Plan Commission adopts UW–Green Bay 2024 campus master plan, sends comments on connectivity and transit

The Green Bay Plan Commission on Feb. 24 voted to adopt the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay 2024 campus master plan, a multi-decade planning document submitted as part of the conditional use permit process for universities in the public institutional zoning district.

A staff presenter summarized the plan and the commission’s suggested comments. The plan submitted by UW–Green Bay is a comprehensive document (the packet contained the full plan) that lays out three time horizons and a 20-year vision. Staff highlighted six major elements in the plan: removal of the campus’s outer Circle Road to funnel circulation to the campus core; expanded student housing and new residence halls; a proposed Phoenix Innovation Park intended to bring businesses, hospitality and retail to the campus; enhanced green-space and arboretum trailhead facilities; a reconfiguration of the library and central quad area to activate the campus core; and circulation and parking changes including pavement reductions in some areas.

City staff recommended approval of the plan but asked that the university consider stronger connections between the campus and surrounding neighborhoods, improved bicycle connections to Nicolay Drive and East Shore Drive and the Bay Beach trail system, and better transit service. Staff also suggested the university consider permitting rentable scooters and electric bikes to improve short trips to downtown and recommended coordination on services that would make off-campus commercial development more viable and better linked to campus life. Staff said the commission will forward those suggestions to university administration.

Commissioners moved to approve the campus master plan with the staff comments. Alder Jim Hutchinson made the motion and Commissioner Darius Daniels seconded; the motion carried on a voice vote. The approval will be transmitted to the City Council with staff’s suggested comments.