Medical office, housing proposed for King Drive

Milwaukee’s King Drive would get a new three-story building, anchored by a medical office, under a $2 million development proposal that has received its first city approval.

The 12,200-square-foot building would be developed at 1940-48 N. King Drive, according to plans presented Thursday to the Redevelopment Authority’s board.

It would be the street’s first newly constructed building in more than a decade, said Deshea Agee, King Drive Business Improvement District executive director.

Developers Que El-Amin and Alex Walker, working with Continuum Architects, plan to create the building for podiatrist Mexton Deacon.

Deacon now operates his Milwaukee Advanced Foot and Ankle Clinic in 1,700 square feet at 2525 N. Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa.

He told authority board members that his practice has outgrown that space.

The new building would give Deacon room to add an inpatient surgery center, which would help expand his business. It would include space for a physical therapist.

Also, the King Drive location would be closer to Deacon’s patients, most of whom live in Milwaukee’s central city.

The third floor would include four apartments.

The development proposal initially was just two stories, with no apartments, when it was presented in July to the King Drive Business Improvement District board.

It would use an 11,000-square-foot vacant lot that Deacon’s investment group, Yomex LLC, would buy from the city for $40,000, according to a Department of City Development report.

The developers hope to break ground in April, and to have the building completed by October, said ElAmin.