Site plan approved for Heidel House redevelopment, groundbreaking ceremony set for Thursday

Three days before a groundbreaking ceremony at the Heidel House property, the Green Lake Plan Commission approved a site plan for the redevelopment.

Last week Wednesday, Green Lake Hotel Group LLC and Lighthouse Development Group closed the sale of the Heidel House, officially gaining ownership of the historic resort property from the Madison-based Fiore Companies.

Under the deal, Green Lake Hotel Group will essentially own the property while two subsidiaries of Lighthouse will develop and run the property.

“Very good news for our city, its residents, businesses, and our visitors,” Mayor Ray Radis said of the sale, adding that a groundbreaking ceremony will be held Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the Heidel House.

At Monday’s Plan Commission meeting, the city reviewed a site plan for the redevelopment. However, it was noted that changes to the plan will be made in the coming weeks, which will require additional approval.

“There are going to be some changes by the developers to this plan, which always happens in any construction,” Radis said. “You think you know what you’re doing, but you’re always going to have to make changes.”

Under the plan, improvements to the property include demolishing some buildings and paved areas, remodeling the remaining structures, new parking lots and access driveways, retaining walls, utilities, sidewalks, steps and landscaping.

According to the plan, the redeveloped Heidel House will feature a 114 room hotel, with 5,884 square feet of restaurant and bar space and 270 regulation parking spaces.

The two main restaurants on the property will be the Boathouse Pub and the Sunroom Cafe, as well as an additional bar in the lobby.

Beyond the restaurants, developers anticipate spending roughly $15 million to revitalize the resort property.

Additionally, structures that are planned to be removed include the Guest House, Stable House, Hilltop Building, Greenhouses one and two, external basketball and tennis courts, tent pad and three sheds near the Carriage House as well as a portion of the Mariner Lodge.

During the meeting, Mike White of Green Lake Hotel Group and architect Bill Hoch of BlowFisH Architects were on hand to address the Plan Commission’s concerns regarding the project.

“The general direction that we have is to try to improve the parking situation and make it a little more accessible to the road,” Hoch said of the site plan.

According to the plan, the redeveloped Heidel House will feature a 114 room hotel, with 5,884 square feet of restaurant and bar space and 270 regulation parking spaces.

The two main restaurants on the property will be the Boathouse Pub and the Sunroom Cafe, as well as an additional bar in the lobby.

Beyond the restaurants, developers anticipate spending roughly $15 million to revitalize the resort property.

Additionally, structures that are planned to be removed include the Guest House, Stable House, Hilltop Building, Greenhouses one and two, external basketball and tennis courts, tent pad and three sheds near the Carriage House as well as a portion of the Mariner Lodge.

During the meeting, Mike White of Green Lake Hotel Group and architect Bill Hoch of BlowFisH Architects were on hand to address the Plan Commission’s concerns regarding the project.

“The general direction that we have is to try to improve the parking situation and make it a little more accessible to the road,” Hoch said of the site plan.

Source: riponpress.com