The attempt to move the old grain elevator from its current location on Sturgeon Bay’s east side waterfront to its former home on the west side was put on hold for the time being as a result of a vote by the Sturgeon Bay City Council Tuesday evening. After about two hours of discussion, council-members voted four to three to reject the proposed move. The rationale was based on the consensus that there was no plan available that would spell out how the the more than 100 year old structure would be utilized on multiple levels, from renovation to long-term maintenance and management. Proponents argued that the granary belongs at its previous site on the west side waterfront and the current site is only temporary. They said the move would be done at no cost to the city. During the debate, it was pointed out that an ad hoc committee is looking into the best uses for the west side parcel and is in the process of soliciting public input. The work of the committee could be short-circuited by moving the grain elevator at this time. While the council rejected the move request, it gave its blessing to the city’s donation of stored grain elevator timbers to the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society as part of the restoration project.
