Milwaukee County investment helped bring Whitefish Bay development to life

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By ADAM KELNHOFER

Special to The Daily Reporter

Developer Brian Spoerl during a ribbon cutting ceremony at The Hampton community housing called Milwaukee County‘s $3 million investment a “game changer” for housing projects.

The founder and managing director of Spoerl Commercial made the comments shortly before announcing the opening of the 17-unit property in Whitefish Bay on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Hampton Road, which got its occupancy permit the same morning on May 28, Spoerl said. Milwaukee County pitched in $3.09 million to help cover building costs, roughly half the entire project cost, he added. Spoerl praised County Executive David Crowley for his agency’s help.

“Executive Crowley’s economic mobility to the suburbs funding has been a game changer,” he said. “And not only for this project, but for many projects throughout Milwaukee County.”

The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority also pitched in $1.16 million.

The complex includes a mix of one-and-two-bedroom units, each with its own storage locker, fridge, range, dishwasher, washer and dryer, and microwave. Most are one bedroom. The units range between roughly 650 and 800 square feet, Spoerl said. There are also 17 parking spaces in the surface lot on the property.

There are heat pump water heaters, air conditioning and WiFi for each unit.

Spoerl said the project would never have happened without the county chipping in.

Crowley said his office has been investing in housing because it’s “one of the most critical building blocks of health.”

“And we need to make sure that we are building more stable housing for individuals across the entire community, across this state, across this country, because we know it’s absolutely needed, because it is the foundation of all of our health,” he added. “You cannot have a healthy lifestyle if you don’t know where you’re going to lay your head down at night.”