Former Waukesha bowling alley among possible redevelopment sites targeted for city cash

A former Waukesha bowling alley site is among a group of possible redevelopment sites in an area near downtown that could get city financing help.

Fracaro's Lanes was demolished last fall after a January 2017 fire badly damaged the building.

The former Fracaro's site, 1430 Whiterock Ave., and a vacant lot just across the street, are among the potential development sites in a new tax incremental financing district that city officials are reviewing.

The financing district would create a way for city cash to help pay for possible commercial projects. The property tax revenue generated by those new developments would provide the city funds.

The possible financing district was reviewed this week by the Waukesha Redevelopment Authority's board.

Board members voted to provide conceptual approval for the financing district. A more detailed plan is to be reviewed by the board at its April meeting.

The tax financing district also would need Common Council approval.

It would be centered on Whiterock Ave. between E. Moreland Blvd. and N. Hartwell Ave., said Jennifer Andrews, Waukesha's community development director. That area is near the Fox River and Frame Park.

"We recognize there are some redevelopment opportunities" in that area, Andrews told board members.

The conceptual plans envision improvements for the neighborhood's single-family homes, many of which are around 100 years old, Andrews said.

There also could be street improvements for Whiterock and N. Hartwell avenues, she said.

The potential redevelopment sites, including the former Fracaro's, would likely be for a mix of uses, including residential, Andrews said.

Another potential long-term development site is the Waukesha Early Learning Center, 1150 Whiterock Ave., she said.

But that site would be available only if the Waukesha School District decided at some point to close the preschool, Andrews said. 

Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com and followed on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.