He’s confident Bridge Street project will go smoothly
By Jennifer Eisenbart
Staff Writer
As a planned new apartment complex on Bridge Street moves forward in Burlington, even the turtles got into the mix this week.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued a press release Monday that the planned complex – Fox Crossing Apartments – would result in an “incidental taking” of the state-threatened Blanding’s turtle.
An incidental taking means an unintentional loss that is not likely to put the overall population of the species at risk.
After developers worked through the difficulties of building on the contaminated site – and receiving a Brownfield Grant from the DNR – as well as completing plans that just got approval last week from the City of Burlington City Council, the turtles were seen by many as a humorous addition to the list of tales surrounding the project.
“This project, in the grand scheme of things, has gone quite smoothly,” said developer S.R. Mills of Bear Development.
“Good, bad or indifferent, there are issues,” he added.
As for the turtles, “we’re glad that it’s going to be a non-issue,” adding that the comment applied to both the turtles and the impact on his complex.
Mills said things are going smoothly, and the company is on pace with its original schedule. The plan is to break ground on phase one of the project in early fall.
Phase one will be an apartment building with 24 units, ranging from 1-3 bedrooms. The first floor will be a parking garage.
If all goes to plan – with the majority of the phase one complex rented – Mills hopes to break ground on phase two sometime next year.
Mills also added that, in his mind, train horns from the nearby railroad tracks are a non-issue.
“We’re confident it’s going to come to a resolution at some point, and we’re hopeful that happens before tenants occupying the units,” Mills said.
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Jean Lord, director of Pineview Wildlife Rehabilitation, so you know who to call if any blandings or other turtles are found during construction. 262-692-9021…….PLEASE CALL!!!! Not only will it make your situation TRULY a non-issue…you can be a developer that cares about the environment!!!! please be an eco friendly developer!!!
Sadly enough,years ago, a prominent developer in Mukwonago shared the same reckless behavior and sacrificed majestic landmark oaks that once graced the edge of our Vernon Marshland. He was strategically clearing acreage that, a day later, would warrant fines by the caliper of the trees… Hope and pray someone can get through to those responsible in this turtle tinderbox before it is too late!!!
$1,000,000 in taxpayer freebies to Bear and they’re killing turtles? Nice company. When will the welfare for the connected end?