SOUTH MILWAUKEE -- Downtown South Milwaukee could become a newfangled hot spot, should local developer Vetter Denk receive the approval to move forward on a $6.6 million mixed-use building.
The plan was announced Thursday morning.
“This project would be a game-changer for downtown South Milwaukee,” Mayor Erik Brooks said. “It is one of the biggest developments in our city center in decades and it will serve as a catalyst in our ongoing downtown redevelopment efforts."
This multi-purpose location -- which will be located at 11th and Madison Avenues -- will include a microbrewery with adjacent beer garden, 24 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and an 8,000-square-foot green space that will serve as a public square and gathering place.
There will also be room for retail and restaurant spots.
“We are very excited to lead the way in South Milwaukee with a project that conforms to the unique opportunities of South Milwaukee," Vetter Denk co-owner John Vetter said. "The recently completed comprehensive plan shows a deep commitment by the city administration and residents to rethink the city for a new age."
The brewery and retail occupants have not been finalized, but there has been “strong interest” in both spaces so far, according to a press release from the city.
This proposal is one of the many changes in the works for downtown South Milwaukee.
“This project will be a huge lift for our continued work in our city center,” Brooks said. “It shows that our hard work to redefine what South Milwaukee can be is paying off, and this is just the beginning.”
Other developments that have been passed are a “long-range downtown plan,” new streetscaping for Milwaukee Avenue in spring 2017, and the city is studying the creation of a downtown business improvement or similar organization.
“The market feels this is a creative use of these land parcels. We are very pleased that the developers are incorporating the South Milwaukee Downtown Market into the design,” Downtown Market Board Chairwoman Carol Rehak said.
Should Vetter Denk finalize its plans and obtain additional city approvals, construction would begin in spring 2017.
