Divisive restaurant, entertainment facility site plan approved in Ashwaubenon

ASHWAUBENON (WLUK) — A large restaurant and entertainment facility has been approved for the space on 789 Armed Forces Drive, near the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon.

“We’re on the verge of bringing something exceptional to our area — a state of the art facility our entire community can be proud of,” Anduzzi’s COO Mac Cisar said.

One document refers to the project as a “new Anduzzi’s Restaurant.” The building will have a slightly smaller footprint than the building it will replace, allowing for more parking. Between the proposed site and existing, neighboring Anduzzi’s, there will be 300 parking spots. That’s a concern for nearby businesses Stadium View and The Bar.

“When all three of their floors are full and their other restaurant, Anduzzi’s is full, they don’t have enough parking,” Joe Zehren, Co-Owner of the Bar on Holmgren way said. “So where is that gonna push to?”

“I think it’s common knowledge when someone’s looking to go an establishment, they’re looking for parking and they’re looking for the first available spot they can find. If they don’t find it, they go elsewhere,” Stadium View Legal Representative Nathan VerVelde said.

But those involved in the development say looking at their current locations indicates the new site could handle it.

“Even on the busiest hours of our peak average day, we have more than enough stalls to accommodate our patrons,” Cisar said. “On average, at worst, we’ll have 35 stalls still available which we can use to accommodate staff.”

And it’s also been of concern for some village leaders. The motion to approve the plan passed, but with three votes against.

“Nobody has denied the looks or anything of the building,” Ashwaubenon Board Member Gary Paul said. “I think the parking will, I think it’s something that’ll take care of itself.”

“People start coming down there, they’re gonna get frustrated because they can’t get to your nice venues and guess what’s going to happen, they’re gonna start going some place else,” Ashwaubenon Board Member Jay Krueger said.

Funding for the project will be supported in part through a TIF district.

Members of the development team say they do plan to have construction completed by the start of the 2025 NFL draft in Green Bay.