Longtime business owner abandons prime land near Lambeau

ASHWAUBENON (NBC 26) – Bob Coppens is abandoning his field a block from Lambeau Field after nearly 40 years.

• Coppens hopes to get between $3.5 million and $4 million for a total of five parcels on Holmgren Way, between Lombardi Avenue and Brett Favre Pass.
• The founder of Coppens Metal & Roofing retired from his business in 2022 and is now considering selling the site of his old building and the two neighboring buildings, which once housed Arena Auto and Madhouse Music.
• Legendary Hospitality purchased the neighboring parcels (1931 and 1941 Holmgren) to build the future Legacy Heights condominium complex.
  • General Manager Dennis Doucette says construction on Legacy Heights will begin in the coming months and will take 16 to 18 months.

(The following is a transcript of the full broadcast story)

We're on Holmgren Way, where for sale signs have popped up on some prime real estate. The man who has owned this building for almost 40 years decides to resign.

Bob Coppens started his roofing business in the 1980s.

“This sign is about 40 years old,” Coppens said.

He left the company in 2022 – and now plans to say goodbye to his last physical recall.

“I thought enough was enough and I wanted to retire healthy,” he said. “And I mean, I didn't want to retire with a cast or a broken arm or something like that.”

Coppens put his collection of properties on the market this month. He's seeking a total of $3.5 million or $4 million for the former homes of Arena Auto, Madhouse Music and his roofing company.

“I think some people [that] “The people who approach me are going to tear this whole thing down and make it into sort of condos and motels,” Coppens said. “I really believe that’s where it’s going to go.”

The field will be the next in a series of Stadium District buildings to recently acquire a new owner.

Neighboring Legendary Hospitality owns the Legacy Hotel. The company plans to level these storefronts and build luxury condominiums. But even though the sign says spring 2025, the manager tells me construction will take 16 to 18 months, so opening will likely be later in 2025.

Ashwaubenon Community Development Director Aaron Schuette says the building boom ahead of the NFL draft is slowing down.

“Unless you're on the road right now, you're probably not going to be open to the draft,” Schuette said. “It's just the timing of development and construction. Give yourself a solid 12 months, just because winter slows things down as well.”

But Coppens isn't worried about building on his land — when he finally gets his retirement money for the properties — he says he'll take his new RV to Maine.

“I’ll eat lobsters until I collapse,” he joked.

Coppens says he hopes to sell to someone local, but will take his time evaluating offers and doesn't necessarily intend to sell before the 2025 NFL Draft.