Business leaders in Superior are proposing around $125 million in projects to redevelop its downtown. They want to establish a special tax district, but they need approval from state lawmakers to move ahead with their plans.
A Superior economic development group hopes to mimic Milwaukee by creating what’s called an exposition district. The district would allow a tax on things like food and lodging there.
Superior-Douglas County Chamber President Dave Minor said the money would go toward creating and maintaining a hotel, convention center and more in a roughly 10-acre span of the city’s downtown.
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“What we’re looking for is the same tools that the state gave to the Green Bay Packers to be able to add on to the city — the same situation that the Bucks have right now,” Minor said.
Business leaders say around $30 million in bonding is needed to leverage private investment, but they said their plan spreads out costs to people who would use the facilities. The president of the Superior-Douglas County Tavern League said they’re reviewing the potential impact of the food and beverage tax.
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