Street talk: Project to bring retailers to Manitowoc By Tom Murphy News-Chronicle Commercial Horizons of Green Bay has purchased 75 acres of high visiblity and easy access just off I-43 in Manitowoc County. The site, most recently held by the county for possible construction of a new mental health facility, is on Highway 151 (Calumet Avenue) and the interstate. It is across from the proposed Wal-Mart Super Center. The acreage will be developed in three phases with space for up to three "big box" retailers, said Robert Gregorski, a development partner with Commercial Horizons. In addition to the larger (Home Depot, Gander Mountain) possible retailers, Gregorski said space is allocated for smaller retail and professional tenants. The developer also will identify outlots for sale or lease or will build to suit an owner's needs. "We hope to attract national retailers with strong track records," said Paul Klister, a principal with Commercial Horizons. Manitowoc Mayor Kevin Crawford said the project will fill a void in the city's retail picture. "Manitowoc was missing prime real estate for such a development and now we have it," Crawford said. "I hope to see a strong retail base develop as well as additional entertainment venues and professional office space." While the project is good news for Manitowoc city and county taxpayers and residents, it may not be the same for other Lakeshore and Fox Cities municipalities. Northern Sheboygan, southern Kewaunee and eastern Brown and Calumet county residents might opt for the site rather than trek to Green Bay, Sheboygan or the Fox Cities. Crawford said a survey indicated Manitowoc loses more than $102 million annually in retail sales to other locations. If Commercial Horizons makes it go (and the developer's track record is positive), others, including Lambeau Field's coffers, could dip a bit. Gregorski said the City of Manitowoc and State Department of Transportation were instrumental in the decision to buy the site. DOT helped develop access and the city created a tax increment finance district to facilitate the project. Municipal officials "should be proud of their efforts to take an under-utilized, tax-exempt property and create a retail base that will generate significant future tax dollars," Gregorski said. AND A BIT NORTH And a bit north in Kewaunee, Nick and Tanya Thimis have purcahsed Kewaunee Inner Harbor Marina from Gerald and Allen Lamer. The marina now has 65 slips and the new owners plan to double the number available this year. Future expansions are likely, the Thimis said. The transaction was handled by Scott Bushkie and Keith Vanden Avond of Cornerstone Business Services in Green Bay. KUDOS FOR KIDS Pupils and students at 14 area schools have received Young Philanthropists Awards for their fund-raising efforts and charitable work. The honors, presented earlier this month, are sponsored by the Friends of St. Vincent Hospital. Elmore Elementary School, Green Bay, received the special award in its category and St. Thomas More Middle School captured its category. The West De Pere High School CAP Leadership Team won the older students' honor. Katie Vincent of Notre Dame Academy received individual award for a high school student. James Spychalski of Parkview Middle School, Ashwaubenon, was honored in his age group. Honorable mention certificates for individual volunteer effort went to Bridget Vande Walle, West De Pere High School; Jennifer Spychalski, Ashwaubenon High School; Jennifer Kaminski, Ashwaubenon High School; Emily Junion, Green Bay East High School. Also cited were Nicole Tilot, NEW Lutheran High School, and Holly DeRuyter, Pulaski High School. Clubs and groups honored included Holy Family School Student Council, Lombardi Middle School Multiculture Club, Notre Dame Middle School Student Government, St. Philip The Apostle Student Council, and Washington Middle School House 6-4. It was the fifth annual recognition of youth efforts by St. Vincent. More information on the 2002-03 program is available by calling Jane Donarski at the hospital, 920-433-8058. Curbside: No one's speaking for the record but the town's teeming with talk that Titletown ERA Realtors is discussion some sort of merger/acquisition with Round Table Realty. A principal of one of the companies would say only, "We talk to everybody." ... Denise Meyers has been promoted to senior media/research strategist at The Goltz Seering Agency Inc. Michelle Altman has been named media coordinator at the same agency.