Mixed-use, residential and work spaces proposed for vacant building in Wauwatosa
Three proposals for a long-vacant building have been submitted in response to a request for proposals in Wauwatosa. The Community Development Authority, which owns the building at 6330 W. North Ave., is looking to redevelop it.
The three proposals include a two-commercial unit, nine-residential-unit and mixed-use building; a shared work-space; and a mixed-use living and working entrepreneurial hub.
The authority requested proposals from interested firms to purchase and develop the 0.25-acre site on North Avenue, which has been vacant for two-years.
"Proposals including affordable housing, a business incubator, mixed-use development or such other use that furthers the goals or plans or studies adopted by the Wauwatosa Common Council are strongly encouraged," the request for proposals said.
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The three submitted proposals were published on the city's website.
Mixed-Use Plan
The first proposal was submitted by Edward Haydin AIA ACME Independent LLC according to the city's website. The company is proposing to develop a mixed-use project on the parcel.
The project will be consistent with a historic walkup style apartment building and will provide ground floor commercial space appropriate for local small and emerging businesses.
The proposed project will include:
• Nine market-rate apartments made up of a mix of seven one-bedrooms and two one- bedrooms units plus a den.
• 1,950 square feet of commercial ground floor space in two units.
• Nine parking stalls in a separate wood framed garage, and nine outdoor surface parking stalls.
The projected total development cost of the project is $1,593,000.
East Tosa Hub
The second proposal was submitted by Galbraith Carnahan Architects for a
the creation of the “East Tosa Hub” a shared work-space model that caters to creative entrepreneurs and startup businesses within the East Tosa neighborhood.
The proposal stated the genesis for this idea was born out of the company's experiences in owning and operating professional businesses in East Tosa.
The Hub would offer a more urban, walkable alternative to the freeway-speed traffic corridors on which the Mayfair offices reside.
This project, along with the relocation of the Underwood Log Cabin will bring a critical mass of office space to help strengthen North Avenue from 64th to 68th streets, fulfilling another East Town objective, the proposal said.
The proposal stated the complete renovation of the building will fill a void of modern, fully handicap-accessible office space.
The cost of the project was kept confidential in the public document.
Entrepeneurial usage
The third proposal was submitted by Alan Peters and partner True Vine Development. The proposal said within the East Tosa district, this mixed-use co-living/co-working entrepreneurial hub will engage with the local bakeries, cafes and shops while enhancing the urban fabric of Wauwatosa.
The facility will provide an environment to innovate and share ideas, facilitate the creation of businesses, and support the ongoing work endeavor. In the heart of East Tosa, this redevelopment will introduce a new work, live, play vibe to the neighborhood, the proposal said.
The goal is to create a project valued at approximately $3 million that enables people to become rooted in the community while blending within the surrounding neighborhood, the proposal said.
The proposal said the project will utilize the existing building shell and will be gutted to re-purpose it with 14 furnished co-living micro-units with shared amenity spaces. In addition, the building will be outfitted with approximately 4,700 square feet of co-working space on the main and lower level.
The building architecture will be refreshed with a traditional design that encourages neighborhood interaction by retrofitting the roof, windows, porches, and patios with engaging elements and natural landscaping, the proposal said.
The CDA issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the redevelopment of the site on June 25 and proposals were due by Aug. 9. The CDA next meets on Monday, Aug. 20 to discuss the meeting process and public involvement during the review of the proposals.
