Plan Commissions Update: Progress on the Former Bucyrus Campus, Lakeview Students Offer Creative Ideas on Everbrite Site

A couple updates on two critical South Milwaukee redevelopment opportunities from two different Plan Commissions — the official one and another involving an innovative partnership between the city and Lakeview Elementary.

First, news from the South Milwaukee Plan Commission … there is progress on redevelpoment of the remaining portion of the former Bucyrus campus. The latest proposal is for $51.6 million and calls for 177 apartments, among other uses. From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story …

Following previous proposals which have fallen through, Milwaukee-based Scott Crawford, Inc. is teaming with The Littlestone Company to present yet another modified concept for a mixed-use development on the former Bucyrus campus in South Milwaukee.

Preliminary plans show 177 apartments, 300 parking spaces and over 17,000 square feet of commercial space, according to the latest proposal for 1100 Milwaukee Ave.

This isn’t the first proposal from Scott Crawford, which partnered with J. Jeffers Co. for its last proposal in late 2022 which included 92 mixed-income apartments and loft units plus commercial space. In August 2021, the firm presented a $35.7 million “Bucyrus Community” project plan with 160 apartments and a restaurant, but that fell through. Those plans were modifications from an earlier proposal to renovate the existing Technical, Corporate and Heritage buildings and construct a new building for $46 million.

In the latest, and most expensive, $51.6 million proposal, Scott Crawford and The Littlestone Company are proposing a project which developer documents indicate is “part of a larger Transit Oriented Development that will connect South Milwaukee to the Northside of Milwaukee.”

The South Milwaukee Plan Commission held a meeting June 10 allowing the developer to introduce the proposal and gauge interest. While no action was taken on the plans, the commission voted 4-2 to approve preliminary considerations and the approval schedule outlining each step of approval needed and the expected dates.

Much more to come on this … and hopefully the Everbrite property too.

Details on the latter from TMJ4 …

In May, we told you the story of a local elementary school using an empty property to dream up a big future. The vacant lot that was formerly known as the Everbrite site sits across the way from Lakeview Elementary School in South Milwaukee. Rather than simply ignore it, teachers and students like Kristen Mortier and Besim Fejzoski decided to bring it directly into the classroom. “It has allowed students to envision possibilities for their future that they may never have ever considered before,” said Mortier.

Rather than simply ignore it, teachers and students like Kristen Mortier and Besim Fejzoski decided to bring it directly into the classroom. “It has allowed students to envision possibilities for their future that they may never have ever considered before,” said Mortier.

Those dreams can be seen in every corner of Lakeview’s library as the students gather to showcase their ideas to their fellow classmates and families. From large-scale models of a homeless shelter that could sit on the grounds to interactive presentations that explain a long-term plan for the community, Mortier says she is already seeing the benefits go beyond the grade.