Ashwaubenon advances plan to add 91 more units, restaurant on Mike McCarthy Way
ASHWAUBENON - The second phase of an Iowa-based company's mixed-use development on Mike McCarthy Way would add 91 apartments and restaurant space within walking distance of Lambeau Field.
Ashwaubenon's Site Plan Review Committee and Plan Commission on Tuesday in separate actions unanimously approved Merge Urban Development Group's plans for The Common Place building two at 676 Mike McCarthy Way.
Merge had previously secured approval for building two in December 2022. Village site plan approvals are only good for one year, though, so Merge had to resubmit the plans again for review. Aaron Schuette, the village's community development director, said the plan was the exact same one Merge submitted in 2022.
Here's what we know.
New Ashwaubenon apartment building would include restaurant and retail spaces, walking path and parking
The Common Place's second building would run parallel to Mike McCarthy Way, just east of its first building and Odyssey Climbing + Fitness, an indoor rock-climbing gym.
The first floor will include 2,900 square feet for a restaurant, 2,400 square feet of commercial space for lease and seven apartments. Building offices would also be on the first floor.
Floors two, three, four and five will include 84 more apartments. Plans also include additional surface parking on the northeast portion of the site, behind the new building.
Merge also will add more public green space and pedestrian features through the site. Plans include development of more outdoor space for residents and the start of a walking trail that will eventually extend north toward Tony Canadeo Run in the city of Green Bay's Legends District and further south into Ashwaubenon.
Mike McCarthy Way continues to rapidly redevelop
The Common Place campus is part of an ongoing transformation of Ashwaubenon's north end from industrial uses and empty lots into an active corridor in the village's Sports and Entertainment District, east of Lambeau Field and Resch Expo.
The Berkshire, a 75-unit income-qualified senior housing development, opened in March across Mike McCarthy Way from The Common Place. And further west on Mike McCarthy Way, The Bar on Holmgren Way in 2021 underwent a $1.2 million expansion. Schuette said Merge Urban Development's plans continue that trend.
"It really shows the continuation of the redevelopment of that area," Schuette said. "Mike McCarthy Way has really changed over the past five years from truck equipment to vacant lots to some pretty nice developments."
What's next for Merge's Ashwaubenon project?
Schuette said the Village Board is expected to take up the two committees' recommendation when it meets at 6 p.m. May 28.
Merge also plans to construct riverfront apartments in Green Bay
You might also recognize Merge as the company about to start construction on a multibuilding, 225-apartment project in Green Bay's Shipyard Redevelopment Area along the Fox River, just north of the Mason Street bridge.
The Green Bay City Council in January approved the project's first phase, 109 units split between two buildings, and construction is expected to begin later this year.
More on The Shipyard: Apartments atop a new fire station? Why Green Bay wants to explore the idea
Contact Jeff Bollier at (920) 431-8387 or jbollier@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JeffBollier.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Ashwaubenon advances plans to add 91 more apartments on Mike McCarthy Way
