Sturgeon Bay Permit Approved for West-side Affordable Housing Project

Sturgeon Bay’s Plan Commission approved a conditional use permit (CUP) request Feb. 18 for a proposed 60-unit affordable housing apartment on the city’s west side, though commissioners expressed concerns about how best to have motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic maneuver through that area. 

The Columbia Corners apartment project by Gorman and Company would be built on vacant property located at South Columbia Avenue and Green Bay Road (state Highway 42/57), which is zoned General Commercial (C-1) and requires a CUP for multi-family housing. 

The Common Council, which supports locating the three-story apartment at that location, previously committed $250,000 from the city’s affordable housing reserve funds to the project on Dec. 2, contingent on it securing Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) low-income housing tax credits...

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Leo`s notes: Sturgeon Bay’s approval of a 60-unit mixed-income development reflects continued momentum for workforce housing in smaller markets. As commissioners weigh traffic access and pedestrian safety alongside tax credit financing, the discussion underscores how infrastructure alignment is critical to successful infill projects. Coordinating site design with public investment remains essential to turning approvals into production.

Ken Notes: Two quick observations -- One, Gorman does great projects, Two, I still believe Door County could be the perfect place for a model workforce housing village for service and retail workers needed to staff the tourism engine that drives the Door County economy. In fact done well I believe this "village" could become a tourist attraction itself.