Sunday was the first Green Bay Packers home game of the season, but by this time next year, the area surrounding Lambeau Field will have a much different look.
The Titletown district will be completed in 2017, and area residents believe it's going to attract visitors from all over the world.
“Can only be good,” said Michael Wire, the owner of Kroll’s West Restaurant, directly across from the stadium.
A giant crane next to the restaurant on game day was a sign of all the work still to be done. Wire says he can’t believe how much things are changing in the area.
“It was all just a wasteland for the last five years almost. It was just empty space. It’s nice to see a hotel coming up. Kohler is going to be a wonderful addition to Green Bay, under the Packers,” Wire said.
Kohler will be one of a few key tenants within the 34 acres that will be known as Titletown. The district, just west of Lambeau, will be buzzing all year, filled with commercial, retail and residential space.
Public input sessions have been held to decide what will go in land east of the stadium, called the “stadium entertainment district.”
“There's a lot of mixed reaction with the general public because so many of these people have been residents of this area for a long time. Some of them have been selling out, and they've been well compensated,” Wire said.
The development around Lambeau Field is also bringing in lots of cash to homeowners who provide parking for special events.
“Unfortunately, Packer parking has been lessened since they did all this building, so we feel that it will probably a very good thing for the neighborhood and for the economy and the people being here,” resident James Geilfuss said. “We're going to have people come from all around the world just to come to our Packer games and see this unique city and see what they've done with it.”
