Green Bay Development News

[Puant]

Small-market label doesn't fit Green Bay Packers
Economics professor Kevin Quinn says team not only affects area economy, but also culture

(link to article)

By Richard Ryman, Green Bay Press-Gazette: rryman@greenbaypressgazette.com

The Green Bay Packers play in the smallest of professional sports cities, but they should not be confused with being a small-market team.

There are several reasons for that, says Kevin Quinn, professor of economics and associate academic dean at St. Norbert College, who spoke on the team's impact on the area Wednesday at the Neville Public Museum of Brown County in Green Bay.

A major factor is the National Football League's revenue sharing, which last year provided teams with $160 million in revenue. Another is the Packers' marketability beyond its hometown. As an example, Quinn said the Packers' $3.5 million broadcast contract with Milwaukee's WTMJ is more than either the Indianapolis Colts or Buffalo Bills receive from their local outlets.

And the most recent revenue report ranked the Packers 11th of 32 teams.

"That's evidence the Packers are not really a small-market team," he said.

Quinn said Forbes magazine values the Packers at $1.1 billion, a 130 percent increase since 2002.

The Packers are not Brown County's largest business, but they do account for about 2 percent of the county's economy.

Because Green Bay is the smallest of professional cities, the Packers' relative impact is significant. A much higher percentage of the money spent at Packers games comes from outside the area than does spending at other professional venues, he said.

"You could take the Bears, Cubs, White Sox and Bulls out of Chicago's economy and you couldn't find (the impact)," he said.

Quinn said the Packers make Green Bay a big-league city and positively impact quality of life. If they left town, Green Bay would be Omaha, Neb.

"Omaha isn't that bad. Schreiber Foods would probably sell as much cheese, but there would be something missing," he said. "There's a certain civic pride. It's defining. It would have a much bigger effect on our culture."

Quinn said costs are difficult to measure, but include social impacts such as game-day drinking and other behaviors, traffic congestion, the crowding out of other entertainment options and additional costs to government.

Quinn frequently cited a 2009 economic impact study conducted by AECOM Technical Services of Chicago for the Green Bay/Brown County Professional Football Stadium District. That study concluded the team's direct and indirect economic impact was $282 million per year.

"The Packers have defined this area in all sorts of good ways," he said. "Most of us think of it as a public utility … but it is a business."

— rryman@greenbaypressgazette.com and follow him on Twitter @pressgazetteBIZ.

[Tower Park]

Green Bay Packers. The Packers’ just-completed stock sale was a big success, as the team took in about three times more revenue than it anticipated. The Packers say the major difference from past stock sales was the ability to sell online, with more than 90% of sales made over the Internet. Beyond that, on the field the team went 15-1 during the season and was driving for another Super Bowl title. Preliminary figures show the Packers sold 268,000 shares valued at $67 million, with half the shares bought by Wisconsin residents. Illinois and California residents accounted for 8.5% each, and Minnesota and Texas for 5% each. Canadian fans, who only had a couple days to buy, bought 2,000 shares. In all, the franchise added 250,000 new shareholders, bringing its total number to 360,000. Raising $67 million for the expansion project means the Packers can borrow less than expected, which the team says gives it flexibility with other development plans. Street & Smith reports the Packers have the most visited website in the NFL, averaging 1.25 million unique visitors per month from last August through December. The next closest was Dallas with 1.17 million. WLUK photo of Lambeau Field construction to date at the stadium's south end, as seen from the inside. http://packersnews.greenbaypressgaze...text|FRONTPAGE and http://www.wbay.com/story/17059788/2...oject-progress and http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/sport...hares-of-stock



Shopko. Has completed its acquisition of Pamida and will consolidate headquarters in Ashwaubenon in upcoming months. Pamida's headquarters are in Omaha. Shopko plans to convert Pamida stores to Shopko Hometown stores by the end of the year. Six Pamida stores, none in Wisconsin, will not be converted and are scheduled to close. Changes are not expected to Shopko's current 149 stores. Completion of the merger creates a company with about $3 billion in annual revenue, 350 locations in 22 states, and more than 20,000 employees. The merger is expected to create about 120 new positions in Ashwaubenon. Shopko is led by W. Paul Jones, its president, chairman and CEO. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...da-acquisition

Stadium District. The Press-Gazette says Bass Pro Shops has rejected locating at Highway 41 and Lombardi Ave. because of the past wetlands controversy at the 21-acre site. WBAY had reported last September two sources telling the station the company "remains the frontrunner" to build a large store on the property. The DNR approved a permit that would have allowed the filling of 1.65 acres of wetlands and requiring enhancement of another 7.6 acres. The Packers say they continue to look at developing the site, which the team owns and includes 12 acres that are not wetlands. This from an article about new legislation signed this week by Gov. Walker potentially making it easier for developers to build on wetlands in the state if certain requirements are met. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...nd-development

Highway 41. The first concrete abutments are going up at the big new Highway 41/29 interchange.

Green Bay. Below is a NOAA satellite image of ice on Green Bay on Monday. The Coast Guard says it’ll start breaking ice on the bay next week with the cutter Mobile Bay to help open shipping lanes. It’s been a warmer and less snowy winter this season, although right now we’re under a winter storm warning and expecting a half-foot of snow. Coast Guard photo of the Mobile Bay. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/sport...y-march-5-2012

[Puant]

Originally Posted by Tower Park

Green Bay. Below is a NOAA satellite image of ice on Green Bay on Monday. The Coast Guard says it’lill start breaking ice on the bay next week with the cutter Mobile Bay to help open shipping lanes. It’s been a warmer and less snowy winter this season, although right now we’re under a winter storm warning and expecting a half-foot of snow. Coast Guard photo of the Mobile Bay. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/sport...y-march-5-2012

Next WEEK? Normally, the shipping season doesn't start until early to mid April. I realize part of it is the warm winter (and relatively ice-free waters) but it is also a good sign for the economy: If the port terminals are asking to get the shipping lanes clear, that has to indicate there is strong demand...another good sign that the economy is improving.

[Tower Park]

Originally Posted by Puant

Next WEEK? Normally, the shipping season doesn't start until early to mid April. I realize part of it is the warm winter (and relatively ice-free waters) but it is also a good sign for the economy: If the port terminals are asking to get the shipping lanes clear, that has to indicate there is strong demand...another good sign that the economy is improving.

I read somewhere recently that the Port of Milwaukee is opening up earlier too for the shipping season.

[Puant]

link to port terminals

My guess as to the terminals looking to get moving this early in the season:

Noble Petro
US Venture
Fox River Dock

...maybe others....?/\

[Tower Park]

Schreiber Foods. Mayor Schmitt says he's being kept up-to-date on Schreiber Foods' office plans. "We like the green space they have," he says. "And connectivity to KI and the Northland Hotel." At least some of the underground concrete at Washington Commons will be left intact for Schreiber to reuse. Schreiber hopes to break ground in July, after the city turns over the cleared mall and J.C. Penney properties by the end of June. Press-Gazette photos below of interior mall demolition and recycling work. Note, the media is now indicating 90% of the mall will be recycled, not 50%. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/...all-demolition and http://www.wbay.com/story/17067406/g...n-commons-mall and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...text|FRONTPAGE



St. Norbert College. Dedication was Friday at St. Norbert College for the $7.7 million Michels Commons, a remodeling of the former Sensenbrenner Memorial Union with space added. The new facility includes a ballroom, outdoor patios, dining areas and a two-level atrium. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/...-at-st-norbert

Meyer Theatre. The folk rock band America, most popular on the pop music scene in the 1970s and '80s, performed Thursday night at the Meyer Theatre. The group's top-sellings songs included "A Horse with No Name,” “Ventura Highway” “Tin Man” and “Sister Golden Hair.” http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...-Meyer-tonight

Arena. One of the mainstays of the Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena for about two decades is in town for seven shows through Sunday. It's the three-ring Beja Shrine Circus. Among the circus' acts are 20 aerialists, 10 tigers, a 5-ton elephant, horses, a ringmaster, jugglers and a family of trampolinists. Press-Gazette photo. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...en-Bay-protest



Port of Green Bay. The Port of Green Bay and Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau are hosting their annual contest of guessing when the first ship arrives in port. The person who comes the closest to the date and time of the first arrival earns a prize package that includes two round-trip tickets on the Lake Express ferry between Milwaukee and Muskegon. The winner also receives a Lake Michigan Travel Guide. Guesses can be submitted to the convention bureau at www.greenbay.com. Click on "Contest." http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...-ship-win-trip

Food. Some local food coverage of late. Smurawa’s Country Bakery in Pulaski and its Polish pastry. http://greenbayhub.greenbaypressgaze...Bakery-Pulaski And the Booyah Shed & Grill in Ledgeview. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...losely-guarded

[Morse]

Regarding Tower's mention of Bass Pro Shop in the Stadium District I am wondering about the current status of that. Several weeks ago Economic Director Greg Flisram mentioned that an announcement was to be made shortly regarding a site on Military Avenue. The past RDA minutes mentioned that this business would challenge the scope of Miltary Avenue plan. I listened to the most recent RDA audio and it was mentioned that the interested party decided that the Military Avenue Corridor didn't quite meet their needs and the city did not want to lose them and was trying find other parcels in the city. There was no mention of the name of this business other than it would be new to the area. This is purely speculation on my but I wonder if the business that was looking to locate on Military Avenue was Bass Pro Shops.

Also interesting with the green space on the mall site. I wonder if this changes the plan for green space next to APAC in which Danillo has alluded to many times on this board? Is the city marketing that parcel? I am also very curious if there will be another announcement for the 'waterfront office tenant' that Jeff Mirkes mentioned.

[Tower Park]

Schreiber Foods. I went back and transcribed what Mayor Schmitt actually said in a television interview the other day about Schreiber Foods' new office plans. Here's the quote: "We like the green space that they have - it's both Schreiber, public space - (and) the connectivity (they) will have to KI as well as the Northland Hotel." So that means there'll be public green space (perhaps park space???) as well as Schreiber green space in the Schreiber project area. It's a distinction worth pointing out, I think. http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/...all-demolition

Green Bay Police Department. More details on Green Bay's crime report for 2011. Statistics released by the city show serious crime has declined nearly 25% in the past 10 years. In 2011, reported robberies dropped nearly 30%. The city for the year also recorded decreases in reported burglaries, thefts and sex crimes, while experiencing increases in aggravated assaults and arsons. Robberies dropped from 68 to 48, burglaries declined from 575 to 475, thefts fell from 1,920 to 1,898, and car thefts declined from 110 to 104. Aggravated assaults increased from 250 to 278, and the number of arsons went from 6 to 7. The city had 2 homicides last year, unchanged from the year before. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...|text|GPG-News

Brown County Jail. The number of juveniles admitted into the Brown County Jail's juvenile detention center has decreased 57% over the past five years as officials seek more counseling and treatment services for youths and less detention. The juvenile center is inside the jail and houses young people between ages 10 and 17. In 2006, 795 juveniles were admitted into juvenile detention; that number dropped to 342 last year. "I think the county is offering more programming for juveniles and trying to exhaust all options before settling on juvenile detention," says a county official. "They try to use this as a last resort-type of placement." One county judge estimates 50% of youth offenders need treatment for alcohol or drug abuse. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...text|FRONTPAGE

Baird Creek Parkway. The Triangle Sports Area at Baird Creek Parkway on the city's northeast side opened on Saturday for the first time this winter, the latest winter opening in recent memory. The city requires a four-inch base of snow at the hill - used by sledders, snowboarders, tubers and skiers - and the total from Friday and Saturday's snowfall was seven inches. The snow could be short-lived, however, as temperatures later this week could hit 50. The Triangle Sports Area at one time was known as "Little Switzerland" because of its rolling hills. A ski area was opened to the public in 1953, and operations costs were shared among Brown County, what was then the Town of Preble, and Green Bay. Thus the name Triangle. Press-Gazette photo from Saturday. http://www.wisconsinoutdoorfun.com/a...text|FRONTPAGE and http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/parks/...ion/index.html



Baird Creek Preservation Foundation. The 14th annual dinner meeting of the Baird Creek Preservation Foundation - “Memories of Baird Creek and Its Future as an Oasis in an Urban Landscape” - is tomorrow (Monday) at the Clarion Hotel downtown. Guest speaker is prairie ecologist Neal Diboll. Reception 5 p.m., dinner 6, program 7. Baird Creek Preservation Foundation photo. http://bairdcreek.org/ and http://www.facebook.com/BairdCreek



Radisson Hotel & Conference Center. New York Times best-selling author Jodi Picoult will perform a reading from her new book, "Lone Wolf," on Saturday at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center. She also will hold a question-and-answer session with the audience and a book signing. Picoult has written 20 novels, including best-sellers "My Sisters Keeper" and "Sing You Home." A capacity audience of 700 is expected. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...GPG-Life&Style

[Tower Park]

Originally Posted by Morse

Regarding Tower's mention of Bass Pro Shop in the Stadium District I am wondering about the current status of that. Several weeks ago Economic Director Greg Flisram mentioned that an announcement was to be made shortly regarding a site on Military Avenue. The past RDA minutes mentioned that this business would challenge the scope of Miltary Avenue plan. I listened to the most recent RDA audio and it was mentioned that the interested party decided that the Military Avenue Corridor didn't quite meet their needs and the city did not want to lose them and was trying find other parcels in the city. There was no mention of the name of this business other than it would be new to the area. This is purely speculation on my but I wonder if the business that was looking to locate on Military Avenue was Bass Pro Shops.

Also interesting with the green space on the mall site. I wonder if this changes the plan for green space next to APAC in which Danillo has alluded to many times on this board? Is the city marketing that parcel? I am also very curious if there will be another announcement for the 'waterfront office tenant' that Jeff Mirkes mentioned.

It's always great that you take the time, Morse, to listen to RDA audio and pass on what you hear. Sorry to hear about Military Ave. As for downtown green space, obviously something will be happening. People have been indicating some kind of downtown announcement(s) is around the corner for some weeks now, so we'll see what happens.

[Tower Park]

Downtown. More on downtown-area bike lanes going up this year. The city plans by June to start painting new lane markings designating either bike lanes along the right-hand side of selected streets or sharrow lanes down the center, in which vehicles and bikes share the same lane. The sharrow traffic-lane concept was approved by the state in 2009. The new bike lanes will appear on parts of Washington, Crooks, Baird and Cherry streets plus part of Broadway and the Walnut St. and Nitschke bridges and bridge approaches. http://www.wisconsinoutdoorfun.com/a...|text|GPG-News

Austin Straubel. Here’s a new television commercial promoting MetJet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyON3...ature=youtu.be Here are six 10-second television commercials promoting Austin Straubel. http://arketypeinc.com/campaign/aust...lygrb-campaign Below is one of several billboard designs Austin Straubel is now using.



Shopko Hall. An estimated 10,000 people attended the annual three-day Northeast Wisconsin Sport Fishin' Show this past weekend at Shopko Hall. Among features were 65 vendors with fishing equipment, boats, resort bookings and other offerings plus a trout pond where guests could catch a fish and keep it. http://www.wisconsinoutdoorfun.com/a...text|FRONTPAGE

Appleton FYI. The Post-Crescent says the new proposed regional transit bill is “all but dead in Madison.” The state legislation would have allowed for creation of a regional transit authority serving the Fox Cities. Valley Transit stands to lose as much as $1.5 million in federal transit aid next year. A new federal transportation bill could help but currently is tied up in Congress and its prospects of passing are unclear. http://www.postcrescent.com/article/...text|FRONTPAGE

[Tower Park]

Downtown. City Planner Nic Sparacio says if the new downtown-area bike lanes work well, the city could look at creating similar bike and sharrow lanes elsewhere in the city. “The downtown is a great place to start adding more bicycle facilities to the community,” he says. “There are many bicyclists already present in and around the downtown." Sharrow video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXVppT9Djus More news coverage here: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/lifestyle/141585613.html The Press-Gazette says in an editorial: "Bike lanes will contribute to the increased effort to develop a new downtown culture that will help re-establish the area as a destination location. City leaders are engaged in making downtown Green Bay visitor-friendly with the Fox River as an asset. Increased attention to the riverfront is designed to make use of the area's natural points of interest, with residences and trails already helping to bring more people to the area. The sight of more bicycles in the area, and slower traffic, can only help sustain this vision for downtown." http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...ealth-benefits

Green Bay. On its Facebook page, the city is asking for comments on the question "If you were to come up with a slogan for the City of Green Bay, what would it be?" Some past slogans have included Gateway to the Great Waterway, Better by the Bay and It's All Here. If interested, scroll down a bit. http://www.facebook.com/GreenBayCity

Green Bay. Green Bay area attractions will be featured on the half-hour show "Discover Wisconsin" this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on WFRV. The "Discover" show has been on the air for 25 years and is seen in eight states but has its biggest audience in Wisconsin. The new host of the show says that before the upcoming Green Bay episode, she knew the city "through attending Green Bay Packers games and as a restroom stop on the way to Door County," the Press-Gazette says. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...-new-host-Fink

Wisconsin. Some statistics on the typical Wisconsin tourist. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...tter-marketing

• When visitors visit: January thru March (14%), April thru June (25%), July thru September (38%), October thru December (23%).
• Sixty percent make day trips, 40% stay overnight. Overnight stays account for 70% of tourism spending; day trips for 30%.
• Fifty-two percent of overnight visitors are from within the state. Twenty-two percent are from Illinois and 10% from Minnesota.
• Overnight visitors prefer outdoor recreation and special events. Water is a big attraction, including lakes, rivers and water parks.
• Day-trip visitors prefer shopping (25%), special events (20%), touring (16%), casinos (13%) and outdoors (13%).
• The typical Wisconsin tourist travels in a group, with a state average of four per group.
• Wisconsin sold more hotel rooms in 2011 than in 2008.
• One in seven jobs in the state are tourism-related.

Milwaukee FYI. BizTimes Milwaukee says the low-fare battle among three airlines for market share at Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport is over, with Southwest Airlines the clear winner. Of the other two, Frontier Airlines is significantly reducing flights and AirTran Airways has been purchased by Southwest. BizTimes says with the intense competition in Milwaukee ending, fares are likely to rise, the airport's days as a hub are over and passenger numbers will decline from record levels, with a drop of 10-15% anticipated this year. http://www.biztimes.com/news/2012/3/5/mitchell-reeled

[Tower Park]

Green Bay. The city has revised, expanded and upgraded its Economic Development website. http://greenbaywi.gov/EconomicDevelopment/

The cover page currently highlights six developments, all but one under way.

CityDeck Phase II http://greenbaywi.gov/EconomicDevelopment/?p=542
Larsen Green http://greenbaywi.gov/EconomicDevelopment/?p=468
Lambeau Field Expansion http://greenbaywi.gov/EconomicDevelopment/?p=436
Schreiber Foods Development http://greenbaywi.gov/EconomicDevelopment/?p=424
Veterans Administration Clinic http://greenbaywi.gov/EconomicDevelopment/?p=84
Hagemeister Park http://greenbaywi.gov/EconomicDevelopment/?p=52

Departments on the website are The City, The Market, Land & Buildings, Programs & Incentives, Partners, About Green Bay, Downtown/Riverfront, and Key Assets. Economic Development staff members listed are Greg Flisram, Director; Jami Harrington, Business Development Specialist; and Neil White, Business Development Specialist. There’s a lot of information and data throughout the website. Below are images from the site, most of which have not been posted before on this forum. All photos and images © City of Green Bay.

[GBSurveyor]

Can we assume that there has not been any progress in regards to the Bullfrogs building along the river that site is now classified as "site 3"?

Why not pick on the warehouse site south of Mason St on the east side, that site is horrible.

Link

[ifyoubuildit]

Originally Posted by GBSurveyor

Can we assume that there has not been any progress in regards to the Bullfrogs building along the river that site is now classified as "site 3"?

Why not pick on the warehouse site south of Mason St on the east side, that site is horrible.

Link

Simply amazing they make absolutely NO mention of the proposed Sporting Grounds of Titletown? Speaks volumes!!

[Puant]

I'm glad you posted all of those graphics, Tower Park, otherwise I doubt I would have seen them.

Quite a few different projects to keep an eye on. I think I speak for a lot of us when I say I'm excited about it! Finally!!! Now that spring is coming around, I hope to walk around more often to check things out.

GBsurveyor:
Yeah, that old warehouse south of Mason on the east side is bad. I just don't see how it will ever be much use as a building....probalby needs to be torn down. Too bad city didn't buy it out or something. I believe it is now privately-owned by a guy who I suspect is just sitting on it. I doubt he has any plans to actually do anything other than wait for someone to offer him lots of money for it.

[Tower Park]

Downtown. The newly updated and upgraded city Economic Development website currently identifies five sites downtown as a "target investment area" - prime spots available for redevelopment. Here's a summary, for the fun of it. http://greenbaywi.gov/EconomicDevelopment/

• Larsen Green. Involves principally at this point renovation and conversion of the former Larsen Co. canning buildings on N. Broadway into residential lofts and some commercial spaces. The mixed-income project involves a capital investment of $12 million. Status: A proposal is pending from General Capital Group of Fox Point. If funding can be secured, construction could start by the end of the year. http://greenbaywi.gov/EconomicDevelopment/?p=468 and http://greenbaywi.gov/EconomicDevelopment/?page_id=175

• West Slip. Previously called the "brownfield site," this location on the west bank of the Fox River on S. Broadway encompasses 16 acres and includes a deep-water slip. Nearby is "the city’s trendy Broadway District." The city says preferred development on the site includes a possible mix of urban “dockominium” housing and commercial and/or institutional uses. A public riverwalk or “strand” must be accommodated in the development. Status: The Green Bay Bullfrogs have eyed this site for a new multiple-use stadium designed for about 3,500 fans for baseball. The city says it's supportive if financing can be arranged. http://greenbaywi.gov/EconomicDevelopment/?page_id=187

• Flatley Site. Formerly where the 17-story Astor Place condominiums were to be built, this site is along the Fox River just north of Flats on the Fox and next to the Nitschke bridge. The city says it would prefer to see a multiple-story urban building here. Preferred use is mixed-use, with two-sided ground-level retail utilizing both CityDeck and Washington St. frontages. Upper-story uses could consist of a mix of housing or offices. Status: There's no publicly known proposal for this site at present. http://greenbaywi.gov/EconomicDevelopment/?page_id=173

• Astor Site. Is located just south of Nicolet National Bank at the intersection of N. Washington and E. Walnut streets and along the Fox River and CityDeck. The city’s newest and largest public parking ramp, with over 800 spaces, is directly across the street. The city says uses such as urban residential or Class A office building would work here, adding "the high visibility of this site also demands outstanding architectural design." Status: There's no publicly known proposal for this site at present. http://greenbaywi.gov/EconomicDevelopment/?page_id=171

• Hotel Northland. Status: A marketing study is under way to determine the feasibility of redeveloping the building as an upscale hotel again. Could include retail on the first floor and possibly two floors of residential. Redevelopment of the nine-story building could cost $30 million or more. http://greenbaywi.gov/EconomicDevelopment/?page_id=100

River Center. A space with 2,100 square feet is available for lease at 323 N. Washington St., located between the Children's Museum and Hagemeister Park in the River Center structure. Map from DGBI. http://downtowngreenbay.com/323NWashington



Downtown. Latest issues of What's Up Downtown and Broadway Beat.
http://campaignbox.imagedistillery.c...36C359EC0425C0
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/N...id=5uLulSy5v1s

[Tower Park]

Originally Posted by Puant

GBsurveyor:
Yeah, that old warehouse south of Mason on the east side is bad. I just don't see how it will ever be much use as a building....probalby needs to be torn down. Too bad city didn't buy it out or something. I believe it is now privately-owned by a guy who I suspect is just sitting on it. I doubt he has any plans to actually do anything other than wait for someone to offer him lots of money for it.

I'm going by a hazy memory here decades old, but that property may be owned by Green Bay businessman (retired?) John Brogan. There was some hope the property could be donated or something to the city and the metal warehouse torn down for expanded parkway along the river. If Brogan does indeed own the property, I don't know what his future plans for the site may be. I don't know if the warehouse is even used any more.

[Green Bay 4 Life]

Originally Posted by Tower Park

I'm going by a hazy memory here decades old, but that property may be owned by Green Bay businessman (retired?) John Brogan. There was some hope the property could be donated or something to the city and the metal warehouse torn down for expanded parkway along the river. If Brogan does indeed own the property, I don't know what his future plans for the site may be. I don't know if the warehouse is even used any more.

Actually the owner is Robert Vander Kelen. It is my understanding he has no interest in any donation. Brogan owns the slip of proeprty to the west of the trail along the river south of Lawe Street.

There have been a few proposals that have been floated out there in the past. One was for a restaurant/bar with outside dining area and the latest (about 5 years ago) was for a 55+ apartment building that was going to apply for WHEDA Tax Credits. The big issue with the site is obviously the flood plain and repairs to the sea wall/rip rap that is alongt he river. Also, what hurts the property is that it is directly adjacent to the Mason Street Bridge and across the river from coal piles.

[Tower Park]

Downtown. Items of potential downtown interest on the agenda for the Tuesday 3/13/2012 RDA meeting.

2. Review and possible action on facade design for Children’s Museum and WaterMark buildings.
Recommendation: Report to be presented at meeting.
3. Approval of first right of refusal of property at southeast corner of Washington & Walnut Streets.
Recommendation: Approval of first right of refusal.
4. Discussion and possible action on a request for TIF assistance for redevelopment of Parcel 11-117.
Recommendation: Report to be presented at meeting. (I’m not sure what parcel this is, but it’s possibly in the 400 block of Main St.)
9. Update on Broadway area parking improvements.
11. Advise of TIF 13 amendment to include area north of Main Street. (TIF 13 is in the central downtown area, in parts on both sides of Main St., including the mall area.)

On the Wednesday 3/14/2012 Park Committee agenda: 2. Request By River Vision Partnership II, LLC For An Air Rights Easement From The City To Install Canopies For The Watermark Development (301 N. Washington St.) Into The City Owned Parkway Between The Watermark Development And The Fox River (CityDeck).

On the Monday 3/12/2012 Plan Commission agenda: 1. Request of Ald. Dorff to begin development of a public market to serve broader needs of local vendors and residents than currently served by the Downtown Farmers Market, also referred to the Mayor’s Office and Economic Development. Recommendation: Refer to Staff.

http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mins_agd/

Washington Commons. Music video of Mayor Schmitt today personally tearing down the former Washington Commons. Image from City of Green Bay. http://www.facebook.com/GreenBayCity



News coverage of the official start of exterior mall demolition today: http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/...or-demo-begins and http://wearegreenbay.com/fulltext?nxd_id=116562

Facebook text today from Press-Gazette reporter Nathan Phelps http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...8380511880566:

Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt called the start of exterior demolition of the former Washington Commons Mall in downtown Green Bay Friday a “transitional moment” for the city and surrounding communities.

Schmitt said the city expects to have a clean site by June 22, clearing the way for the construction of a new corporate headquarters and global technology center for Scheriber, which expects to break ground on its project in July.

“Right now we’re deep into the design phase and still don’t have plans that we’re ready to release. Hopefully that will come in April,” said Andrew Tobisch, Schreiber’s director of communications. “We’re really hoping to break ground in July … and open the facility sometime in the fall of 2014.”

The project is expected to cost about $50 million and will employ 500 people downtown.

Oneida Energy Plant. Item on the Monday 3/12/2012 city Plan Commission agenda: 3. Request of Ald. Nicholson, on behalf of the Mather Heights Neighborhood Association/Clean Water Action Council, to discuss the Oneida Seven Generation Project. Recommendation: Refer to Law Department. (FYI there’s at least one aldermanic candidate on the west side campaigning against the energy plant project.) http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mins_agd/

Ashwaubenon. Shopko is commemorating its 50th anniversary this year. Began in 1962. The company’s very first store, I think, was on Main St., followed a short time later by the current one on Military Ave. (remodeled since). A full version of the following story will appear in Sunday’s Press-Gazette. Press-Gazette-provided photo. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...48380511880566



Green Bay Packers. The CBS show “60 Minutes” is working on a story about Aaron Rodgers, with some taping already done. It’s not clear at this point what kind of story about the popular quarterback the show is doing or when it might air. http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/141944643.html

Oneida Casino & Resch Center. Blues guitarist and singer B.B. King is coming to Oneida Casino on Sunday, May 20 at 8 p.m. . . . The Press-Gazette says it has no official tally, but it appeared the crowd for comedians Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy and Bill Engvall on Feb. 24 at the Resch Center was close to 10,000, matching country singer Jason Aldean from earlier in the month. The two performances made February “a good month for the [Resch],” the paper says. http://www.oneidabingoandcasino.net/...rent_page_id=2 and http://greenbayhub.greenbaypressgaze...text|FRONTPAGE

[Green Bay Native]

Originally Posted by Tower Park

Downtown.

Ashwaubenon. Shopko is commemorating its 50th anniversary this year. Began in 1962. The company’s very first store, I think, was on Main St., followed a short time later by the current one on Military Ave. (remodeled since). A full version of the following story will appear in Sunday’s Press-Gazette. Press-Gazette-provided photo. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...48380511880566

The first store was at the current Military Avenue location, then the 2nd store was on Main St.

http://shopkofan.blogspot.com/

The first ShopKo location opened in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Military Avenue in 1962. ShopKo opened its second Green Bay location on the east side on Main Street (later Copps Food Center, torn down for new location) in 1966, which moved to its current location on East Mason Street next to East Town Mall in 1988.