Green Bay mayor not keen on downtown Walmart

Mayor thinks Walmart would detract from character of downtown Green Bay property

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay’s mayor doesn’t think a Walmart store would be a good fit for the city’s downtown area.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has been in discussions with the property owner, On Broadway Inc., about locating a store on the northeast corner of the downtown area which once was home to the Larsen Canning Co.

On Broadway president Greg Larsen says Wal-Mart is one of many businesses interested in developing a portion of the former cannery.

Mayor Jim Schmitt told WBAY-TV the property isn’t suited for big box use. He says its brownstone buildings are better for unique, non-franchise businesses. Schmitt says it takes away from the character of an area in which the city has long invested.