‘Fire Station Flats’ project moves forward

GREEN BAY – During its Sept. 16 meeting, the Green Bay City Council unanimously approved a development agreement for a new fire department headquarters and apartments on the former Badger Sheet Metal site.

On Feb. 14, 2024, city staff issued a request for qualifications to partner with the Redevelopment Authority (RDA) and Green Bay Metro Fire Department on a redevelopment proposal for the 5.25 acres of RDA-owned land.

The RDA purchased the property to “eliminate blight and redevelop brownfields within the South Broadway Corridor near the city’s Shipyard park project.”

In May 2024, the RDA selected General Capital Group as the development partner, with Wendel-Five Bugles assigned to the initial fire station design and Engberg-Anderson for housing design.

“Since that time, city staff have worked closely with the developer to prepare a feasible proposal,” a memo from city staff to the RDA recalled. “In May 2025, the RDA approved an offer to purchase the site, contingent upon a future development agreement. In July 2025, the RDA granted the developer an option to execute a ground lease for the property, allowing the city to complete soil remediation and close out a U.S. EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant prior to land acquisition.”

The RDA and common council have approved funding commitments, contingent on the approval of a development agreement, which includes $3,500,000 in Federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds and $5,100,000 in city ARPA and general obligation bond funding for a Fire Station Loan.

General Capital Group has also submitted a 4% non-competitive housing tax credit application to the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority.

The project includes 85 affordable housing units, one commercial unit, a fire station and fire department administrative offices.

 The 85 units will serve households with incomes between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income.

 “We're the developer of the ‘Fire Station Flats’ apartments’ — it’s an evolving name,” Sig Strautmanis, a partner at General Capital Group, told the council.

“It's been an ongoing process that has taken shape and taken on different forms since we started, and we're really at the point where we're we have things starting to line up in their final details, and it has been only with your staff’s and your, Mr. Mayor, all everybody's support here to get this over the finish line. And so we're here.

“We look forward to continuing this work; we have a long road ahead to get this over the finish line.

“We hope to be able to start construction next spring/summer with this project, but this is the first step to actually close on the land and to really get the process going.”