Thursday, October 22, 2015

Governor Walker Attends Groundbreaking Ceremony For The $46M Freshwater Plaza Development Project In Milwaukee's Southside

Governor Walker was among community, public officials and business leaders at a groundbreaking project that will house a second Cermak Fresh Market grocery store at S. 1st Street and W. Greenfield Ave. located in Milwaukee Southside where the predominantly Hispanic community reside in the 12th Alderman District.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

October 22, 2015

Milwaukee, WI -  On Thursday, a $46M to $55M development project began after Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (R), Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, 12th District Alderman José G. Pérez, other local public officials and business leaders took part in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Freshwater Plaza in Milwaukee's Southside. According to Governor Walker's Governor Office news release, the Freshwater Plaza is being developed by Wangard Partners, Inc.  They specialize in green, sustainable, and efficient spaces for office, multi-family, industrial, and retail developments nationwide.
"Today's groundbreaking is a great opportunity for the community and just another indication that Wisconsin is moving forward," said Governor Walker.  "The innovative Freshwater Plaza, as well the work by Wangard Parnters, Inc. to re-purpose this brownfiled site, are important investments that will help foster new opportunties and partnerships for businesses in Wisconsin."
Freshwater Plaza is a mixed-use development that is located in the Fifth Ward and Walker's Point neighborhood area. The $46 million development is adjacent to the inner harbor, and will be the gateway to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's School of Freshwater Sciences.   Wangard Partners, Inc. expects the project will create 75 construction jobs and 156 permanent jobs, as well as attract regional and national tenants.  Potential development phases include:

● A 46,280-square-foot Cermak Fresh Market

● 6,600-square-feet of retail including a potential financial institution building and two additional retail buildings

● An L-shaped, four-story mixed-use building (15,900-square-feet of commercial space and three floors of apartments)

● A future 50,000-square-foot office building.

Involvement by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) have aided in the progress of this project.  WEDC awarded a Brownfield grant for $685,542 to aid in the environmental work on the site.  Wangard Partners, Inc. has worked closely with the DNR in the cleanup of the site, and WHEDA also awarded $10 million in New Market Tax Credits for the project.
First-ring Industrial Redevelopment Enterprise (FIRE), a West Allis community development entity, also provided New Market Tax Credits in the amount of $12 million. Additionally, TIF funding was provided by the City of Milwaukee and loans were provided by Tri-City National Bank, National Cooperative Bank and Impact 7, according to Walker's news release.

Milwaukee's Freshwater Market Plaza groundbreaking https://youtu.be/w9WVierKOls

No comments:

Post a Comment