RDA backs MOU with Sea Rice Terminals to support coal-pile relocation and zoning changes

The Green Bay Redevelopment Authority voted to support a memorandum of understanding with Sea Rice Terminals LLC that the city said would be included in Sea Rice’s response to a county request for information on coal-pile relocation.

Joanne, a city staff member who presented the item, said the MOU highlights Sea Rice’s commitment to pursue access to the Pulliam site and begin relocation of the coal piles, and it outlines the city’s intent to support redevelopment — including rezoning parts of Mason Street to downtown uses and designating the southern portion for cleaned industrial uses.

The MOU, as described in the meeting, anticipates rezoning the northern 10 acres of the Mason Street parcel for downtown-style uses and keeping the southern portion for light/general industrial uses, with explicit provisions limiting open storage of bulk commodities in the rezoned area. Joanne said the RDA would likely be involved in future redevelopment of the site and that the MOU is intended to give Sea Rice “comfort and incentive to move forward” with voluntary planning and marketing efforts.

Alderman Johnson said he supports the MOU but raised concerns that the company has previously indicated an intent to retain ownership of the rezoned 10 acres and that the agreement as written does not require a timeline or minimum development standard for that acreage. Johnson said he would consider tweaks before the item goes to Common Council to ensure the city receives a reciprocal commitment on development timing or standards.

Members also discussed a clause in the MOU under which the city agreed not to pursue eminent domain for the property. Steve, an RDA member who asked about the clause, was told the provision is intended to assure a prospective developer that efforts to market and rezone the site would not be undercut by an eminent-domain process and thus would encourage private redevelopment.

Joanne and other speakers said the MOU would be provided to Sea Rice to include in the county submission; Sea Rice is pursuing the county’s RFI, which the presenters said closes the day of the meeting. The presenters and members also referenced a previously discussed county funding amount of $15,000,000 tied to relocation efforts; staff said Sea Rice would account for that sum in its proposal to the county and that the funding remained “in play” so long as the relocation work is part of the county measure.

The RDA moved the MOU forward with a voice vote. The chair called for the motion; a member identified as Matt made the motion and Kathy seconded. The chair asked for ayes and declared the motion carried.

The MOU will be contingent on subsequent approvals, including Common Council consideration; staff said any PUD, rezoning, or development agreement would require review by the city’s review bodies and, where applicable, the State Historic Preservation Office and other agencies before formal actions such as transfers or entitlements are finalized.

Members repeatedly framed the vote as an effort to keep the city “in the game” while Sea Rice pursues the county process; speakers said relocating coal piles would open redevelopment opportunities both along Mason Street and across the river.