MSOE to build on long-vacant site

The Milwaukee School of Engineering intends to build an in-ground parking structure topped by an athletic field in the Park East Corridor in Milwaukee. (Renderings courtesy of MSOE/Uihlein-Wilson Architects)

The Milwaukee School of Engineering will build a $30 million, in-ground parking facility topped with an athletic field, a small restaurant and a small park on a portion of the Park East Corridor.

The development will largely be supported by a donation made by Robert and Patricia Kern, founders of Generac Power Systems of Waukesha, a business they sold in 2006. The school is not requesting city or county money.

The school will acquire 2.5 acres of land on the northwest corner of Broadway and Knapp streets from the Marshall & Ilsley Corp. and Milwaukee County through a property trade and purchase, according to a press release. Details were not immediately available.

Five hundred of the parking spaces will be privately leased; the remainder would be used by the school and not taxed, according to the release.

MSOE officials said the development could spur private investment and construction on the long-vacant site.

The project developers are Uihlein-Wilson Architects. About 150 people will be employed during construction, according to the release.

– Marie Rohde