Last year, Green Bay was ranked the No. 1 Best Place to Live by U.S. News & World Report, and next year, the city will host the 2025 NFL draft. These two momentous achievements make 2024 a pivotal time for Green Bay’s development. As the city prepares to showcase itself on the international stage, a range of development projects and new opportunities are transforming the landscape. Significant public and private investments are driving unique developments that will attract tourists, offer diverse housing options, and further strengthen Green Bay’s commercial and industrial sectors. These exciting new development projects, whether under construction or completed by the NFL draft, will showcase Green Bay as a vibrant and thriving community.
Green Bay Public Market
Announced by On Broadway, Inc. in 2022, the Green Bay Public Market is on track for its grand opening by the NFL draft in April 2025. Situated in the heart of the Broadway District at 211 N. Broadway, the 45,000-square-foot market will feature more than 20 merchants offering a diverse range of locally-sourced products, including prepared foods, fresh produce and artisan goods.
The Green Bay Public Market is expected to become a major tourist attraction and a regular destination for locals seeking fresh, locally-sourced food. Public markets in other communities have often served as catalysts for further development, generating millions in residential and commercial real estate investments. Behind the public market, the city owns a 1.5-acre surface parking lot that is planned for redevelopment into a mixed-use structure featuring public parking and multi-family housing. The city and On Broadway, Inc. are currently coordinating the release of a request for proposals (RFP) to identify a development partner for this project. More information will be made available at greenbaypublicmarket.org and greenbaywi.gov/property.
Nova North by New Land Enterprises
In 2022, Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich read an article about New Land Enterprises’ record-breaking mass timber high-rise in downtown Milwaukee. Inspired, he tweeted New Land’s Managing Director Tim Gokhman, expressing interest in having them develop in Green Bay. What began as a simple tweet has now led to the largest investment in downtown housing in the city’s history. In October 2024, New Land is set to break ground at 221 Cherry Street for their newest development, Nova North. This eight-story, Class A mixed-use multifamily project will feature 268 market-rate apartments and a 5,000-square-foot restaurant on the ground floor. The property will offer residents a long list of amenities, including a third-floor rooftop pool, golf simulator, pet spa and green roof. Upon completion in 2026, the property is expected to be valued at $38 million.
JBS housing development
The City of Green Bay is rapidly advancing the development of 26.5 acres on the city’s east side near Imperial Lane. The land was donated by food manufacturer JBS in 2021 to help address the community’s housing shortage. Since then, the city has engaged with the public and hired consultants to design a unique neighborhood that blends multifamily and multigenerational housing to accommodate a diverse population. The development will include a mix of rental and owner-occupied homes catering to various income levels. The city has partnered with Gorman and Revel 49 for this project, which is expected to break ground in 2025, following the completion of new roads and utilities. The JBS development will also feature a destination playground, a grand boulevard with social gathering spots and an urban farm. More information is available at greenbaywi.gov/jbs.
Shipyard
By the end of this summer, residents and visitors will have a new venue for outdoor recreation along the Fox River. The first phase of the city’s Shipyard development will be completed, featuring a riverfront promenade, fishing pier, floating docks, enhanced wildlife habitats, public art installations and a kayak launch. Construction of Merge Urban Development’s 225 market-rate housing units is set to begin in November. The second phase of public park amenities will start construction in 2025 and include a destination playground, urban beach, dog park, splash pad and a large event lawn. The third phase will feature a shipping container park with small businesses offering food, beverages and local retail. More information is available at greenbaywi.gov/shipyard.
Rail Yard
Located within downtown Green Bay’s Broadway District, this 24-acre urban enclave, now known as the Rail Yard, has a rich history. Originally the Fort Howard military base, it was later redeveloped into the Larsen Green cannery and rail yard in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, it is once again being transformed, this time into a vibrant center for entertainment, urban living, retail and Class A offices. The Rail Yard’s historic brick warehouse buildings have been converted into unique spaces, housing some of Green Bay’s favorite destinations, such as Titletown Brewery’s taproom and rooftop Sky Lounge. A mix of affordable and market-rate housing opportunities are being offered, including developer TWG’s $59 million, 233-unit building, dubbed The Fort. This five-story building, set to be completed later this year, will also provide 1,300 square feet of commercial space.
New opportunities for developers
With eyes on the future, the City of Green Bay and the Green Bay Redevelopment Authority have strategically and aggressively acquired properties to facilitate new development opportunities within the community. Ranging from small single-family infill lots to large tracts of undeveloped land to anything in between, the city has numerous opportunities to support a wide variety of uses. This includes a recent 35-acre expansion of the city’s new Grandview Industrial Park located just east of I-43, southeast of E. Mason and Erie Road. To better showcase these and other development opportunities, the city has recently launched a new available properties webpage and story map, located at greenbaywi.gov/property.
In addition to providing land, the city also supports development through a variety of funding resources. These include:
• Tax Incremental Financing
• Affordable Housing Resources:
o HOME Grants
o ARPA Revolving Loan Fund
o TID Affordable Housing Grants
• Brownfields Resources
o Assessment Grants
o Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund
• Innovative Stormwater Improvement Grants
• Commercial Façade Grants
• Small Business Revolving Loan Funds
• Industrial Revenue Bonds
Transforming great spaces into vibrant places: the vital role of Green Bay’s business improvement districts
The City of Green Bay and its development partners are achieving remarkable success in constructing outstanding buildings and public spaces. But once construction is complete, it’s the city’s four business improvement districts (BIDs) that transform these spaces into vibrant places that attract people, energy and economic investment. The dedicated staff and volunteers working with Downtown Green Bay, Inc., Olde Main Street, Inc.,
On Broadway, Inc., and Military Avenue, Inc. significantly contribute to Green Bay’s quality of life. They host unique special events, invest in diverse forms of public art and placemaking, and actively promote businesses and investment opportunities within their respective districts. These efforts not only enhance the appeal of Green Bay but also foster a thriving, interconnected community.
During the 2025 NFL draft, the BIDs will showcase Green Bay’s unique charm and vitality to an international audience, highlighting the very qualities that earned Green Bay the title of the No. 1 Best Place to Live. This coordinated effort will not only demonstrate the city’s strengths but also attract further interest and investment. To learn more about the city’s four BIDs, please visit downtowngreenbay.com and militaryave.org.
CONTACT
Cheryl Renier-Wigg, Development Director • cheryl.renier-wigg@greenbaywi.gov
Matt Buchanan, Deputy Development Director • matthew.buchanan@greenbaywi.gov
Wendy Townsend, Project & Program Manager • wendy.townsend@greenbaywi.gov
Rebecca Finco, Economic Development Specialist • rebecca.finco@greenbaywi.gov
greenbaywi.gov
InDevelopment Conference 2024
KI Convention Center, Green Bay • Tuesday, Sept. 17 • 2–7 p.m.
For event agenda and details on presenters, read the 2024 InDevelopment Report
