The city of Waukesha is issuing a request for proposals (RFP) for development of a one-acre downtown site between South Street and Broadway, east of Barstow Street. The property is owned by Tim Davies, who wants to sell it. City officials are trying to help Davies find a buyer that will build what they want there, a development with owner-occupied residences that could include first floor retail space. The building’s height must be limited to four stories, it must have a minimal setback from the street, should integrate green elements when possible and its appearance must fit in with the downtown’s historic architecture, according to the RFP. The city expects that most if not all of the current buildings on the site will be demolished, but every effort should be made to rehabilitate and integrate the existing building at 130-34 W. Broadway, according to the RFP. The site is within a tax incremental financing (TIF) district, and a developer could receive some TIF assistance for redeveloping the site. The responses to the RFP will be due on March 31. More information is available by calling City of Waukesha Planner Jennifer Andrews at (262) 524-3753.
Gov. Jim Doyle recently announced that the state is providing a $1.25 million brownfield grant for the Harley-Davidson Museum that is under construction in the Menomonee Valley in Milwaukee. The museum is scheduled to open next year and is expected to attract 350,000 visitors each year.
A new bar/lounge opened recently in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. Viridarium is located at 131 N. Jackson St., in the Jefferson Block Apartments building. The establishment is owned by Bobby Ljubich, Mike Owens and Manny Fuentes. The 1,500-square-foot contemporary styled lounge will be targeted to professionals working in the Third Ward, residents of Jefferson Block and other Third Ward buildings and visitors to the area, including those going to the Summerfest grounds for festivals, Ljubich said. "We see a lot of people parking in the (Italian Community Center) parking lot across the street every day," Ljubich said. "We see them leaving at about 4 p.m., which is when we will be open. I’m very optimistic I love the people here." Viridarium will have outdoor seating when the weather gets warm. Food, mostly appetizers, will be added in one to two months, Ljubich said. When food is added, Viridarium will be open for lunch. Another restaurant in the Jefferson Block building, Holiday House, closed in August.
