Green Bay’s vision of itself and roadmap for the next quarter century has been updated in a newly public, preliminary 109-page document that outlines the city’s goals and hopes for land use, transportation, infrastructure and neighborhood character.
Called the Green Bay 2050 Comprehensive Plan, the document outlines in its first few pages an overarching vision of the city in 2050 as a regional economic and cultural hub centered around an “attractive Downtown,” a place with varying housing and transportation options, and continuing a long history of industry while maintaining green spaces and opening up the waterfront.
To that aspiration, the city outlined 11 overall goals for development, transportation and infrastructure. Underlying those goals is a need to balance many interests at once. Generally, the city will direct growth and redevelopment “to the urban core” while redeveloping throughout the city “with mindful consideration” of existing neighborhood characters; extend public transportation options and alternatives to cars while making existing roads safe; and try to balance making public services accessible while not overextending resources.
The document updates the city’s current two-decades-old comprehensive plan, Smart Growth 2022, which has been repeatedly used in recent months by residents to critique proposed redevelopments in their neighborhoods, often saying that they go against the character of the area and against the existing comprehensive plan. Residents sometimes mention that the projects should be tabled until a new plan is adopted.
“This comprehensive plan truly reflects the voice of our community,” said Mayor Eric Genrich in an Aug. 15 news release. “We’ve listened to residents’ ideas, concerns, and aspirations, and we’re exicted to show how their feedback has shaped our vision for Green Bay’s future.”
The newly-published document is still a draft version, which will be finalized after further public input during an open house from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at Green Bay Water Utility, 631 S. Adams St.
A final version will be presented to the City Council for approval in the fall.
Jesse Lin is a reporter covering the community of Green Bay and its surroundings, as well as politics in northeastern Wisconsin. Contact him at 920-834-4250 or jlin@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Green Bay’s vision for the next 25 years is now public, and officials want to hear what you think about it
Reporting by Jesse Lin, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Green Bay Press-Gazette
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