Affordable apartment project wins 2nd key approval from city
An affordable apartment development opposed by some of its future east side neighbors has won another preliminary approval from Milwaukee officials.
The Common Council’s Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee on Tuesday voted 5-0 to endorse Eighteen87 on Water. That comes after a unanimous Plan Commission approval on July 12.
It also needs full council approval, with that vote scheduled for July 27.
The five-story, 79-unit development 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 three-bedroom 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 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 oppose the project.
They say it would affect their views while casting shadows.
Opponents also say Eighteen87 on Water would provide inadequate parking for apartment residents and their guests — bringing more parking to a street that is already congested.
Others questioned whether affordable apartments are the proper use for a riverfront property located near higher-end condos, and whether the development would hurt their property values.
The setback from Eighteen87 on Water’s property line with Riverbridge
Condominiums was increased from 5 feet to 9 feet to reduce the impact on the condo owners’ views.
The minimum setback for such developments is usually 3.5 feet, although the setbacks tend to be wider for riverfront projects, said Sam Leichtling, city planning manager.
Riverbridge’s setback varies from 2 to 4 feet from the lot line.
As for the parking issue, Eighteen87 on Water’s developers expect many of the apartment residents and visitors to use buses and other alternatives to cars.
The building’s parking space to unit ratio is typical of affordable apartment developments throughout Milwaukee, said Brandon Rule, Rule Enterprises president.
That includes his firm’s 704 Place Apartments, which opened in 2019 at 704 W. National Ave., and Thirteen31 Place Apartments, which is opening soon at 1331 W. National Ave.
The building’s parking spaces exceed the city’s minimum requirements.
Finally, Eighteen87 on Water meets City Hall’s goal of increasing the number of affordable apartments throughout Milwaukee, Leichtling said.
Ald. Nik Kovac, whose district includes the site, said additional affordable apartments are needed on the city’s east side.
Karen Coy-Romano, who lives in another east side affordable apartment building, told committee members her neighbors are “quiet, law-abiding people.”