The City of Racine’s jobless rate rose to 10.3 percent in February, according to a recent report from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
In addition, the city is still reeling from the collapse of the Pointe Blue project, which was unable to obtain financing. Developer Scott Fergus had planned to build the $120 million development along Lake Michigan with 434 condos, 90 apartments and a small amount of commercial space. City officials had hoped the development, which would have included a 13-story condominium building, would provide an economic boost.
So, considering the economic struggles that the city continues to face, why would some residents in the city oppose another major project being proposed for downtown Racine?
Fear of heights, perhaps.
A Kenosha developer wants to build 21-story building in downtown Racine with a 162-room hotel, 192 condominiums and 18,000 square feet of retail space.
The development, called Elizabeth Towers, would be built on a vacant site southeast of Eighth Street and Lake Avenue. The property is next to a lakefront park and just south of a YMCA.
The building, at 255 feet tall, would be, by far, the tallest building in Racine. The city’s tallest existing building now is the 155-foot high Racine County Courthouse.
The developer for the project is Robert Watring, the owner of Virginia Towers LLC. In his proposal to city officials, Watring said the hotel would be a five-star, boutique hotel and would be operated by Denver-based Magnolia Hotels Corp., which has hotels in Dallas, Denver, Houston and Omaha, Neb.
Watring, who could not be reached for comment, is currently building a nine-story, 34-unit condominium building in downtown Kenosha. That project is expected to be complete in two or three months, but it has stirred up some design concerns with city officials. Changes were made to the project, and different building materials were used and some windows were removed from the original plan that was approved by the city, said Kenosha development coordinator Brian Wilke.
“They kind of went on their own and changed some things,” Wilke said. “They kind of made some changes on the fly. Our Plan Commission wasn’t too happy with some of the changes they made. We’re working on a compromise right now.”
Meanwhile, Watring’s Racine project is generating considerable controversy. Some in Racine say a 21-story building is too tall for that city.
“So far (reaction to the project) has been 50-50,” said Matt Sadowski principal planner for Racine. “Some just hate it, and others think it would be great for the city. Others think it’s a terrible proposal and say, ‘Why do we want something that tall for?'”
During a recent Plan Commission meeting, some expressed support for the project, but others, including Downtown Racine Corp. executive director Devin Sutherland and Racine Mayor Gary Becker, raised concerns. Neither could be reached for comment.
In addition to the height of the building, parking is a major issue for some concerned about the project. Elizabeth Towers would have 308 underground parking spaces, but some fear that would not be enough, and the project could put a strain on parking in the rest of the neighborhood.
Still, it’s difficult to imagine that Racine, with all of its economic problems, would reject a large development that could give its downtown a major boost, bringing more residents and visitors to support businesses in the downtown. Racine is completely land-locked and is unable to expand via annexation. The city can only expand by going vertical, and valuable lakefront property, with its attractive vistas, will attract condo buyers for high-rise developments.
Port Washington
Molded Dimensions Inc. plans to build a 24,955-square-foot building, with 20,604 square feet of industrial space and 4,351 square feet of office space, on its existing property at 701 Sunset Road. The company engineers and molds custom rubber and polyurethane mechanical parts for OEM and aftermarket industries. The new facility will be used for polyurethane part manufacturing and the company’s existing facility will be used for rubber part manufacturing.
Mt. Pleasant
Union Grove-based Community State Bank plans to build a new branch at the northeast corner of Washington Avenue and 90th Street in Mt. Pleasant. It appears that the new branch would replace the bank’s existing Mt. Pleasant branch, just to the east at 8338 Washington Ave. However, bank president Steven Ball said he is “not at liberty to say,” if the new branch would replace the existing branch. The project still needs approval from village officials. Community State Bank’s other branches are in Union Grove, Burlington, Kansasville, Rochester, Sturtevant, Waterford and Paddock Lake.
Kohler
Grand Rapids, Mich.-based MC Sports plans to open an 18,000-square-foot sporting goods store in the Deertrace Plaza shopping center, located southwest of I-43 and Highway 28 in Kohler. MC Sports will be located near the shopping center’s Best Buy store. The new store is expected to open later this year. MC Sports currently has seven stores in Wisconsin, including locations in Kenosha, West Bend and Delavan.
Milwaukee
Brooklyn Bob’s Sub Shop is moving from 839 W. National Ave., on the south side of Milwaukee, to 612 N. Water St. in downtown Milwaukee. The downtown location will have 2,050 square feet of space compared to the 1,200-square-foot National Avenue location. “It’s a lot better location,” said owner Bob Zaptin. “There’s a lot more foot traffic (downtown). There’s no foot traffic (on National Avenue).”
A groundbreaking ceremony was held to celebrate the start of construction for a 4,207-square-foot Culver’s restaurant at 7515 W. Good Hope Road, Milwaukee. The general contractor for the project is Waukesha-based Campbell Construction. Prairie du Sac, Wis.-based Culver Franchising System Inc. has grown to more than 360 locations in 16 states. The restaurant on Milwaukee’s northwest side will only be the chain’s third location in the City of Milwaukee. The other two are at the Shops of Grand Avenue and at 5501 W. Fond du Lac Ave., near Midtown Center.
Pewaukee
Pewaukee Industrial Building LLC recently purchased a 7.8-acre site at N28 W24402 Watertown Road from Thomas Tetting and plans to build an 82,922-square-foot speculative industrial building on the site. “The masonry building will have 28-foot clear height, be divisible to approximately 20,000-square-foot sections and will provide excellent loading with easy access to Highway J/164, Capitol Drive and I-94,” said David Buckley of Colliers Barry, who brokered the property sale. Construction of the building is expected to begin this spring and be complete during the fourth quarter. Buckley and James Young, also of Colliers Barry, are representing Pewaukee Industrial Building LLC in leasing efforts. Tetting plans to move his business, Backwoods Lumber, to W186 N7141 Marcy Road in Menomonee Falls.
Salvatore Armeli, the owner of Salvo’s Pizzeria at 220 Oakton Ave., purchased the building across the street at 125 Oak Ave. and plans to move his restaurant there.
Greendale
A group of Ruby Tuesday franchisees plan to build a 4,600-square-foot Ruby Tuesday restaurant on an outlot along South 76th Street, next to a Border’s book store and in front of the Boston Store at Southridge Mall. Maryville, Tenn.-based Ruby Tuesday Inc. has 930 locations, but only one location in Wisconsin at 10843 W. Park Place in Milwaukee.
Greenfield
Ted Wichrowski plans to open a Subway Restaurant in a tenant space at 6007 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield.
Brookfield
Lyle Husar Designs, recently completed a 5,000-square-foot expansion of its design gallery and showroom at 17395 W. Bluemound Road in Brookfield. After an unsuccessful search for a freestanding space on Bluemound, the jeweler decided to expand into a neighboring storefront.
“This was my way to celebrate our 40th anniversary in a grand way. As a second generation owner you must respect previous success and lead the way to the future,” said Craig Husar, president of Lyle Husar Designs. “Our new showroom is both contemporary and traditional, my goal was to create an extraordinary experience while buying jewelry.”
Germantown
Michael Braun plans to build six, 2,475-square-foot commercial condominium buildings (with a total of 14,850 square feet of space) on a one acre lot on Edison Drive in the Germantown Industrial Park. Each building would have two commercial condominium units with 1,235 square feet of space, most of it industrial space with a small office space.
Hartford
Developer Mark McCure plans to build a 6,500-square-foot building at 3053 Highway 83 for Hartford Animal Clinic, which would move there from its current location across the street at 2962 Highway 83. The long vacant former Buffalo Bar building will be torn down to clear room for the new building.
West Bend
Terry Stockhausen plans to build three multi-tenant “small business/storage buildings” on a vacant lot at the southwest end of Stonebridge Road. The three buildings will have a total of 44,000 square feet of space including a three-unit, 3,304-square-foot building, a 14-unit 23,800-square-foot building and an 11-unit, 16,900-square-foot building.
Oak Creek
Appleton-based Alliance Development plans to build an 8,932-square-foot, multi-tenant retail building that will be anchored by a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, in front of the new Woodman’s grocery store, located southwest of Drexel and Howell avenues. The 237,000-square-foot Woodman’s store recently had a soft opening. Minneapolis-based Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. is growing rapidly and now has 440 restaurants, including locations in West Bend, New Berlin, West Allis, Wauwatosa, Milwaukee and Kenosha.
CREcommercial real estate Transactions
LEASES
Boerke Company
Humana Market Point Inc. leased 3,200 square feet of space in Lincoln Plaza at 2225-67 S. 108th St., West Allis, from Mount Pleasant Manor Co.
Gerald Nell Inc.
Davis Direct Marketing Inc. leased 3,200 square feet of industrial space at 3655 N. 126th St., Unit E, Brookfield, from Sunset Investment Co.
3D Exhibits Inc. leased 9,600 square feet of industrial space at 3225 Gateway Road, Suite 400, Brookfield, from Sunset Investment Co.
FORCE America Inc. leased 2,250 square feet of office space at W229 N1433 Westwood Dr., Suite 200, Waukesha, from Sunset Investment Co.
Judson & Associates
Townsley Ltd. leased 1,675 square feet of space at 700 Larry Ct., Brookfield, from PWS Enterprises LLC.
Alliance Pharmacy Services leased 16,153 square feet of space at 407 Pilot Ct., Waukesha, from Jack Andersen.
Harken Yacht Fitting Inc. leased 1,400 square feet of space at 1275 Wisconsin Ave., Pewaukee, from Sawyer Enterprises.
Lift Products Inc. leased 4,000 square feet of space at W226 N900 Eastmound Dr., Pewaukee, from Nagawicka View Dairy Farm Inc.
Electronics Overstock Inc. leased 1,200 square feet of space at 404 Travis Lane, Suite 36, Waukesha, from Waucom Partners.
NAI MLG Commercial
Universal Graphics Inc. leased 2,500 square feet of space at W140 N5074-96 Lilly Road, Menomonee Falls, from Overview Business Center LLC.
Seccion Amarilla USA leased 2,356 square feet of space at 13400 Bishops Lane, Brookfield, from WILC-Gateway LLC.
Ogden & Company
Cynergy Data leased 1,692 square feet and Promo leased 364 square feet of space in the Northern Lights Building at 1661 N. Water St., Milwaukee.
SALES
Dickman Company
Beccaty LLC purchased 14,400 square feet of industrial space at W227 N915 Westmound Dr., Pewaukee, from Booth Lake Investments LLC.
Judson & Associates
Outperform LLC purchased 4,800 square feet of space at 110 N. 121st St., Wauwatosa, from Benjamin and Nancy Mohns.
Carol Mastronardo purchased 1,400 square feet of space at W156 N11072 Pilgrim Road, Germantown, from Sharon Weeks.
The Hickory Street Company LLC purchased 19,498 square feet of space at 801 Hickory St., Pewaukee, from KAN Enterprises LLC.
NAI MLG Commercial
Proverbs LLC purchased 30,240 square feet of space at 206 Enterprise Road, Delafield, from The Cannes Group LLC.
Competitive Edge Software purchased a 12,095-square-foot building at 9850 S. 54th St., Franklin, from Macrifin Cor Real Estate.
Opus North Corp. purchased a 561,276-square-foot building at 1200 W. Sunset Dr., Waukesha, from Supervalu Inc.
Lilly Road Associates LLP purchased a 15,992-square-foot building on 1.56 acres at N56 W13855 Silver Spring Dr., Menomonee Falls, from M&D Investment Co.
Ogden & Company
Shevegas LLC purchased South Town Shopping Center, a 55,000-square-foot strip mall at 3321 S. Business Dr., Sheboygan, from HP Properties for $3.85 million.
New construction
Inland Companies Inc., Milwaukee, was recently awarded the construction contract for a 24,200-square-foot production facility for Molded Dimensions at 701 Sunset Road, Port Washington.
Briohn Building Corp., Brookfield, recently completed the construction of the 17,000-square-foot interior build out for Regus Business Center at Bayshore Town Center in Glendale and a 5,440-square-foot retail building for Edgewood Center LLC at 4805 S. 74th St., Greenfield.
Gerald Nell Inc., Waukesha, was selected by Trade Press Publishing to renovate its 15,000-square-foot corporate offices at 2100 W. Florist Ave., Glendale. Gerald Nell was also selected by CRH Inc. to design and build a 7,000-square-foot manufacturing space addition to the Mikkelsen Graphic Engineering building at 801 Geneva Parkway, Lake Geneva.
Inland Companies, Milwaukee, was recently awarded the 10,000-square-foot tenant improvement/build-out project of a new office and warehouse facility for TRP & Assoc. (associated with Johnson & Johnson and DePuy) at 11675 W. Bradley Road, Milwaukee.
Titan Building Co., New Berlin, recently completed a 16,000-square-foot tenant improvement project on the 16th floor at Cathedral Place, 555 E. Wells St., Milwaukee, for Whyte-Hirschboeck-Dudek. Titan also completed the construction of Forward Dental’s new offices and clinic in the Aurora Health Care facility located in Hales Corners.
