More than $11 million awarded for area brownfields redevelopments

More than $11 million awarded for area brownfields redevelopments
Gov. Jim Doyle today announced seven Department of Commerce awards totaling $11.05 million that he said would spur economic development and environmental remediation in southeastern Wisconsin.
“These grants will retain hundreds of jobs, create 76 new jobs, increase property values, and turn environmental eyesores into economic engines for communities that sorely need redevelopment,” Doyle said. “We are empowering people to restore these industrial sites,
and improve their communities. These grants will further the initiatives I laid out in my ‘Grow Wisconsin’ plan by spurring economic development and environmental restoration in southeastern Wisconsin.”
The governor said the brownfields projects handed out today would result in the remediation and reuse of 208.5 acres of currently vacant industrial land, generate total investment of $57.9 million, and increase the value of the properties by $87.5 million.
The following is a summary of the projects:
Fred Usinger Inc., Milwaukee, $7,700,000 Industrial Revenue Bond Allocation — Fred Usinger Inc. produces more than 70 varieties of sausage products, including bratwurst, luncheon meats and specialty items such as Canadian bacon.
The project includes the construction of a 32,000-square-foot addition to Usinger’s distribution center, the construction of an 18,000-square-foot foundation system for a future addition at the Florida Yards location just south of downtown Milwaukee, and the purchase of equipment. The project will create two jobs and retain 135 jobs. Totalproject cost is $9.5 million.
City of Milwaukee, $1 million Brownfields Grant — The 140-acre Menomonee Valley site at issue was once the location of the nation’s third largest railroad maintenance and manufacturing facility.
The City of Milwaukee intends to substantially increase the amount of available industrial property within its boundaries by transforming this vacant area into an urban industrial park. The redevelopment plan will require an investment of $19.1 million in acquisition, remediation, site preparation, and infrastructure improvements.
The city will use the grant to assist in the environmental clean up of the site. When the project is completed, the value of the property is expected to increase by $47.0 million.
City of Kenosha, $1 million Brownfields Grant — The City of Kenosha has purchased a 29-acre former industrial site for redevelopment, and will invest $7 million on the remediation of the property and infrastructure improvements.
The mixed-use redevelopment will include a 45,000-square-foot anchor tenant and an additional 35,000 square feet of commercial and retail construction. Ten acres of the site will be used for approximately 170 new single family homes.
The grant will be used for infrastructure and environmental remediation. When the project is completed, the value of the property is expected to increase by $1.4 million.
Jensar Corp., Milwaukee, $575,000 Brownfields Grant — Jensar Corp. acquired a site and discovered extensive contamination from previous industrial uses. It has sold a portion of its operations to Pechiney Plastic Packaging, which has agreed to lease the 186,000-square-foot property to accommodate its planned business expansion that will create 35 jobs.
Jensar Corp. is investing $1.1 million toward the environmental remediation of the property. The grant will be used for soil and water remediation. When the project is completed, the value of the property is expected to increase by $1.7 million.
Toldt Development, Wauwatosa, $90,000 Brownfields Grant — Toldt Development, a residential real estate development company, has recently purchased a Wauwatosa site with the intention of constructing a $3.5 million, four-story apartment building containing 55 units. This development is consistent with the neighboring residential development, and will benefit from proximity to the wooded lands of Milwaukee County’s Underwood Creek Parkway.
The company has invested $750,000 in site acquisition, demolition, and environmental remediation activities. The grant will be used for environmental remediation and to provide utilities. When the project is completed, the value of the property is expected to increase by $4.5 million.
City of West Allis, $335,000 Brownfields Grant — The City of West Allis has developed a comprehensive redevelopment plan for the downtown area. The city is investing $3.5 million in property acquisition, site investigation, demolition and infrastructure improvements.
The grant will be used for environmental remediation and demolition costs. When the project is completed, the value of the property will increase by $12.5 million.
Bielinski Development, Sussex, $400,000 Brownfields Grant — Various companies used the project site for vegetable processing, canning, and storage from 1916 to 1995. Bielinski Development is proposing a $21.7 million mixed-used development for the site, consisting of townhouses, retail space, and office space.
In partnership with the Village of Sussex, Bielinski Development will invest approximately $2.2 million to purchase the site and demolish most of the site buildings. The grant will be used for building rehabilitation and a culvert installation to alleviate floodplain issues.
When the project is completed, the value of the property is expected to increase by $20.4 million.
Nov. 10, 2003 Small Business Times, Milwaukee