The city of Sturgeon Bay will be able to keep two grants it received in previous years to help begin work on west waterfront projects. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is allowing two matching grants from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund totaling $447,000 to be used in the future construction of a promenade and dock wall on the city’s west side after litigation essentially froze its use for years. Community Development Director Marty Olejniczak says the DNR was understanding about why the grants had not been used.

The grants were part of the city budget approved by the Sturgeon Bay Common Council earlier this week. To cover the $447,000 it needs to match the grants, Olejniczak says options like naming rights, donations, or dollars from the general and tax increment district funds will be considered.