Hotel Northland restoration set for fall construction start after key Green Bay approval

An Iowa firm and a Milwaukee-based developer expect to begin renovation work on the Hotel Northland in Green Bay this fall after city of Green Bay officials Tuesday gave a needed approval for the development’s financing.

The $40 million project will restore the historic building at 304 N. Adams St. into a 160-room, high-end hotel. Iowa-based Frantz Community Investors and Keith Harenda, founder of KPH Construction, of Milwaukee, are co-developing the project.

The developers are using a mix of funding, including $11 million in historic tax credits, $2.5 million in city support and a $4.7 million loan through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 108 program. The developers needed approval from Green Bay officials to apply for the HUD loan. The Green Bay Common Council granted that OK on Tuesday.

That approval means “the heavy lifting has been done,” Harenda said. The HUD review of the loan application is expected to be complete within 60 days. Renovations to the historic building will start in fall, and the first rooms will open when the Green Bay Packers start their next season a year from now, he said.

“I’m just really excited to bring this hotel back to life,” Harenda said.

Reported by:  Milwaukee Business Journal