A major outdoors retailer is coming to the area around Lambeau Field. Cabela’s is building a 100-thousand square foot store in Ashwaubenon, right next to the Highway 41 interchange. The Green Bay Packers own the land, which the franchise will lease to retailer.
Packers President Mark Murphy says the deal is something they are very excited about, and he sees it as the next step in their Titletown district evolution that started with the renovation of Lambeau Field.
AUDIO: Mark Murphy (:16)
Murphy says there are 11 acres of wetlands on the 20 acre site. The DNR has issued a permit that would allow three acres of wetlands to be filled in, although the current plan only calls for about half of that work to be done.
The permit was granted under a controversial law approved by the Legislature last year that several conservation groups opposed. Murphy says the will work with the outdoors group to restore four acres of wetlands in the area, and to set up a conservancy on Cabela’s site.
Construction could start in the next 60 days, with the goal of opening the store before Packers training camp starts in July of 2013. The site is expected to employ up to 200 people.
Mike Kemmeter, WHBY