Kagen Scores a Win for Green Bay Economy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 30, 2010

KAGEN SCORES A WIN FOR GREEN BAY ECONOMY

Downtown Mall demolition gains full approval by the U.S. House of Representatives

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. celebrated a huge win for the City of Green Bay last night when the House of Representatives approved $1 million  to help fund the demolition of the Washington Commons mall.  Removal of the vacant mall will open the 5-acre downtown area for new business development and supports the long-term economic plan for the City of Green Bay.

“The economic health of Green Bay is a top priority, and I’m pleased to have helped secure this critical investment in the future of our community” said Dr. Kagen.  “This project will help attract privately owned businesses and the jobs we need to the center of Green Bay.”

The $1 million secured by Congressman Kagen will fund a project to raze the 440,000 square foot former Washington Commons property located in the heart of downtown Green Bay and prevent further deterioration of surrounding properties. 

“I look forward to continuing to work with local officials in Green Bay and across my district on economic development,” said Kagen. 

Dr. Kagen ensured the funding for the mall demolition project, requested by the Mayor Schmidt and the City of Green Bay, was included in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act for FY 2011 that passed with overwhelming support in the House of Representatives late last night.

In their request to Congressman Kagen, the City of Green Bay details that funds will be used to demo the existing structure, reface the structures attached to the mall structure, and to install the necessary infrastructure to prepare the sites for redevelopment. The end result of the project would foster the necessary environment for further redevelopment that would create hundreds of jobs and add valuable tax base to our community.

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