GREEN BAY (WLUK) -- A development proposal that would transform downtown Green Bay’s skyline drew a crowd Monday night at the city’s Plan Commission meeting.
The 268-unit apartment project is expected to add $38 million in property value to downtown Green Bay. However, neighbors are worried the development would cost them money along the way.
Green Bay city leaders have long desired a dynamic development for the site at 221 Cherry Street, commonly known as the Adams Street parking lot. Now, they appear to have it in the eight-story luxury apartment complex from New Land Enterprises out of Milwaukee.
“They have 20 incredibly successful developments in downtown Milwaukee,” said Jeff Mirkes, executive director of Downtown Green Bay, Inc. “They love downtown. They love Green Bay. Most people would think you're going to find something like this three miles away at Lambeau and this is where they want to be.”
Members of neighboring Spring Lake Church say they want the development too, but they packed Green Bay's Plan Commission meeting to say some things need to change first.
“This building does put the church out of compliance,” said Patricia Jelen, a founding member of Downtown Green Bay, Inc and an attendee of Spring Lake. “It will cost the church money.”
The church believes 13.5 feet isn't enough room between its entrance and the new building. City officials aren't sure yet.
“Our initial discussion with our plan reviewer, he didn't think there was major issues with the way the building was constructed,” said Cheryl Renier-Wigg, Green Bay’s development director.
According to a development agreement, the developer is asking for at least $8.5 million from the city that would be paid back over 20 years using tax revenue from the new development. That is about 15% of the minimum $55 million required for construction.
Another neighbor is Gateway Collective, which is in the process of transforming part of the Bay Lake City Center building into 74 apartment units, mostly for low income and workforce residents. Gateway says it complied with city requests to add natural light to its units.
“Now the RDA is looking to approve a project that will block almost all natural light into the apartments along the south side of that building,” said Bill Kinnard, a member of Gateway Collective’s steering team.
The city says it hopes to work with all neighbors so everyone can be happy, but it doesn't want to delay the luxury apartments.
“They aren't going to construct this thing in a day,” said Renier-Wigg. “So, I think that gives us enough time to come up with a plan and potentially some funding.”
The city council is expected to have the final say on the proposal next Tuesday.
The Plan Commission provided an initial zoning approval Monday night that clears the development from the normal required square footage for units and allows residential units on the first floor of a mixed-use development.
The Redevelopment Authority will take up the development agreement Tuesday before both items head to the city council.