Milwaukee Development Update

This was one of the shorter and less volatile City Plan Commission meetings in recent times. Resolution 071564 proposed vacating two alleys in the Park East redevelopment area to allow for construction of the Palomar. These alleys were referred to as “paper” alleys indicating that they had been plotted but never actually constructed. The commission unanimously approved this resolution and forwarded it on to the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee.

The Brewery

The most significant item to come out of this Public Works Committee meeting wasn’t even heard. Resolution 080034 was held to the next committee meeting because Alderman Wade was unavailable for this meeting and Alderman Bauman wanted the entire committee to hear the item. The goal of the resolution is to resolve an ongoing problem with the payment breakdown for city street repairs. Regularly the city proposes the reconstruction of a specific street but the property owners turn down the project because of how the cost is shifted onto the property owners. The intent of this resolution would be to move the burden of street repair from property owners to automobile users allowing for more street repair projects to move forward. This resolution should come up again at the next Public Works Committee meeting on May 29th, 2008.

Rumors had circulated for weeks regarding the demise of The Residences Above portion of Ruvin Developments’ Aloft hotel project. Indications such as the website for The Residences Above being down for weeks and their sales sign coming down in record time combined with the market’s downturn made it appear likely that a change in the project was coming. As of last week the final decision hadn’t been made regarding the status of the condominiums. At the time Rob Ruvin had indicated that they would “most likely eliminate the condos” and that they would “possibly increase the size” of the hotel but they were still working it out. It appears now that decisions have been made and The Residences Above have been eliminated from the project.

Wangard Properties LLC is in the process of demolishing a vacant nursing home at 1824 E. Park Place and plans to build a 61-unit four-story apartment building in its place. Although this development seems fairly minor in comparison to many larger projects it is a great example of building by right. This is a case where the developer recognized that the Eastside has seen its share of battles between developers and homeowners. For example in recent years homeowner’s have fought against the re-development of Downer Avenue, the Park Lafayette project, UWM RiverView Dorms and the Hillel Student Center arguing “it’s too dense, too tall, it will impact parking, and it doesn’t fit the neighborhood”. The net result of these arguments have been, reduced tax base, less residents to support local business and slowed development. How this project fits into this discussion is that by legal right Wangard Properties LLC can build to their intended height and density according to their existing zoning and stay outside of the public planning process. Although this may concern some, it is important to note that this is the intention of zoning regulation and it is good to see smart developers continuing to develop projects despite the growing difficulties presented by this ever present NIMBY attitude on the Eastside.

Articles from the past week covering development in Milwaukee.

The Residences on Water

Park Lafayette

Articles from the past week covering development in Milwaukee.

Although the Marine Terminal Lofts have been occupied for over a year the project has yet to be fully completed. Specifically the development was missing its riverwalk section because the Mandel Group had put off its construction apparently to co-inside with construction of the Domus project. As the Domus project has been delayed from breaking ground sometime late last year to an unknown time in future, the Mandel Group has begun construction of the Marine Terminal Loft’s riverwalk section.  UPDATE 5/4/08 This pile driving work is ongoing along the river and is actually in support of future docks.

Work has also been ongoing at Hawley Strigenz Development Corporation’s redevelopment of 153 N. Milwaukee St. When completed it will be become a mixed-use development including retail and office tenants.

Anthropologie was the first tenant to move into 301 N. Broadway, the former A. Gagliano & Company warehouse, this past winter and redevelopment of this building has been ongoing. Developer Robert Joseph has continued working on the building by renovating the upper levels to support office tenants and is currently adding additional access points to the building.