Rishi Tea gets council approval to buy Menomonee Valley land

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Rishi Tea is one step closer to moving to a bigger building, and the Menomonee Valley is one step closer to being completely developed.

The Milwaukee Common Council on Tuesday approved the sale of 3.8 acres for a new office, manufacturing and distribution center for Bay View-based Rishi Tea. If approved by the mayor, the company will have the option to buy the Menomonee Valley land from the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee.

The proposed building will start at 48,000 square feet with the potential to add another 20,000 square feet. Briohn Cos., Brookfield, will handle the building and design of the new headquarters.

The land will be sold at $120,000 per usable acre, according to the land disposition report.

The parcel is one of the last three that remain undeveloped in the Menomonee Valley Industrial Center. Charter Wire, owned by Charter Manufacturing Co. Inc., Mequon, is looking to expand its building in the valley, said RACM’s Dave Misky.

Misky said the authority is in talks with another manufacturer that may develop the last piece of land, but declined to identify the company.

— Molly Willms