By Heather Graves
Editor
GREEN BAY – Just weeks after word of a potential redevelopment project for the 400 block of N. Broadway was released, Barsan Corporation President Filip Barsan has announced another project for the 500 block.
“We’ve already been planning a lot of it, kind of in the background,” Barsan said.
Barsan Corporation has released plans to build a mixed-use residential and retail building in the 500 block of N. Broadway.
Barsan said the plan is to demolish the existing buildings and put up a six-story apartment building, which would include 84 market-rate, one-, two- and three-bedroom units with underground parking and 14,800 square feet of retail.
“We did a lot of research on this,” he said. “Market-rate housing is definitely a need for this area, and it’ll definitely contribute to the growth and hopefully help the area grow. I think this is a fantastic fit, and a great entrance to the Broadway corridor.”
Some proposed amenities include a green roof, bike room and private terrace.
The project’s estimated cost would be $26,090,000.
Barsan said On Broadway, Inc. Executive Director Brian Johnson hoped the project announcement would have happened during the State of the Broadway District event held in February, but said the project wasn’t quite ready to go public.
“We weren’t ready, but obviously we’re ready now,” Barsan said. “We want to let people know that we continue to invest and we’re going to continue to invest until we see a lot of positive change.”
Johnson said residential density, with first floor retail activation continues to be a priority for the Broadway District.
“We welcome proposals that adhere to this commitment,” he said. “Strong developer interest throughout the Broadway corridor reinforces the smart, strategic goals On Broadway has created for the district. The Broadway District continues to grow offering entertainment, retail, housing and workspace options.”
Johnson said On Broadway looks forward to working with the developer to assist with closing some of the remaining financing and development gaps in their proposal.
Barsan said Barsan Corporation has bought most of the properties on the block, but is asking the city to help it acquire a duplex and a city-owned parcel.
He said project plans were presented to the city’s Redevelopment Authority in February.
Barsan said working on two potential redevelopment projects in the Broadway District is a good move.
“(Broadway) is a very good street to develop on generally,” he said. “And from a national perspective, Green Bay is known very well and actually even internationally. And obviously as you enter into Green Bay, Broadway in this case, is the main corridor for a lot of the traffic – whether you’re going south on Broadway or going deep into what is called downtown. These sites specifically, you’re catching a lot of activity, and we want to capitalize on that. The other thing is, we don’t want to do generic projects. We want to do projects where people can feel, if that makes any sense.”
Barsan said this is why public art is incorporated into both projects.
“I believe we’re at over 3% of our budget (going toward public art),” he said.
Barsan said he has already been in discussions with city staff about the preliminary term sheet, and estimates construction could start in summer of 2024, with completion set for Spring 2026.
He said if remediation of contaminated soils on site is completed quicker than projected, construction would begin sooner.
Barsan said the project will be built regardless if there are tenants signed on before work begins.
“If we have the tenants (as we begin construction), it will be obviously very helpful,” he said. “That’s why we have some incentives to get some of these tenants. But moving forward, the objective is to just build it.”
A lender has not been announced, but Barsan said it would be soon.
Engberg Anderson out of Milwaukee is the lead architect.
Find full project information at: barsancorp.com.