The Green Bay City Council has a controversial issue approaching them, in the form of a mixed use development proposal across the street from Lambeau Field (story HERE).

Our community should cautiously support it.

This is because of the potential of the area, and using that area beyond what it’s being used for now. Nothing.

Listen, it’s good that neighbors are alert about development. Many times there are bad proposals that are about nothing but making money for a select group of investors. But the reasons being presented by neighbors are the same tired excuses that we always hear from opponents of advancement. Which normally only effect their own particular perspective.

While this proposal is a sharp looking mixed use project that would compliment Titletown, the same critics would oppose it if it were affordable housing (such as the veterans project across town) or if it were a fully commercial project that would further compliment visitors to Lambeau Field.

And critics also say the project would change the character of that neighborhood. It wouldn’t. Because we all know that neighborhood is Lambeau Field. Not a secluded enclave in a rural area.

The good news here is that there is always some flexibility for development and collaboration with the surrounding communities. And there are still time for voices on both sides to get involved. Involvement should be encouraged.

But we have to be wary of land that could serve an important part of enriching our community, sitting idle for much of the year because some residents have unfounded fears that it will drastically change their lives. They would prefer for the area to be frozen in time for perpetuity. That would be wrong.

Their demands for a stagnant area, aren’t fair to the many others who call Green Bay home.