Olde Main Street, Inc. promises new developments for east side

"There's a dedicated organization with a board of directors and a staff that work every day for the success of Main street," says Jeff Mirkes, Executive Director of Downtown Green Bay, Inc & Olde Main Street, Inc.

Olde Main Street, Inc. is a business improvement district (BID). Their job is to make Main Street a better place to do business, but Mirkes says it will take time.

"Redevelopment doesn't happen overnight, in anytown U.S.A., " says Mirkes.

Right now, they are working to connect the Fox River and East River trails.

"It's a tough trail, it's going to take a long time, it includes property acquisition, easement acquisition, the planning is well underway," says Mirkes.

Mirkes says bringing the trails together will stimulate business development.

Gary Keeler bought the Ten O One last October. He says he looked at a dozen different locations in Green Bay before choosing a place on Main Street.

"I feel really good about my decision, not only to buy this business, but more importantly to move here," says Keeler.

But some residents don't think change is coming fast enough.

"People need a reason to come to the east side," says Rose Jacobs.

Jacobs has been an east sider her whole life. She wants to see more money put into her neighborhood.

"They have all kinds of reasons, there are nice restaurants on the west side, there's shopping on the west side, I think we need more of that," she says.

Mirkes says, his team is working to make that happen.

"We're confident that main street is moving in the right direction, there's work to be done, but there are some things in place," he says.