as you mentioned is to replace the exisiting bleachers, add restrooms and expand concessions your talking at least $2 million dollars as none of the existing stuff can be upgraded, it would all need to be removed considering it's already 25 years old and does not meet current code. That's a lot of money for the city and the Bullfrogs to invest in Joannes with a outdated location, no parking and no exposure. Hence the goal is construct a new facility which even though it will take more than the $2+ million to renovate Joannes, it would be money well invested for generations to come! Joannes would continue to host well over 75 high school and legion games and the Bullfrogs would leave it in ten-fold better condition than before they got there. We as a community need to join forces and make the new facility a reality. Let's get it done..!!

KI. Has agreed to buy an Australia-based manufacturer and supplier of educational furniture. The company, Sebel Furniture Ltd., has operations in Australia, New Zealand, the U.K. and Hong Kong. Headquartered in Bellevue, KI makes furniture and wall systems for educational, health-care, government and corporate markets and has sales offices and manufacturing plants in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Europe and Asia. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. http://www.jsonline.com/business/128014423.html and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=blogs0301&plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&U=b4fd1652-7952-4f51-91f9-b43dcec52c10&plckPostId=Blog%3ab4fd1652-7952-4f51-91f9-b43dcec52c10Post%3a7174935c-88a0-466d-9de5-dfc3e6a74c21&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest

Broadway District. OBI Executive Director Christopher Naumann talks about the sale of the FiveSix Ultra Lounge building. http://www.nbc26.com/news/local/127975783.html#.Tk0KUhIAeZE.facebook

CityDeck. The architectural website ArchDaily is featuring CityDeck. http://www.archdaily.com/158661/the-citydeck-stosslu/

Willow Tree. The new Willow Tree Cornerstone Child Advocacy Center on S. Monroe downtown is drawing referrals from as far away as Forest, Langlade and Marathon counties and even the FBI. The center is operated by the nonprofit agency Family Services and provides help for abused children and their families. http://www.wbay.com/story/15285813/2011/08/17/demand-for-center-for-abused-children-goes-beyond-brown-county

Downtown. More than 1,000 respondents have taken the DGBI downtown survey to date. http://campaignbox.imagedistillery.com/t/ViewEmail/r/FD9874B42DF86F7D/4EA76D1D63B80A926707B176AE29F890

Baird Creek Parkway. Some 12,000 plant plugs - mostly prairie grass - donated by a nursery are being planted by volunteers in the Baird Creek Parkway. The Baird Creek Preservation Foundation hopes the plants will help re-establish native plants and discourage invasive species in the parkway. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110818/GPG0101/108180510/Volunteers-plant-prairie-grass-preserve-Baird-Creek-Parkway?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s and www.bairdcreek.org

Downtown. More than 1,000 respondents have taken the DGBI downtown survey to date. http://campaignbox.imagedistillery.com/t/ViewEmail/r/FD9874B42DF86F7D/4EA76D1D63B80A926707B176AE29F890

The exclusion of a question asking if you would support a downtown sports and entertainment complex is simply mind boggling..!!

The exclusion of a question asking if you would support a downtown sports and entertainment complex is simply mind boggling..!!

I've seen Jeff Mirkes at Bullfrogs games, and I'm sure DGBI supports the team and its stadium efforts. A couple of other things no doubt were left out of the survey, but I'm sure it wasn't intentional. If you take the survey, in any of the numerous comments sections, I'd suggest mentioning that you think the downtown baseball stadium should have been included. I'm sure they'd appreciate the feedback - good, bad or indifferent. That's what surveys are for.

I've seen Jeff Mirkes at Bullfrogs games, and I'm sure DGBI supports the team and its stadium efforts. A couple of other things no doubt were left out of the survey, but I'm sure it wasn't intentional. If you take the survey, in any of the numerous comments sections, I'd suggest mentioning that you think the downtown baseball stadium should have been included. I'm sure they'd appreciate the feedback - good, bad or indifferent. That's what surveys are for.

Be there, did that:colgate: And please do the same!!

WaterMark Site. Video about the major above-ground work expected in upcoming weeks on the children's museum/restaurant/parking-ramp structure. Regarding the possibility of any future risks that could slow work at the site, DGBI Executive Director Jeff Mirkes tells WBAY: "Risks could be what happens with the economic and political system moving forward. No one has those answers....But enough is on the way that allows the project to happen, to build more confidence, where other entrepreneurs, where other business entities say, now it's time for us to be part of this as well." Officials hope exterior work on the children's museum structure can be completed by winter, with a planned spring 2012 opening. http://www.wbay.com/story/15294732/2011/08/18/rising-signs-of-progress-at-downtown-younkers-site

Broadway District. Smet Construction Services has begun the buildout of its new headquarters and of a new Green Bay office of the FBI on the second floor of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce building. The chamber remains on the third floor, and the first floor remains vacant. Smet is expected to move into the building in September. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110819/GPG03/108190592/1247/Smet-begins-work-new-downtown-Green-Bay-headquarters

Neville Public Museum. An exhibit commemorating the 30th anniversary of Artstreet opens to the public tomorrow at the Neville Public Museum. Artstreet this year will be held Fri-Sat-Sun Aug. 26-28. http://www.nevillepublicmuseum.org/calendar/exhibit-opening-partty-artstreet-30 and http://www.artseventsinc.com/artstreet/

Howard. Developer Paul Kaczrowski and family have sold their Black Forest Dining & Spirits restaurant at 41 and Velp. The building will become a Harley-Davidson dealership. Black Forest was built in 2005 by Midwest Log Homes and was formerly known as the Rustic Rail. It'll remain open as a full-service restaurant on Weds thru Suns thru August and as a bar and for wedding receptions on Fris and Sats thru October. The dealership hopes to open next spring. Photos from www.weddingmapper.com
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110819/GPG03/108190587/1247/Black-Forest-restaurant-become-Harley-bike-dealership and www.blackforestdining.com

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Green Bay Metro. Today launched the first of its new Packer game-day routes serving Lambeau Field. The route originates at Austin Straubel and makes its way by area hotels, Oneida Casino and Bay Park Square and to Lambeau Field. Once the regular season starts, three other routes will be added, including service between the downtown transit center and Lambeau. The game-day service is free. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/free-buses-to-packers-game

just an FYI....the city deck will be completed next summer. cherry street landing, pine street landing and all the floating docks and gangways will be bid to the city on september 6th. the scheduled completion is set for october 2012.

Kroc Center. Grand opening today of the $24 million The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center at 1315 Lime Kiln Rd. Designed largely for low and moderate-income families, the 95,000-sf center includes a fitness center, performing arts auditorium, swimming pool, library, computer laboratory, dental clinic, dance studio, gymnasium and more. The center is located on 16 acres donated by JBS Packerland Packing Co., Inc., located directly across the street, and has a $22 million endowment for operations. Construction began in April 2010 and was funded largely through a donation from the estate of Joan Kroc, wife of McDonald's restaurant founder Ray Kroc. After the center opens its doors today, programs will slowly come online. About 25 percent of the planned services will be up and running by September. Rendering from Berners-Schober. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110820/GPG0101/108200632/The-Salvation-Army-opens-24M-Ray-Joan-Kroc-Center-today?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

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Lambeau Field. Although all home games are sold-out, Packer preseason games in recent years have averaged about 1,500 fewer fans in actual attendance than regular-season games. In the last three years, average preseason home attendance has been 69,709 in 2008, 69,000 in 2009 and 68,973 in 2010. Average regular-season home attendance has been 70,683 in 2008, 70,708 in 2009 and 70,795 in 2010. Attendance last night for the Packers' preseason home opener was 67,688. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011108200461

Olde Main Street District. The new CVS/pharmacy at Main and Webster is nearing completion. It features an attractive exterior design largely of red brick and brown limestone with red signage. The structure is built, signage is up and landscaping is done, although the parking lot has yet to be paved and work continues inside.

Fox River. The Foxy Lady II normally cruises the lower bay and the Fox River north of the De Pere Lock from its dock downtown at the Clarion Hotel. But on Saturday, Aug. 27th, the boat will cruise through the De Pere Lock from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Details at http://www.foxyladycruises.com/ Photo from Foxy Lady Cruises.

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Fire officials say Al's Hamburgers in downtown Green Bay was extensively damaged in a fire this afternoon.
http://cmsimg.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20110820&Category=GPG0101&ArtNo=110820042&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0

^^
Sad about Al's. Hope they can rebuild.

Al's. FYI, Al's Hamburger was founded by Al Rank in 1934. It also was operated by his son, George Rank, and his grandsons, Perry and Steve Rank, who took over about six years ago. No word at this point what will happen to the site. Press-Gazette photos. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110821/GPG0101/108210607/Fire-damages-Al-s-Hamburger-Shop?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE and http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/Fire-closes-Al%27s-Hamburger-Shop and http://wearegreenbay.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=9727 and http://www.wbay.com/story/15304478/2011/08/21/long-time-customers-remember-als-hamburgers-after-fire

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I believe that this is a couple of years old and I am guessing that plans have probably changed but here is a couple of renders of the underground player parking at Lambeau Field. I remember reading that this plan was something like $25 million but was put on hold while teams were preparing for last years uncapped year and pending new CBA. I would assume that the south endzone expansion is the priority. Has anyone heard any scuttlebutt on potential Entertainment District development?

http://www.kahlerslater.com/expertise/sports/green-bay-packers-lambeau-field-expansion/

I have no idea who Schreiber has selected as an architect but I noticed that Performa out of De Pere has done a lot of local corporate headquarters and office buildings. Among others are Nicolet National Bank, Time Warner Corporate Headquarters & my favorite the Dudley Tower in Wausau. They have also done quality work for St. Norbert including the Mulva Library and the Donald J. Schneider stadium. I see that under the client experiences both Schreiber and Associated Bank are listed. For all I know, this may be past work or consulting. I don't see Schreiber looking like the Dudley Tower but Associated Bank would certainly fit the model. I hope Schreiber is done right!

http://www.performainc.com/projects.html

Roots-From what you have heard is the main performing stage still part of next summers phase?

Roots-From what you have heard is the main performing stage still part of next summers phase?

everything looks like it was proposed for the most part. cherry street and pine street landings are there but the walnut bridge landing is no longer part of it and the loading docks don't have the finger docks into the river near the walnut bridge landing are not part of it any more. it looks pretty much the same from what i can tell. the bids are to be presented so taht they can do whatever they have money for. we will see how much they actually do.

Al's Hamburger. The Al's fire apparently was accidental and may have started at the grill near the front of the restaurant, the Green Bay Fire Department said Monday. The owners haven't said yet whether the diner will reopen. The fire caused more than $50,000 damage to Al's and smoke damage to some adjacent buildings. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110822/GPG0101/110822094/Update-Al-s-Hamburger-Shop-fire-started-grill-appears-accidental?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

De Pere. Some 37,200 people visited the 2011 Brown County Fair during its five-day run ending Sunday. Officials are calling the number a record, but I can remember decades ago the event, as I recall, typically drew some 100,000 people. In addition to animals and agricultural exhibits, the fair featured a tractor-pull, horse pulling, rodeo performances, a country performer, amusement rides, a children's show, food and Brunon Blaszak's Royal Bengal Tigers Show, among other activities. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110822/GPG0101/108220494/Brown-County-Fair-draws-record-37K-visitors?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

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Oshkosh FYI. A report in the Oshkosh Northwestern says we're nearing "the end of what was a golden decade for the defense industry," including Oshkosh Corp. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are winding down, Osama bin Laden is dead and cuts in defense spending look to be around the corner. In the last decade, Oshkosh Corp. has gone from not even ranking in the top 20 defense contractors to ninth overall. http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20110817/OSH0101/108170359/Oshkosh-Corp-bracing-defense-cuts

Marinette FYI. Marinette Marine has started work on its fifth of an anticipated 10 littoral combat ships - the USS Milwaukee - with delivery expected in 2014. Other LCS vessels built, under construction or to be built at Marinette are the USS Freedom, USS Fort Worth, USS Detroit and USS Little Rock. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110823/GPG03/108230505/1247/gpg03/Marinette-Marine-starts-work-5th-littoral-combat-ship

Stadium District. Although the headline act(s) has not been announced yet, some details are emerging about the NFL Kickoff Concert here. The free concert is planned for 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday Sept. 8 east of the stadium right before the Packers host the Saints at Lambeau at 7:30 that night. Armed Forces Dr. and Oneida St. from Lombardi to Potts Ave. by Lambeau Field will close from Sept. 2 to Sept. 10 to facilitate set-up and take-down of staging and other facilities needed to host the kickoff event. Activities will take place outside the Resch Center from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on game day. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110823/GPG0101/108230482/NFL-Kickoff-Concert-plans-set-headline-act-still-secret?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE and http://www.wbay.com/story/15318513/2011/08/23/businesses-village-brace-for-closing-oneida-street-for-nfl-concert and http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/Lambeau-area-prepares-for-road-closures

Green Bay Metro. More than 30 people, many using wheelchairs, appeared at a GBM public meeting Monday to complain about paratransit service. Late pickups, lost drivers and rude customer service were among the complaints. Three months ago the city hired MV Transportation of Fairfield, CA for its paratransit service, replacing Medi-Vans. Press-Gazette photo. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110823/GPG0101/108230471/Disabled-bus-riders-again-criticize-new-provider?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE and http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/green-bay-metro-holds-meeting-on-paratransit-service and http://www.wbay.com/story/15310985/2011/08/22/disabled-passengers-angry-over-transportation-problems

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde6-2.jpg

NEW Zoo. The Press-Gazette says any expansion of the NEW Zoo needs to be carefully explored. Zoo officials recently have discussed a possible expansion. The zoo has 62 exhibits with 215 animals and draws more than 500,000 visitors a year. The paper cautions against "reaching too far too soon." http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110823/GPG0602/108230472/1269/gpg06/Editorial-NEW-Zoo-expansion-should-discussed

Al's Hamburger. Video of interior damage and interviews with family members. http://www.wbay.com/story/15310470/2011/08/22/source-of-als-hamburger-fire-found-future-of-als-uncertain and http://wearegreenbay.com/fulltext?nxd_id=9727

Packers. A Waste Management truck lost part of its load - mainly hundreds or more pages of paper (I saw them) - Monday morning on Riverside Dr. in Allouez and S. Monroe in Green Bay. News outlets reported the material included or consisted of pages from the Packers' special-teams playbook for the Cardinals game last week. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110823/GPG0101/108230480/If-truck-spilled-Packers-playbook-they-aren-t-admitting-it?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE and http://www.wbay.com/story/15311322/2011/08/22/pages-from-packers-playbook-fly-out-in-allouez

^^ Cool. Could you send copies of those pages to me here in Indianapolis? Too bad its just a pre-season game this Friday. It would be nice to get some help on the Packer's game plan if it were a "real" (non pre-season) game. :)

^^ Cool. Could you send copies of those pages to me here in Indianapolis? Too bad its just a pre-season game this Friday. It would be nice to get some help on the Packer's game plan if it were a "real" (non pre-season) game. :)

I'll email some pages to you. Just pass them onto Peyton. The Packers are building drop-kicks and punting on third down into their special-team plans this season. Watch for it in Friday's game. You heard it here first.

Lambeau Field. Look for a big announcement and news coverage Thursday on what the Packers plan for their south end-zone expansion. The team has scheduled a press conference for 9 a.m. Other stadium projects will also be detailed. http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110824/PKR01/110824133/Packers-announce-plans-Lambeau-expansion?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Stadium District. WBAY is reporting sources telling the station Lady Antebellum, Maroon 5 and Kid Rock will headline the NFL Kickoff Concert event outside Lambeau. http://www.wbay.com/story/15328390/2011/08/24/sources-maroon-5-lady-antebellum-at-nfl-kickoff-concert More details at http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/NFL-Kickoff-Concert-details-released

^^ Cool. Could you send copies of those pages to me here in Indianapolis? Too bad its just a pre-season game this Friday. It would be nice to get some help on the Packer's game plan if it were a "real" (non pre-season) game. :)

I found a copy of the special teams playbook blowing in the street. It is really top secret so I hope I don't get in trouble posting it here. I've transcribed what I found below:

Kickoff Team:
1) Kick ball.
2) Run really fast down field.
3) Tackle guy who caught ball.

Return Team:
1) Catch ball if kicked to you
2) Run really fast down field
3) Try not to let guy from other team hit you.

Well, the cat's out of the bag. Now they're going to have to change ALL of their plans!

Mucho Gracias TP and Puant! If the Colts actually win a pre-season game --- we'll all know why.

The Green Bay Packers today announced expansion plans for Lambeau Field, a project that will include approximately 6,600 new seats in the south end zone and a new gate and rooftop viewing platform in the north end zone.

The project, with a projected cost of approximately $130 million, will get underway with a Sept. 1 groundbreaking, and be complete for the 2013 season. The Packers will fund the project, with no involvement of public tax money, including general and sales taxes.

http://prod.static.packers.clubs.nfl.com/assets/images/imported/GB/photos/clubimages/2011/08-August/110825lambeau_dev4--nfl_medium_540_360.jpg

http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/article-1/Packers-announce-plans-for-Lambeau-Fields-south-north-end-zones/1df5d407-10c0-43fd-b12b-e87a632a8c11

I am a season ticket holder and I don't know anyone in their right mind who would give up seats in the bowl, pay probably more pre game for these seats (even though they have seatbacks and armrests) and also probably pay additional for the increased seat license fee that will be charged. Okay, at least I won't. Right around 80,000 seems pretty cool and the fact that this will help keep the noise in now. Wonder what it will do to the wind swirling though. :cheers:

The Green Bay Packers today announced expansion plans for Lambeau Field, a project that will include approximately 6,600 new seats in the south end zone and a new gate and rooftop viewing platform in the north end zone.

The project, with a projected cost of approximately $130 million, will get underway with a Sept. 1 groundbreaking, and be complete for the 2013 season. The Packers will fund the project, with no involvement of public tax money, including general and sales taxes.

This addition is dramatic - really changes the look and, with the higher scoreboard(s), the height of Lambeau. And more crowd noise. I like it, based on what I'm seeing. In a way, it's like bleacher seats or fan decks. Those could be little neighborhoods up there and lots of fun. I wonder now if this is it, if 80,000 is as far as Lambeau's capacity realistically can go or not.

This addition is dramatic - really changes the look and, with the higher scoreboard(s), the height of Lambeau. And more crowd noise. I like it, based on what I'm seeing. In a way, it's like bleacher seats or fan decks. Those could be little neighborhoods up there and lots of fun. I wonder now if this is it, if 80,000 is as far as Lambeau's capacity realistically can go or not.

and will add a new gate and rooftop viewing platform in the north end zone

I'm intrigued by the rooftop viewing platform. And to answer your question of if 80,000 is the highest they can go... could they 'top' the suites with one more section of bleachers? Basically, take the top terrace of what they're doing in the south end zone and put it all the way around. Is that another 5,000-10,000 people? Those aren't seats I'd like to have, but if they maybe put it together with all-you-can-eat or some other gimmick, sorta like the Dew Deck at Miller Park, I think that would sell.

We'll be sticking with our two front-row seats in the south end zone.

:cheers1:

OTOH, this should add about another 20-30 minutes or so of time for post-game traffic to dissipate on southbound US 41.

:lol:

Mike

^^ Well, that's a development. It sure is nice that the Packers announce big projects, and then just get started on the project right away and get 'er dun. It is unfortunate that other projects around the city don't work that way. We need a Children's Museum worse than a football stadium, don't we? Don't get me wrong--I have always loved the Packers and all--but I think our kids deserve something nice too, maybe something that educates them and makes them smarter.

Packers vs Childrens Museum, musuem is a distant 2nd in that horse race

It is outstanding to hear all of the Lambeau Field expansion news. As stoked as I am about that I still wonder where they are with the entertainment district planning? Was there any mention of this in the press conference and would/could any other new development coincide with Lambeau's construction? I wonder if this news has enticed the private sector at all? Has anyone heard of anything being discussed?

I believe that this is a couple of years old and I am guessing that plans have probably changed but here is a couple of renders of the underground player parking at Lambeau Field. I remember reading that this plan was something like $25 million but was put on hold while teams were preparing for last years uncapped year and pending new CBA. I would assume that the south endzone expansion is the priority. Has anyone heard any scuttlebutt on potential Entertainment District development?

http://www.kahlerslater.com/expertise/sports/green-bay-packers-lambeau-field-expansion/

I have no idea who Schreiber has selected as an architect but I noticed that Performa out of De Pere has done a lot of local corporate headquarters and office buildings. Among others are Nicolet National Bank, Time Warner Corporate Headquarters & my favorite the Dudley Tower in Wausau. They have also done quality work for St. Norbert including the Mulva Library and the Donald J. Schneider stadium. I see that under the client experiences both Schreiber and Associated Bank are listed. For all I know, this may be past work or consulting. I don't see Schreiber looking like the Dudley Tower but Associated Bank would certainly fit the model. I hope Schreiber is done right!

http://www.performainc.com/projects.html

Roots-From what you have heard is the main performing stage still part of next summers phase?

not important, but fyi:

until late last year performa was a part of kahler slater. kahler had a green bay office, but when they bought performa green bay handled a lot of higher ed work. when performa was sold the kahler green bay office went with them, or so one would believe. performa is hq'd in north carolina.

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2010/11/24/kahler-slater-sells-higher-education.html

^^ Well, that's a development. It sure is nice that the Packers announce big projects, and then just get started on the project right away and get 'er dun. It is unfortunate that other projects around the city don't work that way. We need a Children's Museum worse than a football stadium, don't we? Don't get me wrong--I have always loved the Packers and all--but I think our kids deserve something nice too, maybe something that educates them and makes them smarter.

Sorry, Puant, I feel your pain. Watch, too, as the Packers sell more of that worthless stock to fund the project. Sure, they are (now) saying they will fund the project themselves, but in the near future they will hold an "official" news conference declaring the sale, saying, humbly, it will be good for the fans; and the fans will eat it up. And you're right, GB does need a childrens' museum more than a stadium renovation, but there's no real money to made in a museum.

Wow, so the Packers are going to add to the stadium that the city owns and it is costing the city zero and for some reason people are upset!? Maybe if the Childrens Museum, which will be a nice addition to the city, had creative ways to raising money they too could be further along. But this bitterness towards a business who is imporving a city onwed property is just a bit comical

Wow, so the Packers are going to add to the stadium that the city owns and it is costing the city zero and for some reason people are upset!? Maybe if the Childrens Museum, which will be a nice addition to the city, had creative ways to raising money they too could be further along. But this bitterness towards a business who is imporving a city onwed property is just a bit comical

How do the Packers improve the city exactly? They know how to expand their brand, that's for certain, but as far as improving the city (assuming you mean the downtown core) they have done nada. I'd venture to say that the only thing comical about this situation is the faith and time people put into watching men in pads run around on a frozen--yet heated--tundra. Here's how you get the museum built. Ask every fan to donate the cost of a crappy beer and LF parking to the museum and you have a nice head start.

I have nothing but positive comments for the stadium improvements. I tried to think of a way it could have been done better and I couldn't come up with any. As for what the city needs more, I think that is debatable. The extra 6,600 seats is expected to bring in about $11M annually to the area. That means more income for hotels, restaurants, etc. It is hard to argue with that. I am also one of the biggest proponents of the Children's Museum and cannot wait for that parcel to be completed, but I'm not sure how ridiculing the Packers' efforts helps any.

How do the Packers improve the city exactly? They know how to expand their brand, that's for certain, but as far as improving the city (assuming you mean the downtown core) they have done nada. I'd venture to say that the only thing comical about this situation is the faith and time people put into watching men in pads run around on a frozen--yet heated--tundra. Here's how you get the museum built. Ask every fan to donate the cost of a crappy beer and LF parking to the museum and you have a nice head start.

They fill every hotel room in the metro area with people who spend a lot of money at local businesses. A number of those businesses would not even be if not for the Packers. And the final point as to how the imropove the city, they give a little town of 100,000 world wide recognition they would not have without them. Without the exposure this city gets it would be just a quiet litttle town in the Midwest.

another benefit with sitting in the new Lambeau seats, they are closer to the fly-over jets...can almost touch em!!

I hate to imagine what Green Bay would be like without the Packers. Without them there would be no need for half the hotels and restaurants in Green Bay. It's not their fault if the revenue they bring into the community is not used to fund a Childrens Museum, which the last time I checked, was under construction downtown. It's not like the Green Bay area has nothing for the children... Bay Beach, the Wildlife Sanctuary, NEW Zoo, Kroc Center, a couple of water parks in the public parks. Many cities larger than Green Bay don't even offer half that much. Also, the Packers have their charities they give to. If the Children Museum want to be on the receiving end of that perhaps they should approach the Packers about partnering with them.

Wow, so the Packers are going to add to the stadium that the city owns and it is costing the city zero and for some reason people are upset!? Maybe if the Childrens Museum, which will be a nice addition to the city, had creative ways to raising money they too could be further along. But this bitterness towards a business who is imporving a city onwed property is just a bit comical

Dude. I'm not bitter at ALL about the stadium expansion! I love it!

My only point was that I wish other developments in this town happened in the same manner: An announcement, then immediate start on construction.

Yes it is true that the Childrens Museum is now under construction, just that it took like 6 years of talking about it before it actually got started.

I hate to imagine what Green Bay would be like without the Packers. Without them there would be no need for half the hotels and restaurants in Green Bay. It's not their fault if the revenue they bring into the community is not used to fund a Childrens Museum, which the last time I checked, was under construction downtown. It's not like the Green Bay area has nothing for the children... Bay Beach, the Wildlife Sanctuary, NEW Zoo, Kroc Center, a couple of water parks in the public parks. Many cities larger than Green Bay don't even offer half that much. Also, the Packers have their charities they give to. If the Children Museum want to be on the receiving end of that perhaps they should approach the Packers about partnering with them.
I agree, if not for the Packers, Green Bay would be a total PIT of an anonymous industrial and port city and Appleton would be the commercial and entertainment center of northeast Wisconsin. Think: 'Duluth, MN'.

Mike

Dude. I'm not bitter at ALL about the stadium expansion! I love it!

My only point was that I wish other developments in this town happened in the same manner: An announcement, then immediate start on construction.

Yes it is true that the Childrens Museum is now under construction, just that it took like 6 years of talking about it before it actually got started.

But don't you think that a big part of that delay was the poor choice of Vetter as the single downtown developer?

I agree, if not for the Packers, Green Bay would be a total PIT of an anonymous industrial and port city and Appleton would be the commercial and entertainment center of northeast Wisconsin. Think: 'Duluth, MN'.

Mike

I don't think it's that simple. Green Bay has a bit more going for it than the Packers. There are enough other industries here and $$ here that have little to do with the Packers and I think most of them would still be here w/o them.

I think what hurts the city's image more than anything is that when people have money to develop something, they build on every far-flung fringe part of the metro all willy-nilly, rather than concentrating the wealth and activity in more visible places like the city's core. Suburban municipalities compete with one another to land the developments, offering all sorts of incentives and things (especially offering up the ample "greenfields").

So, visitors come to see the Packers or maybe a couple other things, all they see are the "pit" parts of town and the shittiness that always lays out along busy roads and freeways, and don't realize there is much more here than meets the eye.

But don't you think that a big part of that delay was the poor choice of Vetter as the single downtown developer?

I'm not sure if the city "picked" Vetter, or if he was one of the few developers with the tenacity to stick through the city's political B.S., a nasty recession, and many other hurdles that stand in the way of developing in downtown GB.

I like Vetter's style of architecture for taller buildings; his flavor of "modern" suits a tower quite well. I just don't like what he does more at the street level (even on his taller buildings). His buildings might offer nice views and design for people INSIDE of his buildings, but I don't think from the outside they offer much to the cityscape. One of the RDA members was spot-on recently when he said that Vetter's other development was "a disaster visually". We shall see how these latest developments turn out. I just have a bad feeling about people's reception to how the children's museum will look in the end, given it's placement there in what should be a prominent part of downtown. I think it will turn out to look more like a parking ramp viusally than anything else, because I'm still thinking that parking is really it's primary purpose; the museum and other stuff seem secondary....and I have yet to see any building that was mostly parking ramp and also something else really look good.

I think what hurts the city's image more than anything is that when people have money to develop something, they build on every far-flung fringe part of the metro all willy-nilly, rather than concentrating the wealth and activity in more visible places like the city's core. Suburban municipalities compete with one another to land the developments, offering all sorts of incentives and things (especially offering up the ample "greenfields").

I'm not sure how competition between municipalities is all that bad. I would much rather have GB compete against DP and Howard, for example, than have the business choose to move out of the region or state completely. Overall, competition is a good thing. It helps lowers prices and brings in more development. If GB loses a development to Howard then DT GB should do more to attract development. This is precisely what they did with Schreiber. I think the last few years has shown a great rededication by GB leadership to attract developments DT, but I can't blame the companies nor the surrounding communities for not choosing there. I really believe one reason companies choose the fringe towns is because of the easy access via Highway. With the metro area being so small many workers come from the Fox Valley and it seems it would be much easier to attract talent along the transportation corridors, especially when the cost of building there is cheaper.

I'm not saying competion is bad or that it's "the reason".... the issue we're discussing here isn't due to just one or even just a few reasons...competition isn't bad, so don't go taking that comment all to the extreme and start painting me as some anti-competition pinko commie or anything....I'm not.

It's true the transportation is a part, the way the geography lays out and many other factors have led to our spread-out development patterns.

As for my comment on competing municipalities...it's just that to me, I like downtowns. Just my personal opinion. I like good urbanism. Most of us here probably do. So when a business is looking to move downtown, it's frustrating to me to see the hurdles there, and then along comes a competing government entity and offers up a greenfield on the beltline, it's an incentive that personally I don't blame a business at all for making the choice to move to the suburban spot (nor do I blame the suburb for enticing the business there)...it's just that for me, personally, I want to see a better downtown, and all the factors in play here in this community haven't been working in favor of downtown development. It does appear that things may be changing with the announcements in the last several months...so i'm again optimistic.

Again, I'm not a pinko commie...I believe competition is good especially in business. Whether or not government should be competing against other governments, yeah I suppose that may be a good thing...I don't know, that's a deeper question...maybe what I was getting at.

I have to agree 100% with this. Another side effect of the way things are done in this area is we end up with a large amount of commercial real estate empty and for lease or sale as new buildings are built further and further outside of town, giving the impression that we have little commerce in the area.

I think what hurts the city's image more than anything is that when people have money to develop something, they build on every far-flung fringe part of the metro all willy-nilly, rather than concentrating the wealth and activity in more visible places like the city's core. Suburban municipalities compete with one another to land the developments, offering all sorts of incentives and things (especially offering up the ample "greenfields").

So, visitors come to see the Packers or maybe a couple other things, all they see are the "pit" parts of town and the shittiness that always lays out along busy roads and freeways, and don't realize there is much more here than meets the eye.

With or without the Packers, Green Bay is a fine city. Has many good neighborhoods, services and amenities, a solid local economy, and a downtown home to some 15,000 workers that's undergoing impressive change and renovation west and east. What the Packers bring is an entertaining and fun professional sports franchise, millions more dollars into the community, national fame and publicity, and a local identity the town embraces. To call the city a pit the way it has been here is inaccurate, suggests bitterness and is nonsense.

To call the city a pit the way it has been here is inaccurate, suggests bitterness and is nonsense.

I couldn't agree with you more. My posting that was quoted and then used as a foundation to assert that the city without the Packers would be a pit was clearly off the mark from the spirit of what I feel a Packerless city would be. I implied that the city would have less hotels and restaurants. Perhaps I shouldn't have led off by saying "I hate to imagine what Green Bay would be like without the Packers..." Don't even get me started on Appleton (just joking :lol:)!

Yay, we are all friends again. :) When is the next happy hour for us all to get together? I think it would be neat to start a quarterly happy hour or something of the like. :cheers:

I think what hurts the city's image more than anything is that when people have money to develop something, they build on every far-flung fringe part of the metro all willy-nilly, rather than concentrating the wealth and activity in more visible places like the city's core.

Coming to Green Bay a few years ago from the urban coast(s), It's been interesting to me to see the phenomenon of which you speak, Puant, where those with money for developments take it to the suburban areas or the outer boundaries of GB.

I have always been struck by the way not-for-profit spending in GB is inexorably drawn to areas outside the downtown (with some exceptions, of course). I think it has something to do with the fact that old money in GB does not have an urban sensibility, even though many people who move here from elsewhere recognize the urban potential of places like Broadway.

In reality, Downtown GB/Broadway is just on the cusp of being an urban experience. What pushes it over the edge, and makes it quite urban, is the sensibility you bring to it. If you come from an urban area, or have spent time in one, you recognize in the Broadway district: eclectic cafes, good espresso, streetlife that's active, diverse and inclusive. You recognize the architectural cohesiveness of the district, the unique, locally-owned retail, creative cuisine, microbreweries, street art, the historical allure of the riverfront and the port, the big ships, the grafitti'ed train cars, etc. It all mixes in to give a feeling of urban hipness, vitality and commerce.

But a good chunk of that feeling is the interpretation you put on what you see.

You kind of need a reference to work from, or you don't see it.

And maybe it's not just the idea that old money in GB lacks that reference. (So many philanthropists are well-traveled.) I think it's that so many of the entrenched, old-guard who are fundraisers in GB are especially lacking in that kind of urban sensibility.

There's a beautiful new book blending downtown Green Bay and the Packers. If you buy a copy at Bosses today you can have it signed by the author Tom Murphy. Go pick up a copy it's awesome you guys will like it.

What effects do you think that downtown Green Bay's 'split' (by the river) personality have on the health of both the main downtown area and the Broadway (originally Fort Howard) district?

I also agree that the severe municipal balkanization of the Green Bay metro area is a drag on things. Those suburbs surrounding the city but spurning Green Bay to buy their water from *MANITOWOC* - with a new pipeline laid along old US 141 to get it?!?!?! I'd like to have some of whatever the state's PSC was smoking before they approved THAT!

:nuts:

The entire urbanized Green Bay metro area should be amalgamated into one city.

Also, what positive effects might the eventual restoration of useful rail passenger service between Chicago, Milwaukee and the Fox Valley have on the Broadway area? (The idea is 'middle-burnered' right now and I'm not sure when, but it will happen someday.)

Mike

I think the "split personality" about downtown is an interesting part of the historical picture. It certainly helped Broadway retain some historical architecture.

In the present it hampers the effort to build a viable downtown brand, I believe. I think the obvious thing to do, as I've said here before, is to specifically brand the downtown river loop as an arts and entertainment district--that's what it is.

Bottle it and sell it.

Not just to potential businesses considering a move to GB, but to people who live in GB, who would not otherwise realize what they are seeing when they look at the downtown and Broadway (who, as I said, might not have an urban sensibility). Sometimes branding creates a commodity from thin air (or from sugar, carbon dioxide and carmel-colored water), but in this case it could define and promote and make meaning out of something that already exists.

It's not a well received idea, because of that historical split between the two sides of the river. But Broadway is not quite large enough, the other side of the river is not diversified enough. I think they both need each other.

It would not mean, God forbid, that Broadway would have to lose its own identity, autonomy, or distinctiveness.

not important, but fyi:

until late last year performa was a part of kahler slater. kahler had a green bay office, but when they bought performa green bay handled a lot of higher ed work. when performa was sold the kahler green bay office went with them, or so one would believe. performa is hq'd in north carolina.

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2010/11/24/kahler-slater-sells-higher-education.html

Actually everything that you just said is incorrect. The website that is shown in Morse's comment is the Performa, Inc. company out of DePere. The Performa HE company was sold to Kahler Slater and they are no longer affiliated with each other. If you want to see what Performa, Inc. does, check out the website. Please make sure that you know what you are talking about before "assuming" something about another company.

not important, but fyi:

until late last year performa was a part of kahler slater. kahler had a green bay office, but when they bought performa green bay handled a lot of higher ed work. when performa was sold the kahler green bay office went with them, or so one would believe. performa is hq'd in north carolina.

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2010/11/24/kahler-slater-sells-higher-education.html

Sorry, already posted.

Stadium District. The Journal Sentinel says the NFL Kickoff Concert and other league events here next week are "about as close as cold-weather Green Bay will likely get in holding an event with Super Bowl-like trimmings." The game and other activities are expected to draw around 100,000 people. That compares with about 250,000 for opening-game festivities last year in New Orleans. Almost all of the 4,300 hotel rooms in Brown County are filled for the opening game, with maybe another 5,000 people looking for rooms once the kickoff concert's performers are announced. Journal Sentinel map. http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/128542393.html and http://www.wbay.com/story/15353379/2011/08/29/extra-patrols-for-kickoff-concert and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110827/GPG0101/108270617/-1/7daysarchives/No-vacancy-Area-hotels-full-Packers-season-opener

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/greenbayG_0828111.jpg

Lambeau Field. Groundbreaking is scheduled Thursday for the $143 million Lambeau Field expansion and improvement projects. Construction this year will be largely foundation work, with much of the heavy construction to be done starting in the off-season. Will make Lambeau the fourth largest NFL stadium. Renderings from the Packers showing new south end-zone (left) and north end-zone entrances. http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/128382863.html

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acts announced for the 9/1 pre-game concert - Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Maroon 5

http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/article-1/NFL-Kickoff-to-celebrate-start-of-NFL-season-Sept-8/bf0963c7-61d9-4154-8c74-0082b56cb8a2

WaterMark. Work is beginning on the former Younkers building and an update on above-ground construction of the Children's Museum structure. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110825/GPG03/108250522/-1/7daysarchives/Green-Bay-Children-s-Museum-starts-take-shape-check-out-construction-camera

Artstreet. Press-Gazette coverage of 30th-annual Artstreet activities. PG photo. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110829/GPG0101/108290501/-1/7daysarchives/Artstreet-2011-ends-Green-Bay-flying-colors and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110828/GPG0101/108280587/-1/7daysarchives/Artstreet-celebrates-30-years-downtown-Green-Bay and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110827/GPG04/108270596/-1/7daysarchives/Warren-Gerds-column-Neville-throws-Artstreet-party-downtown-Green-Bay

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Neville Public Museum. Expanding on comments from the 19th-century Chicago architect and urban planner Daniel Burnham, Rolf Johnson - the Neville's new executive director - says he hopes new plans, programs and exhibits at the museum in upcoming years will "stir both men's and women's blood." The Neville celebrates its 100th birthday in 2015. Johnson does a Q&A with the Press-Gazette. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110829/GPG03/108290518/-1/7daysarchives/Neville-Public-Museum-taking-care-business and http://www.pbs.org/programs/make-no-little-plans/

Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency. Remember that our sons and grandsons are going to do things that would stagger us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty. Think big. - Daniel Burnham (1846-1912).

I walked by Al's yesterday and it was very strange smelling a burnt building. I kept thinking to myself, where is the grease and onion smell? There was a sigh someone drew and left on the building which read, "Al's please come back". Personally, I will be really surprised if the owners reopen.

On another know, does anyone know what happened to the Meyer getting a new marquee?

^^ So far I'm digging what the new museum director is saying. I don't know much about him, other than what I've read here and a couple other places, but I like his vision and enthusiasm, he seems very well-spoken and I like that he's reaching out to groups like On Broadway and the Harbor commission.

On development topics:...
It looks to me like the mall recycling has pretty much wrapped up..at least from what I can tell on the outside.

Since development news is a bit slow as of late...I'm wondering if you can satisfy my curiosity on something:

I'm curious as to where you like to walk when you are downtown. I know I have my favorite walking areas. Certain streets like Adams, of course the boardwalk and also Broadway. Where do you go if you do any downtown "walkabouts"?

my walking areas; broadway for the wednesday farmers markets and the sardine can wednesday nights (guess this also means i have to walk shawano ave), washington(where i live) and the riverwalk/Fox River Trail

One of my favorite walk includes, but is not limited to, Starting at Bosses north on Adams to Pine St then east on Pine around the Y up Jefferson to the courthouse (I love staring up at St. Willebrords...) then along Doty to the Washington St or the riverwalk and back.

We also like the "secret passage" next to Angelina's

If time allows the loop across the bridges always tends to be interesting as well, I am hoping that the sidewalk where Astor Place was to be built gets completed, its a little tricky navigating that stretch with the kiddos.

Apparently Guy Zima has a brother...

http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2011/08/drunk-man-stuffs-ribs-in-pants-is-arrested-again.html

We take walks all the time and generally just pick random routes around the area but I think the CityDeck is always included. We generally will take a break and sit at the CityDeck for a while. Even the kids love to do so.

I'm curious as to where you like to walk when you are downtown. I know I have my favorite walking areas. Certain streets like Adams, of course the boardwalk and also Broadway. Where do you go if you do any downtown "walkabouts"?

Chamber of Commerce. The dean of corporate training and economic development at NWTC, Laurie Radke, will succeed Paul Jadin as president of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. She could be the group's first woman president. A chamber official says "there needs to be a change in direction" for the organization, and its involvement in politics will be among matters looked at. The chamber has about 1,250 members and employs about 25 people. Meanwhile, Mayor Schmitt says he supports Radke's selection, and the city will remain a chamber member. The mayor has disagreed with chamber leadership in the past. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110826/GPG03/108260485/Laurie-Radke-will-lead-Green-Bay-Area-Chamber-Commerce and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110831/GPG0101/108310596/City-pays-dues-stays-Chamber?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-News|s

Highway 41. For the first time in Wisconsin, a new bridge-roll method has been used to build and place a highway bridge. Crews have rolled a new bridge into place on Highway 29 just west of the 41/29 interchange about 65 feet from where it was built. It'll carry 29 over Brown County J. A second bridge for westbound lanes is now being built and should be rolled into place by mid-October. The rollout method speeds construction. Meanwhile, orange construction barrels are up on 41 from Scheuring to Velp and construction is well under way at underpass and overpass points. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110827/GPG0101/108270638/Photos-video-New-bridge-installed-Shawano-Avenue?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE and http://www.wbay.com/story/15340526/2011/08/26/new-highway-29-bridge-rolls-into-place and http://wearegreenbay.com/search-fulltext?nxd_id=10937

Green Bay Metro. Has a new website. And I've noticed a bus or two has been repainted to promote the NFL kickoff celebration here next week. http://www.greenbaymetro.org/en-us/default.aspx

Zippin Pippin. Has surpassed 400,000 riders for the year. Press-Gazette calls it a "summer blockbuster hit." http://greenbayhub.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110828/GPG04/110828012/Zippin-Pippin-roller-coaster-Green-Bay-summer-blockbuster-hit

Aviation. This week marks the 100th anniversary of Brown County's first airplane flight — one that ended with a broken plane spending the night in the Fox River in De Pere. Local businesses put up $2,000 in 1911 to bring the pilot and airplane to the Brown County Fair. An estimated 15,000 people turned out to watch the flight by Charles C. Witmer in a Curtiss Hydro-Aeroplane. The plane ended up crashing into the river but Witmer was unharmed. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110828/GPG03/108280574/Green-Bay-area-celebrates-100-years-aviation

In addition to things mentioned, I like walking the downtown bridges in either direction - like the tugboats tied up by the Walnut bridge. Also all of Walnut St., east and west. And Adams St. north of Main to the WPS circle and where the Fox and East join. Plus, walking north, the alley between the Bellin Building and the Riverside Place condos/apartments

Stadium District. WGBA expects to learn Friday whether NBC plans to broadcast President Obama’s address to Congress or the “NFL Kickoff 2011 presented by EA Sports” pregame show or — using affiliated networks or channels — both. The speech and pregame program are both scheduled for 6:30 p.m. next Thursday. Meanwhile, NBC’s TODAY show will broadcast live from Lambeau on game day, and other on-site programming will be broadcast on the Weather Channel, CNBC, Telemundo, E! and The Tonight Show. Some trees, traffic signals, light poles, signage and guardrails are being removed on Oneida St. next to Lambeau to accommodate the pregame concert but will be put back in place after the game. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=blogs0204&plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&U=bce5aa6b-f3bc-41e7-ae81-a4cde6e69b4a&plckPostId=Blog:bce5aa6b-f3bc-41e7-ae81-a4cde6e69b4aPost:fd9a8546-f269-416c-a683-2f1ad556b1cf&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110901/GPG0101/109010586/Green-Bay-gets-added-TV-time-opener?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110901/GPG0101/109010578/NFL-Kickoff-concert-alter-Oneida-Street-Ashwaubenon?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

River Center. Recent photos of the Children’s Museum-structure site. Photos from The Children’s Museum of Green Bay.

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Fox River. The seasonal butterflies-and-friends sculptures along the Fox River downtown have been removed and will be auctioned off for charity. A new set of sculptures will return for next summer. Photo from The Einstein Project. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110830/GPG0101/108300452/-1/7daysarchives/Butterflies-Friends-ready-catching

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Port of Green Bay. After 21 years, Chuck Larscheid is retiring as director of Green Bay’s port. His last full-time day is Friday. Port Manager Dean Haen will serve as interim director. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110831/GPG0101/108310541/-1/7daysarchives/Brown-County-port-director-retire

Vicenzi’s. John Solberg, the former owner of Vicenzi’s accused of bribing witnesses and conspiring to commit perjury over liquor license violations at his downtown nightclub, has been given 14 months probation on misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and obstructing. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110830/GPG0101/110830100/Former-Vicenzi-s-owner-sentenced-probation?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Cimg%7CGPG-News

Downtown. Four inmates from the Brown County Jail work-release program will volunteer Friday to beautify the downtown area. Mayor Schmitt said the inmates will remove weeds, sweep sidewalks and do touch-up painting. County officials announced last week that work-release inmates could begin earning early-release credit through community service. Schmitt said the city also plans to use inmates next week to beautify the Lombardi Ave. area before next Thursday’s NFL season opener at Lambeau. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110901/GPG0101/110901066/Work-release-inmates-help-clean-up-downtown-Green-Bay-Friday?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

Green Bay. At Thursday’s Lambeau Field-expansion groundbreaking, Mayor Schmitt said, "If I was a construction worker, Green Bay would be the place to be" and listed a series of other new construction projects announced or planned — including the $60 million VA clinic, $50 million Schreiber Foods development and potentially the $18 million KI Convention Center expansion. The Packers are considering relocation of the Pro Shop and Hall of Fame plus constructing a new players entrance and are developing plans for 28 acres the team has purchased around the stadium. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110902/GPG03/109020596/Lambeau-Field-expansion-brings-excitement-jobs?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

Lambeau Field. Echoing what officials have said before, it's not the weather but the lack of sufficient hotel rooms that would prevent the NFL from having Green Bay host a Super Bowl. The league requires 25,000 hotel rooms within a one-hour drive of the host stadium. Brown County only has 4,300. Double or triple that to include nearby counties and Green Bay would still be far short of the room requirement. http://www.nbc26.com/sports/packer-news/129114058.html

Green Bay Metro. Close to 1,000 riders took advantage Thursday of Metro’s Packer game-day route between Austin Straubel and Lambeau. It was the second game the route was in service. GBM says four game-day routes will be in service for all remaining home games, including routes to and from the airport, East Town Mall, St. Norbert College and the Metro Center. Two of the routes cover the downtown. The Packers and Metro are splitting costs. http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/PR/PACKER%20PRESS%20RELEASE.pdf and http://www.greenbaymetro.org/en-us/packers/default.aspx

Captain’s Walk Winery. On S. Adams St. and shown below, is among several wineries interviewed for a feature article on the growing number of wineries (14) in mainly Door, Brown, Kewaunee, Outagamie and Oconto counties. Captain's Walk is considering expansion. Press-Gazette photo. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110828/GPG03/110827042/-1/7daysarchives/Wisconsin-wineries-diversify-grow

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I walked from downtown to the game and back yesterday, and it was pleasant. However, I'd use the bus in the future for sure. A great option.

I walked from downtown to the game and back yesterday, and it was pleasant. However, I'd use the bus in the future for sure. A great option.

That's a bit of a hike. I like the new transit director. He's fired up and, with the mayor's support, already has done some great work in just a couple months.

What do you guys think of this idea: "Trolley Days". Here's how it works: Take those 2 existing trolleys that Metro has, find a few more to borrow from another city or wherever , and just get them looping around the downtown -- with frequent stops--stopping at various points on both sides of the river and also Old Main. Maybe do this during a Packer home game and have them going out to Lambeau area as well to bring more people downtown. Advertise the hell out of it and make sure people know it's happening, and that the trolley loops will be made such that they're easy to use and FREQUENT enough to let people come/go to different places as they please. Being free would be a bonus. I think there are a lot of people who come into town for Packer games who would be interested in seeing what downtown has to offer, but aren't comfortable driving down themselves, or dealing with any perceived parking problems, and arent' sure where to go anyway even if they did drive down there. Having the trolley going would alleviate any of those inhibitions and just get people down there.
^^I did see that the metro bus is going to be doing something like this for packer games, which is nice and spurred this idea; however, I think this needs to be expanded greatly upon: It needs to be more than just immediately before and after games for one. It has to be a whole weekend of frequent runs and stops at various points all around downtown--a few spots along Broadway, Washington St, Old Main, and so on. Frequency is key IMO.

Been meaning to comment on this. An interesting idea. I wonder why Metro discontinued the downtown trolley loops to and from the transit center. Must not have been working. But is there an adequate connection now for downtown residents, workers and visitors to the transit center? Don't know. I think if the new game-day routes are successful - have seen one person saying the buses on those routes will be packed once people get familiar with the new service - maybe Metro can think about how to utilize the trolleys for Packer weekends. You'd think gridlock traffic around the stadium just before and after games would make these routes impractical, but maybe the buses are able to get in and out and stay on schedule. Seems to me one smart thing is the buses pass by a number of major hotels - downtown, Oneida St., airport area, east side and De Pere - and Metro is working with them to promote the service. As a hotel guest, you can park your car at the hotel and take the bus to and from the game. To say nothing of residents living along the routes or people visiting downtown restaurants and taverns. By the way, I wonder years ago if there was any discussion on this board about the location of the Metro Center. I think an earlier plan was to have it more centrally located downtown. I wonder if it works just fine where it is.

I got a tip that the P-G is working on making their website a paid digital format No "hard" timetable yet, but the guess was around the first of the year...I will really miss the Negative post from whiners over there if this is true,

Interesting comment in todays pg, "When the Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl, we started to think about what place in Green Bay is the center of the universe of the city," Supovitz said. "It was pretty obvious that Lambeau Field had to be that place."

I got a tip that the P-G is working on making their website a paid digital format No "hard" timetable yet, but the guess was around the first of the year...I will really miss the Negative post from whiners over there if this is true,

Very interesting. If true, wonder if that would be a Gannett-wide change. It could reduce, mabe significantly, the number of Dark Side posters and their on-line comments.

I have a feeling it will be. there will be "limited" free content and the month rate would be around $15.00.

Packers. WGBA now says it won't know until early this week how NBC will handle the presidential address and/or NFL pregame show. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110903/GPG0101/109030606/-1/7daysarchives/Police-plan-NFL-kickoff-event Meanwhile, NFL banners for Lambeau's season opener have been put up downtown and around the stadium, and the TODAY show will visit Titletown Brewing Co. DGBI photo. Other downtown Packer activities at http://campaignbox.imagedistillery.com/t/ViewEmail/r/73671553D1B1CDDB/4EA76D1D63B80A926707B176AE29F890

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Nicolet National Bank. Has repaid $15.7 million to the U.S. Treasury it accepted as part of the TARP loan program. The bank says it used the money and an additional $9.5 million in capital raised from investors to increase loans and buy four metro-area branches of the troubled Madison-based AnchorBank. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110903/GPG03/109030621/Nicolet-National-Bank-repays-U-S-Treasury-TARP-aid?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

River Center. Time-lapse photography of construction. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/section/downtowngb

A is for Architecture. Features Arketype, Inc., located downton at Stuart and Monroe in the former Grace Presbyterian Church. Neogothic Revival, red brick, gable roofs with square bell tower, arched windows and entrance. The rear part of the building dates to 1910 and the front part to 1929. The exterior is largely intact, and the building's stained-glass windows have been preserved; the interior has been remodeled. The Presbyterian congregation dated to the 1830s, and its services were conducted in French until 1916. Green Bay Historic Preservation Commission photo. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110903/GPG04/109030636/-1/7daysarchives/Arketype-Inc-retains-former-Grace-Presbyterian-Churh-s-classic-exterior and http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/HistoricPreservation/2007_awards.html

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UWGB & SNC. More on the record 2,025 UWGB students planning to live on campus this fall. That's slightly under a third of total enrollment. At St. Norbert, the college has a record enrollment of 2,179 students this fall, an increase of 11% since 2005. Over the last five years SNC has spent more than $50 million on construction projects, including a new library, residence halls and work on the student union. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110902/GPG0101/109020584/-1/7daysarchives/UWGB-freshmen-settle-into-residence-halls and http://wearegreenbay.com/fulltext?nxd_id=11227

Stadium District. A tourism official from New Orleans, where last year's NFL Kickoff celebration was held, says the event had a major economic and promotional impact on the city. Preparations continue in and around Lambeau. Press-Gazette photo. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110904/GPG0101/109040625/NFL-Kickoff-celebration-puts-Green-Bay-grand-stage-?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

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Green Bay Metro. Contrasting visions of where GB Metro may be heading. Director Tom Wittig says look for ridership to be "climbing — and climbing." He notes major route revisions system-wide that go into effect Tuesday, the new "Green Saturday" service, the new Lambeau game-day routes and a "Green Business" initiative to be launched this fall. Citizen transit advocates say the public funding future for Metro right now is "bleak." GBM is set to lose an estimated $500,000 to $1.5 million in annual federal funding beginning in 2013 and some $225,000 in annual state support beginning in 2012. That could lead to major service cuts and fare increases, they indicate. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110904/GPG0706/109040608/Guest-column-Green-Bay-Metro-provides-fun-efficient-way-travel?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Opinion and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110904/GPG06/109040609/JOSHUA-drives-support-Green-Bay-Metro-?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Opinion

Port of Green Bay. Almost a decade after the Corps of Engineers suggested expanding the St. Lawrence Seaway to allow for larger ships to visit ports like Duluth, Milwaukee and Green Bay, the agency has formally scrapped the proposal. http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/129045873.html

Port of Green Bay. Brown County wants to triple the capacity of the Bayport Confined Disposal Facility along the bay on Green Bay's Northwest Side, saying dredged material will fill the site in about six years unless the CDF is made larger. The site is used to dry soil and clay dredged from the bay and other sites in the county before the materials are trucked elsewhere for re-use or disposal. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110902/GPG0101/109020588/-1/7daysarchives/Brown-County-looks-expand-Bay-Port-Confined-Disposal

Howard. The County Board is expected to vote Sept. 21 on turning a soon-to-be-abandoned stretch of railroad along Pamperin Park into a trail. The trail would run three-quarters of a mile from Packerland Dr. to Duck Creek along the south side of the park. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110901/GPG0101/109010568/-1/7daysarchives/Brown-Co-Board-vote-Pamperin-Park-trail-proposal

Anything new going on in the Broadway district? Unfortunately I haven't been over there much lately to check things out.

Anything new going on in the Broadway district? Unfortunately I haven't been over there much lately to check things out.

The big things announced recently I can think of would be Smet Construction moving into the second floor of the chamber building and the Funky Monkey computer/home theater people buying the FiveSix lounge. And 47 new planters coming. Nothing public from Lofts @ Larsen, meaning things could be moving along quietly behind the scenes or something else. Among new businesses, what looks to be a nifty new store (antiques?) has opened on Broadway across from Bangkok Garden. Haven't seen any announcement or checked it out yet. And the TODAY show coming to Titletown this week. http://www.facebook.com/OnBroadwayGB?sk=wall

Stadium District. Preparations for the NFL Kickoff celebration are nearing completion. Room for up to 40,000 people for the pregame concert, video and audio towers, and stunt cards to be used by fans inside the stadium to create patriotic and Packer displays. Complete list of events. WLUK photos. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/NFL-kickoff-preps-nearly-complete and http://www.wbay.com/story/15404303/2011/09/06/nfl-kick-off-schedule-of-events-wednesday-and-game-day

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Associated Banc-Corp. Expects to pay back the rest of its TARP loan from the federal government by the end of the month. Money to repay the $262.5 million will come from $65 million in proceeds from a public offering of preferred stock, $132 million in senior notes, and cash on hand. Associated received $525 million in TARP money total and repaid the first half earlier this year. Associated also says its primary regulator, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, has terminated special scrutiny of the bank that began in November 2009 during the financial crisis. http://www.jsonline.com/newswatch/129338853.html

Stadium District. Businesses such as Cambria Suites and Brett Favre's Steakhouse think their "once-promising location" east of Lambeau and Holmgren Way has become a liability because lack of development has left them isolated. They want the city to allow a directional sign on Lombardi Ave. to promote their businesses. The nearby Hilton Garden Inn in Ashwaubenon objects. Press-Gazette map. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110906/GPG0101/109060458/Lombardi-Avenue-sign-draws-objection?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

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Downtown. Video on using Huber Law inmates to clean and spruce up downtown and the Lambeau Field area. Took the city about a year to get approval, and it could be a long-term arrangement. http://www.wbay.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=6219115&h1=Inmates%20Clean%20up%20Green%20Bay&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=94700&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=59616903

Good Help Shrine. And its history are featured in the Summer/Fall issue of the magazine Voyageur: Northeast Wisconsin's Historical Review due out later this month. The next issue, scheduled for December, will feature an article on the demolition of the Chancery. www.voyageurmagazine.org

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Took a ride downtown this weekend to show the wife that they started working again on the projects. She asked me a question I had no answer for, she wanted to know why they were building ANOTHER parking ramp when we have two that seem to be empty a majority of the time

Took a ride downtown this weekend to show the wife that they started working again on the projects. She asked me a question I had no answer for, she wanted to know why they were building ANOTHER parking ramp when we have two that seem to be empty a majority of the time
you know that I always have a smart ass answer... that answer is simple, people just will not walk that far. There MUST be a parking lot or ramp for each new development. btw there are times when the ramps can be quite full.

Took a ride downtown this weekend to show the wife that they started working again on the projects. She asked me a question I had no answer for, she wanted to know why they were building ANOTHER parking ramp when we have two that seem to be empty a majority of the time

I can't speak for every day, but I can tell you that every time I've been in the cherry street ramp in the last year or so, it's been close to full - I've had to park near the top. I don't know about the mall ramp - haven't been in that one since artstreet last year..

Also, I think that this ramp was intended to be parking for the other structures going up, wasn't it? Like attached parking for the condos, etc.? I wonder how much will be public parking vs. private/reserved?

The Pine St ramp is basically full every weekday, and the new Cherry St ramp is pretty full every weekday too. The old Main St. ramp isn't full but you gotta remember that was built for the old mall....I have to believe that it being there has a lot to do with the big Schreiber development coming soon...it will be full again once those projects are finished.

I'm sure my gripes about parking annoy the hell out of all of you..Just that I feel that parking is ugly and is really "dead space" from an urban design standpoint...yet, I know that realistically it is "needed"... parking is truly a dichotomy....business owners downtown want it, yet it also kills the essence of downtown in so many ways....Now we have this Wash St. project in which they've tried to put both parking and another function together...how has that worked for the Cherry St. ramp? Hopefully this next development will be different....

Packers. The Packers are worth $1.08 billion, according to the latest NFL rankings from Forbes. That compares to $1.02 billion last year and makes the team the NFL’s ninth most valuable. The Dallas Cowboys are the top-rated NFL team, worth an estimated $1.85 billion. Forbes says the Packers “are an emerging financial power in the NFL,” with revenues better than major-market teams like San Francisco and Atlanta. “Their Super Bowl win, coming enhancements at the stadium and the league's new collective bargaining agreement with players will make them stronger still,” Forbes says. The Packers would like to play a future game in London. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110907/GPG03/110907178/Packers-worth-1-08B-rank-9th-NFL-according-Forbes-annual-report?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE and http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2011/0926/nfl-valuatuations-11-sportsmoney-packers-financial-bercovici.html

Packers. NBC will broadcast nationally the President’s speech and Republican response Thursday night. The Packers/Saints NFL pregame show will be televised, instead, on four cable networks affiliated with NBC plus the NFL Network. However, in Wisconsin NBC stations in at least Green Bay and Milwaukee will televise the pregame, and the presidential address will go to sister stations. Both the address to Congress and pregame begin at 6 p.m. Once events in Washington are completed, NBC nationally will switch to Lambeau, perhaps around 7 p.m. The game starts at 7:30. http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/129381048.html and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=blogs0204&plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&U=bce5aa6b-f3bc-41e7-ae81-a4cde6e69b4a&plckPostId=Blog:bce5aa6b-f3bc-41e7-ae81-a4cde6e69b4aPost:83101d84-d09a-4e3e-b1ac-8e9e2326899f&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest

Packers. Some 200 to 300 private jets are expected to fly into Austin Straubel in time for Thursday night’s game at Lambeau. The jets are bringing performers, other celebrities, corporate clients and Packers and Saints fans from around the country and Canada. Meanwhile, bars and restaurants in the Stadium District anticipate big business Thursday. By the way, the TODAY show will not be visiting Titletown Brewing Co., but Titletown’s beers will be sampled on the show Thursday. http://www.wbay.com/story/15414206/2011/09/07/elite-football-fans-jetting-into-titletown and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110907/GPG03/109070532/Green-Bay-businesses-expect-huge-night-Packers-opener-nears?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

Green Bay. A proposal to build 72 Ship-to-Shore Connectors, a vessel designed to move equipment from U.S. Navy ships to beachheads, has been submitted by Marinette Marine Corp. Production of the vessels would be in Green Bay (presumably at its ACE Marine LLC affiliate). MMC expects to hear about the contract by early 2012. Meanwhile, Marinette Marine anticipates doubling its employment in Marinette to some 2,200 workers within the next two years to meet production for up to 10 combat ships for the U.S. Navy and possibly additional orders to come. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110906/GPG03/109060475/Navy-project-grows-Marinette-Marine-s-state-s-shipbuilding?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110903/GPG03/109030618/-1/7daysarchives/Navy-chief-Roughead-pleased-progress-Marinette-Marine-LCS-progress

Downtown. Downtown Green Bay’s Tour of Homes will be held Thursday, September 29, from 4 to 7 p.m. Includes sneak peaks of condos, apartments, above-store living and future developments. http://campaignbox.imagedistillery.com/t/ViewEmail/r/59C6D494709C809D/BFE5868C711383222438807772DD75D1

Got invited to the game last night, so we took Metro's game-day route originating from downtown De Pere a block from St. Norbert. We took the scheduled 5:20 p.m. run, but it was 15 minutes late - the driver mentioned heavy traffic. Fifteen people boarded at Reid & 4th (some had printed off the bus route and schedule), another 3 left a couple of minutes before the bus arrived after waiting. After exiting downtown, the bus took Holmgren Way from De Pere up to Cormier in Ashwaubenon, where it switched over to Ridge Rd. There were no pickups along the way. It was smooth sailing to the stadium, with traffic slowing on Ridge a couple blocks from Lambeau. The bus left everyone off on Lombardi at the game-day bus stops there, with the driver explaining to everyone how to board (the "Quick Slant" route) after the game. It was a 20-minute ride in, with arrival at 5:55.

The game ended, what around 10:45?, and we caught an 11:05 return bus. It was packed and SRO, with people being turned away for the next bus. Looks like the return route was changed - instead of taking basically Ashland Ave. to De Pere, the bus turned around on Lombardi (the street is closed off in front of the stadium for security), headed west and we took 41 South back. Smooth sailing again, and we returned to downtown De Pere in 15 minutes, arriving 11:20. Almost everyone got off at the Reid & 4th stop. Looks like, though, the De Pere Police Department wasn't up to speed. A number of people had parked in a lot located next to a Humana office building in downtown De Pere. (There are other lots and street parking in the area.) Signs at the lot say it's restricted parking weekdays 6 to 5, with no overnight parking. But everyone parking there using the game-day route, maybe a dozen or more, got ticketed around 8 p.m. $15. We're contesting our ticket.

All in all, it was a very pleasant experience. People were friendly and talkative waiting for and on the bus (everyone had h/h own post-game analysis). And it was quicker, rather than parking many blocks away from the stadium or getting caught in traffic. Metro no doubt will be making changes and tweaks. But if our experience was any indication, it's off to a good start.

P.S. By the way, some of the people we talked to waiting for the bus were from places like Plymouth and Fond du Lac County who said they had heard about the service and checked Metro's website.

Thursday. A number of records were set for Thursday's Packer game. Press-Gazette says the game set a television-viewing record for an NFL Kickoff game. The NFL says the pregame concert drew 70,000 (which would easily be the largest concert attendance in GB history). And Green Bay Metro says it set a one-day ridership record of 8,826 (average daily ridership is 5,000). More maybe over the weekend. Metro chart. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110909/GPG0101/110909109/Early-returns-show-NFL-Kickoff-events-success-Green-Bay?odyssey=nav|head and http://www.facebook.com/notes/green-bay-metro/green-bay-metro-ridership-record/10150359939083255

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/299563_10150264816636664_112541541663_7274281_468891945_n.jpg

As always, thanks for the updates, Tower. I enjoy them every day.

I don't think that Packers/NFL kickoff could have gone much better. Watching it on TV, I kept thinking that it was the best advertisement for Green Bay that we could ever ask for. Everything looked great. And the Packers won, so that was awesome.

As always, thanks for the updates, Tower. I enjoy them every day.

I don't think that Packers/NFL kickoff could have gone much better. Watching it on TV, I kept thinking that it was the best advertisement for Green Bay that we could ever ask for. Everything looked great. And the Packers won, so that was awesome.
And the TV ratings guys said that about 27M people (in the USA) watched the game - and it might have been in the 28-29M range had there not been that massive power failure in SW California.

It was an über-FUN time, too, as a ticketed fan!

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

And my foam cheesehead is famous again!

http://www.jsonline.com/multimedia/photos/129499608.html?image=55990048#id_55990048

:cheers1:

(Yepper, this is the 50th season that my family has had those two seats in the front row of the south end zone!)

Mike

Green Bay Area. Although its number of employees is down slightly from last year, Humana remains the largest private employer in the Green Bay area, according to the GB Area Chamber of Commerce. It had 3,091 full-time-equivalent employees in the county as of August. The Oneida Tribe, Schneider National, Bellin Health and Georgia-Pacific round out the top five. The chamber's list of the 30 largest private employers does not include public entities like UWGB, Brown County and the City of Green Bay. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110910/GPG03/109100546/Humana-listed-largest-Green-Bay-area-employer?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business and http://www.titletown.org/media/154765/30%20largest%20employers%20bcty%202011.pdf

Austin Straubel. Planners anticipate some 1.2 million passengers will use Austin Straubel airport in 20 years, about a 65% increase from current levels. That could lead to a parking ramp, having longer runways, expanding cargo handling and erecting a taller control tower. A website is being developed to view airport development proposals and submit comments. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110908/GPG0101/109080551/-1/7daysarchives/No-public-attendance-Austin-Straubel-International-Airport-planning-event

Weidner Center. A meeting to continue working on a plan to revitalize the Weidner Center will be held Monday, Sept. 19th, at 8 a.m. on the center's main stage. A consultant hired for the center will discuss possible components of a strategic plan and seek input on programming and other issues.

Stadium District. Officials says there are no definite plans yet for development of the Titletown Entertainment District on properties around and near Lambeau Field. Regarding the district, Green Bay Economic Development Director Gregory Flisram says "no one is pounding on our door right now." http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110908/GPG03/109080607/-1/7daysarchives/Packers-see-multiple-uses-stadium-district

NFL Kickoff 2011. First photo NFL. Last photo Yahoo! Sports from NBC. Other photos Press-Gazette.

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/09000d5d8220ea75_gallery_6001.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde8-3.jpg
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde9-1.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/packers_crowd_gets_patriotic_with_enormous_american_flag2.jpg

As always, thanks for the updates, Tower. I enjoy them every day.

I don't think that Packers/NFL kickoff could have gone much better. Watching it on TV, I kept thinking that it was the best advertisement for Green Bay that we could ever ask for. Everything looked great. And the Packers won, so that was awesome.

Thanks!

A lunch held a couple of weeks ago where Packer players and staff were in attendance proved to turn up some very interesting information.

Word on the street in the Packer's camp is that they are planning to bring the Superbowl back to Green Bay by 2015. This wasn't a "maybe" it was a "definitely." Plans have already been drawn up and signed off on, apparently, and they include sufficient hotels in the Packer owned area to satisfy the NFL requirement to meet Superbowl demand. Evidently, this plan is openly discussed among the staff.

*Disclaimer....I do not work for the Packers and therefore am not privy to these plans so cannot attest to seeing them for myself.

A lunch held a couple of weeks ago where Packer players and staff were in attendance proved to turn up some very interesting information.

Word on the street in the Packer's camp is that they are planning to bring the Superbowl back to Green Bay by 2015. This wasn't a "maybe" it was a "definitely." Plans have already been drawn up and signed off on, apparently, and they include sufficient hotels in the Packer owned area to satisfy the NFL requirement to meet Superbowl demand. Evidently, this plan is openly discussed among the staff.

*Disclaimer....I do not work for the Packers and therefore am not privy to these plans so cannot attest to seeing them for myself.

Hmmmmmm.........(insert skeptical icon face here)

Even if true, I just don't think it's a good idea unless the Packers are playing in the game. Watching two other teams out there in the cold....can't see it. The fans would be bitching not only about the cold but also the lack of anything to do before the game. As much as my green and gold blood would like to see this, the teeny weeny other part of my being that isn't rabid Packer fan doesn't think it's a good idea....

I'm watching the Bears game right now....they keep showing the skyline view from the stadium. I dislike Donald Trump but his tower sure does add to the skyline! What a spectacular skyline.


********************
Later edit:
You know...I don't know, maybe people wouldn't mind it ... A lot of people do like to experience "the small town". I would be absolutely in favor of it if it wasn't early February when it's just so damn bleak here........

A lunch held a couple of weeks ago where Packer players and staff were in attendance proved to turn up some very interesting information.

Word on the street in the Packer's camp is that they are planning to bring the Superbowl back to Green Bay by 2015. This wasn't a "maybe" it was a "definitely." Plans have already been drawn up and signed off on, apparently, and they include sufficient hotels in the Packer owned area to satisfy the NFL requirement to meet Superbowl demand. Evidently, this plan is openly discussed among the staff.

*Disclaimer....I do not work for the Packers and therefore am not privy to these plans so cannot attest to seeing them for myself.

I'm sorry, but this just doesn't add up. What you've heard is a hoax.

I think the plan is to bring the Super Bowl TROPHY back to green bay in 2015. That is going to be MUCH more likely.

I think the plan is to bring the Super Bowl TROPHY back to green bay in 2015. That is going to be MUCH more likely.
I thought that that was the plan for this year.

:|

:cheers1:

Mike

What do they mean --- bring the Super Bowl "back" to Green Bay? It has never been hosted by Green Bay in the past, has it?

What do they mean --- bring the Super Bowl "back" to Green Bay? It has never been hosted by Green Bay in the past, has it?

Good point - I believe that the NFL Championship has been here, but hasn't since the AFL/NFL merger.

And to the original post of a Superbowl coming here...not to pee on anyone's birthday cake, but it's just NOT going to happen. The NFL has said that the minimum requirement is 25,000 hotel rooms in the area. We're nowhere near that, & there's no chance of it happening. If I remember correctly, Jacksonville is the 2nd smallest city in the NFL. They hosted a Superbowl several years ago & it was a logistical nightmare - lots of problems. Jacksonville's MSA pop. is about 1.3M. If they had problems in that size city, I just can't see it being feasible..

I have been wrong about a number of things, but I am 100% positive that Green Bay will NEVER Ever EVER host a super Bowl.......ok maybe in 2187 we could but that will be the earliest.

Green Bay's first week of February average high temperature of 18 degrees makes New York's 30 degrees look outright balmy. If I were going to a Super Bowl I'd want to go somewhere where the weather is decent. Even hosting the game in northern cities with domes kind of sucks. Do you really want to go to Indy, Detroit or Minneapolis in the dead of winter?

Fox River. The DNR says Asian carp have moved well into Wisconsin waters and, in one particular location, are now stalled at a dam on the Wisconsin River about 30 miles from the headwaters of the Fox River near Portage. Meanwhile, the Corps of Engineers is increasing the voltage on electric fish barriers in the Chicago area to prevent Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan. http://www.nbc26.com/news/local/129691188.html and http://www.wisconsinoutdoorfun.com/article/20110912/GPG0101/109120491/-1/7daysarchives/Feds-will-improve-barriers-stop-Asian-carp-invasion

Lambeau Field. More on the new sound system and other improvements at Lambeau this season. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110912/GPG0101/109120489/New-Lambeau-Field-Better-sound-system-expanded-menu?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

Packers. Excerpt from a new book about Packer history: Green Bay: A City and Its Team by James Hurly and Thomas Murphy, 2011. (Self-published, $34.95.) Press-Gazette photo from 1950. http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110910/PKR04/110910031/Book-excerpt-photos-Green-Bay-City-Its-Team-?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bildeCAXUELX8.jpg

Austin Straubel. WBAY reports Frontier Airlines is discontinuing service from its hub in Milwaukee to Green Bay, Madison, Minneapolis, Des Moines, Cleveland and Dayton as of November 1. However, a blog for flyers indicates to me this could be be a reduction in service (down to two flights daily in Green Bay, for example) not a complete elimination of flights. Unclear at this point. http://www.wbay.com/story/15455173/2011/09/13/source-frontier-airlines-pulling-out-of-some-midwest-airports and http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frontier-airlines-earlyreturns/1254997-more-route-cuts-service-reductions-mke-hub.html

Veterans Administration Clinic. The city Plan Commission on Monday approved a zoning change for the $60 million Veterans Administration Clinic. The 27-acre site at 2800 University Ave. had been zoned for commercial development. Groundbreaking is scheduled this fall. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110913/GPG0101/110913105/City-panel-endorses-VA-clinic-zoning-change?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

KI Convention Center. The County Board's Executive Committee supports the proposed $18.6 million KI Convention Center expansion but wants the city and/or the county's staff to compile a detailed financing plan. The mayor has been working to assemble such a package, including using excess revenue from hotel-tax collections. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110913/GPG0101/109130537/KI-Convention-Center-expansion-supported-by-Brown-County-committee?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s and http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/moving-forward-with-ki-expansion

Bay of Green Bay. The DNR plans to use helicopters this week to spray 3,300 acres of public land along the west bayshore from Howard to northern Marinette County to control an invasive grass called Phragmites australis. The grass can grow up to 15-feet tall, choke off other wetland plants and hinder the growth of fish and wildlife because it doesn't provide quality food or shelter. A herbicide approved by the EPA will be used. http://www.wisconsinoutdoorfun.com/article/20110913/MAN0101/109130568

Olde Main Street District. The fall Gallery Nite in the Olde Main Street District is Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. Free trolley shuttles every 15 minutes to 11 art galleries and shops plus the district's restaurants. A video sneak peek of Olde Main's "Park in the Art" program is featured at The Attic Books & Coffee. http://campaignbox.imagedistillery.com/t/ViewEmail/r/A2918EF83BF7FABA/AA9C952A5FFD74664936C359EC0425C0 and http://downtowngreenbay.com/gallerynite

De Pere. The City of De Pere and WisDOT are beginning a study of the Highway 32 corridor on the city's west side. The corridor runs westward along the one-way Main Ave. (Reid St. in the other direction) from the Fox River and then extends north on Eighth St. before Eighth merges into Ashland Ave. The study will look at projected growth in traffic, access for businesses, transit use, pedestrians and bikes, and what construction projects are needed to improve the corridor. The study is due to be completed in 2013. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110913/GPG0101/109130523/De-Pere-Department-Transportation-announce-study-Wisconsin-32?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-News|s and http://www.wbay.com/story/15454473/2011/09/13/de-pere-dot-study-highway-32-corridor and http://wearegreenbay.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=91057

Austin Straubel. WBAY reports Frontier Airlines is discontinuing service from its hub in Milwaukee to Green Bay, Madison, Minneapolis, Des Moines, Cleveland and Dayton as of November 1. However, a blog for flyers indicates to me this could be be a reduction in service (down to two flights daily in Green Bay, for example) not a complete elimination of flights. Unclear at this point. http://www.wbay.com/story/15455173/2011/09/13/source-frontier-airlines-pulling-out-of-some-midwest-airports and http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frontier-airlines-earlyreturns/1254997-more-route-cuts-service-reductions-mke-hub.html

Veterans Administration Clinic. The city Plan Commission on Monday approved a zoning change for the $60 million Veterans Administration Clinic. The 27-acre site at 2800 University Ave. had been zoned for commercial development. Groundbreaking is scheduled this fall. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110913/GPG0101/110913105/City-panel-endorses-VA-clinic-zoning-change?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

KI Convention Center. The County Board's Executive Committee supports the proposed $18.6 million KI Convention Center expansion but wants the city and/or the county's staff to compile a detailed financing plan. The mayor has been working to assemble such a package, including using excess revenue from hotel-tax collections. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110913/GPG0101/109130537/KI-Convention-Center-expansion-supported-by-Brown-County-committee?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s and http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/moving-forward-with-ki-expansion

Bay of Green Bay. The DNR plans to use helicopters this week to spray 3,300 acres of public land along the west bayshore from Howard to northern Marinette County to control an invasive grass called Phragmites australis. The grass can grow up to 15-feet tall, choke off other wetland plants and hinder the growth of fish and wildlife because it doesn't provide quality food or shelter. A herbicide approved by the EPA will be used. http://www.wisconsinoutdoorfun.com/article/20110913/MAN0101/109130568

Olde Main Street District. The fall Gallery Nite in the Olde Main Street District is Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. Free trolley shuttles every 15 minutes to 11 art galleries and shops plus the district's restaurants. A video sneak peek of Olde Main's "Park in the Art" program is featured at The Attic Books & Coffee. http://campaignbox.imagedistillery.com/t/ViewEmail/r/A2918EF83BF7FABA/AA9C952A5FFD74664936C359EC0425C0 and http://downtowngreenbay.com/gallerynite

De Pere. The City of De Pere and WisDOT are beginning a study of the Highway 32 corridor on the city's west side. The corridor runs westward along the one-way Main Ave. (Reid St. in the other direction) from the Fox River and then extends north on Eighth St. before Eighth merges into Ashland Ave. The study will look at projected growth in traffic, access for businesses, transit use, pedestrians and bikes, and what construction projects are needed to improve the corridor. The study is due to be completed in 2013. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110913/GPG0101/109130523/De-Pere-Department-Transportation-announce-study-Wisconsin-32?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-News|s and http://www.wbay.com/story/15454473/2011/09/13/de-pere-dot-study-highway-32-corridor and http://wearegreenbay.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=91057

^^ Some non-Packer-related development news, at last! Nicely done, thanks! :applause: (not picking on you Tower, but we all tend to do what the Press-Gazette does .... sometimes it's just packers packers packers and nothing else.....I love the packers like anyone else, but I do like to explore OTHER things too sometimes!! )

^^ Some non-Packer-related development news, at last! Nicely done, thanks! :applause: (not picking on you Tower, but we all tend to do what the Press-Gazette does .... sometimes it's just packers packers packers and nothing else.....crazy love for the packers but I do like to explore OTHER things too sometimes!! )

Sometimes when it comes to development news, I just have to go with the flow. Schreiber was big for a while and will come back, the newly sanctioned Shrine was big for a time (probably more to come in future years), and the first-ever NFL Kickoff here was spectacular for GRB and the Stadium District, like a mini-Super Bowl. I'm happy to move on.

Austin Straubel. WBAY reports Frontier Airlines is discontinuing service from its hub in Milwaukee to Green Bay, Madison, Minneapolis, Des Moines, Cleveland and Dayton as of November 1. However, a blog for flyers indicates to me this could be be a reduction in service (down to two flights daily in Green Bay, for example) not a complete elimination of flights. Unclear at this point. http://www.wbay.com/story/15455173/2011/09/13/source-frontier-airlines-pulling-out-of-some-midwest-airports and http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frontier-airlines-earlyreturns/1254997-more-route-cuts-service-reductions-mke-hub.html


I think the WBAY story is the accurate one. I checked out the Frontier website and you cannot book a flight to Green Bay after November 1st. I checked Madison too, after November 1st all of their connections go through Denver only.

Hotel Northland. The RDA on Tuesday agreed to pay half the cost of a $20,000 study by IDM Group LLC to transform the former Hotel Northland back into a hotel. The other half will be paid by the building's nonprofit owner, Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corp. IDM - which stands for Inn Development and Management - is a Fort Atkinson-based firm that's worked on hotel developments in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and elsewhere. The Northland restoration could cost $30 million or more, and it's hoped the study can be completed by early next year. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110914/GPG03/109140626/City-Green-Bay-backs-Hotel-Northland-remodel?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

Chamber of Commerce. More on Laurie Radke, the new president of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber is one of only 83 in the nation to receive a four-star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Five stars is the top rating. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110911/GPG03/109110580/-1/7daysarchives/Radke-poised-lead-Green-Bay-Area-Chamber-Commerce

Tourism. With a number of high-profile events and activities, summer tourism in the Green Bay area was strong, officials say. Highlights included the Chesney concert, a big Midwest soccer tournament, the NFL Kickoff, Packers training camp, the Zippin Pippin and the Good Help Shrine. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110914/GPG03/109140600/Summer-tourism-season-boosted-by-Chesney-soccer-NFL-opener?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

Lambeau Field. The Packers are still making adjustments to Lambeau's new $2.5 million sound system. Some fans have contacted the Press-Gazette to complain about the new system, most of them with seats toward the south end zone and saying that the announcements and music are difficult to hear. (I sat in the north end zone for the Saints game and could not understand the PA announcer.) The old sound system projected from one source on the north scoreboard; the new system employs 16 speaker enclosures around the stadium's roof. http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110914/PKR01/110914138/Fans-complain-about-poor-quality-new-Lambeau-sound-system-?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

Green Bay Metro. Without elaborating, WFRV says Metro is considering expanding its Lambeau Field game-day service given results to date. http://wearegreenbay.com/search-fulltext?nxd_id=90667

De Pere. Any construction is likely at least seven years away. But work on a 1.2-mile-long segment of the Highway 32 corridor in west De Pere - including the west downtown area - could include widening the CN railroad underpass on Main Ave. to four lanes, adding bike lanes and possibly returning one-way segments of Main and Reid to two-way traffic. WisDOT map via Press-Gazette. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110914/GPG0101/109140618/De-Pere-state-study-traffic-flow-Highway-32?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde3.jpg

The Improvement and Services committee approved City Deck Phase 2 in it's entirety tonight ($3.15 Million approx 900K under budget). goes to council next week for final approval. if all goes in order piles will be driven in October before the river ices over. the project completion is scheduled for next fall.

Bay Settlement. Almost 10 years to the day it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, the Holy Cross Convent on the Green Bay/Scott border on Bay Settlement Rd. has been demolished. The large, mainly three- and four-story red-brick convent consisted of at least two connected structures built at different times. Remaining at the Bay Settlement and Church Rd. intersection are the brick Holy Cross Church, a limestone house that may have been or is a rectory, and the brick Holy Cross Education Center - an old school building located across the street. The church is also on the NRHP. The empty convent had been home for the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross before the order in recent years moved into a contemporary and much smaller convent nearby on Nicolet Dr. The old convent was listed on the Brown County Historical Society's Historic Preservation Watch List. It was added to the National Register on 6/28/01 and was demolished, I just realized, this spring or early summer. Large photos from Bing Maps, small photo from the Brown County Historical Society. http://www.browncohistoricalsoc.org/bchsociety/historic+preservation+watch+list/default.asp

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/Screenshot2011-09-15at23405PM.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/originalholycrossconventbaysettlement200.jpg
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/image001.jpg

Austin Straubel. An airline news website is reporting Frontier Airlines is discontinuing service from Milwaukee to six cities November 1. The six are not named. Bloggers on the blog "flyertalk" say one of those six is Green Bay. http://worldairlinenews.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/chautauqua-airlines-to-drop-six-frontier-destinations-from-the-milwaukee-hub/ and http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frontier-airlines-earlyreturns/1254997-more-route-cuts-service-reductions-mke-hub.html

River Center. Latest construction update and time-lapse photography. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110915/GPG03/110915088/Construction-camera-Last-foundations-WaterMark-parking-structure-done?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

Broadway District. A fifth tenant - an unnamed title company - may move into the Chamber of Commerce building by the end of the year. It would join the chamber, Smet Construction Services, the Green Bay office of the FBI and a lending branch of First Business Bank. The new tenant would mean only the first floor, which once housed Shopko Express, would be available. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110915/GPG03/109150518/Title-company-eyes-move-Broadway-District?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

Brown County. Support is building for increasing the Green Bay area's hotel room tax, but the city and some suburbs disagree on how the additional money should be spent. Green Bay wants some revenue to help fund the planned KI Convention Center expansion. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110915/GPG0101/109150561/Support-grows-increasing-regional-hotel-taxes?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-News|s

Bay of Green Bay. Video coverage of the DNR plan for spraying invasive grass along the west bayshore. http://www.wbay.com/story/15464009/2011/09/14/dnr-helicopters-spray-to-stop-invasive-lakeshore-grass and http://www.nbc26.com/news/local/129845213.html

It is now also being reported on JSonline that GB is indeed among the cities that Frontier is dropping service from to Milwaukee. The flights from the cities being dropped represent a third of Frontier's 67 flights out of Milwaukee.

http://www.jsonline.com/business/129929443.html

It is now also being reported on JSonline that GB is indeed among the cities that Frontier is dropping service from to Milwaukee. The flights from the cities being dropped represent a third of Frontier's 67 flights out of Milwaukee.

http://www.jsonline.com/business/129929443.html

Flying from Milw to GB...Such a short flight. I never made that flight but I have flown from GB to Chicago..that's a super short flight also...

You spend a couple hours putzing around at the airport for a what..a 20 minute flight?

But alas, the choo choo trains are boondoggles so get in a car and drive! If you don't have a car or don't want to rent one, I heard our Lt. Gov has a minivan...sounds like it has some extra seats..she could probably pick you up.

Flying from Milw to GB...Such a short flight. I never made that flight but I have flown from GB to Chicago..that's a super short flight also...

You spend a couple hours putzing around at the airport for a what..a 20 minute flight?

But alas, the choo choo trains are boondoggles so get in a car and drive! If you don't have a car or don't want to rent one, I heard our Lt. Gov has a minivan...sounds like it has some extra seats..she could probably pick you up.

Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think most people used that flight as a connection to somewhere further. I flew from San Francisco on the old Midwest route one time to GB connecting through Milwaukee and another time on Frontier connecting in Denver. I prefer Delta through Minneapolis though. I'm with you on the trains. It would be nice to get a cheap flight on Southwest to Chicago and hop a quick train to GB.

Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think most people used that flight as a connection to somewhere further. I flew from San Francisco on the old Midwest route one time to GB connecting through Milwaukee and another time on Frontier connecting in Denver. I prefer Delta through Minneapolis though. I'm with you on the trains. It would be nice to get a cheap flight on Southwest to Chicago and hop a quick train to GB.

Yeah that's true, that's what I'm thinking .. take the train as a connection. But I suppose a train would hurt the GB airport, that wouldn't be good. Boondoggle choo choos.

Flying from Milw to GB...Such a short flight. I never made that flight but I have flown from GB to Chicago..that's a super short flight also...

You spend a couple hours putzing around at the airport for a what..a 20 minute flight?


I wouldn't fly for such a short distance. But the flights were meant to connect you in those cities (MKE/CHI) to flights to a further final destination.

And I would not want my final flight destination to be those either when I want to go to Green Bay.

edit: A train would make that a more feasible option though.

I read that one of the reasons the Madison and Green Bay routes were eliminated was due to the fact that those routes carry almost no direct benefit other then providing connections to other airports, with such low direct destination numbers that service could be eliminated w/o hurting the business community. Overall I feel that this cannot be viewed as a good sign for Frontier as it will surely lower overall traffic on other connecting routes. I assume that along with the departure of the MKE route the DEN will also follow, which is too bad- a direct flight to the mountains was awesome.

Georgia-Pacific. Mayor Jim Schmitt on Thursday criticized Democratic state Sen. Lena Taylor of Milwaukee for a Facebook posting in which she called for a boycott of paper products made by Georgia-Pacific, owned by the billionaire conservative Koch brothers. "A boycott of one of our largest employers would be very hurtful," Schmitt told the Journal Sentinel. He said in the last five years Georgia-Pacific has invested more than $110 million locally in expansion and new machinery. Taylor called for a boycot of Dixie Cups, Vanity Fair paper products, Mardi Gras napkins, Brawny and Sparkle paper towels, and Angel Soft and Quilted Northern toilet paper. http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/129921548.html and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110916/GPG0101/109160558/Call-Georgia-Pacific-boycott-draws-ire?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-News|s

Austin Straubel. Airport Director Tom Miller says Frontier Airlines plans to resume its seasonal service between Green Bay and Denver again next summer although it's discontinuing daily flights between Green Bay and Milwaukee effective November 1. He also says he's asked Frontier to make the Denver service year-round. Most of the people flying between GRB and MKE make connections with other flights in Milwaukee. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110916/GPG03/110916114/Frontier-Airlines-end-Green-Bay-Milwaukee-flights?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

Austin Straubel. The FAA has awarded Austin Straubel a $7.9 million grant to build a new $9.2 million rescue and firefighting facility. The building will be built at some distance southwest of the passenger terminal but in proximity to runways. It'll include space for firefighting and rescue vehicles, a communication center, a training area, a conference room and an exercise area. Groundbreaking expected by year's end, with completion in 2013. Airport rendering via WLUK. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110916/GPG0101/109160551/Grant-aid-airport-rescue-facility-construction?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s and http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/faa-awards-grant-to-austin-straubel

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/Untitled-1_20110915123327_320_2401.jpg

Broadway District. ACE Marine LLC on Thursday delivered a new 45-foot utility boat for the U.S. Coast Guard station in Sturgeon Bay. ACE and a Washington state company are building a planned 180 such boats for the Coast Guard. The utility boats can be used for search and rescue, recreational boating safety, environmental protection, law enforcement, port and waterway security and defense operations. City of Green Bay photo. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110916/GPG03/109160535/ACE-Marine-delivers-Response-Boat-Medium-U-S-Coast-Guard?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business and http://www.wbay.com/story/15472567/2011/09/15/coast-guard-unveils-new-search-and-rescue-boat

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/banner_homeCoastGuard1.jpg

Broadway District. New Leaf Market is hosting a fundraiser and gathering at The Urban Frog on Thursday, September 22, from 5-8 pm. Proceeds are going for New Leaf startup expenses — things like printing new brochures, maintaining its webpage, legal fees and insurance. New Leaf plans in time to open a co-op grocery store downtown. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114660348636052 and http://www.newleafmarket.org/

St. Norbert College. The new Ariens Family Welcome Center was dedicated Friday on the SNC campus. It doubles the size of the existing admission facility and features a new reception rotunda, presentation room, gallery and offices. The center was made possible by donations from Michael and Mimi Ariens and Ed and Sally Thompson. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/ariens-family-welcome-center-dedication and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110916/GPG0101/109160560/SNC-dedicate-welcome-center-today?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CGPG-News%7Cs

Biomass Plant. The DNR has approved permits for the proposed waste-recycling electricity plant off the west bayshore north of I-43. The project at 1230 Hurlbut St. by Oneida Seven Generations Corp. still needs approval from the U.S. Department of Energy. The DNR has approved the project's air-pollution and waste-processing permits. The 60,000-square-foot plant would process common household trash and convert the energy into electricity. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110917/GPG0101/109170622/Wisconsin-OKs-permits-proposed-Oneida-Seven-Generation-Corp-biomass-plant?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

Highway 41. Although some of Green Bay's suburbs have had roundabouts for years, I think what's the first one in the city (ta-da) opened today. It has three lanes and is located at Shawano Ave. and Taylor St. It's one of some two dozen roundabouts being built along Highways 41 and 29 as part of the six-laning of 41 from Lawrence to Howard. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110917/GPG0101/109170629/Roundabout-opens-Shawano-Avenue-Taylor-Street-intersection?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

Broadway District. Green Bay Community Theater this year is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Its first play opened Dec. 14, 1936. CT began as the Columbus Community Theater and performed in the Columbus Community Club, now the WBAY Building. The group today performs four plays a season - typically three comedies and a drama - at its Robert Lee Brault Playhouse at 122 N. Chestnut Ave., which seats 195. The building was built as the First Baptist Church in 1873 and was sold for re-use as a theater in 1967. http://greenbayhub.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110917/GPG04/109170608/0/SPECIALS02/Warren-Gerds-column-Green-Bay-Community-Theater-troupe-hits-75-years?odyssey=nav|head and http://www.gbcommunitytheater.com

Downtown. The eighth annual Hispanical Festival began Friday and ends tonight at Leicht Memorial Park. It includes music, a talent show, a Queen of the Festival Pageant, a car show, children's activities, food, informational booths and a downtown parade. Green Bay is now 13% Hispanic and Brown County is 7%, according to the 2010 census. Press-Gazette photo. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110917/GPG0101/109170647/Hispanic-Festival-celebrates-community-parade-live-music?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde6-4.jpg

Olde Main Street District. Two new public art sculptures that double as bicycle racks are coming to Olde Main - one outside the new CVS/pharmacy at 900 Main and the other outside the BP Main Stop at 1335 Main. The two officially will be introduced at a 10 a.m. news conference Tuesday at Jimmy John's, 1335 Main. The artists are Carl Vanderheyden for the CVS sculpture and Jon Vander Bloomen for BP Main. It's the second year for Olde Main's "Park in the Art" bike-rack program. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110917/GPG0101/109170624/Pair-sculptures-old-Main-Street-corridor-double-bike-racks?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

A is for Architecture. Today features the interior of Arketype, Inc., the design, marketing and advertising company located in the former Grace Prebyterian Church building downtown. The church was purchased for $150,000 in 2004 and subsequent renovations cost $850,000. Seen in the Press-Gazette photo below, one feature of the new Arketype is its central atrium, used on occasion for concerts, theater, a fashion show and receptions. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110917/GPG04/109170607/Office-keeps-some-old-church-s-aura-effects?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|GPG-Life&Style

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde7.jpg

Highway 41. Although some of Green Bay's suburbs have had roundabouts for years, I think what's the first one in the city (ta-da) opened today. It has three lanes and is located at Shawano Ave. and Taylor St. It's one of some two dozen roundabouts being built along Highways 41 and 29 as part of the six-laning of 41 from Lawrence to Howard. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110917/GPG0101/109170629/Roundabout-opens-Shawano-Avenue-Taylor-Street-intersection?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

After years of resisting, I will now say this for the first time:

I like roundabouts.

Green Bay. The Green Bay Historic Preservation Commission has recommended that 26 properties in the city - mostly downtown - be designated as historic by the City Council. Beyond its honorary significance, I'm not certain about the ramifications here, but I think the action could make these properties eligible for state historic preservation tax credits. Included are four former cemetery or potential archeological sites, the Bellin Building, six properties in the 200 block of N. Washington St., the Bay Beach Park Pavilion, the YMCA, the Northern Building, the former Hotel Northland, East and West high schools and the old City Stadium garage, the Schauer & Schumacher Furniture buildings, four properties in the 100 block of S. Washington St., the former Vic Theater, 201 Doty St. (formerly the Brown County Motors Building) and the former Joannes Brothers stable at 318 S. Quincy St. The commission says the property at 406 N. Washington St. (currently the Days Inn) is the site of what may have been Green Bay's first hotel, the Washington House, dating to 1829, and may have archeological value. A special meeting of the HPC with owners of the designated properties is scheduled for September 22. Brown County Historical Society photo of the Joannes stable. 9/12/11 HPC minutes at http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mins_agd/

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/joannesbrosstable2001.jpg

Green Bay. Michael Iwinski of the GB Historic Preservation Commission has stepped down as chair and has been replaced by Roger Retzlaff. (I think I read in some recent email that Iwinski is leaving the area.) Iwinski in recent years has authored several full-page illustrated feature articles in the Press-Gazette about historic Green Bay buildings and sites. 9/12/11 HPC minutes at http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mins_agd/

Children's Museum. A major push is under way to raise the remaining $2 million needed to complete the new $4.5 million Children's Museum in time for a spring 2012 opening. The museum says if sufficient money isn't raised or committed by year's end, decisions will be made on whether to delay or fragment certain exhibits. Video of latest construction. http://www.wbay.com/story/15487307/2011/09/17/with-the-building-taking-shape-funds-still-needed-for-childrens-museum

Austin Straubel. WLUK says ridership on Frontier Airlines at Austin Straubel was down 11% this year. Higher fuel costs also were behind the airline's decision to discontinue Milwaukee service. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/frontier-airlines-leaving-local-airport

Broadway District. More on the latest boat built by ACE Marine LLC. ACE has 46 employees at its production facility at 201 S. Pearl St. and is building 15 to 18 Coast Guard boats per year, meaning three to four more years remain on its contract. Another ACE boat will be delivered this fall for the seasonal Coast Guard station at Washington Island. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110918/GPG03/109180557/Video-New-Coast-Guard-response-boat-delivered-Sturgeon-Bay?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

Stadium District. Video coverage on the request by businesses in Green Bay near Ashland and Lombardi and the Ashwaubenon border for signage on Lombardi. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/gb-businesses-ask-city-for-signage

After years of resisting, I will now say this for the first time:

I like roundabouts.

In some ways, I think roundabouts are similar to walking trails. When the Fox River Trail was first proposed, there was some loud opposition. Since then, a number of new trails have opened to wide support. I think roundabouts years from now around here will be routine.

It's the old saying about great ideas:

“All truth passes through three stages:
First, it is ridiculed;
Second, it is violently opposed;
Third, it is accepted as self-evident.”

I'm not saying that you were ridiculing or "violently opposing" them, but SOME people in the community sure have been!

In some ways, I think roundabouts are similar to walking trails. When the Fox River Trail was first proposed, there was some loud opposition. Since then, a number of new trails have opened to wide support. I think roundabouts years from now around here will be routine.
You mean that in the future, roundabouts at Lombardi and 41 won't be opposed on the grounds that "they'd be too confusing for drunks after the Packers games"? That will be nice.

You mean that in the future, roundabouts at Lombardi and 41 won't be opposed on the grounds that "they'd be too confusing for drunks after the Packers games"? That will be nice.
Or on Military Ave....

Mike

From WBAY:

Fox Locks Restoration "Locks" up $11.2 Million

A restoration project in the Fox Valley has "locked" up all the necessary funds.

The Fox River Navigational System Authority held a celebration Monday to mark its fundraising goal of $11.2 million.

The fund-raising effort began seven years ago, and is made up of federal, state, and local funds. About 400 major donors were honored Monday.

"The funding process went very well. We had a goal of $2.8 million in local donations, and we just recently achieved that particular goal," the authority's CEO, Harlan Kiesow, said.

Restoration is already completed on eight locks. Five more are on the list.

The final locks, Kaukauna number one and number two, should be completed for the 2015 navigation season.

An awesome new web site:

http://heritageparkway.org/

Also- Friends of the Fox web site

Friends of the Fox web site (http://www.friendsofthefox.org)

http://www.boatnerd.com/news/newsthumbsb/images-10-3/1-texas-07-30-10-sb.jpg

Georgia-Pacific. More than 60 firefighters from at least four fire departments fought a paper-bale fire today at the Georgia-Pacific plant on Broadway in Green Bay. Some 40 bales of paper caught fire and produced heavy smoke in a basement storage facility. The fire lasted from about 9 to 2 and appeared to be accidental. GP is the Green Bay area’s fifth largest private employer and has some 137 different buildings at its Broadway plant, WBAY reports. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110919/GPG0101/110919061/Update-Fire-Georgia-Pacific-ruled-accidental-firefighter-sent-hospital?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE and http://www.wbay.com/story/15497143/2011/09/19/fire-at-georgia-pacific-plant

Brown County Central Library. An estimated $21 million is needed to repair and renovate the downtown library, but the county’s five-year capital plan calls for a bond issue to raise only half that amount. The building is considered structurally sound, but a master plan says major repairs, upgrades and system replacements are needed. The County Board is expected to take up the matter. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110919/GPG0101/109190463/Brown-County-s-central-library-need-21M-renovations-repairs?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s and http://www.co.brown.wi.us/i/f/library/Repair%20Masterplan.pdf

Fox River. (Just saw Puant's excellent post on this as I was posting.) The Fox River Navigational System Authority today commemorated raising $11.2 million for refurbishing and repairing the Lower Fox River locks system. The money came from government and private sources, including three donors of $250,000 each who will have locks named after them. Restoration of eight locks has been completed, with work on five more to go. The 17 locks on the Lower Fox from Lake Winnebago to Green Bay remain closed for through passage as officials continue exploring a potential boat-transfer station at the Rapide Croche Lock near Wrightstown. Lock photo from Friends of the Fox. http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110919/APC0101/110919129/Initial-goal-met-unlocking-historic-Fox-River-locks?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE and http://www.wbay.com/story/15499558/2011/09/19/fox-locks-restoration-funds-lock-up-112-million and http://www.friendsofthefox.org/

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/fofphoto9.jpg

Highway 41. The main entrance to Pamperin Park has been moved from Shawano Ave. to a new County Road RK as part of the Highway 41 and adjacent Highway 29 reconstruction. Construction work continues on RK. WisDOT map. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/new-entrance-to-pamperin-park-opens

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/PamperinParkEntrance2.jpg

Broadway District. Kaleidoscope Eatery & Spirits will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday at 4 p.m. at its location at 313 N. Broadway. Owners are Kathy & Dann Drews. EDA Director Gregory Flisram, Ald. Dorff and OBI will be at the opening. I believe this is the former King’s X location.

You are correct, this is the old King's X and Xcetra location. The menu is very much like Xcetra's (same owners). This is by far my favorite place to eat in Green Bay. I hope everyone stops by and checks it out.


Broadway District. Kaleidoscope Eatery & Spirits will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday at 4 p.m. at its location at 313 N. Broadway. Owners are Kathy & Dann Drews. EDA Director Gregory Flisram, Ald. Dorff and OBI will be at the opening. I believe this is the former King’s X location.

Brown County Central Library. The Press-Gazette says the County Board at its meeting tomorrow should approve funding for an engineering design study to determine the costs of repairing and upgrading the 38-year-old Central Library. "What should follow in the years ahead is a thorough study of the long-term needs of the entire library system and the county's ability to pay for it," the paper says. The Central Library draws close to 1 million visitors each year. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110920/GPG0602/109200458/Editorial-Brown-County-Board-needs-maintain-Central-Library-downtown-Green-Bay?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Editorials

Lambeau Field. The Packers hope to hold a stock sale by year's end to raise $24 million or more to help fund the team's stadium-expansion plans. NFL approval is needed for the move. The stock sale would be the fifth in team history; the price-per-share would be at least $200. The Packers currently have 112,158 shareholders who own 4,750,937 shares of stock. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110920/GPG0101/110920075/Packers-stock-sale-start-by-year-s-end-NFL-approves?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

Broadway District. Marinette Marine Corp. has received Coast Guard approval to build another 11 Response Boats-Medium. At least some of the boats will be built at its ACE Marine LLC affiliate. http://www.wbay.com/story/15509608/2011/09/20/coast-guard-orders-more-boats-from-marinette-marine

Olde Main Street District. The new CVS/pharmacy at Main and Webster will have a soft opening on Sunday. http://campaignbox.imagedistillery.com/t/ViewEmail/r/83B2199A6C5DCD04/AA9C952A5FFD74664936C359EC0425C0

Olde Main Street District. New seven-and-a-half minute music video on Olde Main's "Park in the Art" bike-rack program - "The Lesson" by Josh Beaton. Plus news coverage today of the latest additions. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU--UabiCeQ and http://www.wbay.com/story/15507017/2011/09/20/bike-rack-makes-artistic-statement-on-olde-main-street and http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/new-bike-racks-unveiled-on-main-street

Hi all,
This has to be the funniest story I've heard this year! What a joke!

http://www.wbay.com/story/15510550/2011/09/20/packers-hope-for-stock-sale-by-years-end

Why?

Hi all,
This has to be the funniest story I've heard this year! What a joke!

http://www.wbay.com/story/15510550/2011/09/20/packers-hope-for-stock-sale-by-years-end
I also think that it is pretty crazy that people will shell out $200 for a piece of paper that has no investment value. I do though understand to some people the packers are a way of life and you cannot fault the organization for fully exploiting that.

Think of it like buying a $200 piece of wall art from a home decorating store. Those also are not expected to increase in value and just hang on the wall. Most people I know that own stock have them framed and hanging on their wall. They also come with voting rights and only build the sense of pride the owners and community have in their team. Personally, I don't own any and would never consider buying them, but I do understand how people can be interested in it. It can't be that crazy of an idea if they sell that many of them.

Hi all,
This has to be the funniest story I've heard this year! What a joke!

http://www.wbay.com/story/15510550/2011/09/20/packers-hope-for-stock-sale-by-years-end

Have you ever been to Art Street and seen some of the stuff they sell as art? That piece of stock paper would look a hell of a lot better then a lot of that stuff in a persons house, and not nearly as expensive as the Art street "art", but like they saw beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Have you ever been to Art Street and seen some of the stuff they sell as art? That piece of stock paper would look a hell of a lot better then a lot of that stuff in a persons house, and not nearly as expensive as the Art street "art", but like they saw beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Yes, I've been to Art Street, and you're right, some of those items redefine fugly. My point, however, is the methods employed by the Packers to get the renovation funded. The last time they wanted to renovate they asked the citizens of Brown County to help them; now they just turned the time line around: they showed everyone the grand photos of the renovation, told the public they didn't need any assistance, and now they are selling pieces of paper at $200 a crack. Maybe I'm just nuts, and I understand the art example--it's a good one--but why does this not send off alarms? Are people really that naive to believe an entertainment corporation is their friend? I believe in the old Packers, when Vince was coach, when the goal was winning, not making gobs of money through nefarious ways. The NFL nowadays is on par with the WWE--more entertainment and revenue building than the love of sport.

^^No one is forcing anyone to buy the stock that will be offered for sale that will help fund the expansion. It is strictly free will. If you want something, here is what you'll pay. The major renovation that took place in the 2000's was publically financed, even if you voted "no" on the refrendum question you are paying the tax still for the renovation. That was not free will of all the people as the minority (which was quite high) did not get what they wanted which was to not pay the additional sales tax.

If people want to buy stock, so be it. I love the Packers, have season tickets, and paid the seat licensing fee with the last renovation. Plus I drop money every game on beer and food, and a couple times of year at the Packers Pro Shop. I think that is enough for me. However for some that is nowhere near enough and for others it is way too excessive. The nice thing about this expansion is people will be able to choose and not have to worry that whatever choice they make, a majority may view it the other way and you'll be forced to go along with it or move.

The Packers are good for the area, hands down. And they are a business. And businesses need to remain competetive and find new ways of making profits or they fold. I guess I'd rather buy a piece of stock that will ensure something I do during fall sticks around rather than if say Crest offered this up so that they could remain competetive with Colgate. I don't have the same connection. I would just use Aqua Fresh...

WaterMark. DGBI photo of scaffolding now set up on the river side of WaterMark. Rendering from Vetter Denk Architects.

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/320084_10150294498513595_39473118594_7944286_446091289_n.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/WaterMark.jpg

Brown County Arena. A mainstay of the Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena since 1965 is leaving - the WIAA high-school boys basketball sectional tournament. Instead, starting next March individual high schools in the region will host the sectional. The Press-Gazette says the tournament is not likely to return. Reasons for the change include revenues for high schools, rental agreements and traveling distances. The Arena seats about 5,600 for basketball. Press-Gazette photo. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110921/GPG020502/109210558/WIAA-ends-boys-basketball-sectional-Brown-County-Arena?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|GPG-Sports

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde-7-5.jpg

Olde Main Street District. DGBI photo of the new CVS at Main and Webster opening Sunday. This particular photo doesn’t show landscaping and the brick and wrought-iron fencing around the site. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110921/GPG03/109210631/New-CVS-Pharmacy-open-downtown-Green-Bay?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/293133_10150294513913595_39473118594_7944332_60872531_n.jpg

Olde Main Street District. DGBI photos of the two new “Park in the Art” bike racks on Main. At left is “Bessy” by artist Carl Vanderheyden at the new CVS. At right is “Old Fashioned Bicycle” by artist Jon Vander Bloomen at the BP Main Stop at 1335 Main. This is the second-year of the Olde Main program. Three bike-rack works were unveiled last year - at The Attic Books & Coffee, Streu’s Pharmacy Bay Natural, and Cat & Jim’s Art & Soul Café.

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/316904_10150294514298595_39473118594_7944336_2056830895_n.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/307368_10150294513968595_39473118594_7944333_2030302125_n.jpg

Downtown. A new pub called Vintage is coming to S. Washington above Caffe Espresso. DGBI photo.

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/304267_10150294479698595_39473118594_7944191_308831010_n.jpg

Broadway District. A bit more on Kaleidoscope Eatery & Spirits at 313 N. Broadway. Going back to the 1960s, it formerly was the King’s X, Tesch’s Bistro, Bonaventura’s, Xcetera and the Broadway Lounge and Supper Club. Kaleidoscope opened in July and hours are 11-9 Wednesday through Friday and 4-9 Saturday http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110921/GPG03/109210626/Ribbon-cutting-set-Thursday?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

Could post today more items in the news, but I've hit my limit of 6.

As for the Packers, I think those stock sales take the place of some deep-pocket owner that most if not all of the other teams have but the Packers don't.

I just saw this on city of GBs Facebook page - not sure if it's already been posted but it didn't look familiar to me..

http://places.designobserver.com/feature/landscape-optimism-chris-reed-on-landscape-urbanism/29558/

KI Convention Center. The mayor says now that the Veterans Affairs Clinic and Schreiber headquarters are secure, he's focusing more on expanding the KI Convention Center. Its size would be increased from about 45,000 sf to more than 75,000 sf, making KI the fifth largest convention center in the state. Potential funding sources for the project include state and federal grants, city TIF money, private donations through naming rights, and room-tax revenue. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/ki-expansion-plans%3A-a-closer-look

Appleton FYI. Lead paragraph in the Post-Crescent today. "With the City of Green Bay poised to expand its convention center and ratchet up competition for tourism dollars, the City of Appleton is pressing forward on plans to erect a 30,000-square-foot exhibition center in the downtown district." http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110922/APC0101/109220529/City-Appleton-moves-forward-its-exhibition-center-plans-by-applying-grant?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

Downtown. Video coverage of the first Downtown Green Bay Tour of Homes to be held Thursday, Sept. 29, from 4-7. Tour headquarters is the Daily Buzz, where maps and details on transportation will be available. Free trolley rides between the Broadway District and the Downtown District. One purpose of the tour is encourage interest in and support for more residential development downtown. http://wearegreenbay.com/fulltext?nxd_id=92147

Green Bay. The first new hospital to open in Green Bay in more than half a century - Aurora BayCare Medical Center - is celebrating its 10th anniversary Monday. The hospital has 167 beds and opened in September 2001 as a joint effort of Aurora Health Care and BayCare Clinic. Located in Green Bay at the city's border with Bellevue. Aurora BayCare photo shows the center's Physician Office Building. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110922/GPG03/109220654/Green-Bay-hospital-celebrates-10th-anniversary?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/abmc1.jpg

Highway 41. After seven months of construction, the new Scheuring Road overpass on Highway 41 opens Saturday. I think it should look something like this but not quite. We'll see. WisDOT rendering. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/scheuring-road-overpass-to-open-saturday-september-24-2011

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/overall_arch.jpg

Olde Main Street District. Desired Look Beauty Supply & General Merchandise has opened at 1372 Cedar. The store features hair-care products, clothing and specialty merchandise. The owner is Herman Rogers, whose parents own Cat & Jim's Art & Soul Café. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110922/GPG03/109220655/Green-Bay-beauty-supply-store-opens-Olde-Main?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

Broadway District. Latest issue of the weekly "Broadway Beat" newsletter. http://myemail.constantcontact.com/News-from-On-Broadway-Inc-.html?soid=1102808930981&aid=1-aEBz9JmWc

I just saw this on city of GBs Facebook page - not sure if it's already been posted but it didn't look familiar to me..

http://places.designobserver.com/feature/landscape-optimism-chris-reed-on-landscape-urbanism/29558/

Great piece. Here are CityDeck images that ran with it. Images from Design Observer.

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/reed-interview-5_5251.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/reed-interview-4_5251.jpg

Just a couple months of good mall-tearin'-down-weather left....

From WBAY.com

Packers Begin Tearing Down Buildings Near Stadium

By Taky Ono

Driving down Lombardi Avenue, it's hard to miss the backhoes visible through the windows of what used to be a Big Lots store.

Construction is underway by the former Big Lots building on the west side of Lambeau Field, part of the land the Packers organization has purchased in the past few years for potential development.

Packers officials say buildings west of the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon office building, including the former Big Lots, have been vacant for quite some time.

"Since they're unoccupied right now, we felt it didn't make sense to maintain those buildings through the winter with utilities and those sorts of thing, so we're razing those portions of the property right now," Packers spokesman Aaron Popkey said.

Popkey says those specific buildings will be torn down in the next couple of months and the cleared land will be used as game-day parking in the short term.

In the long term, Popkey says, they plan to tear down all the buildings for more expansive development.

"We will eventually determine how that gets used in the mix of parking we have available over there," Popkey said.

Packers officials have said in the past they're looking to create a potential mix of hotels, restaurants, and shops.

"The wider development plan," Popkey said, "is a conversation that is continuing to take place with the village, county and city for property east and property to the west. Those are plans that are still being developed."

Officials didn't say whether the parking lots will be available this season or when they will announce more concrete long-term plans.

Redevelopment Authority OKs spending up to $205,000 on building enhancements for downtown Green Bay's WaterMark project


The Redevelopment Authority today approved spending up to $205,000 on enhancements such as canopies and decorative elements on the WaterMark building in downtown Green Bay.


http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110923/GPG03/110923074/RDA-OKs-spending-205-000-WaterMark-building-enhancements?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

I think it is piss poor that the City has to use TIF Funds to enhance a building in our downtown under construction. Seriously, this guy is no better architect than a first year architect student. I know costs have a lot of concern, but if I wanted to tout my work - I would sure as hell not put my name on the WaterMark when looking for additional work elsewhere through the Country. At least from the renderings that is. Just disappointed that the two buildings that will actually get done from the grand Vetter riverfront plan - basically look like shit. IMO.

WaterMark. Oops. I just saw Green Bay 4 Life's post on this. Sorry to duplicate. The RDA today approved spending up to $205,000 on enhancements such as canopies and other decorative elements on the WaterMark building. Approval of the changes was done now because the contractor, Ganther Construction Architecture Inc., has only eight weeks to complete facade work on the building. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110923/GPG03/110923074/RDA-OKs-spending-205-000-WaterMark-building-enhancements?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

Downtown. St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter is preparing for its sixth season and again will be open Nov. 1 through April 30. The public is invited to an overnight retreat at the shelter Sept. 30. Last season, St. John took in 254 different residents, about 35 to 50 total per night. The shelter is located in the gymnasium of the former St. John the Evangelist School. St. John Homeless Shelter photo. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110923/GPG0406/109230609/St-John-s-homeless-shelter-plans-overnight-retreat?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|GPG-Life&Style

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/shelterexteriorfullshot1.jpg

Paper Mills. Two Green Bay paper-mill operators have taken out city building permits for a combined $13 million in construction work on their facilities. The Procter & Gamble Paper Products Co. obtained permits for $8.6 million in work on its plant at 501 Eastman Ave., while Georgia-Pacific's permit calls for $4.5 million in remodeling on its facilities at 1919 S. Broadway. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110923/GPG03/109230563/Green-Bay-paper-mills-take-out-city-building-permits?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

Georgia-Pacific. Although dozens of firefighters from different fire departments responded, about 25 employees were temporarily evacuated and the event lasted five hours, the fire Monday at GP's Broadway plant only caused an estimated $20,000 damage. That included paper bales and lost production time. One news report said a sprinkler system that activated helped extinguish the fire. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/georgia-pacfic-says-fire-on-september-19-2011-will-cost-company-20000-dollars

Green Bay Metro. This week started a new X-Press Downtown route between the transit center and Metro's new bus transfer point on Military Ave. at the Green Bay Plaza. The service is hourly, Mon-Fri, from 5:45 am to 8:45 am and 2:45 pm to 5:45 pm. http://www.greenbaymetro.org/en-us/schedules/routes/default.aspx#route17

Good Help Shrine. USA Today reports the farming area in and around Champion is changing already because of the growing popularity of the Good Help Shrine. One farmer sells vegetables and water to visitors from a stand on his property, with a sign offering "bus specials." A couple has a small trailer called On the Way Cafe and wants to turn one nearby building into a bed-and-breakfast and another into a full-scale cafe. Traffic has increased significantly, and some retired farmers in the area are said to want to sell their land for a possible hotel or restaurant. http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2011-09-22/wisconsin-virgin-mary-shrine/50519566/1

One one hand, I think John Vetter is a nice guy, means well, and that the downtown is MUCH better off for his being involved here. The Flats aren't great, but I don't actively hate them like some do. Riverfront Lofts are great inside and not great outside. The Watermark, on the river side, I'm glad it's going to look how it will because I like that building and it's the only piece of the riverfront that has any connection to the history of the site (in fact, I wish they'd drop the name Watermark and name it The Prange's Building). The Washington St. side, I have no feel for how that's going to look.

All that said, there's a pretty significant smell of bait-and-switch in all this. Nothing ends up being as originally presented. The utilities on Riverfront Lofts have never been appropriately screened, and that building cries for architectural lighting. Flats on the Fox could have looked better with just a few extra elements, but those were (it seems) cut to save costs. Now this with RDA. Spending this money may well be the right thing for RDA to do, but it stinks. That they (we) have to spend extra to bring this up to an acceptable standard sucks, and it doesn't bode well for how the Washington St side is going to look. Maybe Vetter is just plain out of money, but this sucks.

I guess we could nitpick every development but the bottom line is, things ARE happening, these things are bringing people, jobs, and activity back into the downtown.

It would be great though if we could start to get some big developments that really hit the sweet spot as far as design goes.

Some people might downplay the importance of good design (thinking, "who cares what it LOOKS like as long as it's functional" for example). But I feel that good aesthetics are important for a number of reasons. It's been proven out in history: People CARE more about a place if it has been designed well, which in turn greatly increases the chances of long-term success. Maybe that doesn't satisfy the investors or lenders who want faster returns. All that said, what's making me optimistic about Schreiber is that they may be thinking more long-term...the facility they're building isn't being built just for the sole purpose of turning a quick buck but rather to be their long-term "home". Hopefully. My simple-minded thoughts anyway... I'm typing this as I'm being distracted by the Brewer game...wow! I should just focus on the game rather than try to type anything coherent...

I agree that things are happening and that the downtown is moving in the right direction. I also understand that redeveloping Prange's is an extraordinarily difficult project, and I'm glad it's finally getting done. I'm just a bit frustrated with the discrepancy between what is presented when a project is approved compared to what actually gets built.

Regarding Schreiber, I definitely think they are a good actor in this and will build the very best project they can within the needs of their business. One of my concerns, and I think the concern of many, is how it's going to work building 250,000 ft/sq of building (total, and the footprint will be even less) on a 400,000 ft/sq parcel, and how all of that extra space is going to be dealt with in an urban setting. But then as I was reading the article jerky posted about StoSS, it occurred to me that with the right planning this available space could be a real opportunity. It isn't going to be this very traditional urban area with a perfect street grid and all, but it certainly can be something just as good. I'd like to see the City, Schreiber, and whatever architect Schreiber selects work together to select a a landscape planner to develop a master plan for the area from the CityDeck to Jefferson, and Cherry to Main. Part of the comp. plan adopted along with the CityDeck was restoring the street grid in that area, but now a $50 million development has come along and changed that plan, which is part of the nature of developing cities. In light of that, we need to re-imagine the entire area, using the quality of the CityDeck as the standard, and come up with a plan for how that entire area can be interesting, active, urban, and even better what it may have been if the grid was restored in the traditional way. It's not all going to be done in 5 or 10 years, but there needs to be a new vision. That vision itself would likely change as new developers come along, but as we are currently without an up-to-date vision for the area, it's time to create one along with a set of design principles that would guide the redevelopment of the area and allow Schreiber the space to be successful, run their business, and expand when necessary.

^^
Danillo, I like your optimism on the Schreiber project. Perhaps I'm wrong but, I thought I had read when this was all announced that the City was requiring Schreiber to put in an additional parking lot. Hopefully there won't be too much asphalt surrounding the new buildings.

On another note I read in the GBPG that this is the last weekend Bay Beach will be opened for the season. I've often wondered why they don't leave it open weekends through Halloween. They could deck out that old Pavillion building as a "haunted house", have a pumpkin patch for the kids, and spook up the Zippin Pippin!

Associated Banc-Corp. The Journal Sentinel reports that with TARP behind it, analysts say Associated Banc-Corp can better focus now on trying to grow its business, consider increasing dividends for shareholders and even keep its eyes open for acquisitions. Many troubled loans have been written off, and Associated - which has assets of $22 billion - has been profitable for four consecutive quarters. California banker Philip Flynn was brought in as president and chief executive in December 2009, and analysts give him high marks for dealing with problems. The paper says although there's been some concern that Flynn - who has spent most of his life in California - might not stay long in Green Bay, observers don't think he's likely to go anywhere near term. Associated is now the largest bank company headquarted in Wisconsin. http://www.jsonline.com/business/130485863.html

Hyatt Hotel. Hyatt Hotels Corp. has completed its acquisition of the Hotel Sierra downtown. The Chicago-based hospitality company on Sept. 1 acquired the 241-room hotel as part of a package deal from Kansas-based LodgeWorks L.P. The previously announced deal included more than 20 other hotels. The Hotel Sierra opened in 1985 as the Embassy Suites, later the Regency Suites, and operates adjacent to the KI Convention Center. When the sale was first announced in July, Hyatt said it would convert the Sierra into a full-service Hyatt hotel. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110924/GPG03/109240611/Hyatt-finalizes-660M-deal-Green-Bay-s-downtown-Hotel-Sierra?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

CityDeck. The City Council on Tuesday approved Phase II construction of CityDeck to add another landing, a floating dock and transient docks. Piles are expected to be driven this fall, with completion of the project in 2012. A floating dock that can double as a stage will be added at the end of Pine Street, and transient docks for boaters will be installed between Cherry and Pine. Plus more on WaterMark progress here. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110924/GPG0101/109240641/Enhancements-Watermark-OK-d-Construction-work-going-well-downtown-Green-Bay-development?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

Downtown. Here's the press release on the upcoming Downtown Tour of Homes. Buildings featured include Flats on the Fox, Riverfront Loft Condominiums (101 Cherry St.), Riverside Place Condominiums (118 S. Washington St.), The Gift Itself upstairs apartment units, and Larsen Green. Free trolley shuttles provided by Green Bay Metro will run continuous loops during the event. http://www.facebook.com/notes/on-broadway-inc/downtown-green-bay-hosts-tour-of-homes/251633938205094

Bay Beach Amusement Park. With its 2011 season ending 6 p.m. Sunday, total revenue at Beach Beach this year is approaching $2.5 million — more than 50 percent ahead of last year and the highest ever in park history. That includes more than 460,000 rides on the Zippin Pippin, more than double what had been forecasted. New features for the Zippin next year could include midnight rides and more Elvis-related promotions. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110924/GPG0101/109240633/Zippin-Pippin-s-premiere-season-awesome-opens-record-breaking-year?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

Howard. Construction is under way on the new Solberg Co. headquarters and manufacturing facility at 1520 Brookfield Ave. The $3.5 million, 26,800-square-foot project is expected to be completed by year's end. It'll be Solberg's first manufacturing plant in the U.S. The company decided to relocate its headquarters here to support the launch of its products in North and South America. It has had its headquarters in Bergen, Norway, since 1977. Solberg is a global supplier of firefighting foam concentrates and equipment. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110924/GPG03/109240614/Construction-begins-first-Solberg-plant-U-S-?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

Howard. Construction is under way on the new Solberg Co. headquarters and manufacturing facility at 1520 Brookfield Ave. The $3.5 million, 26,800-square-foot project is expected to be completed by year's end. It'll be Solberg's first manufacturing plant in the U.S. The company decided to relocate its headquarters here to support the launch of its products in North and South America. It has had its headquarters in Bergen, Norway, since 1977. Solberg is a global supplier of firefighting foam concentrates and equipment. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110924/GPG03/109240614/Construction-begins-first-Solberg-plant-U-S-?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business
I wonder what effect the close proximity of two major fire truck manufacturers (FWD-Seagrave in Clintonville and Pierce in Appleton) had on this move.

Mike

Redevelopment Authority OKs spending up to $205,000 on building enhancements for downtown Green Bay's WaterMark project


The Redevelopment Authority today approved spending up to $205,000 on enhancements such as canopies and decorative elements on the WaterMark building in downtown Green Bay.


http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110923/GPG03/110923074/RDA-OKs-spending-205-000-WaterMark-building-enhancements?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

I think it is piss poor that the City has to use TIF Funds to enhance a building in our downtown under construction. Seriously, this guy is no better architect than a first year architect student. I know costs have a lot of concern, but if I wanted to tout my work - I would sure as hell not put my name on the WaterMark when looking for additional work elsewhere through the Country. At least from the renderings that is. Just disappointed that the two buildings that will actually get done from the grand Vetter riverfront plan - basically look like shit. IMO.

As RDA members have indicated, I think the authority just wants to get WaterMark done (at least the exterior), since the project's been sitting out there for years. If these exterior additions weren't made, I'm sure some would be complaining (and maybe legitimately so) that WaterMark was unattractive and a sore thumb on the downtown waterfront. Should Vetter Denk pay for at least some of the enhancements? Probably. Can it? Not sure (maybe we'll find out more at the October RDA meeting). Is it fair to any other downtown developers who may have projects thought of or planned? Maybe not.

But unless I forgot someone or some project, Vetter Denk by far and away has been the biggest downtown developer over the last decade pre-Schreiber. Without them, we'd have no Riverfront Loft Condominiums, Flats on the Fox, River Center or WaterMark. And those in turn have been incentives for other projects/changes to happen like Schreiber, Hyatt, maybe Associated and maybe the Northland. As it is, I suspect once WaterMark's exterior is finished by year's end, the building will be completely or significantly empty. Hope I'm wrong. And the Children's Museum may have some uncompleted spaces as well, as it scrambles to raise another $2 million in the next couple months. Development must be a challenging business, especially when the economy's not strong. And I'm grateful (within reason) when developers choose Green Bay - certainly not the biggest or most dynamic market out there - over, say, an Appleton, Madison or Milwaukee.

Green Bay Area Public School District. Q&A with Green Bay’s new public-schools superintendent, Michelle Langenfeld. Says she was surprised to see how much an impact the Packers have on the city and how much more community-wide support and resources are available here for the school district, given that it’s the area's largest. The district faces a possible budget deficit next year. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110925/GPG06/109250589/Michelle-Langenfeld-takes-reins-new-Green-Bay-superintendent?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Opinion

KI Convention Center. Big front-page story today under the headline “Green Bay Races Appleton” on the effort under way here for an expanded KI Convention Center and in Appleton for a Fox Cities Exhibition Center next to the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110925/GPG0101/109250588/Green-Bay-Appleton-compete-convention-tourism-dollars?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Cimg%7CGPG-News

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/WI_GBP.jpg

KI Convention Center. In an editorial, the Press-Gazette says Green Bay and Appleton should “apply the brakes” on their convention/exhibition-center plans and combine resources to “provide something that could challenge both Milwaukee and Madison for major exhibitions and conventions.” The newspaper cites current and past competition between the two cities for major shopping malls, airports, performing arts centers and the location of what’s now UWGB. The paper says a new plan should be developed that “ends the rivalry and parochial interests.” http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110925/GPG0602/109250593/Editorial-Two-cities-should-pool-their-resources?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Opinion

Bay Beach Amusement Park. The city is looking to make a $600,000 to $800,000 profit this year at Bay Beach Amusement Park. The mayor says at least part of that money will be reinvested in the park, including recreational trails. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/bay-beach-breaks-record-in-revenue and http://www.wbay.com/story/15544651/2011/09/25/zippin-pippin-season-ends-on-high-note

Meyer Theatre & St. Mary’s Roller Rink. Let Me Be Frank Productions is currently performing a musical comedy about St. Mary’s Roller Rink. The story takes place in the 1970s. The rink opened in 1959 at 1265 Cass St. Open skating sessions were discontinued in 2004 but returned in 2009. For the 2010-11 skating season, the roller rink made a profit of more than $15,000 for St. Mary of the Angels Parish. Some of the rink's skating sessions are sponsored by the Green Bay Smackers roller-derby team. Performances of “St. Mary’s Roller Rink” continue at the Meyer at 8 p.m. Sept. 29-30, Oct. 6-8 and 13-15 plus 1 p.m. Oct. 15. http://www.stmaryoftheangelsgb.org/subpages.php?CLID=268 and http://greenbayhub.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110922/GPG0506/110922057/Let-Me-Frank-laces-em-up-new-St-Mary-s-Roller-Rink- and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110925/GPG04/109250619/Let-Me-Frank-s-St-Mary-s-Roller-Rink-show-skates-stellar-singing

No update on Monday.

The paper says a new plan should be developed that “ends the rivalry and parochial interests.”

That's funny, that's like bringing Palestine & Israel together.

Few thoughts, if KI is going to be expanded, will KI be willing to add additional funds since there name will be on a bigger facility? Would it be feasible to have the addition attached to a future Northern Hotel. Attaching it the the old Northern would be a huge incentive to any developer wanted to do that job. The major negative is that the KI addition wouldn't be attached to the current facility and it might add some expenses because you need two kitchens...etc. rHowever, this might allow naming rights to be sold under the new portion, which would only be a small block away. I'd just really like to see some develepment more toward the direct downtown area. This property may be sold to Schreiber...who knows.

Stadium District. More on the Packers tearing down the former Big Lots store off Lombardi. Demolition should be completed within a couple months. Short-term use of the site could be parking while long-range plans are developed. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110928/GPG03/109280579/Packers-tear-down-former-Big-Lots-building?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

Downtown. The planned Packers Heritage Trail is featured Thursday night in the opening presentation of the 23rd Annual Local History Series at the downtown library auditorium. The speaker will be trail promoter and sportswriter Cliff Christl. The event, with slides and commentary, begins at 7 p.m. http://www.co.brown.wi.us/departments/page_09955256f28e/?department=58da4860ce85&subdepartment=d9601c5bec47

Downtown. The latest issue of “What’s Up Downtown.” DGBI photo http://campaignbox.imagedistillery.com/t/ViewEmail/r/0FAC43B2874D2764/AA9C952A5FFD74664936C359EC0425C0

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/301535_10150303216898595_39473118594_7991394_617946315_n-1.jpg

Zippin Pippin. Without naming names, the Press-Gazette says there were many voices raised in opposition to the Zippin Pippin when first proposed, but “those voices are silent now.” Cartoon by the Press-Gazette’s Joe Heller. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110927/GPG0602/109270484/Editorial-Zippin-Pippin-investment-pays-off?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Editorials

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De Pere. De Pere is moving to annex a 56-acre section of Ashwaubenon isolated from the rest of the village. The area is located at and near Highway 41’s Ashland Ave. and Main Ave exits. De Pere's director of planning and economic development says the change will improve municipal services to the area, including fire protection and the installation of water lines. The annexation is supported by Ashwaubenon and is planned to take effect Jan. 1. The area in red is the section to be annexed. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110927/GPG0101/109270489/-1/7daysarchives/De-Pere-moves-annex-56-acres

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/SCREENSHOT2.jpg

De Pere. Eighty-eight solar panels have been installed on the south roofline of the Kress Family Branch of the Brown County Library in De Pere. Photos from Engberg Anderson Design Partnership, Inc. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110927/GPG0101/109270465/-1/7daysarchives/Kress-Family-Library-installs-solar-panels

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/kress_exterior_front.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/kress_exterior_back1.jpg

Lambeau Field. The Packers have upped the number of seats in their stadium-expansion plans from about 6,600 to about 7,000. In addition to the new south end-zone structure, the team may add a few hundred more seats in other parts of the stadium now taken up by sponsor areas. The new section will have heated concrete to facilitate snow removal. Packers diagram via Press-Gazette. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110928/GPG0101/110928175/Expansion-project-could-add-7-000-seats-Lambeau-Field?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde2.jpg

Stadium District. Two sources tell WBAY that Bass Pro Shops "remains the frontrunner" to build a large store on 20 acres of private land in Ashwaubenon next to Highway 41. The sources say the wetlands issue discussed last year "is being worked out." A Bass Pro spokesperson says the company building a new store near Lambeau Field is "strictly a rumor right now." http://www.wbay.com/story/15573455/2011/09/28/ashwaubenon-hopes-to-reel-in-bass-pro-shops

Biomass Plant. Talks between Brown County and a company affiliated with the Oneida Tribe to send one-quarter of trash generated by county residents to the planned biomass plant on Green Bay's northwest side have broken off. Oneida Seven Generations Corp. cited irreconcilable differences, while the county said it thought an agreement was near. The negotiation breakdown is not expected to affect plans to build the trash-to-electricity plant. The company also is trying to work out a deal to recycle trash from the City of Green Bay. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110928/GPG0101/110928167/Oneida-company-ends-talks-Brown-County-over-trash-recycling-facility?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

Downtown. More video coverage of Thursday's Downtown Tour of Homes and the downtown condo market. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/Tour-of-Homes-to-feature-downtown-Green-Bay-living

Highway 172. The new roundabout at the western terminus of Highway 172 - where it intersects with Highway 54 at Oneida - opens Friday. It's the third roundabout on 172 west of 41. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/roundabout-at-highways-54-172-opening-friday-september-30-2011

NWTC, UWGB & SNC. A record number of students - calculated at more than 16,000 - are attending college in the metro area this year. Latest numbers show a record 7,561 full-time-equivalent students attending NWTC. That compares with 7,452 the previous year. A record 6,598 students are attending UWGB, compared to 6,579 last year. A record 2,173 students are attending St. Norbert, one more than a year ago. Those numbers don't include students attending a dozen or more other colleges and universities in the Green Bay area, most of them branch locations opening in the last decade or so. They include Lakeland, Concordia, ITT, Rasmussen, Globe, UWO, Marian, Viterbo, Bellin and the College of Menominee Nation, among others. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110929/GPG0101/109290589/Green-Bay-area-colleges-see-higher-enrollment?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

Larsen Green. A couple renderings of the project via DGBI. I think the larger view would be from N. Pearl St. by Titletown Brewing looking west.

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/316338_10150303217943595_39473118594_7991403_1059739971_n.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/311751_10150303216518595_39473118594_7991388_352726894_n.jpg

Downtown. An additional video of the downtown home tour. Jeff Mirkes says of the almost $75 million worth of development currently under way or planned downtown (east of the river?), none of that money is being spent on residential projects. DGBI photo. http://www.wbay.com/story/15574377/2011/09/28/downtown-green-bay-holds-an-open-house

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Stadium District. The Green Bay/Brown County Professional Football Stadium District has created a $2.4 million Economic Development Fund to promote nonfootball events at Lambeau Field. The money consists of interest earned in debt-service reserve accounts. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110929/GPG03/109290542/Green-Bay-stadium-board-approves-new-fund?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

Austin Straubel. Green Bay is getting a $500,000 federal grant to help improve its airline service. The U.S. Department of Transportation is providing the money as part of a program that helps smaller communities develop solutions to local air-service needs. Green Bay was one of 29 communities nationwide to get a grant. DOT says the money will be used to provide a revenue guarantee as well as to pay for marketing year-round service to the west. http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110929/APC0101/110929065/City-get-500K-federal-grant-improve-airline-service?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

Highway 172. In a lengthy "On Special Assignment" article, WLUK says landscaping in a decorative turtle design on two roundabouts on Highway 172 west of 41 cost twice as much as usual or more. Normally, landscaping for a roundabout costs anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000, the station says. But similar work for the turtle roundabouts cost $55,000 each. The two are located at the airport entrance and at Highway 54 and were designed by Oneida artists. The turtle is the symbol of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin. Buried in the Channel 11 report is that the Highway 41 project, among others, includes $7.6 million in what's called "community sensitive design" work, and $353,000 in special design enhancements were included for the new Claude Allouez Bridge in De Pere. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/on_assignment/taxpayers-pay-for-turtle-roundabouts

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/Turtle_roundaboutsb869dcec-b751-468a-8199-316d703d8e5e0000_20110929082917_320_240.jpg

Love roundabouts but what a huge waste of money, $110,000 for landscaping?

IMHO, WI 172 westward from US 41 should be a full freeway that feeds directly into WI 54 in Outagamie County, with Mason St bring similarly rerouted to feed directly into County 'E'.

(I would also reroute WI 54 to replace WI 172 all the way eastward to I-43.)

Mike

Or you could keep WI-172 west of 41 for the 5 miles to 54. East of 41 - have that as an interstate 'bypass' numbered say, I-243

McCarthy Way. The mayor is proposing that Ridge Road in Green Bay and Ashwaubenon be renamed McCarthy Way. At least one public meeting on the idea is expected to be held. An informal survey of residents and businesses on the street conducted by the city shows 50% in favor and 50% opposed to the move. The mayor wants the change to be made in time for the Packers bye week at the end of this month. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111001/GPG0101/110010596/Will-Ridge-Road-become-McCarthy-Way-honoring-Packers-coach-?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

Austin Straubel. The airport plans to use a new $500,000 federal grant to help secure year-round service either to Denver by Frontier Airlines or to bring back year-round service to Dallas/Fort Worth by American Airlines. The airport says both its summer seasonal service to Denver by Frontier in recent years and year-round service to Dallas/Fort Worth by American about six years ago were successful. The Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce also has offered up to $75,000 to help get new year-round western-hub service established. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110930/GPG03/109300563/Austin-Straubel-International-receives-grant?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

Neville Public Museum. Although a reduction in county support of about $75,000 is expected next year, the Neville Public Museum plans to increase its operating budget for 2012 by using non-county funding sources. The museum anticipates bigger exhibits, renting itself out for use by community groups and strengthening fundraising efforts. Since at least 2007, county support for the museum has been about $1 million annually of a total $1.3 million budget. About 64,000 people visited the Neville in 2009, the most recent year figures are available. The museum has the equivalent of about 12 full-time staff. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110930/GPG0101/109300611/-1/7daysarchives/Neville-Public-Museum-plans-do-more-less and http://www.nevillepublicmuseum.org/

Green Bay Metro. New Metro Director Tom Wittig says GBM’s paratransit service for the disabled is “not out of the woods yet” but “we've turned a corner." California-based MV Transportation, Inc. four months ago replaced Medi-Vans on a new five-year contract with Metro for paratransit service. Wittig says service has improved significantly in recent weeks after early problems, and he vows to continue addressing any complaints. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110930/GPG0101/109300616/-1/7daysarchives/Green-Bay-bus-service-disabled-finally-getting-better-

Brown County. Seven buildings owned by Brown County are now partially powered by solar panels, with more to come. It’s part of a green initiative the county started three years ago to save energy and money. Buildings where the solar panels have been or will be installed include the library system, sheriff’s department and the L.H. Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve, a 920-acre preserve of woods, meadows, wetlands and trails along and near the west bayshore in Suamico and Howard. Barkhausen photo. http://www.wbay.com/story/15562051/2011/09/27/brown-county-buildings-turn-green and http://www.co.brown.wi.us/departments/page_03513174fdfd/?department=cb643ee48c55&subdepartment=dadc284c6c54

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Ledgeview. Ice House Coffee & Creamery in Olde School Square at 2200 Dickinson Rd. is closing Sunday for remodeling. The business will reopen in about two weeks as Ice House S-Press-O. It will not have a dining room anymore but will have a drive-thru and a walk-up. Ice House has been open 4½ years. LoopNet image of Olde School Square. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110930/GPG03/109300566/Ice-House-Coffee-Creamery-Ledgeview-getting-makeover?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/xy_7F3EDC67-8AD8-44F1-9E45-FC05CA1CA7B7__.jpg

Howard. The Boldt Co. of Appleton is opening an office in the Green Bay market with its taking over of The Selmer Co. in Howard. Selmer will finish its existing construction projects but will not take on any new business. Boldt is one of the largest construction companies in Wisconsin. It’ll open its Green Bay-area office in the current Selmer office at 2200 Woodale Ave. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111001/GPG03/110010616/Boldt-Selmer-construction-firms-transition-flux?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Businesshttp://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/xy_7F3EDC67-8AD8-44F1-9E45-FC05CA1CA7B7__.jpg and http://www.theboldtcompany.com/press_releases/

Broadway District. OBI reports that the offices of Smet Construction Services have now moved into the Chamber of Commerce building at Broadway and Dousman. OBI photo. http://www.facebook.com/OnBroadwayGB?sk=wall

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A Is for Architecture. The Bay Title & Abstract, Inc. building downtown at 345 S. Monroe Ave. — originally the home of Raphael & Rose Soquet — is featured in the Press-Gazette’s latest “A is for Architecture” installment. The house was built in 1897 in an exuberant Queen Anne style. It's a catalog house (Design No. 33 in a pattern book) from designs created by the American architect George Franklin Barber, known for his “too much is not enough” ornamental esthetic. Mr. Soquet was a prominent druggist whose store was in the 300 block of N. Washington St. Press-Gazette photo. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111001/GPG04/110010643/114-year-old-former-Raphael-Soquet-House-maintains-exuberance?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|GPG-Life&Style

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Bellevue. Bellevue has opened its new East River Resch Family Trail connection between the village and Green Bay. The connection is near the Brown County University of Wisconsin-Extension office at 1150 Bellevue St. The three-quarter-mile segment is one of a series of trail additions between the two municipalities, making the East River trail some eight miles long, connecting Green Bay, Bellevue, Allouez, De Pere and Ledgeview. http://www.wisconsinoutdoorfun.com/article/20111001/GPG0101/110010590/East-River-Trail-connection-opens-Bellevue?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE and http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/east-river-trail-extension-complete

Kroc Center. A five-minute video from the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce on its Leadership Green Bay project to install lighting and security cameras on a trail connection to the new Kroc Center. http://vimeo.com/29746377

Lakeshore FYI. Some 2,000 contractors from around the country are descending on the Manitowoc/Two Rivers area for the next few months as the Point Beach Nuclear Plant enters the final stage of equipment upgrades to increase power output. Point Beach is located along Lake Michigan north of Two Rivers and was built by We Energies of Milwaukee. http://www.wbay.com/story/15592081/2011/09/30/point-beach-upgrades-power-up-community-business

^^Interesting stuff, Tower.

A few comments..

I like both the new Transit director and the new museum director.. I don't know them personally but what I'm seeing is that they both have good vision, the changes they're making look great and they're doing some neat things despite some really tough financial realities....and they're not P'ing and M'ing about ...just moving forward and finding a way. I like that.

I kind of think Ridge is the road to rename. .. I totally understand the pain for the businesses & residents though........THat's a tough one.

I still think Potts is the street to rename... but of course it isn't in the City of Green Bay so that won't really work in this case. But why not rename the Green Bay part of Gross instead? That'll make one intersection with all three coaches. And the length of Gross is about the same as the Green Bay length of Ridge, so the residential pain is about the same. But you won't have the commercial pain associated with Ridge in Ashwaubenon.

So are they just renaming the part of Ridge that is continuous next to the stadium? There is a short discontinuous segment of Ridge north of Shawano Ave, and there of course is the other Ashwaubenon segment of Ridge, south of Hansen. Will those also change, or no?

Where is this new East River Trail? From the descriptions, it runs on south from Westminster, then north to Elkay? Goes behind KI? So how does it cross the RR tracks?

^^

The new transit and museum directors look to be real go-getters. Good to see....I've never liked "Way" for a major street. Lombardi Avenue works much better than Lombardi Way. I think this "way" thing started years ago with Ted Pamperin, the former village president of Ashwaubenon. The mayor wants the entire street renamed, south to north, alongside the stadium and beyond. I wonder if Ashwaubenon will go along....Here's more information about the East River Trail, including a map, although it doesn't show the northern portions into Green Bay. http://www.foxrivertrail.com/ert/ The PG published a map of the new trail section today in the paper but not on-line. Looks like the trail may have several different variations on its name: East River Trail, East River Parkway Trail, Resch Family East River Trail and East River Resch Family Trail. Whatever. Not sure about the rr track crossing. The trail goes under 172.

^^
I don't care for the "Way" either. How about starting a "No Way" campaign? :jk:

If they must have "Way" in the name I like Kramerica's idea about renaming Gross Street in Green Bay McCarthy Way. That would be cool having the "Way's" intersect at Lombardi.

^^
I don't care for the "Way" either. How about starting a "No Way" campaign? :jk:

If they must have "Way" in the name I like Kramerica's idea about renaming Gross Street in Green Bay McCarthy Way. That would be cool having the "Way's" intersect at Lombardi.
Well, we DO have a 'McCarthy Rd' here in Appleton, but it's named after a different 'McCarthy'.

Mik

Well, we DO have a 'McCarthy Rd' here in Appleton, but it's named after a different 'McCarthy'.

Mik

That must drive the liberals nuts. LOL

Austin Straubel. Hopes to have new or renewed service to a western hub up and running next spring. If Denver or Dallas/Fort Worth doesn't work out, backup plans call for seeking year-round service to Salt Lake City or Phoenix. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/Austin-Straubel-to-bring-in-new-airline

Allouez. Ten wooden booths from the former Kaap's Restaurant downtown have been installed in the Village Grille restaurant at 801 Hoffman Rd. The booths include Kaap's black glossy tabletops, mirror-covered dividers, coat racks and lamps. The globes in the lamps have been changed to add more color. A "wall of history" may be added. Kaap's opened on N. Washington St. in 1914 and was razed in the early 1980s for urban renewal. Today, Kaap's Old World Chocolates is located at 1921 S. Webster Ave. in Allouez. Press-Gazette photos. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111002/GPG03/110020534/Richard-Ryman-column-Booths-installed-Village-Grille-Allouez?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business and http://www.kaapscandies.com/history.php

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Weidner Center. The Green Bay Symphony Orchestra opens its 98th season Saturday with its new music director, Donato Cabrera, at the podium. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. GBSO is a principal tenant of the Weidner Center and is the third largest professional orchestra in Wisconsin. It maintains a roster of 60 musicians. Meanwhile, for the fourth consecutive year at Lambeau, a contingent from the symphony will perform the national anthem. It'll take place before today's Packers/Denver game. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011110010637 and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011110922165 and http://www.greenbaysymphony.com/

Meyer Theatre. The Civic Symphony of Green Bay opened its 17th season last night at the Meyer Theatre with its conductor, Seong-Kyung Graham. The symphony is composed largely of adult and student volunteer musicians from the area. Meanwhile, the Allouez Village Band has opened its 30th season, performing the third Monday night of each month September through May at the Meyer. Conductor of the 80-member group is Mike Ajango. Its concerts are free. Both the Civic Symphony and village band are prinicipal tenants of the Meyer. http://www.gbcivic.org/ and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110917/GPG04/109170606/Allouez-Village-Band-starts-season-30-monday and http://www.allouezband.org

Green Bay Botanical Garden. Is coming off one of its busiest years, with attendance this summer up 20 percent over last. Two new gardens were dedicated in 2011, and a third will be dedicated in 2013. The newly renovated upper level of the Emil & Gail Fischer Visitor Center opened in April with an expanded gift shop, café seating, a fireplace and a new welcome-desk area. More permanent restrooms are planned for the Gertrude B. Nielsen Children's Garden. But the most noticeable digging this year has been for the new 12,000-square-foot Donald & Patricia Schneider Education Center. Construction of the two-story structure — connected to the Visitor Center but with its own entrance — began in May. The project is expected to be completed for a Nov. 17 dedication. And big plans for the annual "Garden of Lights" this Christmas season. Press-Gazette photos. http://greenbayhub.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111002/GPG04/110020548/Growth-spurt-season-big-progress-Green-Bay-Botanical-Garden?odyssey=nav|head

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That must drive the liberals nuts. LOL

I'm a liberal on things like social issues and the environment, a moderate on things like the economy and defense. But a McCarthy Road in Appleton doesn't "drive me nuts" at all. In fact, as one interested in history, I think it was sad that Appleton for so many years IMO tried to hide its McCarthy connections. Like him or not, he was a major figure in American politics at one time, and that needs to be remembered and talked about. McCarthy, Houdini and Edna Ferber are three of the biggest names to come out of Appleton history.

Where is this new East River Trail? From the descriptions, it runs on south from Westminster, then north to Elkay? Goes behind KI? So how does it cross the RR tracks?


here is a link (http://villageofbellevue.blogspot.com/2011/08/east-river-trail-northern-extension.html)

Fox River. The company that's financed much of the $1 billion cleanup of the Fox River to date moved last week to force other companies - like Georgia-Pacific - to pay for a larger share of the project. Appleton Papers also says it doesn't expect to provide additional funding for the project when work to remove PCBs from sediments resumes next spring. Work on dredging the sediments stopped abruptly this summer - though other work will continue for about a month - when Appleton and NCR Corp. said they wanted others to begin paying for the project. The cleanup is the largest of its kind in the U.S. and is slated for completion in 2017. http://www.jsonline.com/business/paper-company-wants-help-with-costs-130951203.html

Integrys Energy Services, Inc. Headquartered in De Pere at 1716 Lawrence Dr. near Scheuring Rd., Integrys Energy Services, Inc. last year had revenue of $1.8 billion selling natural gas and electricity to deregulated and regulated energy markets in the Northeast and Midwest. The company also has an active business developing solar projects around the country and operates power plants in New York and Pennsylvania. It has 220 employees. Here's a Q&A with the company. http://www.jsonline.com/business/deregulation-powers-integrys-130951113.html

NeighborWorks Green Bay. The nonprofit organization NeighborWorks Green Bay has renovated 51 residential properties over the last 11 years. More are on the way. The group buys properties in need of repair, fixes them and then resells them. Its current homes for sale range from $74,000 to $140,000 in price and from 1,200 to more than 2,000 square feet. NeighborWorks employs 10 people, contracts out all of its construction work and is located in a renovated building at 437 S. Jackson St. Its two latest renovated houses are located at 201 Oxford Ave. and 717 Ninth St. on the west side. NeighborWorks photos below of some of its projects. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111003/GPG0101/110030505/Decaying-homes-Green-Bay-neighborhoods-get-new-life?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s and http://www.nwgreenbay.org/index.html

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East River Trail. Here's a partial map of the East River Trail. Not shown is the latest addition on the northern end of Bellevue or any portions in Green Bay. I think the plan is to make the trail contiguous in Green Bay to connect up with the Fox River Trail downtown where the East and Fox rivers meet. Map from http://www.foxrivertrail.com/ert/

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/Screenshot2011-10-03at51007PM.jpg

Riding around today...a few things....apologize if it's old news...

Days Inn, today they had a big sale, liquidating everything. There is quite a bit of spray paint on the ground showing the utilities. Was told it's going to be tore down sometime in January, maybe Feb.

Meyer Theatre, the old sign is coming down. The new sign will be going up next week.

Al's Hamburger was starting the remodel today, or at least removing the old. Was told it's going to open back up.

I was mis-guided on the release date of the new buildings downtown. I was led to believe the drawings would be ready now (sorry for the mis-info).

I did see this on the intranet site though - they hired a firm to draw up the designs for the new HQ and GTC buildings downtown. The renderings should be ready by March 2012, with groundbreaking late summer 2012.

There is still a timeline of 2014 for completion.

Banks. According to an annual FDIC survey, Associated Bank continues to dominate the Green Bay market. As of June 30, it had a market share of 38%. That means of every $100 on deposit with local banks, $38 was with Associated. M&I Bank (now BMO Harris) was second in the Green Bay market at 13%, and Nicolet National Bank was third at 6%. Statewide, U.S. Bank ranked first, M&I ranked second and Associated ranked third, with 8% of deposits. http://www.jsonline.com/business/us-bank-edges-mi-for-market-share-in-wisconsin-131071563.html

Meyer Theatre. Picking up on Night Rider, here's a WLUK photo of work earlier today at the Meyer. The new marquee will be officially unveiled on Friday, Oct. 14. I think it'll include electronic messaging and images.
http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/demolition-begins-on-meyer-marquee

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/Meyer_Theatre_sign8f9f9cac-2d46-44ac-8c1a-612ac3ebb72c0000_20111004145544_320_240.jpg

Olde Main Street. Official opening of CVS. City of Green Bay photo.

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/301386_294999937184001_216541391696523_1397262_258577765_n1.jpg

Green Bay Metro. Continues to set records on its new free Saturday service. http://www.facebook.com/notes/green-bay-metro/green-saturday/10150394963398255

Marinette FYI. Marinette Marine Corp. is planning a huge $73 million expansion and upgrade of its shipyard, doubling its capacity. The company expects to hire about 40 new people a month for the next couple of years to meet demand. "When we build ships in the northern climates we build indoors, so we have to add the indoor square footage to complete the projects," the company says. "We're going to be in a state of construction . . . for the next two-and-a-half years." http://www.wbay.com/story/15592100/2011/09/30/marinette-marine-growing-to-meet-navys-demands

I was mis-guided on the release date of the new buildings downtown. I was led to believe the drawings would be ready now (sorry for the mis-info).

I did see this on the intranet site though - they hired a firm to draw up the designs for the new HQ and GTC buildings downtown. The renderings should be ready by March 2012, with groundbreaking late summer 2012.

There is still a timeline of 2014 for completion.

Did the intranet site by chance officially name the firm or was it just a vague " hired a firm?"

Has anyone caught any more wind on plans/expectations from the city's end?

Did the intranet site by chance officially name the firm or was it just a vague " hired a firm?"

Has anyone caught any more wind on plans/expectations from the city's end?

There was a named firm. I'll look at the site later today.

UPDATE: the firms' name is HGA - an Architecture / Engineering firm with offices in Milwaukee and Minneapolis.
http://hga.com/

Milwaukee Riverwalk wins award - something for CityDeck to shoot for?

http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-20111004-riverwalk-honored,0,4649678.story?track=rss

There was a named firm. I'll look at the site later today.

UPDATE: the firms' name is HGA - an Architecture / Engineering firm with offices in Milwaukee and Minneapolis.
http://hga.com/

The left side of this building designed by HGA looks like Flats on the Fox.

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/westwinder/uwmaeduc2214.jpg

Highway 41. The $1.5 billion reconstruction of Highway 41 - 17 miles between Oshkosh and Neenah from 2009 to 2014 and 14 miles in the Green Bay area from 2010 to 2017 - is on schedule and about 25% complete. In Brown County, the new Scheuring Rd. overpass and the new roundabout at Shawano Ave. and Taylor St. are open, and work continues elsewhere. The first two WisDOT renderings below show the Scheuring Rd. overpass when work is fully completed; the facade is concrete or cement designed and painted to replicate brick. The third rendering shows Shawano Ave. just west of the new roundabout, with the 41/29 interchange in the background. The fourth shows 41 looking north at Mason St., with 41/29 in the background. The freeway at this point will be 9 and 10 lanes wide. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111005/GPG0101/110050583/Road-construction-work-U-S-41-schedule?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-News|s and http://www.us41wisconsin.gov/

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/Screenshot2011-10-05at42842PM.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/Screenshot2011-10-05at45558PM.jpg
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/Screenshot2011-10-05at43806PM.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/Screenshot2011-10-05at43349PM.jpg

Green Bay Metro. Miller Lite is a new sponsor of Metro's free game-day bus routes to and from Lambeau Field. Miller has contributed $12,500 to sponsor the service, officials say, as a way of encouraging football fans not to drive after drinking. The buses operate five hours before kickoff and three hours post-game from such connections as Bay Park Square, Oneida Bingo & Casino, Austin Straubel, the Transportation Center downtown and local hotels. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011310050015

Al's Hamburger. A sign placed outside Al's advertises Krause Construction Inc. of De Pere "Design, Build, General Contractor." The inside of the building looks to be hollowed out.

Fox River. A view across the Fox River downtown this week from condos along the river. Photo from Michael Bergman via DGBI.

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/294264_10150351067654415_664584414_8099811_807232310_n.jpg

There was a named firm. I'll look at the site later today.

UPDATE: the firms' name is HGA - an Architecture / Engineering firm with offices in Milwaukee and Minneapolis.
http://hga.com/

Thanks for the info!

^^
Here's more information about the East River Trail, including a map, although it doesn't show the northern portions into Green Bay. http://www.foxrivertrail.com/ert/ The PG published a map of the new trail section today in the paper but not on-line. Looks like the trail may have several different variations on its name: East River Trail, East River Parkway Trail, Resch Family East River Trail and East River Resch Family Trail. Whatever. Not sure about the rr track crossing. The trail goes under 172.

Rode the trail today and the extension of the trail isn't much actually. Essentially rather than ending at Westminster Dr it hugs the river a bit longer but then jumps back out to the street between KI and the tracks. The sidewalk has been widened along Bellevue St to Elkay Ln where the Trail starts back up again. Fairly unimpressed actually. I usually avoid the north part of the Trail simply because of the crossing with Mason St; far to dangerous to cross.

Here's a DNR document on the Porlier Street Swing Bridge.

AGENCY REQUEST FOR
A/E SELECTION SERVICES
September 2011


AGENCY: Department of Natural Resources

PROJECT: Porlier St. Swing Bridge Removal, Project No. 11H2V

LOCATION: Green Bay (Brown County)

REQUEST:
Provide Authority to conduct pre-design investigations only for a Swing Bridge Removal Project.

Description
The DNR acquired the Porlier Street Swing Bridge when it purchased the railroad corridor necessary to create the Fox River State Trail. Subsequent to acquisition, the United State Coast Guard (USCG) ruled that the center span of the bridge is not functional and is causing a hazard to navigation. Subsequently, the USCG ordered a compliance order for such removal to occur.

This project will deconstruct the center section of the Porlier Street Rail Road Bridge crossing the Fox River in the City of Green Bay. The East span of the bridge is owned by the DNR and currently used as a fishing pier. The East span will remain in place as it does not impede navigation. The railroad still owns the west approach section of the bridge. The railroad will complete the removal of this portion of the bridge. Removal of the center span of the bridge doubles the width of the shipping channel in the Fox River, Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Cargo ships have become larger in the recent past; making the 75’ opening of the bridge difficult to navigate. Over the years the bridge has sustained considerable damage from ships hitting it while attempting to make passage. The bridge has not been used in over 30 years.

Expected Architectural/engineering investigations will include the following as listed below:
• Review of existing drawings or other information on the original construction.
• Complete bathymetric survey.
• Complete a survey of the structure to determine the size and length of structure members.
• Verify depth of removal for bridge foundation.
• Verify any utilities located in the area of the structure.
• Verify any lead paint issues that requires abatement prior to demolition.
• Verify if there are any PCB issues that could be an issue with the disturbance of sediments.
• Verify if this project requires completion of an EIA or EIS per WEPA.

Budget and Schedule

Budget Cost Schedule Date
Construction $525,000 Program Approval SEPT 2011
Contingency 56,300 A/E Selection OCT 2011
A/E Fees 50,400 Bid Opening JAN 2012
DSF Management 23,300 Start Construction MAR 2012
Total $655,000 Substantial Completion JULY 2012

Previous Building Commission Action:
Agency estimated the total project budget at $655,000 (455,000 Stewardship borrowing (STWD) & $200,000 General Fund Supported Borrowing (GFSB)).

Agency Contact:
Steve Schrage, Steven.Schrage@wisconsin.gov, 920.303.5447

Downtown. According to a new study concerning life in Brown County, slightly under 40% of survey respondents identified as community leaders have a good or excellent perception of downtown revitalization. That's from a chart accompanying an article about the study in today's Press-Gazette. There's no elaboration about the downtown finding in the article. The study is called LIFE (Leading Indicators for Excellence - Brown County) and came from surveys of community leaders and randomly selected residents. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111006/GPG0101/110060621/LIFE-study-finds-red-flags-Brown-Co-?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s There's more detail here at http://lifestudy.info/

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/Screenshot2011-10-07at91637AM.jpg

Meyer Theatre. More on the new marquee and background about the Meyer. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111006/GPG0101/110060619/Meyer-Theatre-starts-replacing-marquee?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

McCarthy Way. The Press-Gazette says the mayor's proposal for McCarthy Way should allow "plenty of time for residents and business owners to weigh in on a change that will impact them." Discussion should also include ideas other than naming a street, the paper says. The issue is expected to go to the city Plan Commission. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111006/GPG0602/110060615/Editorial-Renaming-street-Mike-McCarthy-needs-public-input?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Opinion

Fox River. The State of Wisconsin through the DNR is planning to have the Porlier Street Swing Bridge removed. According to the DNR, the railroad bridge has not been used in more than 30 years, has been damaged by passing ships and has been ruled a navigational hazard by the Coast Guard. The agency also says cargo ships have become larger, making the 75-foot opening of the bridge difficult to navigate. The bridge, including its turntable, is listed on the Brown County Historical Society's Historic Preservation Watch List. http://www.browncohistoricalsoc.org/bchsociety/historic+preservation+watch+list/default.asp Removal would begin next March and be completed by July; it appears the state has budgeted $655,000 for the project, mostly in Stewardship funds. The fishing pier on the east side would remain. The DNR acquired the bridge when it purchased the east-side railroad corridor along the Fox River to create the Fox River Trail. Left photo from DGBI, second photo from the Brown County Historical Society. See the previous post for a DNR document about the bridge removal.

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/262548_10150243920943595_39473118594_7519889_2992359_n1.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/porlierrailroadbridgeandturntable.jpg

Schreiber Foods. To review, gbgoose says the company HGA (Hammel, Green and Abrahamson Inc.) has been hired to design the new Schreiber Foods headquarters and global technology buildings downtown. Renderings would be ready by March, with groundbreaking late next summer and completion in 2014. HGA is an architectural, engineering and planning firm founded in 1953 in Minneapolis. It has more than 600 employees. Among a half-dozen additional locations in the U.S., its Great Lakes Office is in Milwaukee in the Marine Terminal Building (below) in the Historic Third Ward just south of downtown. The building is a former warehouse, located along the Milwaukee River, whose renovation and adaptive reuse were designed by HGA. HGA photo. http://hga.com/

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/Screenshot2011-10-07at30149PM.jpg

WaterMark & Children’s Museum. Two items from next Tuesday’s RDA meeting: 1. WaterMark project update by John Vetter and finalization of developer contributions for facade enhancements. Recommendation: To be presented at meeting. 2. Consideration and approval of providing assistance to the Children’s Museum. Recommendation: Discussion and action to take place at the meeting. http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mins_agd/

Al’s Hamburger. Is being rebuilt inside by Krause Construction Inc. and may reopen by year’s end. The landmark burned Aug. 20 in a fire that gutted the building and caused an estimated $50,000 damage. Krause says the restaurant will be rehabbed the way it was — with the counter, the booths, the grill in front and the kitchen in back. The restaurant is owned by George and Judy Rank and sons Perry and Steve Rank and was founded by George's father, Al Rank, in 1934. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111007/GPG03/110070558/Al-s-Hamburger-Shop-plans-reopen?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

Downtown. The first Downtown Green Bay Tour of Homes last week attracted more than 150 visitors. From the latest edition of the DGBI newsletter “What’s Up Downtown.” http://campaignbox.imagedistillery.com/t/ViewEmail/r/2DA6739662ADA641/AA9C952A5FFD74664936C359EC0425C0

Broadway District. The On Broadway 2011 Town Hall Meeting will be held Wednesday Oct. 26 at Titletown Brewing Co., with a 4:30 meet-and-greet, 5 p.m. meeting and social afterward. OBI says, “See what On Broadway has been up to, learn about what’s going on, the projects that are on the horizon and the projects that have been done.” http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=fvwricdab&oeidk=a07e50f9iyee807d1a7

Olde Main Street District. Bessy in action at CVS. DGBI photo.

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/316229_10150313602943595_39473118594_8043764_402670544_n.jpg

Lakeshore FYI. A bit more information about the big upgrade of the Point Beach Nuclear Plant and the contractors and workers from around the country who have been descending on the Manitowoc/Two Rivers area for the project. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111004/GPG03/110040471/-1/7daysarchives/Point-Beach-Nuclear-Plant-begins-capacity-upgrade

Lambeau Field. The Packers have NFL approval to sell more stock to help fund their stadium-expansion plans but still need an okay from the federal Securities and Exchange Commission before proceeding. The SEC approval should be forthcoming. The Packers are planning $143 million in projects to add some 7,000 seats to Lambeau and make other improvements to the stadium. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111008/GPG0101/110080621/Packers-win-NFL-s-stock-sale-approval-SEC-nod-needed?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

Broadway District. The last Farmers Market On Broadway for the season is this Wednesday. From OBI's latest edition of "Broadway Beat." http://myemail.constantcontact.com/News-from-On-Broadway-Inc-.html?soid=1102808930981&aid=jr-CI7q4AZE

McCarthy Way. It went by quickly. But I think I heard one of the announcers on the Packers telecast tonight say that Mike McCarthy or the Packers have asked the city to delay any effort to rename a street in the coach's honor until after the end of the season. The item is not listed on this week's city Plan Commission agenda.

Holmgren Way. The national men's-store chain JoS. A. Bank Clothiers is coming to Ashwaubenon. It'll occupy a building on the southeast corner of Holmgren Way and Willard Drive and is scheduled to open in November. The company operates more than 500 locations in 42 states plus D.C. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111009/GPG03/110090588/Richard-Ryman-column-Mattress-Firm-open-new-store?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

Suamico. The Urban Edge shopping center on Lineville Road is adding 14,000 square feet of retail space. Seventy-five percent of the addition is leased and will include a salon, cash store, sushi restaurant and nail spa. Completion expected by winter. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111009/GPG03/110090588/Richard-Ryman-column-Mattress-Firm-open-new-store?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

Brown County. While child poverty has increased sharply in Wisconsin by five percentage points from 2007 to 2010 (to 19%) - that's more than a quarter-million children - a U.S. Census Bureau survey shows the rate (unspecified in this article) has held steady in Brown County over the same period. The census survey also shows the county's median household income has dropped from $54,951 in 2007 to $50,743 last year. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111010/GPG0101/110100485/Brown-County-sees-little-change-childhood-poverty?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

Brown County. After a brief lull in late 2010 and early 2011, foreclosures in Brown County are rising again. With 528 foreclosures through September, the county is on pace to reach more than 700 by the end of the year, eclipsing the 2010 total of 649. Foreclosures have gone up every year since 2006, when there were 346 in the county. The county has about 1,350 properties bank-owned and considered distressed, not including more than 2,000 properties just for sale. The number of homes sold in Brown County dropped from 2,877 in 2006 to 2,104 in 2010; this year the county is on pace for about 2,100 home sales. Meanwhile, the Green Bay area is seeing a growing number of homeless people, families receiving public assistance and others waiting for help. That includes the number of families being served by the Freedom House shelter in Green Bay. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111009/GPG0101/110090568/-1/7daysarchives/Stagnant-economy-biggest-factor-foreclosures-pile-up-search-them-your-community and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111009/GPG0101/110090575/-1/7daysarchives/Economy-gets-blame-LIFE-survey-shows-more-families-seek-assistance

Neville Public Museum. Meanwhile, over at the Neville Public Museum, a study is being commissioned to determine the feasibility of bringing the original USS Green Bay or some other appropriate ship to dock at the museum along the Fox River and be open to visitors. The study is set to be completed in 2012. The project would be estimated to cost $3-$5 million, with the hope a ship could be docked here in two or three years, in time for the Neville's centennial celebration in 2015. The original USS Green Bay is now in the Greek Navy and would need to be decommissioned. Neville leaders are working with the Brown County Harbor Commission, the Corps of Engineers and city and county officials on the study. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/Neville-looking-at-possible-museum-ship

Broadway District. Here's what is said to be Aaron Rodgers' first TV advertisement "with a significant national advertiser" - for State Farm - that OBI says was shot in the Broadway District some weeks ago. No details. The ad was shown last night during NBC Sunday Night Football. http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2011/10/10/Aaron-Rodgers-State-Farm-101011.aspx and http://www.facebook.com/OnBroadwayGB?sk=wall
Rodgers is also doing TV and print commercials for Ford Truck in Wisconsin and Associated Bank. Here's one of the regional Associated TV ads. http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2011/10/04/Edith-Aaron-10-04-11.aspx

West Side. A small prairie is being planted near S. Ashland Ave. and Ninth St. by students of Franklin Middle School. The area is near the Ashland Ave. viaduct. Franklin teacher and City Council member Ned Dorff is involved in the project. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/students-gather-seeds-to-replant-prairie

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/Students_gather_seeds_4a2f24d6-6e9b-4ace-a420-a26e3e7c76db0000_20111010174231_320_2401.jpg

Brown County. The 10th annual Art Studio Tour in Brown County and nearby areas, sponsored by the Northeast Wisconsin Arts Council. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/Art-Studio-Tour-features-local-artists and http://artstudiotour.wordpress.com/

The former Schauer & Schumacher Furniture store downtown and four commercial buildings on N. Washington St. are scheduled for a foreclosure sale at sheriff’s auction Nov. 16. Michael Schwantes, a principal in the ownership group for the buildings, tells the Press-Gazette he’s hoping to avoid auction by finding new financing for the properties. “We have hopeful expectations,” he said. “In today’s climate, it’s not easy.” In 2009 Schwantes and his company, Creative Business Services, had plans to develop the vacant Schauer & Schumacher into “Lofts on Adams,” a mixed-use development with commercial condo space on the first floor, residential lofts on the second and a rooftop garden. Four months ago he told WFRV that contracts had been signed to occupy the former Oxford’s Café & Pub (later The Filmore) on N. Washington St. and some other spaces downtown. No details were provided then.

The six properties listed for foreclosure sale are:
• The former Filmore Pub & Café (currently vacant), 217 N. Washington St., built in 1882. Two stories.
• Ned Kelly’s tavern, 223 N. Washington St. Two stories.
• Ned Kelly’s tavern, an adjacent, connected building at 225 N. Washington St. Two stories.
• 227-229 N. Washington St., the building housing Erbert & Gerbert’s, known originally as the Neville Building, built in 1887. Three stories.
• The Schauer & Schumacher main furniture building, 227 E. Walnut St. at Adams and Walnut, may have been built in 1930. Two Stories.
• An adjacent former S&S building around the corner at 109 N. Adams St. (I think this building may date to when S&S operated a funeral home at this address.) Three stories.

The first image below is a view of the proposed “Lofts on Adams.” The photo following, from LoopNet, shows the second S&S building on Adams. The rest of the photos, also from LoopNet, show the Washington St. buildings, including the three-story Neville Building. There appears not to be an online link to the Press-Gazette notice in the news section of today’s paper about the foreclosure sale.

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/126Lofts-1.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/ServeAttachmentashx-2.jpg
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/ServeAttachmentashx.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/ServeAttachment-1ashx.jpg http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/Screenshot2011-10-11at54559PM.jpg

Also. The RDA today approved the WaterMark enhancements. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/watermark-enhancements-approved

Tagging on to Tower Park's update on Watermark/RDA, there was an article in the PG this morning. Basically said the same thing, but I did see this...

A new marketing website for WaterMark, www.watermarkgb.com, will be launched next week.

Tagging on to Tower Park's update on Watermark/RDA, there was an article in the PG this morning. Basically said the same thing, but I did see this...

A new marketing website for WaterMark, www.watermarkgb.com, will be launched next week.

Are they still talking about building a residential highrise ?

Are they still talking about building a residential highrise ?
There is no talk and the web site is no longer active, the Vetter Denk website still lists "Astor Place Green Bay, Wisconsin" under their Portfolio

Below are a few of the pics from the Vetter Denk website Link (http://www.vetterdenk.com/work.php)

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n213/gbsurveyor/Astorplace.png

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n213/gbsurveyor/Astorplace2.png

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n213/gbsurveyor/Astorplace3.png

Children’s Museum. The Press-Gazette says the Children’s Museum to date has raised $2.4 million for its new facility, enough to cover build-out and exhibits. An additional $2 million still needs to be raised “to cover the cost of acquiring the building,” the paper says. The RDA on Tuesday agreed to provide $250,000 for the project, fulfilling a pledge the city says Paul Jadin made when he was mayor. Mayor Schmitt is helping with museum fundraising. http://www.wbay.com/story/15671697/2011/10/11/green-bay-formalizes-financial-support-for-childrens-museum and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111012/GPG03/110120585/RDA-modifies-WaterMark-plans?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

WaterMark. Following up on jerkylips999’s post, developer John Vetter says eight commercial prospects are interested in anywhere from 2,000 to 80,000 square feet of space in WaterMark. Discussions have been held with six retailers, and at least one group is considering residential development on the fifth floor. Press-Gazette photo. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111012/GPG03/110120585/RDA-modifies-WaterMark-plans?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/bilde-7-8.jpg

J.C. Penney. The city has completed purchase of the empty J.C. Penney store adjacent to Washington Commons. Both will be razed — as well as the Days Inn — to make way for the new Schreiber projects. The city already owns the mall. ©Photo by Andrew T…’s via flickr. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111012/GPG03/110120585/RDA-modifies-WaterMark-plans?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/Screenshot2011-10-12at25631PM.jpg

Veterans Administration Clinic. Excavation work has started at the site of the big new VA Clinic on University Ave. Trucks and a half-dozen pieces of heavy construction machinery are on site. Rendering by Summit Smith Healthcare Facilities.

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/goetscha/greenBayBig4.jpg

Brown County Central Library. The vice-president of the Brown County Library Board says the county should bond for $23 million over a 20-year period to renovate the Central Library. An engineering study concludes the building’s ventilation system, HVAC, electrical system, plumbing, elevators, windows and roof needed to be replaced or upgraded. Also proposed is a redesign of interior spaces for better accessibility, usability and efficiency. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111011/GPG0706/110110416/Guest-column-Library-repairs-needed-keep-building-functioning?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Opinion

Facade Improvements. The RDA on Tuesday agreed to establish a new commercial facade-improvement grant program with $47,000. EDA Director Gregory Flisram said a previous facade-improvement loan program was not attractive to businesses and was not being used. "We are trying to broaden our ability to get the money out there," he told the authority. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111012/GPG03/110120585/RDA-modifies-WaterMark-plans?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

Meyer Theatre. The Meyer's new $117,000 marquee will be unveiled Friday at a 10 a.m. press conference plus again at a 7:30 night ceremony, when the marquee's lights will be turned on prior to the 8 p.m. show of "St. Mary's Roller Rink" by Let Me Be Frank Productions. Some 65,000 visitors attended activities at the Meyer last year. As for the future, the president of the Meyer board says: "We're looking at doing something next door to the Meyer....We don't have any firm plans yet, but we have some very aggressive studies that are going on in that field that we think have a real practical chance of taking place and happening." Press-Gazette photos. The first is from ca. 1931 early in the theater's history when it was the Fox Theatre. The second is from the 1940s when it was the Bay. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111013/GPG0101/110130524/Meyer-Theatre-marquee-prepared-Friday-lighting?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

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Downtown. Ganther Construction Architecture Inc. says the build-out of the Children's Museum should begin around the first week of November, and (exterior) work on WaterMark should be finished the first quarter of next year. http://wearegreenbay.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=94807

Downtown. The latest edition of "What's Up Downtown." http://campaignbox.imagedistillery.com/t/ViewEmail/r/EC6BCCD31D988AD7/AA9C952A5FFD7466B3138EAD4DECE712

Lambeau Field. WFRV looks at the question of whether a Super Bowl could ever be held in Green Bay. http://wearegreenbay.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=94777

Velp Avenue. The new roundabout at Velp and Military officially opens Friday. Also officially opening is a reconstructed section of Velp from 41 in Howard to just east of Military Ave. in Green Bay. The rest of Velp in Green Bay is torn up and down to two lanes, but repavement will not take place until next year. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111013/GPG0101/110130527/Velp-Avenue-open-3-2M-project-wraps-up?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-News|s

De Pere. Two options remain at play to build a major thoroughfare connecting I-43 and Highway 41 in the southern De Pere area. Construction is planned for 2020. Planners say the connector would alleviate congestion on the Claude Allouez Bridge downtown. An archeological study of the thoroughfare's possible routes is currently being completed. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111013/GPG0101/110130517/Harvest-stalls-De-Pere-southern-connector-corridor-study?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-News|s

Meyer Theatre. YouTube and television video of the new marquee. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzh6RM8tHnw and http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/meyer-theatre-unveils-new-marquee

Green Bay Metro. The big makeover of Green Bay Metro’s route system that went into effect in September initially resulted in “mass confusion,” according to recently posted minutes of the Transit Commission’s Sept. 21 meeting. As a result, one route was changed from a one-hour loop with two buses to two half-hour loops because of complaints. Supervisors and staff were placed at transfer points to assist passengers, drivers suggested alterations, the situation has improved and “the fixed route operation is on the right track,” the minutes conclude. http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mins_agd/

Green Bay Metro. Ridership this year is up 13% — or more than 100,000 passengers — from 2010, it was reported at the Sept. 21 Transit Commission meeting. New bus shelters have been going up on both sides of the Fox River, with an emphasis on transfer points. Meanwhile, I see at least two Metro buses have been outfitted in a new green-and-gold color and design scheme promoting the new game-day service to and from Lambeau Field. The slogan on the side of the buses in big letters is “Ride the Bus on Us.” http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mins_agd/

Appleton FYI. Valley Transit is hoping to avert a $1.5 million reduction in federal funding in 2012, and is expecting less in state aid that would mean a five-percent cut in its budget. The transit system next year anticipates ending Saturday service three hours earlier, ending weeknight service one hour earlier and possibly making route changes. Local officials, including the mayor of Appleton, continue to advocate for a regional transit authority. http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20111014/APC0101/110140516/Valley-leaders-push-regional-transportation-authority?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Cimg%7CFRONTPAGE and http://www.nbc26.com/news/local/131826398.html

Great Lakes. In a guest column in the Press-Gazette about invasive species in water and on land, a teacher and official with the Baird Creek Preservation Foundation concludes, “It might cost millions to keep the Asian carp out of the Great Lakes, but the potential damage — if they do get into the lakes — would be in the billions." The columnist, Charlie Frisk, also talks about the invasive Phragmites — the tall cane-like plant that has been rapidly expanding on the west bayshore — and how the zebra mussel is now virtually gone from Lake Michigan but has been replaced by a larger also non-native cousin, the quagga mussel. Frisk says that because of invasives, the entire cold-water fishery in Lake Michigan is totally dependent on state-run fish-stocking programs in Wisconsin and states around the lake. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111013/GPG0706/110130516/Guest-column-Preventive-action-should-taken-invasive-species?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Opinion

Bay Settlement. Just came across more photos of the former Holy Cross Convent on Bay Settlement Road on the Green Bay/Scott border that was demolished this spring/early summer. Unless I didn’t catch it, the local news media didn’t cover the event or didn’t know about it. The convent was on the National Register of Historic Places. The area has been seeded over. Photos by Jerry Abitz.

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Bay Settlement. Just came across more photos of the former Holy Cross Convent on Bay Settlement Road on the Green Bay/Scott border that was demolished this spring/early summer. Unless I didn’t catch it, the local news media didn’t cover the event or didn’t know about it. The convent was on the National Register of Historic Places. The area has been seeded over. Photos by Jerry Abitz.



I watched this summer as they tore this place down. It was sad. I do know that the Sisters were diligent in trying to save/sell the building for five years and they involved several people to try to help, but to no avail with our sinking economy. If you want to see my batch of photos from the demo, contact me some of them are not showing up here when I imbed them.

I watched this summer as they tore this place down. It was sad. I do know that the Sisters were diligent in trying to save/sell the building for five years and they involved several people to try to help, but to no avail with our sinking economy. If you want to see my batch of photos from the demo, contact me some of them are not showing up here when I imbed them.

This is so sad. Green Bay has such a habit of tearing down structures of historical significance. Before this it was the Bishop's house. When other people from Wisconsin go on city-data.com and dis Green Bay and call it a pit I used to get a little ticked; but, when I see things like this I can't say I blame them.

This is so sad. Green Bay has such a habit of tearing down structures of historical significance. Before this it was the Bishop's house. When other people from Wisconsin go on city-data.com and dis Green Bay and call it a pit I used to get a little ticked; but, when I see things like this I can't say I blame them.

I know what you mean. I get sick looking at old postcards of the beautiful downtown we used to have. The old Beaumont Hotel, the old City Hall... and of course the red Chancery that was plowed over by the cash hungry last summer. Seems like no matter what we try to do to prevent the destruction, the one who wants to rip down a historic building always has connections in the permit office and blazes ahead before anyone realizes it (or before the paperwork/process is done legally, as was the case with the Chancery).

De Pere. Two options remain at play to build a major thoroughfare connecting I-43 and Highway 41 in the southern De Pere area. Construction is planned for 2020. Planners say the connector would alleviate congestion on the Claude Allouez Bridge downtown. An archeological study of the thoroughfare's possible routes is currently being completed. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111013/GPG0101/110130517/Harvest-stalls-De-Pere-southern-connector-corridor-study?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-News|s

Isn't it odd that one of the two options for the "major thoroughfare connecting I-43 and Highway 41" might not actually connect to Highway 41? According to the article, the feds have not weighed in on whether a new interchange could be built; if it isn't approved, the connector would go OVER Highway 41 and end at Packerland Drive!

I strongly prefer this southern route over Scheuring Road, which is already a busy street and would be more difficult and less suitable for conversion to a freeway at some point in the future. But you would think that they could get the important interchange question answered before moving forward...

Isn't it odd that one of the two options for the "major thoroughfare connecting I-43 and Highway 41" might not actually connect to Highway 41? According to the article, the feds have not weighed in on whether a new interchange could be built; if it isn't approved, the connector would go OVER Highway 41 and end at Packerland Drive!

I strongly prefer this southern route over Scheuring Road, which is already a busy street and would be more difficult and less suitable for conversion to a freeway at some point in the future. But you would think that they could get the important interchange question answered before moving forward...

Heck, none of the options connect to I-43, either! As for a conversion to a freeway, is that even what they're considering? My take was that they want an arterial, not a freeway.

"Better by the Bay" has a nice photo of the Courthouse posted on their Facebook page.

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/westwinder/BrownCountyCourthouse.jpg

Heck, none of the options connect to I-43, either! As for a conversion to a freeway, is that even what they're considering? My take was that they want an arterial, not a freeway.

They do want an arterial, but as the area between Green Bay and Appleton continues to develop, I would guess that at some point another high-capacity, limited-access east-west highway will be needed. The new southern connection is sufficiently far from 172 to perhaps provide that highway.

This could be 25 years from now, or 75 years from now, but just thinking ahead.

Of course, by 2100 we'll all be wearing rocket packs and this conversation will be moot. :wink2:

Heck, none of the options connect to I-43, either! As for a conversion to a freeway, is that even what they're considering? My take was that they want an arterial, not a freeway.
I also believe that the planners are looking at a major arterial here. The southern of the two (Southbridge/Red Maple/Rockland) looks to me like it is also planned to feed directly into County GV (Monroe Rd) at County 'X' (Heritage Rd), which already has a direct major street interchange with WI 172.

See:
http://maps.google.com/?ll=44.430961,-88.058338&spn=0.073304,0.175781&t=m&z=13&vpsrc=6

My guess as to the FHWA approval thing is US 41's pending 'promotion' to a full interstate and that location's close proximity to Scheuring Rd.

Another idea that I can see in my crystal ball would be a new river crossing (freeway?) between Kaukauna and Wrightstown, connecting with US 41 just north of that power plant, to cross the Fox River and head southwards roughly along Military Rd towards Sherwood to feed ultimately into WI 55 just south of town. This would also provide a redundancy alternate to the US 41 Lake Butte des Morts causeway, which I consider to be one of my top-ten weaknesses in the entire Wisconsin transport network (there is no good way around it).

Mike

Isn't it odd that one of the two options for the "major thoroughfare connecting I-43 and Highway 41" might not actually connect to Highway 41? According to the article, the feds have not weighed in on whether a new interchange could be built; if it isn't approved, the connector would go OVER Highway 41 and end at Packerland Drive!

I strongly prefer this southern route over Scheuring Road, which is already a busy street and would be more difficult and less suitable for conversion to a freeway at some point in the future. But you would think that they could get the important interchange question answered before moving forward...

Heck, none of the options connect to I-43, either! As for a conversion to a freeway, is that even what they're considering? My take was that they want an arterial, not a freeway.

A better way for me to have worded that would have been to say a major thoroughfare between I-43 and Highway 41. Either this new route won't actually connect with 41 and/or 43 or at this point it's an open question.

Rode the trail today and the extension of the trail isn't much actually. Essentially rather than ending at Westminster Dr it hugs the river a bit longer but then jumps back out to the street between KI and the tracks. The sidewalk has been widened along Bellevue St to Elkay Ln where the Trail starts back up again. Fairly unimpressed actually. I usually avoid the north part of the Trail simply because of the crossing with Mason St; far to dangerous to cross.

My guess is planners would like to have the trail right along the river as much as possible, but sometimes it's not feasible or there are issues with property owners. I think it's great the plan is to have a trail along virtually the entire river's length. No doubt some parts will be more attractive than others. I've never let E. Mason St. stop me from biking or walking.

This is so sad. Green Bay has such a habit of tearing down structures of historical significance. Before this it was the Bishop's house. When other people from Wisconsin go on city-data.com and dis Green Bay and call it a pit I used to get a little ticked; but, when I see things like this I can't say I blame them.

Terrific fall photo of the Courthouse from City Hall. . . . This business of Green Bay as a pit pops up here from time to time. mgk from Appleton has called the city that, in capital letters no less. A poster from DC has advised people here to leave Green Bay and find true urban experience elsewhere. Why? My guesses, beyond someone is entitled to have an opinion about a city. 1. GB traditionally has been a blue-collar industrial town, with areas of heavy industry off both ends of Broadway in the city, the Northeast Side and, more so in the past, the downtown waterfront. Can't miss the power plant, the mills and the smokestacks, especially from the bridges. Plus the air and water pollution that came with that. 2. Large parts of the downtown were torn up for urban renewal in the 1960s-80s and are being torn up again, as the downtown starts over where the mall failed and Younkers and Penney's pulled out. 3. Even though it's had institutions like the Neville, the library and a symphony orchestra for many years, it's not been enough, and Green Bay's been considered a culturally deprived area. I think that's changed in recent decades and continues to change, and the arrival in the city of a four-year university certainly has helped. 4. The Packers . . . both a plus and a minus. Some see GB as one dimensional with nothing but the Packers going for it. And if you don't like football or the Packers, even that, then, is considered a negative. GB's a small town in a big league and sometimes gets compared to its fellow big cities. 5. As for mgk, at least some of that is the rivalry between GB and Appleton talking IMO. Like some in Madison not liking Milwaukee or vice versa. Below, a familiar view of Green Bay from the Nitschke bridge. Taken in 2010. ©Photo by Andrew T…’s via flickr.

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Meyer Theatre. Nighttime photo of the Meyer's new marquee by DGBI. Plus this video: http://www.wbay.com/story/15697082/2011/10/14/meyer-theater-unveils-bright-new-marquee

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Meyer Theatre. A recounting by Press-Gazette columnist Warren Gerds of what - outside of the movement to create Heritage Hill - was one of the earliest efforts at historic preservation in Brown County since the 1960s - the "Save the Bay" campaign in 1978. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111015/GPG04/110150532/-1/7daysarchives/Warren-Gerds-column-Meyer-Theatre-helped-galvanize-arts-Green-Bay

A Is for Architecture. The interior of Bay Title & Abstract Inc. downtown. Built in 1897 in the Queen Anne style, the building originally was the home of Raphael & Rose Soquet. Many of its rooms have been converted into offices, and plumbing and electrical features have been upgraded and brought up to code. Press-Gazette photos. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111015/GPG04/110150531/-1/7daysarchives/A-Architecture-Workmanship-stands-test-time-Green-Bay-home

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Downtown. MGL Fitness has moved to Ashwaubenon from its home for 22 years at 314 N. Monroe Ave. The move may have nothing to do with this, but I think this building is one of the possible locations for the future New Leaf Market. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111016/GPG03/110160646/Richard-Ryman-column-Broadway-annual-meeting-set-Oct-26?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Business

Green Bay. Plows on some of Green Bay's snowplows have been painted by students from seven city schools. The city plans to circulate each painted plow near its home school. City photo. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111013/GPG0101/110130522/-1/7daysarchives/Students-paint-murals-Green-Bay-snowplows

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Downtown. In raids on five consecutive days in September 1928, more than 100 arrests were made and 48 businesses padlocked by federal authorities for violating the National Prohibition Act. The raids were the largest crackdown in Green Bay during Prohibition (1920-33). This from Michael Iwinski of the GB Historic Preservation Commission in his latest article on local history, published today in the Press-Gazette. Iwinski says city directories listed more than 100 saloons in town just before Prohibition. After Prohibition went into effect, though, more than 60 establishments were listed under the heading "Soft Drinks" — not surprisingly, at the same addresses where saloons had operated just two years earlier. The federal raids seem to have taken place entirely or mostly in what today are Green Bay's designated Downtown, Olde Main and Broadway districts. The photo below from the Neville Public Museum shows a portion of N. Washington St. in 1925 during Prohibition; the tallest building in the background is the Beaumont Hotel, where the Days Inn property is now located. Coal piles were located then off the north end of Washington. The photo, though, has a mistaken caption in today's paper. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111016/GPG06/110160615/Green-Bay-its-speakeasies-fought-Prohibition-long-they-could-until-feds-cracked-down?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Opinion

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Green Bay. The Green Bay Historic Preservation Commission is recommending the City Council officially designate 24 properties as historic. Under Green Bay's advisory historic preservation ordinance, the designation would not prevent demolition of any buildings. But it would mean the commission would be notified of - and could review and comment in advance on - plans to renovate or raze any of the identified properties. The HPC may advise but not restrict property owners regarding exterior changes.

At its monthly meeting Oct. 10, the commission was notified by letter that the owner of Port Plaza Towers wanted that property - the former Hotel Northland - removed from the proposed list. The owner is working with the city to redevelop the building again as a hotel. The commission declined, saying it was the group's function to review and support protection of historic properties. Representing the Meyer Theatre, Steve Schneider asked that the former Daily Planet be included on the list, saying he considered it one of the most historic buildings downtown. "The HPC stated this property had already been submitted for possible historic value," according to minutes of the meeting. No elaboration. Speaking about the Daily Planet building, "Mr. Schneider would like to retain the original look, but extend the first floor out in order to create a second floor balcony," the minutes state.

Schneider asked the commission to make a recommendation on his behalf for a variance to install awnings on the Bellin Building that would replicate its original awnings. There appears to be an issue about that under current city code. Schneider - owner of the Bellin Building - in something I don't fully understand from the minutes also asked for some changes or additions to the listing for the Bellin Building in the list of historic properties to be submitted to the City Council - something having to do with interior spaces. The commission voted "to separate 130 E. Walnut Street [the Bellin Building] from the list of proposed properties." The matter will be discussed by the commission with city staff. http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mins_agd/

Here's coverage of the historic properties list in the Press-Gazette and on WLUK. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111011/GPG0101/110110414/-1/7daysarchives/Preservation-commission-seeks-give-added-protection-Green-Bay-s-historic-sites and http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/historic-preservation-commission-looks-to-make-several-gb-buildings-historic

Robert Paters, whose family owns a 19th-century horse stable on the list at 318 S. Quincy St., has told the Press-Gazette he would welcome city recognition and protection for the property. The stable is believed to have once housed horses that local grocery store operators used to deliver goods. One member of the RDA has told WLUK he doesn't think the Days Inn property should be on the list.

Not including the Bellin Building, the list of 24 historic properties being submitted to the City Council are:

• Baird Place, S. Webster Ave., potential archeological site, former cemetery.
• Whitney Park, 600 Bodart St., potential archeological site, former cemetery.
• Days Inn, 406 N. Washington St., potential archeological site, old hotel site.
• 201 N. Washington St.
• 209-211 N. Washington St.
• Former Filmore Pub & Café, 217 N. Washington St.
• Ned Kelly’s tavern, 223 N. Washington St.
• Ned Kelly’s tavern, 225 N. Washington St.
• Neville Building, 227-229 N. Washington St.
• Bay Beach Park Pavilion,1600 East Shore Drive.
• YMCA, 235 N. Jefferson St.
• Northern Building, 301 E. Walnut St.
• Port Plaza Towers, 308 N. Adams St.
• East High School & Old City Stadium Garage, 1415 E. Walnut St.
• Schauer & Schumacher building, 227 E. Walnut St.
• Schauer & Schumacher building, 109 N. Adams St.
• Former Brenner Candy Co. building, 129 S. Washington St.
• 121 S. Washington St.
• 123-125 S. Washington St.
• 119 S. Washington St. (I think this is the Meyer Theatre).
• Former Brown County Motors building, 201 Doty St.
• Joannes Brothers Stable, 318 S. Quincy St.
• West High School, 958-978 Shawano Ave.
• Former Vic Theater, 217 E. Walnut St.

Brown County Historical Society photo of the Joannes stable at 318 S. Quincy St. Press-Gazette photo of some of what's inside the building today.

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OK..I'm trying to understand the guy who owns the old Hotel Northland building...why would he want it removed from the historic preservation list? How does being on that list hinder him, exactly? What are the benefits? When (or if) this hotel is re-opened, from a marketing/advertising standpoint, doesn't it HELP him to advertise that he's got THE quintessential historic hotel in the area? If he wants it removed from the list, I can only guess he wants to significantly change something...gut something historic, or even demolish? I don't know. I need to know more.

As for other sites...

I know the Days Inn SITE (as in parcel) has some historic value but the building that's there now sure ain't much. What is this about? Someone just trying to screw with the Schreiber HQ plans?

Maybe someone else here can shed some more light on these things?

I don't understand the Port Plaza Towers position either. IMO the owner has nothing to fear and things to be gained from being on the list of historic properties. Looks like Steve Schneider and others understand that. As for the Days Inn, as I read it, the commission isn't opposing the demolition of the building. I think it might be saying, though, that when the demolition occurs, maybe some timely archeological work could be done to see if there might be any remnants underground of the earlier hotels, which date to the early or mid-1800s?, at that location.