Council approves amended purchase/lease terms for Green Bay Drop Forge site

The Green Bay Common Council on Aug. 5 approved amendments to the city’s purchase and lease agreement for the Green Bay Drop Forge site that change several financial and property‑cleanup obligations after weeks of negotiation.

Alder Oliver Johnson, who led the item in committee, described the amendment as a set of mutually agreed clarifications negotiated by the city law department and the purchaser. The amendment raises the purchaser’s maximum financial obligation for certain costs from $50,000 to $75,000 and calls for a 50% split of costs, including Department of Natural Resources fees; it also requires the purchaser to contribute $2,000 toward closing costs. The amendment further clarifies what equipment may remain on the property at lease termination and how removal costs will be evaluated, including an agreement that certain large items could remain if a qualified demolition contractor determines removal would not increase remediation costs.

Bill Hoban, representing Hoban & Company (the purchaser/developer), told the council the list of large equipment referenced in the amendment reflects items too heavy to remove with the purchaser’s available equipment and that the parties had discussed language clarifying whether items are “embedded in concrete” or simply too heavy to move. Hoban said the parties understood the change as a mutual understanding and expected to clean up remaining language with staff.

The council adopted the amendment on a motion by Alder Johnson, seconded by Alder Hinkfuss; the amendment passed and the underlying agreement was approved as amended. Councilmembers thanked the owner for investment in the waterfront and for willingness to work through outstanding issues.

Key amendment points: purchaser obligation cap raised from $50,000 to $75,000 (50% split of certain costs including DNR fees), purchaser contribution of $2,000 to closing, and provisions governing the fate of heavy industrial equipment (a listed set of items including multiple furnaces and presses) at lease termination with a process to assess removal costs and allow the city to permit items to remain after legal review.

Speakers included Alder Oliver Johnson (mover), Bill Hoban (representing the purchaser), the city attorney’s office and several alderpersons who reviewed the amendment before voting. The motion to approve as amended passed at the meeting.