Micro-farms, cafe planned for south side greenhouse site
Two greenhouses and other buildings on Milwaukee’s far south side are being renovated into space for a landscaper, micro-farms, a possible cafe and other businesses.
The 4-acre property, at 4565 and 4769 S. 20th St., is being redeveloped by Bryan Simon, who operates Simon Landscape Co.
He’s been working on the site, which is just south of I-894, since buying it in July for $850,000. Simon is planning additional improvements but is first seeking a zoning change.
The property was long used mainly for its greenhouses.
Simon’s redevelopment plans will restore activity to those greenhouses, as well as bring other businesses to the site.
“We’re taking it back to what it was,” Simon told the Journal Sentinel.
The zoning change, which needs Common Council approval, would allow such uses as a small scale farm, environmental education programs and a food service, according to the Department of City Development.
Simon plans to move his firm’s yard and shop to the site while keeping the company’s office at 4121 S. Sixth St.
His business, which develops and maintains bioswales and other sustainable landscape features, formerly had its yard and shop at 3460 W. Leeds Place.
But that property was sold last year to Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District. The district is converting it into a flood plain for the nearby Kinnickinnic River as part of its ongoing flood control and clean water project.
Another landscaping firm, GRG Playscapes, which makes natural outdoor play areas, is moving from the Leeds Place property to the South 20th Street site, Simon said.
In addition, Simon’s vermicomposting business, which uses earthworms to break down organic material into natural fertilizer, will locate there. Simon plans to expand that business, which now supplies fertilizer largely for his landscaping operation.
Meanwhile, hemp grower Cream City Wellness will move its farm to the site, Simon said.
And, three other micro-farms, which grow hot peppers, flowers and other vegetables, plan to operate there, he said.
The businesses will use two greenhouses and another building at the site that are being renovated.
Simon also plans to build an 8,500square-foot metal frame building. And he’s selling another building — a former three-bedroom house — to advertising firm Direct Outdoors, which plans to convert that to its office.
Finally, one of the greenhouses could have space for a cafe that would sell items produced by the micro-farmers, Simon said.
Simon hopes to see the zoning change approved in April, with the remaining improvements completed shortly thereafter.
He estimated his entire investment, including the property acquisition cost, will be around $1.3 million.
The site in 2016 received Plan Commission approval for a large senior housing development. But those plans were later dropped.