Historic downtown building projects could get state tax credit boost

"It's going to be the best hotel north of Milwaukee," he said.

Much of the buildings layout from it's premier hotel days remains intact. All that's been needed are the right investors committed to historic preservation. Now some area lawmakers have come up with a bill to make that easier by expanding the five percent state tax credit to match federal dollars.

"We're actually proposing going to twenty-to-twenty-five percent...and creates a new match, a five-percent match for buildings built prior to 1936," said Rep. Chad Weiniger , (R) Green Bay.

Any incentives for projects like the Hotel Northland come at just the right time, especially with construction of the new Schrieber Foods Headquarters, expansion of the K-I Convention Center and Associated Bank new downtown headquarters.

"Having the right hotels in the right areas is important With some of the redevelopment activity under way right now," said Jeff Merkes, Executive Director of Downtown Green Bay, Inc.

The addition of one more downtown inn is welcome news to other hospitality businesses.

"The more business we can bring down here, the more people we can bring down here. It's just going to help our business, too." said Dan Joppe, Assistant General Manager of St. Brendan's Inn.

Local 5's Terry Kovarik has the story.