ASHWAUBENON – Part of the soon-to-close Gordman’s store could soon be converted to a new concert hall owned by Festival Foods CEO Mark Skogen.
Epic Event Center would be owned by Skogen and occupy roughly half of the 60,000-square-foot Gordman’s building at 2351 Holmgren Way. The venue would host up to 2,000 people.
Renovations and development of the space is expected to cost $2.5 million to $3 million. The plan is scheduled to receive final municipal review Aug. 25, Ashwaubenon Community Development Director Aaron Schuette said.
Skogen’s interest in operating a concert hall has been known since fall 2016 when he proposed a similar project in Green Bay’s Shipyard area along South Broadway. The venue would have added private development alongside a proposed stadium for the Green Bay Booyah.
By early 2018, the Booyah accepted assistance from Ashwaubenon to build a new stadium, now Capital Credit Union Park, along Holmgren Way just south of the village hall. The move forced Green Bay to scrap its Shipyard plans and shift redevelopment plans to focus on other recreational uses and residential housing.
“It’s exciting and would help local businesses,” Toonen said of the food truck drive-up.
Toonen noted the remainder of the Gordman’s building would be available for lease by another tenant.
A public hearing will be required before the Village Board can act on the proposal because the Gordman’s building was restricted to retail-only use when it was built.
Streetwise senses these nontraditional re-uses of large retail properties could continue to come forward. Several other retail property owners in the village have inquired about taking similar steps with other sites. Schuette said the village is weighing them individually.
“We certainly understand the situation building owners are in and want to maintain flexibility,” he said. “We’re open to ideas other than retail as we move forward.”