Last night, I attended a meeting of the Green Bay Planning Commission, where they discussed and ultimately approved the 2050 Comprehensive Plan for the community.

I spoke in favor of it. And in an outcome that isn’t always guaranteed at public meetings, I left the room feeling better than when I walked in it.

This is because the plan outlines a lot of great goals for the community. We’re talking about big concepts that can alter our experience of living here, and smaller “healthier eating” options that will ensure our infrastructure and corridors evolve with the times.

The most exciting time of the meeting was the concept of passenger rail returning to the area, and being able to jump a train to Milwaukee, Madison, or Chicago.

But we were also talking about making sure we’ve got enough sidewalks, and that transportation outlines accommodate rapid development in certain areas.

They talked about water taxis, and port projects that would energize economic development.

And they also discussed centers for seniors, possibilities for the homeless, and options for the increasingly problematic juvenile disorder in the area.

The plan itself is also tailored down to each neighborhood. They understand every community is different.

Exciting stuff.

Let’s bring it back down to earth for a second.

This is a plan. It’s going to change. Heck, half a dozen things may change before the common council votes on it. This is also 2050. We’ve had pandemics, war, and unrest. I had to stop for a second and do some math to determine if I would even be here.

But it demonstrates that our heads and hearts are in the right place.

Most of you know, I’m an Orlando transplant with a decade of experience in local government down there. And I’m a struggling veteran to this day because of the setbacks I endured down there.

I was happy to see this plan identify issues that set my hometown back years, and take measures to not only dodge those problems, but implement new ideas to take Green Bay even higher. You love to see it.

Read the plan HERE. I think you’ll feel better about Green Bay after you do.