A new public market is expected to come to Green Bay next year, joining efforts to create similar markets in communities around the state.

Roughly 400 community members gathered on Broadway Street in the city’s downtown for a groundbreaking ceremony for the Green Bay Public Market on Tuesday.

Construction on the project began in March to convert a former office building into a public market that will house roughly 20 tenants, including existing businesses and startups. It will also feature indoor and outdoor seating, a demonstration kitchen, a kids play area and a co-working space.

On Broadway Inc., a local nonprofit economic development group, purchased the property in 2022 and initially hoped to open the market in time for the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay.

Brian Johnson, a Green Bay alder and president of On Broadway, said the market is now expected to open after the draft.

“Right now, we are on a path to make sure that this thing will be open sometime next year — probably summer,” he told reporters after the groundbreaking ceremony. “We just want to make sure that we’re making all the right decisions so that we have a really successful opening.”

When open, Johnson said the market will provide a space for people to buy groceries and purchase food from local restaurants. He also says the project is expected to create 200 jobs, and provide a year-round draw for the estimated 6 million people who visit Green Bay each year.

“A lot of times when those folks come here, they want something more to do,” he said during the ceremony. “We saw an opportunity to really create a visitor destination experience that could combine food with a great local experience.”

Brad Toll, CEO of Discover Green Bay, said the market will support neighboring businesses in the city’s downtown.

“The On Broadway area is one of the boutique areas of the community where you can go shop and visit different boutiques,” he said. “This could be the draw that brings (visitors) down here, that then has them wander around the street.”

According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, the Green Bay Public Market has secured roughly $13 million of the $18 million needed to complete construction and operate the market. The newspaper reports On Broadway plans to seek government grants and private donations to support the project, and close gaps by borrowing.

The project has received commitments for roughly $7 million of the $8 million in private donations that it hoped to secure, said Ken Strmiska, the project’s capital campaign cabinet chair.