Schreiber building could be GB landmark

GREEN BAY - Could the city of Green Bay have a new landmark in a new downtown building?

Schreiber Foods and the city have agreed on plans that call for a new corporate headquarters for Schreiber, to be built on property where the Washington Commons mall and J.C. Penney once attracted customers.

What has been for years a symbol of a struggling downtown is now a sign of opportunity.

"We're really in the very early stages of the design phase and we don't know what the footprint even looks like at this point," said Andrew Tobisch, director of communications at Schreiber. "One thing I can tell you is we want to make sure that it does fit in with the architecture of downtown Green Bay. And we also want to make sure that we're designing and constructing the building with sustainability in mind, because that's something that's very important to us as well."

While the company wants the new facility to fit in downtown, others hope it doesn't fit in too well.

"I think we could do with something really bold," said Stephen Perkins, senior academic curator of art at UWGB. "I don't think it necessarily has to be in the same style as what's already there. Most of its pretty, when you mentally think of downtown, nothing really stands out."

Stephen Perkins hopes the building is innovative and imaginative. He also hopes plans incorporate art or sculpture.

"I think it has the potential to be a signature building, and I think that's what it needs," Perkins said.

"It's a great opportunity, much more than just having their building downtown and their employees," said Brad Toll president and CEO of the Greater Green Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau. "From a tourism and convention standpoint it's a great opportunity for us as well."

Toll says construction and progress downtown are good selling points to those considering Green Bay for conventions, and if the new Schreiber headquarters becomes a symbol of the city it could be incorporated into marketing materials for visitors.

"We're excited to see what they put together. Hopefully it'll represent the industry they're in a little bit, and it'll be a great addition to the downtown," said Toll.

Schreiber will not be releasing sketches of the new facility for a couple of months. Schreiber hopes to be up and running in the new building in the fall of 2014.