Major vote on Green Bay coal piles expected Wednesday
Dec 18, 2024
BROWN COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) - Brown County supervisors' votes Wednesday night will have a major impact on the future of the coal piles in downtown Green Bay.
Supervisors will vote whether to continue working with C. Reiss Coal Company on a lease arrangement that would move their coal piles from their current spot on the banks of the Fox River near Mason Street upriver to a 14.5 acre slice of the Pulliam Plant site.
According to Brown County agenda documents, the initial lease that C. Reiss officials and the county have negotiated would include a 25-year term with a $110,000 rent payment for the first year with a 2.5 percent rent escalator each year. There's an option for two 25-year extensions after the first 25 year term expires.
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County officials tell Local 5 News that they would use about $31 million in grant funding that they previously received to help develop the Pulliam Plant site and create a new port terminal. The county wouldn't be able to use some of that grant funding if supervisors don't move forward with the plan to move the coal piles because the funding has a deadline for use.
Green Bay city alders approved a symbolic resolution to show their support for approving this lease earlier this week. At least 2/3 of the county board would need to give the thumbs up for it to pass.