Green Bay Neighborhoods:

A History of Building Neighborhoods & Resident Leaders

1995

  • Paul Jadin is elected Mayor and joins the Board of Trustees of NeighborWorks Green Bay. He learns that housing and other challenges in Green Bay’s Original Neighborhoods are more serious than most people understand.
  • Realizing that NeighborWorks Green Bay would be a great ally in working for change, Mayor Jadin forms a Task Force with them and other community leaders.

1996

  • Mayor Jadin forms the Mayor’s Neighborhood Resources Board (MNRB) based on the Task Force study.

  • Mayor Jadin asks NeighborWorks Green Bay Trustees John Gilman and Inky Meng to serve as co-chairs. They’re assisted by Keith Pamperin, Cheryl Renier-Wigg, and others at the City of Green Bay.

1997

  • MNRB focuses efforts around the concept of healthy neighborhoods, envisioning an Urban Partnership as coordinator.
  • The group raises $600,000 for the Urban Partnership, with half being allocated to the MNRB and half to the Urban Hope entrepreneurial empowerment organization.

1999

  • Mayor Jadin creates the City’s Neighborhood Division.

  • Staff, originally housed at NeighborWorks Green Bay, moves to City Hall.
  • Green Bay is recognized as an All-America City.
  • The City partners with UW-Extension to begin organizing residents into neighborhood associations.

2003

  • Jim Schmitt is elected Mayor and commits to supporting neighborhood initiatives, including community policing, proactive inspections, and police liaison officers being placed in schools.

  • The Mayor’s Neighborhood Resource Board changes its name to the Mayor’s Neighborhood Leadership Council (MNLC).

  • Mayor Schmitt brings neighborhood association presidents to the table.
  • John Gilman and Inky Meng resign as co-chairs, and Tom Krautkramer accepts the role of chair.

2007

  • MNLC establishes a Beautification Committee that creates “Life of the River”, a public sculpture walk along the Fox River. For several years, the group commissions local and national sculptors to create works for the community.

2008

  • Noel Halvorsen, president & CEO of NeighborWorks Green Bay, accepts the role of MNLC Chair.
  • MNLC conducts Resident Leadership Training Programs to build the capacity of grassroots leaders.

2010

  • “Life of the River” is recognized by the Wisconsin Arts Board and others for its contributions to the community.

2012

  • As the number of neighborhood associations grow, the group decides to pursue a 501(c)3 tax-exempt status with the IRS.

  • MNLC changes its name to Green Bay Neighborhood Leadership Council.

2013

  • The activities of Green Bay Neighborhood Leadership Council are recognized nationally, with a second place finish at the Neighborhoods USA Conference.

2018

  • Dan Theno accepts the role of Green Bay Neighborhood Leadership Council chair.

2019

  • Under Dan Theno, GBNLC establishes annual neighborhood awards to recognize the outstanding achievements of neighborhood associations and leaders throughout Green Bay.

2020

  • Sarah Lueschow accepts the role of GBNLC chair.

2021

  • Green Bay Neighborhood Leadership Council votes to change its name to Green Bay Neighborhoods.

2022

  • Michael Poradek accepts the role of Green Bay Neighborhoods chair.

2024

  • Tarl Knight accepts the role of Green Bay Neighborhoods chair.

Present

  • Green Bay Neighborhoods (GBN) continues creating neighborhood identity in an intentional process by funding and installing signage projects throughout Green Bay in partnership with neighborhood associations and the City of Green Bay.
  • GBN continues to partner with NeighborWorks Green Bay to send local teams to national Community Leadership Institutes and bring home new ideas.
  • GBN continues to activate parks with residents, create grants to fund creative and beneficial neighborhood ideas, and promote community and public safety.