as a child when I would come with my parents to shop at the mall,” she reflects. “To see the transformation of the downtown from what I remember from my childhood till now is really transformational. The city deck is amazing, especially in the summertime with Friday night events that attract thousands of people for live music, entertainment, and great food.” The district’s success relies heavily on two Business Improvement Districts (BIDs): On Broadway and Downtown Green Bay. “They have their own staff dedicated to the betterment of respective areas,” Finco explains, “assisting with businesses, putting on annual events, the impression by the physical environment of those areas.” The momentum continues with new developments, including a $70 million mixed-use project by New Land featuring 268 housing units and ground-floor commercial space - the largest single private investment in the downtown’s history. THE JBS INITIATIVE: INNOVATIVE HOUSING SOLUTIONS A groundbreaking partnership between the city and international meat packing company JBS is reshaping Green Bay’s housing landscape.“A couple years ago, JBS had about 25 acres of land that they weren’t using,” explains Buchanan.“They recognized that with their own operations, they had a serious employment issue where they had a hard time building their workforce up because the housing in our community was just so limited.” The solution emerged through an innovative collaboration.“They donated this land to us, 25 acres as well as a half million-dollar grant,” Buchanan says. “We worked with an engineering consultant, worked very closely with the neighborhood that exists in that area today and other stakeholders to put together this plan to build a brand-new neighborhood.” The comprehensive development will include a park, new roads, and infrastructure, creating a foundation for diverse housing options. The project will address housing accessibility through multiple approaches. “We’re going to have single family homes, multifamily homes, multi-generational town homes - a myriad of options and different price points,” Buchanan notes. A particularly innovative 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 03
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