[ALLOUEZ, WI] – The Village of Allouez hosted a board meeting this week on the future of Green Bay Correctional Institution (GBCI), drawing significant community input from residents advocating for the facility’s closure. Three state legislators presented their plans to advance the shutdown of the 127-year-old correctional facility.
See what they’re saying about Allouez’s GBCI hearing:
State representatives to review progress on GBCI closure at Allouez Village Board meeting, WLUK
“The village of Allouez will be looking for answers from state representatives at their village board meeting Tuesday night, regarding the progress of plans to close Green Bay Correctional Institution.
“The state originally agreed to set a timeline for 2029. That timeline was ultimately vetoed by Governor Evers due to the lack of an official plan.”
State lawmakers discuss efforts to close GBCI with Village of Allouez, WBAY
“Good things come to those who hustle while they wait, and the three of us are going to continue to hustle. I know all of you are going to continue to hustle.” – Rep. David Steffen (R-Howard)
“My hope would be that we can at least get some of those cheaper proposals done like Lincoln Hills, like Stanley, and take some first concrete steps to create that slack in the system that’s going to enable the prison here in Allouez to close.” – Sen. Jamie Wall (D-Green Bay)
“They keep talking about it and nothing ever gets done, and it keeps getting pushed further and further away, and we hope it would come sooner.” – Community member Marcia Wasmund
Legislators update Allouez board on Green Bay Correctional closure, Green Bay Press-Gazette
“My hope is that, with that line item veto, that this (bill) will be comprehensive enough when we are done drafting the bills and talking with all interested parties. That we have a final product that not only gets voted on by the Assembly, but gets voted on by the Senate and then ultimately gets signed by the governor.” – Rep. Benjamin Franklin (R-De Pere)
“Realistically, we have a chance to consider some of these building projects early in the new year. If we’re able to get some of them approved, even if they’re the cheaper ones on the list, that’s still very helpful.” – Sen. Jamie Wall (D-Green Bay)
“We now have a path, we have a plan, we have a legislature that’s in agreement and we have a governor who’s supportive of what we’re trying to do here in Allouez. None of those four things did we fully have just one year ago.” – Rep. David Steffen (R-Howard)
Lawmakers provide update on potential GBCI closure, WFRV
“We’re working hard to try to get this done and I really believe that this is hard work from both sides of the aisle.” – Rep. Benjamin Franklin (R-De Pere)
“The good news is that we are generally in agreement with what to do with the buildings. Expansion at other facilities and closure at GBCI. The one thing is that there are about 700 inmates that we need to find a home for.” – Rep. David Steffen (R-Howard)
“One hundred percent, I am absolutely confident that this (closure) will be happening.” – Rep David Steffen (R-Howard)
“I think it’s going to happen, but it might take several years. There’s been no investment in the facility in quite a while. It’s showing its age, pretty much everybody in both parties in this part of the state agree that this should happen (that it should close).” – Sen. Jamie Wall (D-Green Bay)
