I love the way South Milwaukee is redeveloping. Emphasis on “re.”
As communities all around us throw up soulless spec buildings, South Milwaukee is attracting developers and business owners focused on bringing creative second and third generation reuses to landmark former properties in our city. The latest examples are in the news this week.
Bucyrus Campus
The redevelopment of the campus — from the opening of the Bucyrus Club to the new homes for companies big (Steele Solutions) and small (Styled Aesthetic) — is already a big win for the city. Now, the southern portion of the campus has been sold, with a developer bringing forward new plans for 179 apartments and other uses. From the Journal Sentinel …
Developer Scott Crawford, LLC has been working to create a multifamily and commercial development on the property at 1100 Milwaukee Ave. in South Milwaukee’s downtown for the last three years. The project has seen multiple iterations with the number of apartments and amount of retail space varying with each new submission. It was even completely canceled at one point.
The latest proposal is set to be reviewed by South Milwaukee’s Plan Commission Tuesday.
Note: I am told the commission meeting was cancelled, but there will be a special meeting on Nov. 7, when the project is expected to be considered by both the Plan Commission and Common Council.
The review follows the recent sale of the parcel to Bucyrus ACME, a limited liability company led by Que El-Amin of Scott Crawford, Inc. The 4.4-acre commercial parcel was sold for $2.75 million, according to online property records. The sale was recorded Oct. 17.
The latest plans, dated Oct. 10 in Plan Commission documents, indicate 179 apartments ― 68 in the Technical building, 26 in the Corporate building, 45 in the Heritage building and 40 in a new three-story building on the west side of the property. The Heritage building is proposed to include 7,730 square feet of retail space on the first floor with apartments on the remaining three floors above.
Other amenities in the plans include a playground behind the Corporate building, an art alley behind the Technical building and bicycle racks. There will be 384 parking spaces on the property.
South Park Lanes
Premier Pickleball Club & Complex opened on Friday at the former South Park Lanes, which closed in 2014, reopened as an indoor soccer facility, and is now home to one of the more unique redevelopment projects in the region. From its Facebook page, the new business is a …
Premier indoor facility with 12 dedicated courts facilitating open play, lessons, clinics, and tournaments. The complex also boasts event spaces, an exercise gym, pro shop, and member service amenities.
Here is a schedule of events for the weekend …
South Milwaukee Blog 
Eric Brooks, you are a tremendous commentator for South Milwaukee. I really enjoy reading your posts. But, I sometimes don’t get your email for a day or two after an event has happened. For instance, this email arrived on Sunday describing events that were scheduled for Friday (pickle ball). Keep up the good work 😊
I just realized when I signed in to send this message that there are options that I may have set incorrectly. So the problem is likely mine 😐