Plastic covers the window openings of 402 Dousman Street in downtown Green Bay. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Green Bay is considering a “demolition by neglect” declaration for a downtown property.
It’s only the second time the city has ever pursued this move. The building in question is 402 Dousman Street.
The property has been vacant for about 15 years, and plastic has covered the window openings for at least the past two years. The building is approximately 120 years old and sits in a nationally-recognized historic district.
That’s what enables the city to make this type of neglect declaration. It would allow the city to make repairs necessary for the building’s safety at the property owner’s expense.
On Wednesday night, the Green Bay Landmarks Commission voted to wait a month to make a decision on the declaration after one of the property owners told officials he plans to replace the windows in the next 90 days.
“They have been given plenty of time to come into compliance with the outstanding issues that are within the building, because of the inspection orders, and we just haven’t seen the action that is needed to make sure that this historic building is stabilized and repaired to the proper order,” said Green Bay City Planner Stephanie Hummel.
“We care about Broadway. We care about the area,” countered Michael Schwantes, the registered agent for owner of 402 Dousman Street. “Frankly, it’s been neglected, and we have to do something about it now, and we understand that.”
City officials said the declaration wouldn’t prevent the property owners from doing the needed work on their own.
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