Fincantieri Beautification Plans Released

Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding is taking public comments on its three conceptual design concepts for a beautification plan along its North 3rd Avenue shipyard. To review the plans and comment, go to sturgeonbaywi.org and click on the link for “Survey – 3rd Ave. Beautification Plan,” or visit the survey directly at surveymonkey.com/r/3rdAveConcepts. Source: City of Sturgeon Bay.

Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding has released concept designs for streetscape plans that are intended to create an attractive transition and connection between downtown Sturgeon Bay and Sunset Park. The beautification route is an eight-to-10-foot strip of land between the sidewalk and the shipyard parking lot and yard along North 3rd Avenue between Jefferson and Iowa streets.

The shipbuilder is seeking input on three design alternatives, created by consultant GRAEF. Access the designs at sturgeonbaywi.org by clicking on the link for “Survey – 3rd Ave. Beautification Plan,” or directly at surveymonkey.com/r/3rdAveConcepts.

The three concept plans show vegetation only as the barrier along the sidewalk; vegetation with some low fencing; and vegetation with more visual and sound-barrier fencing. One point of focus that is standard in all three concepts is a small, circular plaza with benches and taller vegetation in front of the old train depot area that could be a gathering spot.

The three design alternatives emerged from input Fincantieri received from the public in early July, said Ryan Hoernke, Fincantieri assistant general manager and director of finance and technical operations. Some of the neighbors wanted visuals into the shipyard; others wanted more of a sound and visual barrier.  

“The input gathered in the first survey and the results seemed to be very heavily favored on vegetation, and vegetation and some barrier,” Hoernke said.

GRAEF will develop one final conceptual plan after compiling all the comments from the latest survey. 

“As soon as we finalize the plan, we’ll turn it over to the city for approval,” Hoernke said. 

The city required Fincantieri to devise a beautification plan as a condition of approvals for major improvements the shipbuilder was making to its waterfront yard. A memo of understanding signed in January between Fincantieri and the city spelled out expectations for the plan’s development. Fincantieri was required to hire a consultant to develop the plan by July 2021; to show where, how and when specific areas would be improved; and to seek input from the city and the public.

City Administrator Josh VanLieshout said the plan will likely go before the city’s plan commission to verify that all conditions of the memo of understanding have been met. Hoernke said he also thought the city may want the plan presented to the city’s Aesthetic Design and Site Plan Review Board.

Once the conceptual plan is approved, Hoernke said they’ll have to go to a landscape designer for the detailed design and actual work. Fincantieri will pay for all costs to install the improvements, which will likely be done in the spring of 2022.