Endorsed, but not wanted
Affordable housing recommended by Plan Commission, opposed by some neighborhood condo owners
An affordable apartment development on Milwaukee's east side received Plan Commission endorsement Monday despite opposition from neighboring condo owners.
The five-story, 79-unit Eighteen87 on Water is planned for a site overlooking the Milwaukee River at 1887 N. Water St. — replacing a one-story industrial building used for storage.
Eighteen87 on Water's financing includes federal affordable housing tax credits.
In return, developers Rule Enterprises LLC and Movin' Out Inc. are providing 60 one-, two- and threebedroom apartments at below-market rents to people earning no higher than 60% of the local median income.
That includes 16 units for people with physical and mental disabilities earning up to 30% of that income.
Eighteen87 on Water's financing package is to include part of the $394.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act federal relief funds that Milwaukee is receiving.
Mayor Tom Barrett on Sunday announced plans to spend $2 million on Eighteen87 on Water and two other apartment developments for lower income people.
Both that spending proposal, and the zoning change unanimously recommended by the Plan Commission, will need Common Council approval. The council is to review both items this month.
“To lose this development ... would further support the narrative that the East Side is unwelcoming to all but a select few.” Montavius Jones Submitted comment
Ald. Nik Kovac, whose district includes the site, said the project design has improved — including a wider setback from a neighboring condo building. Kovac said additional changes could occur before the council vote.
Eighteen87 on Water would include seven walk-up townhouse-style units, a fitness center, a community center and 53 spaces of underground parking.
The $21 million development would feature a RiverWalk, with that public improvement partly financed by the city.
The site has long remained dormant even as other nearby housing projects were developed over the past several years.
Those include Riverbridge Condominiums, 1915 N. Water St.; Highbridge Condominiums, 1888 N Water St.; 1910 on Water Apartments, 1910 N. Water St.; Kane Place Lofts, 1888 N. Humboldt Ave.; and River House Apartments, 1785 N. Water St.
Residents from some of those buildings are among the development’s opponents.
Riverbridge resident Tatiana Bacellar and other condo owners told Plan Commission members that Eighteen87 on Water would affect their views while casting shadows.
“This will decrease my property value, an investment I have made, significantly,” Bacellar wrote to the commission.
Nearby residents also raised concerns about what they say is inadequate parking for apartment residents and their guests — bringing more street parking.
“There have been many times that my guests have struggled to find parking after work,” wrote Riverbridge resident Kelly Hruz.
Others questioned whether affordable apartments were the proper use for the site.
“Is this the best use of riverfront property, surrounded by higher-end luxury residences? How is this development adding to the property value of North Water Street?” wrote Danielle Brinkman, condo association treasurer at Gallun Tannery Row, 1818 N. Water St.
The developers expect many of the apartment residents and visitors to use buses and other alternatives to cars.
Eighteen87 on Water’s parking space to unit ratio is typical of affordable apartment developments throughout Milwaukee, said Brandon Rule, Rule Enterprises president.
The building’s parking spaces exceed the city’s minimum requirements, said Sam Leichtling, city planning manager.
In response to concerns about views, the building’s setback from Riverbridge is being increased from 5 feet to 9 feet, said project architect Falamak Nourzad, of Continuum Architects.
Leichtling also said Eighteen87 on Water meets the city’s goal for a more diverse housing mix on the east side.
Some neighborhood residents support the proposal.
“As much as they don’t like it, if you don’t own your view, then you can’t control it,” wrote Dave Rolston, 1114 E. Kane Place.
Also, Montavius Jones said concerns about drug addicts living at Eighteen87 on Water, mentioned at a June 23 neighborhood meeting, amount to “thinly veiled classism and racism.”
“The East Side has scant affordable housing and to lose this development to the objection of a few selfish condo owners would further support the narrative that the East Side is unwelcoming to all but a select few,” wrote Jones, who didn’t provide his address.
Kovac said he disagrees with those who oppose the development because it features affordable housing. Such units are badly needed on the east side, he said.