ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — During the early hours of Monday afternoon, members of the Stadium District board met inside of the Resch Expo.
Packers Director of Public Affairs Aaron Popkey was there, defending the current ownership setup of Lambeau Field.
“To decommission that body that was set up would disenfranchise members of the community, the entire community that has invested in the stadium,” said Popkey. “So we feel that it’s important to keep the stadium together just to represent all of Brown County.”
Rep. David Steffen thinks differently. The Howard Republican has been contending since November that the Stadium district has no purpose, adding it fulfilled its statutory duties in 2015.
“Every responsibility that is listed in that lease that relates to the stadium district shall be required by law to be handled by the city of Green Bay,” said Steffen.
Steffen’s office told FOX 11 an updated draft of his bill is planned to be released next week, this time with public input on the original proposal.
The Stadium District reimburses the team through a maintenance fund, and in November, the district had $81 million generated through the County sales tax that ended in 2015.
Steffen’s proposal would liquidate that fund, giving Green Bay a one-time payment of about $19 million, with every Brown County homeowner receiving a $600 check.
Patrick Webb, executive director of the Green Bay Stadium District, said their most likely the most successful stadium district in the country.
He adds more dialogue needs to happen before any decision is made on the future.
Webb also mentioned a Stadium District document from 2013 and 2014.
“We evaluated what needed to be done in order for the city to take ownership. We still believe those are valid items that need to be done,” said Webb.
The Stadium District board would like Steffen to come before the board in March to discuss his proposal.
FOX 11 also reached out to Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich’s office, but did not hear back.
