If you’ve lived on the west side of Green Bay for any length of time, you know the building. It’s that distinctive Art Deco structure sitting right at 814 South Oakland Avenue. Honestly, Tank Elementary Green Bay is more than just a pile of bricks and mortar; it’s a neighborhood landmark that has seen generations of "West Siders" walk through its geometric-patterned doors. But things are changing. Fast.
The school officially closed its doors after the 2023-2024 school year, leaving a lot of people wondering what comes next for the site and why a school with such a deep history was pulled from the active roster.
Why Tank Elementary Closed
It basically comes down to numbers and infrastructure. The Green Bay Area Public School District (GBAPS) has been wrestling with a massive facilities master plan. They have too many seats and not enough students to fill them. Tank was a small school. At the time of its closure, it served roughly 200 students, though some recent data sets showed enrollment dipping even lower.
When you have a district as large as Green Bay—the fourth largest in Wisconsin—maintaining dozens of older, smaller buildings becomes a financial nightmare.
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The decision wasn't easy. Parents and neighbors fought it. They talked about the "community feel" and the fact that kids could walk to school without crossing major highways. But the board eventually voted to consolidate. Students who would have attended Tank were largely reassigned to Lincoln Elementary or Beaumont Elementary, depending on exactly where they live relative to Mason Street.
The History You Probably Didn't Know
The school gets its name from Niels Otto Tank, a Norwegian missionary who was a huge deal in early Green Bay history. He owned a massive chunk of land on the west side. His wife, Caroline, was actually the one who willed the land to the city. She had one very specific, very "Wisconsin" condition: the land had to remain forever dry.
The building itself is a piece of art. Completed in 1939 with funds from the federal Public Works Administration (PWA), it was designed by Harry H. Williams. If you look closely at the entrance, you’ll see these cool "scallop and dart" patterns in the concrete. It’s classic Art Deco. It even has a copper hip roof bay window and a massive stepped chimney. It’s currently eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, which is a big reason why people are so protective of it.
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What's Happening with the Building Now?
Since Tank Elementary Green Bay isn't hosting classes anymore, the City of Green Bay and the Redevelopment Authority have stepped in. They don't want it to become a vacant eyesore. In July 2025, they officially released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to find a developer.
The goal? To turn the former school into something useful for the Tank Park neighborhood.
- Housing is the big rumor. Most people expect the classrooms to be converted into apartments, similar to what happened with the old Whitney School.
- Preservation is a must. The city is being very strict. Whoever buys it has to keep those Art Deco features intact. No tearing down the "geometric stringcourse" or that famous entrance.
- Green space. Since the school shares a block with Tank Park, any redevelopment has to respect the park's boundaries and the "dry land" condition set by Caroline Tank over a century ago.
The "Small School" Trade-off
There is a real sadness in the neighborhood. Small schools like Tank offered something a 600-student elementary school can't. Teachers knew every kid’s name. The principal was a constant presence. According to recent GreatSchools and Niche reviews, parents loved the "whole person" approach there.
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However, the math for the district just didn't work. Older buildings need expensive HVAC upgrades, and the 1939 Art Deco windows, while beautiful, weren't exactly energy efficient. By moving kids to larger, consolidated schools, the district argues they can provide more robust support services—like more full-time guidance counselors and specialized reading interventionists—that are hard to staff at a tiny 150-student school.
What This Means for You
If you are a parent in the area, you've likely already adjusted to the new boundaries. Most of the old Tank "attendance zone" is now part of the Lincoln Elementary community.
If you are a homeowner or a potential buyer in the Tank Park neighborhood, keep a close eye on the redevelopment news. A successful conversion of the school into high-end or middle-market apartments usually boosts property values. It turns a "dead" building into a "living" one. Plus, the city has been investing in the park itself, including those playground improvements that happened a few years back with the help of an NFL grant.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check Your Boundaries: If you’re moving to the West Side, don’t assume the "neighborhood school" is still the one closest to your house. Use the GBAPS school locator tool to verify if you are in the Lincoln or Beaumont zone.
- Attend Neighborhood Meetings: The Tank Park Neighborhood Association is active. They usually have the first word on what developers are proposing for the old school building.
- Visit the Park: Even if the school is closed, the park is a gem. The historic "Tank Cottage" used to be there before it was moved to Heritage Hill. It's still one of the best spots on the west side for a quiet walk.
The story of Tank Elementary Green Bay isn't over; it’s just transitioning from a place of education to a place of residence. It’s a bit of a bummer to see the school bells go silent, but preserving the architecture while finding a new use is honestly the best-case scenario for such a historic piece of the city.