Unpacking ARPA - The Press

2022-09-10 04:33:49 By : Mr. Scofield Tang

Bay Beach pavilion and snow-making machine for Triangle Hill

By Nick Wood Acting Editor

GREEN BAY – Renovations to the historic Bay Beach pavilion and two new rides at the park were among the more than $11 million in federal rescue money projects approved Tuesday by the Green Bay Common Council. The council had earlier approved nearly $8 million of the $22.5 million total received by the city through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). With Tuesday’s approvals, the city has a balance of about $3.2 million to allocate by the end of 2024 and spend by 2026. With unanimous agreement on the value of Bay Beach to the community, the council allocated $400,000 to replace the roof of the main pavilion. The asphalt shingles are more than 30 years old, and there are leaks in the roof over the west end storage wing. The asphalt shingles cannot be successfully patched anymore, and timely repairs are needed to avoid significant structural damage to the building. Another $500,000 was allocated to winterize the pavilion to make it a year round destination instead of a summer-only facility. Once completed, it is expected to generate additional revenue for the park. The dance hall will also get a facelift, with $500,000 allocated to renovations with the intent to turn it into rentable space for events. Also approved was $800,000 to purchase or refurbish two new rides at the park to replace the Falling Star and Bay Beast, both of which broke down and have been removed.

Loss of the two rides has resulted in nearly $250,000 in lost revenue each year. Friends of the Bay Beach Amusement Park donated a used ride to replace the Bay Beast, and staff has identified a used NebulaZ as the other target.

Snow-making machine for Triangle Hill The tubing hill and ski runs at Triangle Hill at Baird Creek will get a half million dollars to purchase two snow cannons and a grooming tractor to reduce reliance on Mother Nature and keep visitors tubing and revenue flowing through the winter. The snow making machines would allow the city to make snow on the tubing hill and one of the two ski hills throughout the winter.

Fire station 1 & 3 replacement A $9 million request for funding to replace Fire Stations 1 and 3 with a new facility that would consolidate them into one modern building was removed from the ARPA discussion. Ald. Brian Johnson argued financing such a project with ARPA dollars came with too many restrictions attached and was better suited for bond financing. The council agreed to use $1 million for land acquisition and $25,000 for a fire station analysis. Station 1, 501 S. Washington St., is the oldest station in the city. Built in 1929, it was the first to accommodate trucks instead of horse-drawn wagons. Station 3, 885 Shawano Ave., was built in 1937.

Other items that were approved include: • $250,000 for Nicolet Stormwater runoff project. • $60,000 for an Employee in the Neighborhoods Division, part time, 3 year-limited term position. • $22,000 for the Speed Board project. • $125,000 to enhance council chambers for Zoom/hybrid meetings. • $500,000 for city call datacenter replacement project. • $80,000 for City Hall document scanning project. • $300,000 for Green Bay Comprehensive Plan Updates Consultant. • $210,000 for cybersecurity projects. • $1,500,000 for Gap Financing for development of affordable housing project. • $500,000 for Home Improvement Loan Program (HILP). • $126,500 for Violence Reduction Strategy project. • $150,000 for Arts Grant program. • $500,000 for Snow Making machine project. Also approved after being amended: • $100,000 for Spanish language translator services. • $500,000 for Curb Appeal program. • $250,000 for Great Being Home program. • $1,000,000 for Grant Program. • $151,000 for License Plate Reader Recognition project.