A public hearing on a request to vacate segments of 1st Avenue and Jefferson Street in Sturgeon Bay has been set for Tuesday, December 8th at 7PM. Fincantieri/Bay Shipbuilding has announced that it is considering the purchase of the soon-to-be-vacant Palmer Johnson Yachts buildings as part of an expansion of its yard. However, the firm does not want a street cutting through its business. Todd Thayse, Bay Ship’s Vice-President and General Manager, has said the expansion hinges on the street vacation. Thayse also noted that a traffic study indicates the configuration is viable. The public hearing is intended to give citizens the opportunity to comment on the request. In essence, the city would be gathering testimony to be used by the council in order to make a final decision on the matter. That decision could come at the council’s December 15th meeting.
