Two Rivers residents got the chance to see options for what could be developed on the former Hamilton Property.
As part of the third meeting of the community visioning process, three students from UW-Green Bay gave those in attendance a packet of mixed-use options, including building types, park spaces, and materials to turn the 14-acre plot of land into something for the city.
Sierra Schultz, Maren Van Kirk, and Cold McDonald explained that the city shouldn’t see random development and that what goes on the former factory land should work with what residents want to see.
Schultz also noted that she was surprised to see that there are not as many young families moving to the Cool City, which could drive economic growth.
After attendees at the community vision meeting selected the types of buildings, homes, parks, and other developments they would like to see, they were asked what they found most difficult to imagine.
One resident stated that for him, it was what housing or apartments should look like.
“The first one, it looks too cookie-cutter,” he described. “There’s a development up on 45th Street and Tannery Bridge that’s all just one solid building. However, if you stagger the units, it thinks you’ll have (it) a little bit better.”
Residents were then asked what other things they would like to see on the property.
One resident wanted to see a building showing Two Rivers’ history, while another mentioned a place for shopping.
They also discussed the need for apartments.
Schultz says that, as the person working on renderings, she loves hearing it.
She explained, “Spaces, they’re not lively, they don’t bring in community if they are not planned without community in mind and those residents and what their needs and what their wants are.”
She then also explained the importance of mixed-use property.
“Not only for balancing those different needs, but also to improve walkability and just really improve the area for the pedestrian in the area,” she noted.
Although a lot was brought up, Two Rivers Community Development Director Jeff Sachse said he feels there is consensus on both the type of development intended for the property and the preferred locations for development.
“If I think about housing, for example, in density and height, there’s a lot more consensus around building it closer to Jefferson Street than there is the river,” he added. “So those things we can easily incorporate because again one of the pieces of the conversation that we have to consider at the next meeting is at least having a rough estimate of cost.”
However, there could be more conversation about what else could be designed for the property.
The next Hamilton Community Vision meeting takes place on April 22nd and 25th and will talk about the impact of downtown and potential project partners.
Sachse says there could be a plan by June for what will be included on the property, to be presented to the full city council.
