City proposes TIF for water technology business park (11:38 a.m. 8/5/09)

Published: August 5, 2009

Sean Ryan
sean.ryan@dailyreporter.com

The city of Milwaukee is proposing a $6 million tax-incremental financing district to develop a business park for water technology companies.

The district would cover a 17-acre contaminated site where a tannery once operated. The property is bordered by the Menomonee Canal, West Florida Street, Second Street and Third Street.

The district would raise $4 million to build streets and utilities on the site and $2 million to clean the contaminated property, said Milwaukee Alderman Jim Witkowiak, who represents the area. He said the new infrastructure would support a business park catering to water technology companies. Property owner Atlas Development Corp., Milwaukee, would build the park.

Witkowiak said the contaminated site has been vacant for years. But development of the Harley-Davidson Museum to the east called new attention to the property, he said.

The Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee will consider the proposed TIF district during a hearing Aug. 20.