If you’re a local reader here in Green Bay, then by now you’ve heard that a deal has been reached to remove the coal piles that have been alongside the Fox River for ages (story HERE).

While many of you have been in this community for most, if not all, of your lives, I’m still only in my first decade. And I can tell you that I can’t wait to see what the future looks like for that property. And brand new visitors will no doubt be impressed when they take that driver over the bridge on Mason for the first time.

We know what’s coming. More mixed use development. Which may be a derogatory term in other regions where growth hasn’t been properly handled. But here in Green Bay, we’ve already had a taste of what’s next in The Shipyard District. The park that is already in the adjacent property is gorgeous and features one of the best sunrise and sunset views of the city.

Now, we can look forward to expanding that literal horizon with more picturesque riverside views.

And getting to the impact it will have with visitors, I can tell you that it will shift the entire vibe from industrial to trendy. And it will close the gap between the neighborhoods on the others side of Ashland near the stadium district, and a downtown that badly needs that hook to expand the experience (and the economic development) to its area as well.

I hope developers and planners will prepare a “before and after” photo of what we’re seeing because in a couple of years, the difference will be incredible.