In mid-2012, Wisconsin’s state-run vehicle emissions testing sites were closed and testing was handed over to private businesses.
Some of the emissions testing buildings, however, have sat vacant for the past five years, including the property still owned by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation at 2401 W. St. Paul Ave. in Milwaukee’s Menomonee Valley.
The sign that once alerted drivers of their estimated wait time is broken and blacked out. Weeds, litter and two abandoned cars were on the site when BizTimes visited.
The building stands out, particularly since over the past several years, Menomonee Valley Partners, the city of Milwaukee and private businesses have made huge investments on West St. Paul Avenue, filling underused or abandoned industrial buildings to bring the street back to life.
According to DOT spokesman Michael Pyritz, there have been various ideas discussed for the former vehicle testing property since 2012, but the future of the building is unknown.
