De Pere is moving forward with a new waterfront mixed-use building, albeit with changes to its design, after its city council approved a development agreement July 7.
Milwaukee-based developer New Land Enterprises proposed Lockside, a nearly $70 million apartment and commercial building along South Broadway and Front Street, to the council in early May. Nearly two hours of discussion at that meeting led New Land, which is also behind the 269-unit Nova in downtown Green Bay, back to the table with city staff.
Now, after discussion on changes to its exterior, portions of its floorplan and the finances, development moves to the next step.
Development proposes apartments, commercial space along the Fox
With six stories on its Broadway side and seven on its waterfront side, the Lockside development would include apartments and condos, as well as commercial space along both Broadway and the waterfront. It would have underground parking and significant amenities for residents.
Front Street would become a public plaza, with a statement staircase connecting Broadway to the waterfront. George Street would be extended, and while Front Street would become a dead end, developers would plan to add additional parking.
The city will provide New Land with $8.35 million in project cost reimbursement grants, which will be distributed in three payments as the building meets milestones on the way up, and a $3.58 million reimbursement of some of the property taxes the new development creates.
The property is currently part city-owned, where there’s a public parking lot, and part privately owned.
What’s changed since May?
The building will have 144 apartments and 29 townhome and condo units, totaling 173 units, and about 255 parking spaces. That’s down from an initial estimate of 165 apartments and 33 condos; that change is because New Land eliminated plans for “junior” one-bedroom units after hearing from the public and conducting a market study.
Estimated commercial spaces is also down from 11,900 square feet to 11,100 square feet, which the city estimates to be enough to house three to four new businesses.
The building will look different to the previous proposal due to council and staff feedback – balconies and windows are changing, and the exterior will be made more of stone and brick. The goal is to complement downtown De Pere’s historic buildings while still keeping some modernity, Dan Lindstrom, De Pere’s director of development services, said.
“I always recommend that we don’t just replicate old, because you’re going to get that cookie-cutter, Disney-like feel,” Lindstrom said. “But maybe you can pull from the historic elements.”
What comes next?
The proposed schedule, which is subject to change, is estimated to complete the development by mid- to late-2028. As of now, New Land still needs to finalize purchasing the property and to have a site plan approved.
Jeff Bollier contributed to this report.
Contact Green Bay education reporter Nadia Scharf at nscharf@usatodayco.com or on X at @nadiaascharf.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: De Pere approves $70M downtown waterfront project with new design changes
Reporting by Nadia Scharf, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Green Bay Press-Gazette
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By Nadia Scharf, Green Bay Press-Gazette | USA TODAY Network
