The effort to replace Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena took a step forward on Wednesday, when a stadium board approved a $1 million request for the project.
As detailed here last month, Brown County officials have been looking into options for both Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena and the adjacent Shopko Hall. A study conducted by AECOM concluded that tearing down Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena to create more indoor event space could be more feasible than renovating the existing buildings.
In its latest step, Brown County sought to move the project forward by requesting a $1 million grant from the Green Bay/Brown County Professional Football Stadium District. With the potential $13 million annual economic impact that could come from a new 100,000 to 120,000 square foot expo hall being a major factor, the request was approved. Brown County officials will now be left to complete several other related tasks over the coming months. More from the Green Bay Press-Gazette:
“This is the epicenter of the Lombardi Avenue corridor,” said Patrick Moynihan Jr., Brown County board chairman. “Anything short of an expo center is shortsighted.”
County Executive Troy Streckenbach said the all-in cost is estimated at $102 million.
Stadium board members were unanimous in support but stipulated the county must have all funding in place within 18 months and must choose a building option that secures the $13 million impact.
“I want it concluded by this summer,” Moynihan said of funding the project.
Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena originally opened in the late 1950’s. Starting in 1994, it was home to the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers, who remained at the venue until the Resch Center opened in 2002.
RELATED STORIES: Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena Studied
