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Plan commission clears Evergreen Theater to use former school at 1806 Bond Street for community theater and nonprofit offices
Summary
The commission approved a conditional‑use permit recommendation to allow Evergreen Theater Inc. to use the former school building at 1806 (Bond) Street as a nonprofit community theater (roughly 190–200 seats) and nonprofit office/classroom space; the item will go to City Council on Nov. 11.
The Green Bay Plan Commission on Nov. 3 voted to approve staff’s recommendation to classify and allow Evergreen Theater Inc. to operate a nonprofit community theater and nonprofit office space in the former school building at 1806 Bond Street (the transcript occasionally references "Fawn Street"; staff identified the site as the former school building owned by Green Bay Area Public Schools).
Staff described the property as located in a public/institutional (PI) zoning district and noted that the proposed uses — a gymnasium converted to a performance space seating approximately 190–200 people, classrooms for auditions, prop and set work, and office space for Evergreen and other nonprofits — fit within the PI district if approved as a conditional use. Staff also reported there are approximately 74 existing parking stalls on the site; a theater of the proposed size would typically require about 40 stalls based on the gymnasium conversion and net floor area calculations. Staff noted the parking is legally nonconforming but adequate for the proposed use as presented.
Speakers from Evergreen and local neighborhood organizations spoke in support. Judy Patefield of Evergreen (address given as 1840 Adler Way) outlined Evergreen’s 40‑year history and the group’s desire to provide arts education and storage space for its productions. Miles Grasso, speaking for the Murphy Park Neighborhood Association, said the neighborhood supports the reuse. "We're way behind it," he said. Another resident, Alyssa Prophet, noted multiple artist groups need performance and rehearsal space and expressed support.
A commissioner moved to approve staff’s recommendation to classify the use as nonprofit community theater and nonprofit office space; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The Plan Commission’s approval will be forwarded to the Green Bay City Council for final consideration on Nov. 11.
Next steps: Evergreen and the school district (property owner) will proceed with any site‑plan, building, or fire‑safety approvals required by the city, and staff will forward the commission’s recommendation to the City Council for final action.
