True confession time: I don’t watch football. And in Green Bay Packer land that’s almost a cardinal sin.

But while I don’t watch the game, I understand the impact this team and its successes have to the local economy.

So the announcement of the team’s plans to develop 28 acres around the stadium into a Midwest tourism mecca piqued my interest, almost as much as it drew criticism from those who feared tax dollars will fund the project.

The idea of developing the property surrounding Lambeau Field is nothing new — the Green Bay Packers have been acquiring nearby land for several years. But with recent discussions between team officials, consultants and local governments, ideas for the property are beginning to take shape.

Among the concepts floating around are an indoor training facility, an exhibition hall, a baseball stadium for the city’s Northwoods League baseball team, and a hotel.

Though in its infancy at this point, with a master plan expected to be finalized by year’s end, I think the project offers a means of capitalizing on the fact that Wisconsin is home to Super Bowl XLV’s champions and that its residents support this team with a passion unheard of in other locales.

The Packers are not alone in the race to develop the area around their stadium. The Cleveland Browns have also proposed developing more than 20 acres of land near their stadium. This project could include an enclosed pedestrian bridge from the three-mall area to the stadium, a field house, a youth sports field and new parking. 

While it’s true that neither team are developers, both teams hope to use their name to boost economic value in the area around their stadiums.

And it’s also true that plans like these will cost money — maybe even some tax  dollars — but they will also pump some life into a deflated economy. Think of the jobs we could create if we feed our own by hiring local builders, contractors, engineers and planning experts to develop the area. Then there’s the jobs that will be created by the businesses drawn to the stadium area because of the project.

As the old saying goes, “Sometimes you have to spend money to make money.”

You don’t need to be a football fan to understand that.



Ronnie Garrett, Editor

crweditor@crwmag.com

By Ronnie Garrett

Ronnie Garrett owns and operates Garrett & Co. Studios, a Fort Atkinson company providing editorial, photography and graphic design services.