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Letter to the Editor: First Step Toward Resolution?

Given that the City of Sturgeon Bay and Friends of Sturgeon Bay Public Waterfront hold different thoughts regarding the west side development and placement of a hotel, it seems their joint next step, the Madison College Interest Based Problem Solving process, scheduled for June 12, is an appropriate, enlightened approach.

In the process, I hope the following issue will be included in the discussion.

We need to remember that entrepreneurs didn’t develop the idea of a west side hotel.  Rather, it was the city that was searching for some way to build a tax base with enough revenue to pay for their desired waterfront dock development. This didn’t begin as a hotel idea. The hotel is merely a way to pay for the dock idea. Therefore, the beginning point is to decide if the dock project is what city residents want.

Two waterfront city docks already exist:  the east city dock is empty virtually all the time, as is the city dock property between the bridge and Bay Ship.  Is redundancy and great expense justifiable?  Additionally, locals and visitors alike seem to appreciate the presence of the Selvick tugs. I believe they add character, are unique and reinforce the city’s rich nautical heritage.

If the proposed waterfront dock project is declared not essential, then it becomes apparent that the need for a hotel and its revenue go away and the TIF 4 district becomes viable without it.

I hope the discussion will provide a first step toward resolution.

 

Betty Parsons

Sevastopol, Wis.

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