Green Bay Development News

[gbmphillips]

Originally Posted by Tower Park

Resch Center. The head of PMI Entertainment Group is accusing County Executive Streckenbach and others of delaying a deal to extend the management contract for the Resch Center and neighboring buildings past its June 1 expiration date. Streckenbach says the county has been negotiating in good faith and is optimistic a deal can be reached. County officials say the County Board will have a draft of a deal in their hands by midday Friday. Supervisors hope to meet May 30 to ratify an agreement.

While not a fan of PMI the thought of Brown County trying to manage the Resch and other venues themselves is real nightmare. This City and county is known for its incompetence and too think they would even think they could do it is laughable.

[Tower Park]

Originally Posted by gbmphillips

While not a fan of PMI the thought of Brown County trying to manage the Resch and other venues themselves is real nightmare. This City and county is known for its incompetence and too think they would even think they could do it is laughable.

Update: The Gamblers tonight defeated the Waterloo Black Hawks 5-2 to win the USHL Clark Cup before 7,000+ at the Resch Center. It's the second Gamblers title in three years. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...text|FRONTPAGE

[Night Rider]

Originally Posted by gbmphillips

While not a fan of PMI the thought of Brown County trying to manage the Resch and other venues themselves is real nightmare. This City and county is known for its incompetence and too think they would even think they could do it is laughable.

Did I miss something? Did the city or county ever hint they would take over? At the most they would take bids from other companies to manage I would assume.

[jrpros]

Actually, the reports indicate that the County has not negotiated with nor even approached anyone else who might be able to manage these properties. The County's lawyer has advised that they hold off a few weeks before they even attempt to manage it themselves.

[Tower Park]

Brown County. The unemployment rate in Brown County has dropped nearly a point this April from April a year ago, from 6.8 percent to 6.0 percent, according to preliminary numbers from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. The March rate was 6.8 percent. For the entire Green Bay MSA, unemployment in April was 6.2 percent compared with 7.1 percent in March and 7.1 percent a year ago. Four of Wisconsin’s 12 metro areas gained jobs in April, with the Green Bay MSA leading the way at +2,000 from March on a seasonally adjusted basis. That’s also a gain of 4,300 from a year ago. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...yssey=nav|head and http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee...metros-to.html

Wisconsin. One in 12 Wisconsin banks lost money the first quarter of 2012 as the industry continues its recovery from the economic downturn. That compares with one in eight unprofitable state banks the first quarter last year and one in six from the same time two years ago. Among banks based in Wisconsin and described as non-specialty banks, Associated Banc-Corp had the highest net income for the quarter at $49.1 million. http://www.jsonline.com/business/sta...153651655.html

Green Bay. A professional fishing tournament will bring 99 of the country’s top bass anglers to Green Bay this summer for a competitive event with a $600,000 purse at stake. The Bassmaster Elite Series will be held June 28 to July 1; first-place prize is $100,000. Officials say the event could attract as many as 10,000 spectators and would be broadcast on TV, showcasing Green Bay as a fishing destination to a national audience. Lake Winnebago was also considered for the event. Photo from B.A.S.S. Communications. http://www.wisconsinoutdoorfun.com/a...text|FRONTPAGE and http://icefishing.outdoorsfirst.com/....Elite.Series/ and http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/...to-downtown-gb



Green Bay. The Brown County Civic Music Association has announced its 86th season for 2012-13. All performances are in the 1,500-seat Ralph Holter Auditorium at West High School. • October 5, 2012 Keith Brion and his New Sousa Band • November 17, 2012 Calefax Reed Quintet • March 8, 2013 Empire Brass • April 5, 2013 Pianist Menahem Pressler and Four Winds • May 11, 2013 Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Four-minute video here: http://www.bccivicmusic.org/about/ Civic Music photo. http://www.bccivicmusic.org/ and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...n-maps-new-one



Neville Public Museum. In a Press-Gazette guest column, Neville Public Museum Director Rolf Johnson says he’s optimistic about the museum’s future. He says a recent Press-Gazette editorial about the Neville “outlined the challenges facing many museums vis-à-vis evolving public-private partnerships, defining more effective governance models and addressing long-term financial sustainability.” “We’re taking a hard and objective look at ourselves.” Johnson says the economy, shifts in audience demographics and public expectations mean the museum must adopt new approaches to its operation. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...eville-success

De Pere. The 22nd annual Celebrate De Pere kicks off this weekend. Hours are 12:30-11 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday; and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Memorial Day. Continuous music on stage at Voyageur Park — featuring Styx founder Dennis DeYoung on Saturday night — plus Sunday evening fireworks, the De Pere Kiwanis Parade downtown starting 10 a.m. Monday, a veterans ceremony and a variety of other activities. De Pere Journal photo. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...y-weekend-bang



Pulaski. The last of four buildings — Wood Lanes — badly damaged in a Dec. 2 fire in downtown Pulaski was razed last week. Two of the four property owners had indicated an interest in rebuilding, but plans so far haven’t panned out and grass has been planted on all four lots. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...xt|FRONTPAGE|s

Manitowoc FYI. On its maiden crossing of the 2012 season today, the S.S. Badger was late docking in Manitowoc by nearly four and a half hours. Initial reports indicated the ship became stuck on the floor of the Manitowoc Harbor. Later reports indicated a strong wind combined with an engine problem might have prompted the delay. A tugboat was called in to assist. About 400 passengers and 68 vehicles were waiting to board for the return trip to Ludington. Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter photo today of the temporarily stranded ship. http://www.htrnews.com/article/20120...text|FRONTPAGE



Just In. Brown County and PMI Entertainment Group have reached an agreement in principle to have PMI continue managing the Resch Center and other county facilities for up to 15 years. The County Board is scheduled to consider the deal on Wednesday night. Financial terms weren’t immediately available. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...text|FRONTPAGE

[Tower Park]

Broadway District. The Green Bay Historic Preservation Commission says a new barley storage silo planned for the roof of Hinterland brewery and restaurant will be a visually prominent feature and become "an iconic element" of the Broadway District. Sounds like the silo may have some kind of a rusticated look to it and would feature the Hinterland logo. Officials want to ensure a two-story expansion of the brewery planned on its south side to accommodate four new fermentation and lagering tanks - replacing an existing outdoor courtyard at Hinterland - will be attractive and compatible with existing architectue. HPC 5/14/2012 meeting minutes at http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mins_agd/

Downtown. What's Up Downtown welcomes the Christian youth group Young Life Green Bay to its new location at 226 N. Adams St. Also more on the Bassmaster Elite Series coming to Green Bay. http://campaignbox.imagedistillery.c...AF2E34A2A5F#fr and http://sites.younglife.org/sites/GreenBay/default.aspx

Resch Center. PMI Entertainment Group and county administrators have agreed in principle to a deal in which PMI would pay rent of $300,000 a year for the first three years and contribute at least $1 million in capital improvements for the rights to manage the Resch Center, Arena and Shopko Hall for the next 15 years. The annual rent would increase every three years — to $325,000, $334,700, $344,973 and $355,136. In exchange, PMI would be entitled to collect revenue from tickets, concessions, merchandise, advertising, parking, suite rentals and other sources. Each party has a five-year option to renew the contract. "I'm very pleased with the numbers," says County Board Chair Patrick Moynihan Jr. He predicts the measure will be approved by the County Board on Wednesday. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...text|FRONTPAGE

Weidner Center. Expanded quotes from UWGB Chancellor Thomas Harden on the future of the Weidner Center. "With the 2012-2013 budget, we anticipate a modest, positive, year-end balance," Harden says. "Future budgets are also all in the black. We will be adding staff as needed in the future." The Weidner is reducing rental fees to encourage more local use. "Community groups have not been able to afford the rates to rent the hall," Harden says. "So we're adjusting the rates." Press-Gazette arts and entertainment reporter Warren Gerds says the Weidner's darkest day was Dec. 12, 2005, "when then-chancellor Bruce Shepard announced UWGB was pulling the plug on programming at the Weidner to ward off a likely $2-million loss. The center never shut, but activity there was a shadow of its heyday." http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...GPG-Life&Style

Green Bay. The four-day Bassmaster Elite Series fishing tournament here in late June and early July will focus on the bay of Green Bay but could have some competitors move into the Fox River, depending on weather and fishing conditions. The Bassmaster tournament started March 15 in Florida and will move through several other states before concluding Aug. 26 in New York, where $600,000 in prizes will be awarded, including $100,000 for first place. http://www.wisconsinoutdoorfun.com/a...xt|FRONTPAGE|s

Green Bay Packers. After his appearances on "Dancing With The Stars," the Journal Sentinel says Donald Driver "is a man in demand now" and reports are his national profile has increased markedly. This includes interview requests from national media, product endorsements, national speaking engagements, charitable work and possibly acting. On June 1, Driver will be the star of a one-hour "Donald Driver Welcome Home Special" on ABC stations statewide (June 5 in Milwaukee). The special was taped Friday at the Meyer Theatre. Press-Gazette photo of the Driver family at the Meyer yesterday. http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports...rt=newestfirst and http://www.wbay.com/story/18627559/2...onal-spotlight and http://greenbayhub.greenbaypressgaze...4/-1/GPG050501



Wisconsin. Friday night in the first of two televised debates before the June 5 recall election, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett accused Gov. Scott Walker of dividing the state and Walker said he's moving Wisconsin forward. Journal Sentinel photo. http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepo...154305385.html



Manitowoc FYI. Trips by the car ferry S.S. Badger to Ludington on Thursday and between Manitowoc and Ludington on Friday were canceled as repairs to the ship's engine were made. For many passengers, bus transportation or charter flights from Manitowoc County Airport were provided instead. The Badger resumed its normal cross-lake schedule today. http://www.htrnews.com/article/20120...text|FRONTPAGE and http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/...s-in-manitowoc

Howard. The long-time River's Bend Steak & Seafood Restaurant in Howard is closed. Monday was its last night. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...taurant-closes and http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/...taurant-closes

[Tower Park]

Downtown. Molly Vandervest, marketing and events manager for DGBI and OMSI, spoke this morning on WGBA about events scheduled downtown this summer season. Two new vendors for Nicolet Bank's Dine on the Deck this year will be Hagemeister Park and Gyro Kabobs. The 2012 Summer in the City calendar will be unveiled tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. on CityDeck, with a preview performance by the Waterboard Warriors water-ski team. WGBA image at right. http://www.nbc26.com/news/local/155319565.html and http://www.facebook.com/#!/DowntownGreenBay



Downtown. The DGBI and OMSI website is currently "in development." Maybe this is a redesign of the website coming that's been mentioned in the past. www.downtowngreenbay.com

Broadway District. What looks to be new sewer, pavement, curb and gutter is being installed on S. Broadway from Arndt Street southward to as far as Fourth Street by the Tilleman bridge. The work is near the 16-acre West Slip site (in red) targeted by the city for future redevelopment. City of Green Bay map. http://greenbaywi.gov/EconomicDevelopment/?page_id=187



Green Bay. In 2011, violent crimes in the City of Green Bay were at or near their lowest numbers in a decade, according to figures reported by the FBI. Property crimes were also low compared with recent years, says the Press-Gazette. "Homicides remain rare." After five-plus years as police chief, Jim Arts is leaving to become security director for the Tennessee Titans. The department has 242 sworn officer and civilian positions. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...text|FRONTPAGE and www.gbpolice.org

Brown County & NEW. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of veterans in Brown County continues to decline. In 2010, there were 17,916 veterans in the county, compared with 18,685 in 2007. The number of veterans from wars in the Middle East and Central Asia continues to increase, while the number of World War II veterans continues to decline. The Press-Gazette reports at least 10 VFW posts in NEW have shut down since 2003 because of an inability to replace aging veterans, the most recent being Suamico's VFW Post 9409 in 2011. The post, which sponsored summer picnics and children's Christmas parties, surrendered its charter last July. About 20 members are required for a VFW post to maintain its charter. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...lation-shrinks and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...rship-declines

Metropolitan Sewerage District. The average annual sewer bill in metro Green Bay is expected to increase from $130 to $200 over five years to pay for the $147 million expansion, upgrade and repair of the Metropolitan Sewerage District's Green Bay wastewater treatment plant. Charges will vary by municipality. The design contract for the project approved last week totaled $8.3 million; the company doing the design work, CH2M Hill, is identified here as having an office in Neenah. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...lant-expansion

Green Bay Packers. A quarter-century ago, there was talk in some circles the Packers would need to move to Milwaukee if the team wanted to succeed in the modern NFL. This from Packers historian and former sportswriter Cliff Christl speaking last week at the symposium "A Mirror of Our Culture: Sport and Society in America," held at both St. Norbert College and Lambeau Field. “I covered most of that 24-year period" after Vince Lombardi left, Christl says. “There was widespread belief in pro football circles and to a degree in this community that the Packers could never win again." Then came a Packers revival under Bob Harlan, Ron Wolf and Mike Holmgren and the big renovation and expansion of Lambeau Field. AP photo of Harlan in 2000 advocating for the redevelopment of Lambeau Field. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...kers-franchise and https://www.snc.edu/sportandsociety/...ters/wolf.html



Green Bay Gamblers. In a full-page advertisement in Sunday's Press-Gazette, the Green Bay Gamblers say the team drew more than 100,000 fans to the Resch Center in its just-completed 2011-12 season. That's the fourth consecutive season surpassing 100,000 and the fourth consecutive year of attendance increasing from the previous season. The Gamblers posted a USHL record for wins (47) and wins in a season by a first-year head coach (Derek Lalonde). Twenty-one of the team's 23 players have received Division I hockey scholarships.

Green Bay Bullfrogs. The Green Bay Bullfrogs open their 2012 season tomorrow night (Wednesday) at Joannes Stadium hosting the Lakeshore Chinooks, a Northwoods League expansion team from suburban Milwaukee. Manager Jordan Bischel returns for his third full season with the team. Last year, the Bullfrogs made the NWL playoffs for the first time since their inaugural season in 2007 but lost to eventual champion Battle Creek. The game starts at 6:35 p.m. http://greenbaybullfrogs.com/news/?article_id=416 and http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...t|GPG-Baseball

A Is for Architecture. Latest installment highlights interior features of the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help. Press-Gazette photos. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...place-miracles



Coming. "Green Bay could soon have an Asian Town." https://twitter.com/Amy__Bailey/stat...48037084610560

[gbmphillips]

I see the city is now marketing the site where the Bullfrogs hoped to put a stadium. Looks like the stadium is less and less likely in the 'trendy' Broadway District. The area of town still known more for the bars than anything else.

[nowpc2]

We just announced that we are officially moving our business to offices on Broadway. We will be moving to the new offices in June.

http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases...ire-145791.htm

[Tower Park]

Originally Posted by nowpc2

We just announced that we are officially moving our business to offices on Broadway. We will be moving to the new offices in June.

http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases...ire-145791.htm

Congratulations!

[Tower Park]

Originally Posted by marseilles

With the Neville, it sounds like it's not necessarily about eliminating one of the missions of the museum, but stabilizing funding and creating a better management scheme. I get a sense that the lack of a free hand is hampering efforts to make the museum more viable. But I certainly hope curtailing art there is NOT the plan.

There's a woeful lack of art venues in Green Bay, and the Neville doesn't even begin to make up the lack. Personally, I would go more often if the art exhibits were more often of national and international caliber.

What we are referring to on Main Street is a strategic device to bring commerce to a district by branding it. Branding can magically change the public perception of a district, but despite such artful branding, I call it a stretch to say that several "art galleries" have taken root on Main Street and that the art is any replacement for an art museum.

Just to clarify, the ARTGarage is neither a museum nor an art gallery, it's a community art center. It does have a for-pay gallery space, also known as a vanity gallery. If you want a real art museum, something that goes beyond a vanity gallery, you have to fund it, wherever you locate it. You can't get something for nothing.

I think that what we really want, and would frequent, is a well-run, vital, well-respected city museum. An excellent "destination" museum, although it costs money, also generates revenue for a city.

For what it's worth, you can make a very good argument that working artists in the community are more likely drawn to (& spend time in) the Broadway District, Broadway being the most condensed, eclectic, resource-rich, vibrant, and, for all those reasons and others, ultimately the most artist-friendly part of town. The Neville, of course, is located in the Broadway District. It makes sense to stabilize the Neville and strengthen its ties to the district to capitalize on the vibrancy and the strengthening art scene on Broadway, particularly as visits/revenues to the museum from school field trips dwindle, and the new Children's Museum begins to take a part of the pie.

I think there’s room for more visual art venues and better visual art venues downtown, west or east. But what you see today IMO is significant and a major improvement and expansion over what existed decades ago. That includes the new Neville Public Museum with more and better exhibit space and art activities, Artstreet, Artcraftic On Broadway, the NWTC Artisan & Business Center, ARTgarage, new private galleries and art shops in the Broadway and Olde Main districts, Butterflies & Friends, Children’s Museum activities, creation of The Arts District, permanent public art along the Fox River Trail, CityDeck and Main Street, Arts Events Inc. locating downtown, Winterfest On Broadway, the Gallery Nite series and architectural restorations like the Meyer Theatre, Brown County Courthouse, Law Enforcement Center, Titletown Brewing Co. and Bellin Building, etc. None of that existed in 1980. I suspect this trend of greater interest in, and appreciation of, visual art downtown will continue in the decades ahead. (A significant new art development potentially down the road would be an opening of the Cannery Arts Center.)

[Green Bay 4 Life]

Not a huge development but shows retail interest in downtown is returning. Word on the street is Verizon Wireless will be opening a downtown retail store soon. Possibly the ramp space???

[nowpc2]

Even though I welcome all new retail downtown, I will never understand why each cell phone company needs a store, much less many stores all over the area. It seems like such a waste to me.

Originally Posted by Green Bay 4 Life

Not a huge development but shows retail interest in downtown is returning. Word on the street is Verizon Wireless will be opening a downtown retail store soon. Possibly the ramp space???

[jerkylips999]

Originally Posted by nowpc2

Even though I welcome all new retail downtown, I will never understand why each cell phone company needs a store, much less many stores all over the area. It seems like such a waste to me.

It seems silly, doesn't it? I remember at one point there were 2 Verizon retailers in Bay Park Square at the same time. I didn't get it at the time. The real answer is that there are the company-owned stores and "licensed retailers". It's basically a difference of some being company owned and some essentially being franchisee-owned. Apparently these people think there is money to be made even though there are an abundance of them.

In most case, I think, they're wrong.

There's one of these places near my house & probably every 6 months or so, there's a "new ownership" sign out front (which I also think is kind of funny - the phone the same apple/blackberry/samsung/etc. - why do I care who owns the store?)

The downside of this, to me, is that if the business doesn't succeed it could give the impression that downtown isn't supporting business, rather than just showing that it was a bad venture..

[nowpc2]

This is a really good point. In this case, I can state 100% that I will not be buying anything from this store.

I dislike cell phone companies in general and I dislike paying so as much as I do for my current service when I use so little. I think last month I used 10 minutes on my smartphone! I will soon be beta testing a new phone company which works mainly with Wi-Fi.

Originally Posted by jerkylips999

The downside of this, to me, is that if the business doesn't succeed it could give the impression that downtown isn't supporting business, rather than just showing that it was a bad venture..

[Night Rider]

Originally Posted by nowpc2

This is a really good point. In this case, I can state 100% that I will not be buying anything from this store.

I dislike cell phone companies in general and I dislike paying so as much as I do for my current service when I use so little. I think last month I used 10 minutes on my smartphone! I will soon be beta testing a new phone company which works mainly with Wi-Fi.

Really? Announcing you will not buy anything from the store as if proud? As I use my cell phone for almost everything I encourage competition and the free market. Someone (either a corporation or private investor) is putting their money down in hope that downtown will support them. I hope 5 different cell phone stores open & thrive. And if I need something for my cellphone I will support them. More businesses = more employees downtown = less empty space = better environment...Sorry if I took your post wrong. But it just caught me off guard.

[Green Bay 4 Life]

Great points but thousands of people work downtown, and we are hoping to attract more people to live downtown and offer them convieniences that allows them not to drive to Bay Park to the Verizon store or whatever.

Most of these people who live and work will likely have cell phones and the store will be convienient option for people on their lunch break of after work. I understand the perception of these stores, but its a start. Geez, would have thought I said a PayDay Loan Store was going in rather than a cell phone store... Baby Steps.

[gbmphillips]

One of the biggest differences between the two is if you have a company phone and you get discounts on purchases they are not honored at the non company stores.

[gbmphillips]

Bullfrogs opened the season last night and had very nice opening night crowd of 1,133 but sadly lost an exciting 11 inning game to the expansion team from Mequion, that is partly owned by Bob Uecker and Robin Yount. The two teams play again tonight. Green Bay Bullfrogs games are GREAT famliy friendly events, that are not hard on your budget, unlike many of events you will find being held in other parts of the city throughout the summer. Remember there are a number of family friendly, family priced resturants and shops near the stadium with plenty of free parking, no need to feed the meters or risk parking in the ramps, with so much that the far east side of the city has to offer. Bullfrog baseball it's "really" for the whole family.

[Tower Park]

The Press-Gazette has put up a photo gallery of 15 interior photos of the Children's Museum. Very nice. A soft opening Friday for the general public 1-7 p.m. and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...5310806&Ref=PH

The County Board last night approved the new PMI contract. Among other things, that means planning for the convention center can move forward.

I like the new DGBI website. www.downtowngreenbay.com

The fabulous new guide to downtown summertime events is here. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...3&l=3a8c0870ea plus http://greenbayhub.greenbaypressgaze...xt%7CFRONTPAGE

"Bullfrogs Still Working on a New Stadium" http://wearegreenbay.com/1fulltext-news?nxd_id=132922 plus http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...d-fans-stadium

"Changes for this Year's Farmers' Market On Broadway" http://www.wbay.com/story/18656624/2...ksWkc.facebook

I like the idea of Asian Town. It's only a couple blocks, but it would be a way to bulk up that part of the Olde Main Street District. I put my two cents in on the Press-Gazette's comments section. PG map. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...rge-Asian-Town and http://wearegreenbay.com/1fulltext-news?nxd_id=132942