Bay View apartment proposal advances
Alarge Bay View apartment development, the latest in a series of similar projects aimed at younger renters, is being endorsed by the Milwaukee Plan Commission.
The commission on Monday voted 5-0 to recommend approval for the six-story, 144unit building. The project, which needs Common Council approval, is supported by Bay View business owners and some residents, while opposed by people living just east of the development site.
The $25 million development, which would include 15,000 square feet of street-level commercial space, is being proposed by New Land Enterprises at the former Hamburger Mary’s site, 2130 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. The project site would include an adjacent vacant lot that would be bought from the city.
New Land’s proposed building would join two new nearby apartment developments — the 291-unit Stitchweld at 2141 S. Robinson Ave. and the 69-unit Vue at 2200 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Both will be completed by November, with Stitchweld already seeing new residents in some of its buildings. New Land could begin construction of its building in summer 2018 if it receives city approval.
All three developments are targeting millennial generation members who want to live and work in or near downtown, as well their empty-nester parents.
The site is the entrance to Bay View from downtown, and the building’s design, by Korb & Associates, should make a strong statement, said Tim Gokhman, New Land development director.
“It should be welcome to something modern,” he said.
Nearby residents on E. Bay St. and E. Archer Ave. said the building would be too big.
“When you come into Bay View, you’d like to see a little bit of parks and a little bit of beauty,” said Diane Nowacki, “and not these huge apartment buildings going up.”
Opponents also said people patronizing the building’s stores and restaurants would make it difficult for homeowners to find parking spaces.
“I just don’t feel this project is taking into account the people who’ve been here for many years and their parking needs,” said nearby resident Jeff Raasch.
Project supporter Lee Barczak, who operates the Avalon Theater and owns that building and other Bay View commercial properties, said neighborhood businesses need more residential density. Similar comments were made by other Bay View business operators, including some who also live in the neighborhood.
The development would include 182 parking spaces. Also, New Land plans to rent a parking lot about two to three blocks away to provide another 40 to 50 spaces for future restaurant customers, Gokhman said.
Ald. Tony Zielinski, whose district covers Bay View, also is a supporter.
Zielinski said Bay View has seen strong development along and near S. Kinnickinnic Ave. That generates property tax revenue and retail customers while maintaining the residential ambiance away from that busy commercial street.
“This project is going to allow us to continue to fight to save our neighborhoods,” he said.