Ozaukee action slowed last year
Ozaukee County development activity had its bright points in 2001, but was hit by the slowing economy, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
In Saukville, industrial construction is going strong, slipping only slightly from the previous year. According to the village’s annual report, the $9.167 million in industrial development was off only $323,700 from the previous year.
"We had a lot of companies looking at land," Community Development director James Huiras said. "And then after Sept. 11, it all went dead. Things had been going very smoothly. We had conducted our annual business retention tour — talking to all the businesses in late spring — and while some companies said things were soft, they expected them to pick up later in the year."
The Dekora Woods Business Park gained three new occupants, and two existing occupants expanded their facilities.
Lakeland Business Properties constructed a 15,600-square-foot facility at 560 W. Technology Way. Aspen Enterprises brought a 4,922-square-foot structure to 725 N. Progress Dr. K&S Development erected a 17,522-square-foot facility at 775 N. Progress Dr.
Alliance Packaging and Charter Steel both added to their facilities at Dekora Woods.
While commercial development in the village had an off year, Huiras called the situation part of a recurrent pattern in Saukville.
"We had such a huge year last year," Huiras said. "We tend to do about $1 billion every couple of years. There are just a limited number of acres with prime frontage in the village. Everyone tries to buy the same piece of land."
While 2001 brought only about $465,000 in commercial development, 2002 should offset that with the initiation of a tax incremental financing district aimed at commercial development and an expansion of the Dekora Woods industrial park.
TIF #2 is located at the end of Dekora Boulevard, and will add 50 acres to the existing business park. TIF #3, on the east side of I-43 across from Walmart, encompasses 125 acres, and is expected to accommodate a Pick ‘n Save and a Walgreen’s.
VK Development active in Port Washington
Vincent Kuttemperoor is preparing to start one of his signature multi-use developments on Port Washington’s lakefront.
His VK Development firm is in the planning stages on a 650-acre multi-use development in the city. The land was annexed from the town of Grafton in January of 2000. Utilities have already been extended to the site. The project includes 7,500 feet of frontage on Lake Michigan.
"We are planning a $500 million mixed-use development," Kuttemperoor said. "This will include an 80-unit hotel, plus 25 to 30 acres of retail and commercial space."
The development will also include some manufacturing land use, according to Kuttemperoor.
A residential component of the development will include condominiums and single-family homes ranging from $250,000 to $2 million in price.
Like VK Development’s other multi-use projects, the Port Washington development will be what Kuttemperoor calls a "sidewalk community," and stressed that pedestrian access to the lakefront will be a defining feature of the project.
Kuttemperoor said he anticipates the project could come online in the course of 2002.
"The mere size of the project is a challenge," Kuttemperoor said. "The right planning — what goes where — is essential. We are closely working with the city of Port Washington. Both sides know what needs to be done there, and nothing is finalized."
Grafton rezones for growth
The village of Grafton completed infrastructure improvements along Highway 60 during 2001, and is bracing for new development on its east side.
According to village administrator Darrel Hoffland, one significant project is construction of the Ozaukee Bank Grafton Branch in downtown Grafton. The bank, at 12th Avenue and Highway 60, is currently under construction and is slated for a summer opening. The site had been a car dealership.
"It was a key downtown redevelopment site," Hoffland said. "The village sought proposals and selected the bank to construct a two-story building on the site."
Elsewhere in the village, Philipp Lithographing Co. is adding 10,900 square feet to its 35,000-square-foot facility at 1960 Wisconsin Ave. Company sources say they expect completion in April or May.
While development activity in the village has been slow during the course of last year, Hoffland pointed to the opening of almost three dozen acres for development as an indicator that the pace would pick up in the year ahead.
"We did rezone 34.6 acres of land adjacent to Grafton High School north of Highway 60 as a business park," Hoffland said. "That area is ready for development. Right now, our land is ready — with sewer and water and streets."
The land around the high school is zoned for office and industrial development, and is not part of a tax incremental financing district.
February 1, 2002 Small Business Times, Milwaukee
