Green Bay Development News

[i_am_hydrogen]

...continued from the previous thread.

Here's a link to the old thread:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=333289

[GBSurveyor]

I have to admit that I frequent chain restaurants, mostly because of convenience and close proximity to where I live, more so now with kids. Many of the local establishments that we used to enjoy are just too Smokey. With friends in the Appleton area we have been dining down there more now with the smoking ban, we have been able to go to places that we wouldn't go before. Anyways I think that chains bring along with them the level of consistency that many people like. I am sure downtown would welcome any investment, chain or not, one of the main reasons chains locate where they do is based on traffic counts alone. And unless you work downtown you probably don't go there for much else. I just really think that we are blessed to have establishments like Titletown and Hinterland.

[Emerald City]

Not to get off the topic, but as we had anticipated no construction has started by Vetter on Astor Place or River Center by the end of our 2nd thread. Here's to hoping there will be a foundation by the end of our 3rd. For all the discussing we do about development maybe we should all start our own firm to get things moving.

[Green Bay 4 Life]

Looks like there is some real potential for this with a lot of business owner input.

Businesses put in driver's seat

City offers 'blank canvas' on project

By Paul Srubas

Military Avenue, on the short list for major road construction, is ripe for major development that could make it a retail strip to rival Ashwaubenon's Oneida Street, city officials told business owners Wednesday night.

City officials met Wednesday with about 40 business owners at Kennedy Elementary School to ask their help in developing a vision and strategy for the retail district.

"Many times, we're criticized for coming out with a complete plan," Public Works Director Carl Weber told the group. "This time, we're coming in with a blank canvas."

The road, built in 1952 and resurfaced in 1972, was scheduled for another resurfacing recently, but that project was scrapped when engineers discovered that the original bed of concrete was reduced practically to gravel at many of the joints, said Ed Wiesner, director of engineering for the city.

That means resurfacing wouldn't last long enough to make it economically feasible, he said. Therefore, the city must make plans to reconstruct the road, a project planned for 2009-10.

While that will provide at least an inconvenience for business traffic during construction, it also provides an opportunity, Mayor Jim Schmitt said. He joined aldermen John Vander Leest and Steven Deneys, the representatives of the area, in calling for business owners and residents to volunteer for a steering committee.

The committee, when it forms, will advise the city on the needs and desires of Military Avenue businesses both for access considerations during construction and for a vision for the future — to determine the look, the atmosphere of the retail strip and, perhaps, develop a unified business strategy. It may recommend forming a business improvement district, tax increment financing district or some other strategy for redevelopment and encouraging new business.

Rest of Article http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...610260553/1978

It may take some time, but a plan is better than no plan.

[Bartles53]

If you could make an axis and on one side indicate how much traffic volume passes through an area and on the other side indicate how ugly an area is, I think the area surrounding Military and Mason would stand out as being the most in need of a makeover in Green Bay. That area is embarrassingly hideous. The strip malls are straight trashy. With as much traffic as passes through there I would suspect that with a couple fresh coats of paint, that spot could eventually begin to resemble Oneida. And if they do a great job on the streetscape and implement the business improvement district, it could potentially blow away the Oneida scene. I'm glad they're going at this with some sort of master plan. This project is long overdue and I'm happy to see it happen.

[gbmphillips]

Why is Oneida Street the benchmark people use? A mall, a bunch of little strip malls , ton of ugly neon lighting fats food after fast food.....not sure what makes that all that apealing and any better than Military Ave.

[Clashman]

Originally Posted by GBSurveyor

I have to admit that I frequent chain restaurants, mostly because of convenience and close proximity to where I live, more so now with kids. Many of the local establishments that we used to enjoy are just too Smokey. With friends in the Appleton area we have been dining down there more now with the smoking ban, we have been able to go to places that we wouldn't go before. Anyways I think that chains bring along with them the level of consistency that many people like. I am sure downtown would welcome any investment, chain or not, one of the main reasons chains locate where they do is based on traffic counts alone. And unless you work downtown you probably don't go there for much else. I just really think that we are blessed to have establishments like Titletown and Hinterland.

The problem with chains is that often they come and go with the traffic counts, and they have no real interest in keeping their development local. I mean, that's precisely what lead to the flight from downtown in the first place. We tore up all of the buildings and businesses that made downtown unique so we could have a mall full of chain restaurants, which jumped ship for Ashwaubenon as soon as they saw that they could squeeze a few extra dollars out of Oneida. Big chain restaurants have next to zero real investment in the community, and as such they're quick to leave. If you look at the way Broadway has managed to revitalize itself, they didn't do so by asking Chipotle to do it for them. I really think that an over-reliance on chains would just be setting the city up for a repeat of the Port Plaza Mall collapse another 10-15 years down the road.

[Green Bay 4 Life]

I understand the fact that people view chains as having no real tie to the community. The successful local restaurants have carved out their own special niche. But out of town people and many residents still associate with name recognition. Still others are attracted to the city because they see familiar establishments that are available elsewhere. Local restaurants and chains can coexist - I do believe there is enough people to frequent both. Besides, if a chain is going to locate here anyway, I would rather it be here in Green Bay than in one of the burbs. Besides, I recall the mall having Subway, McDonald's, The Crockery Restaurant, to name a few associated with it. I don't believe Subway or McDonald's is going away from the community as they are everywhere. It was more of the retail aspect of the mall that drove the original development. As far as the new restaurants going in the Baylake Building. Good. It is good for competition and choice. Local restaurants need to set themselves apart in terms of quality, service, and variety. That's the main reason people will seek out those restuarants, eat there, and recommend them. If people ask me where to eat when they come to Green Bay, I point to local restaurants first, but frequently get asked where the nearest Friday's or Hooter's is. It is just the way of the world. We have enough issues in Green Bay to start telling TGI Friday's or Chipotle that they are not welcome downtown.

[GBSurveyor]

Originally Posted by Green Bay 4 Life

I understand the fact that people view chains as having no real tie to the community. The successful local restaurants have carved out their own special niche. But out of town people and many residents still associate with name recognition. Still others are attracted to the city because they see familiar establishments that are available elsewhere. Local restaurants and chains can coexist - I do believe there is enough people to frequent both. Besides, if a chain is going to locate here anyway, I would rather it be here in Green Bay than in one of the burbs. Besides, I recall the mall having Subway, McDonald's, The Crockery Restaurant, to name a few associated with it. I don't believe Subway or McDonald's is going away from the community as they are everywhere. It was more of the retail aspect of the mall that drove the original development. As far as the new restaurants going in the Baylake Building. Good. It is good for competition and choice. Local restaurants need to set themselves apart in terms of quality, service, and variety. That's the main reason people will seek out those restuarants, eat there, and recommend them. If people ask me where to eat when they come to Green Bay, I point to local restaurants first, but frequently get asked where the nearest Friday's or Hooter's is. It is just the way of the world. We have enough issues in Green Bay to start telling TGI Friday's or Chipotle that they are not welcome downtown.

Once you mentioned the Crockery, I started to reminise a bit about Port Plaza, I spent a great deal of my childhood there, and it dosen't seem that long ago that I would go chrsitmas shopping with the guys and we would always make a stop at Diamond Dave's and have a few tall ones. Ah the good ol days... at least in my life time. I dont know if anyone had a chance to check out the old Pranges window displays when they still had windows, but last year when the Neville Museum had many of the snow babies on display for the christmass season, I overheard many, many peolpe talk about the old storefront displays, it was a family event to walk around and view a different display each year, my mom said that many people would go to view the snow babies and then go over to Kapps (not sure on the spelling). It was like a tradition.
I don't know if they ever will be a specticle like that again but I sure hope we can improve on our downtown and someday I can spend a christmas season with my family enjoying the simpler things in life... without having to pay $ to have a picture with santa. Peace

[Puant]

edited

[Bay2Bay]

There is a place for chain restaurants. Some people do like them. They're not very adventuresome nor do they raise the culinary bar; but, they are familiar. Someone visiting Green Bay from a larger metro area could probably care less if there is a TGIF or Olive Garden. Someone visiting from a smaller town across Wisconsin or the U.P. would probably find it to be a treat.

[Green Bay roots]

i saw on Commercialhorizons.com that the regency center downtown is for sale for 16 million dollars. do you think a renovation or redevelopment opportunity is on the brink if a developer or major financial backer comes in? any thoughts on what this may mean if we have one more building for sale downtown?

[GBSurveyor]

I find it intersting that the Regency is for sale. Does anyone know if there is a connection in ownership with the Hotel/Office end of it??? There are seperate owners for each parcel.
I often wonder what is going on with WPS, or whatever there new name is going to be. They have been spending a ton of money on developing some of the best surface parking there is in Green Bay, does anyone know if they lease out office space in the regency??
Also wondering if there has been any word on the street in regards to the KI expansion.

I'm still waiting for the day of the iminant destruction to commence on the Younkers Building. So if I understand the RDA minutes, the Vetter group plans to completely take down the oldest most historic portion of the building while completely stripping down the exterior of the most northerly part? the part with the white bricks? then phase 2 will start to deal with the western and southern part of the brown brick structure. Is that what the new plan is?

[downtownVital.org]

Originally Posted by GBSurveyor

I'm still waiting for the day of the iminant destruction to commence on the Younkers Building. So if I understand the RDA minutes, the Vetter group plans to completely take down the oldest most historic portion of the building while completely stripping down the exterior of the most northerly part? the part with the white bricks? then phase 2 will start to deal with the western and southern part of the brown brick structure. Is that what the new plan is?

I'll have more info for everyone to look through on this and related topics later this week, but for now... no, that isn't what the plan is.

Phase one takes care of all demolition for the whole site. As you stated, the oldest part will come down, as will much of the newest white part. The remainder of the white part and the brown brick part along the river will be stripped down. The remaining white part on the north will be converted into rental lofts, while the brown part along the river will have two floors added and become condos averaging about $140,000. The remainder will be retail, parking and the children's museum. All of this is part of phase 1. Phase two is the commercial space that will go on top of the parking structure along Washington St. The size of this will be determined by market demand.

Hope the makes sense. It is important to note that phase 1 can and will begin without any presales of the condo portion, as the state housing grants for the rental portion are sufficient to enable project start.

[Green Bay 4 Life]

Originally Posted by GBSurveyor

There are seperate owners for each parcel.
I often wonder what is going on with WPS, or whatever there new name is going to be. They have been spending a ton of money on developing some of the best surface parking there is in Green Bay, does anyone know if they lease out office space in the regency??

Best surface parking? There are way too many surface lots near the former headquarters of WPS/People's Energy or their new name Integries or something like that. If they combined them into one parking ramp and then opened up those other lots for development, that would be great. And what was with the reconstruction of that lot on the river north of the Holiday Inn? No trees or anything. With it being a utility company you would think they would see the benefits trees have on the heat island affect and what not.

[GBSurveyor]

Originally Posted by Green Bay 4 Life

Best surface parking? There are way too many surface lots near the former headquarters of WPS/People's Energy or their new name Integries or something like that. If they combined them into one parking ramp and then opened up those other lots for development, that would be great. And what was with the reconstruction of that lot on the river north of the Holiday Inn? No trees or anything. With it being a utility company you would think they would see the benefits trees have on the heat island affect and what not.

The only reason I can see that they would improve their parking lots is that in the short term parking may be the best option for them, there may not be a whole lot of interest just yet in that land and the old Holiday Inn parking lot was in pretty bad shape. That is their main enterance to their GB headquarters and it should look nice. I do think that they went way overboard though and of course there are much better uses for all of that land. I think the GB Downtown plan highlights what could be there. Maybe someday in the future WPS/Peoples will build a new building there. Plus I guess I would rather see a parking lot over a single story strip mall.

[Puant]

Does anyone know if the apartments above The Heel and Angelina's on Adams St are rental units? And if so, I wonder how much the rent is?

These types of unique apartments downtown are rarely vacant, it seems, so why wouldn't the "New York Loft" style apartments that were proposed for the upper floors of the Schauer-Schumacher building next door be viable? (remember Adams Street Station)?

Maybe someone could start by developing upper floor apartment units to generate cash flow and inject some life into that old buiding. Then develop the first floor into a coffee/bookstore or something later.

[cristi-mae]

chains in green bay would be a good plan to put up. I think before thinking for its collapse like those restaurants built on the site,why don't we try to look forward for its services to offer. Compared to previous chains,I can feel that it would be a different one whom anyone else will be visiting soon. Meanwhile, financing of money would be again a great issue for people involve on the establishment of the green bay development. But people in California heard that their present payday loan limit is pretty low at $300. That limit may be increased to $500 by Sacramento legislators. Payday cash advances could be paid back over time if you need. They don’t have to be paid at one time. Soon, customers will have more options in California for payday cash advances. Find out more at: https://personalmoneynetwork.com/payday-loans/

[Tower Park]

The outlined area on this rendering shows the planned KI Convention Center expansion. Looks like N. Adams Street and maybe the Civic Plaza area would go under the expansion.


City of Green Bay Buys Clarion Hotel

by Jennifer Wilson
WBAY-TV
Monday 3-25-2013

The City of Green Bay is now the new owner of a downtown hotel.

In a court hearing Monday morning, a Brown County judge approved the sale of the Clarion hotel on Main Street to the city and Redevelopment Authority for $2.85 million.

The city says it bought the Clarion not for the business or the physical building but to control the space above it.

They say that "air space" is critical to ensuring the success of the KI Convention Center expansion they've been planning for more than two years now.

The city plans to extend the convention center across Adams Street and build above the Clarion hotel.

When the Clarion went into receivership last summer, the city and the RDA were concerned that a new buyer could deny them "air rights" above the property or charge an inflated amount of money, so they bought the hotel with the City Council's approval and are now looking for a developer to buy and invest in the property.

"There's two things we need when we sell this property: A partner that's going to support what we're doing with the convention center expansion, quality rooms, customer service; secondly, a fair price on the air rights," Mayor Jim Schmitt said.

The sale closes Friday.

After nine months hanging in the limbo of receivership, the hotel employees couldn't be happier.

"We're glad to know who bought us instead of that scary unknown buyer," hotel manager Barbra Meyer said.

For now, the Clarion hotel will continue to operate as-is, under the same management with the same staff.

Next door to the Clarion, Coaches Corner Sports Club bar and grill will also be changing hands. The receivership attorney for the Clarion says he expects the bar and restaurant will be sold this week.

The future of Coaches Corner is unknown, and Mayor Schmitt would not say whether it would stay open.

"The location may be desirable for some. There's no parking with that, and that building needs to support the overall concept that we're doing here," the mayor said.

We reached out to the owner of Coaches Corner for reaction, but they declined comment until the sale goes through.

Meanwhile, Monday's court decision means the city can proceed with the expansion of the KI Convention Center.

"Obviously with the convention center, with the CityDeck and the waterfront, this is a critical piece of making this whole area one connected convention and expo space," Mayor Schmitt said.

http://www.wbay.com/category/169373/...autostart=true and http://www.wbay.com/story/21786297/2...-clarion-hotel

City Buying Downtown Green Bay Clarion Hotel;
Judge Approved Sale to Move Forward Monday Morning

by Bill Miston
WLUK-TV
Monday 3-25-2013

The City of Green Bay and the Redevelopment Authority (RDA) will purchase the downtown Green Bay Clarion Hotel for $2.85 million.

Part of the planned KI Convention Center expansion, the sale of the downtown hotel was approved by Judge William Atkinson earlier Monday morning.

The purchase will be included in the total cost of the future expansion, which Mayor Jim Schmitt says will not include residential property taxes.

Schmitt says the ability to expand upwards is a key part of the planned expansion and why air rights – or the space above the physical hotel building – played a big role in the purchase. The mayor was worried about getting into a possible air rights battle and the city being held ransom by a potential new owner.

“This property assures that the KI expansion, convention center project, will happen," said Schmitt at the Clarion Monday morning.

Schmitt says having the city and the RDA pay for the property is the best case scenario.

"The city is not going to be in the hotel business,” explained Schmitt. “But we are in the economic development business and this is a critical piece of that."

The 146 room hotel was placed in a court-ordered receivership – a type of bankruptcy or business insolvency – last summer. The approval of the sale came only after an objector withdrew its motion in Brown County court Monday morning. Judge William Atkinson then approved the agreements between the receivership, creditor and purchaser to move forward.

“The business side of the transaction still needs to take place,” said Seth Dizard, the receivership attorney representing Great Lakes Inn Management, after the hearing. “But legally, we have what we need."

Dizard says the city (the city was not named in court as the purchaser) made the highest of four offers received on the hotel. In court, Dizard said the creditor, Baylake Bank, is still out of more than $1 million from the proposed purchase price of $2.85 million.

The city’s purchasing processes and discussions about the property were done in closed session.

City council president Tom DeWane says it was a needed step to ensure the city finds a partner that fits into the overall expansion plans.

"We discussed every aspect of this, what's happening today,” DeWane said during the press conference at the Clarion. “It was approved 100 percent [by the council], across the board."

It's a sale that fits in with the continued changes downtown.

"There's corporate expansion, there's public infrastructure – like the KI,” said Jeff Mirkes, executive director of Downtown Green Bay, Inc. “And it's just vital that this property, its future is secure and done right."

Schmitt says the city plans to close the deal on the March 29 and start construction by October as the project will receive about $12 million in funding from the hotel and room tax. He says the expansion can have an economic impact of $5 million and bring in an additional 68,000 visitors to the area.

Schmitt says the purchase price will be rolled into the funding for the expansion, but he would not say whether the city would recoup the money spent when it finds a buyer for the hotel.

The mayor said the city has already talked with potential buyers. He expects it to cost the eventual purchaser $3-5 million to rehab the hotel.

Clarion general manager Barb Myer says the hotel will operate as usual.

As far as Coaches Corner, the assets of the business are for sale; this sale is separate from the hotel. Those assets could be sold as early as Thursday, if there are no legal objections. FOX 11 tried reaching out to the owner of Coaches Corner, but he was unavailable.

http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/...ion-hotel-sale


More video here: http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...l-2-85-million Press-Gazette image.




The new cover photo for the City of Green Bay's Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/#!/GreenBayCity?fref=ts

[Tower Park]

Downtown Green Bay Hospitality Group Prepares for Development Influx

Jeff Mirkes, Executive Director
Downtown Green Bay, Inc. & Olde Main Street, Inc.
Monday 3-25-2013

Hospitality business owners in Downtown Green Bay are working with the Green Bay Police Department (GBPD) on an improved security plan covering a wide array of issues including police presence, traffic controls, physical environment and best practices. Today, they are releasing this multi-prong plan to gain better public awareness. View the plan (http://www.downtowngreenbay.com/news...lopment-influx).

The strategies laid out are a mix of ordinance changes and best practice suggestions for business owners. The ordinance changes and strategic improvement measures are targeted to those businesses in the core Downtown District of Green Bay. The Downtown District is bordered by East Mason, Monroe and the East and Fox Rivers. Click here for a map (http://www.downtowngreenbay.com/map).

The plan comes on the heels of millions of dollars in investments announced for the area and business owners and the GBPD and downtown business operators looking to solidify a safe brand for existing and oncoming investors. The plan will be fully implemented by Summer 2013.

Downtown Green Bay, Inc. and Olde Main Street, Inc. Executive Director believes the hospitality businesses and GBPD are forging an important relationship to enhance the downtown. “For a number of years now the Downtown Hospitality Association and GBPD worked together to find creative solutions on creating the safest atmosphere for anyone visiting the entertainment district. This new plan shows commitment to cooperation on both sides. With an improved safety plan and quality representation from the GBPD and business operators, downtown visitors will experience a successful, fun and safe environment in the heart of the city.”

The Downtown Hospitality Association is a committee of Downtown Green Bay, Inc., a nonprofit organization working to revitalize downtown Green Bay. Questions about the plan can be directed to Jeff Mirkes at 920.639.8090 or jeffm@downtowngreenbay.com.

http://www.downtowngreenbay.com/news...lopment-influx

Media coverage here: http://www.wbay.com/story/21789652/2...town-green-bay