GREEN BAY, WI -- Tonight, the future of Green Bay's Stadium Entertainment District is in the hands of the people.
Those behind developing a master plan for the space held the first of three public meetings at Tundra Lodge Wednesday night, in an effort to further shape the overall project concept.
Leaders say the district--bounded by Lombardi Avenue, Ashland Avenue, and Ashwaubenon's border--is underdeveloped, which hurts the city.
And landowners we spoke with tonight agree, adding that they hope to see some major emphasis on 365-days-a-year entertainment in the district.
Project developers say they have a "very aggressive" 5-6 month window to create a master plan, and they, too, want it to have year-round appeal, and attractions.
But that plan won't solve every issue, which is why leaders want neighbors on board every step of the way.
For this master plan, no idea is too small.
Jim Ridderbush, who is President of the Marquette Park Neighborhood Association near the site, had to turn down the chance to be part of the steering committee, "but I still want to be part of the plan, and help make our city a better place," he adds after the hearing.
Ridderbush says he wants to see more walking and biking options going forward.
"When there's Packer games, there's no sidewalks, " says Ridderbush. "Everybody walks down the street. I'd like to see... walking, biking, and entertainment."
Lisa Hanson is on the project's steering committee.
"I know that that's a huge focus for us, is having those pathways that connect the businesses," says Hanson, "because right now, there [are] no sidewalks, there [are] no paths."
Hanson says, right now, the district is only used during football games, which means it's sitting idle for the majority of the year.
"It's been an industrial area for so long, and if we can... create some kind of entertainment, and excitement," says Hanson, "so that it's not just the 10-12 days per year for the Packers."
It's talks like that which have landowner Vicki Fabry "very, very interested in this project, yes," she says, while filling out a survey for the project's development, "I've been here since 2000."
Fabry, who owns land in the district, and says there's serious potential to make the area more than just the corridor one drives through from a Packer game, to downtown Green Bay, or vice-versa.
"I think there is tremendous opportunity," says Fabry. "I've watched other businesses grow, I've watched them improve their land, improve their building."
While nothing is set in stone yet, leaders say the eventual master plan could include new hotels, restaurants, and if neighbors like Ridderbush get their way, "a little amphitheater for concert venues."
Project leaders say there will be two more public meetings, along with six steering committee meetings, on the master plan.
Completing that eventual project could take 5-20 years, say developers.
Once finalized, the master plan will go to the redevelopment authority, then the Planning Commission, and finally, the City Council for approval.
