Planners OK apartment complex on former industrial site

Development on Bridge Street gets boost from state grant

By Jennifer Eisenbart

Staff Writer

Bear Development’s S.R. Mills wasn’t taking any chances at Aug. 13 City of Burlington Plan Commission meeting.

With his site plan, conditional use application, planned unit development and certified survey map all up for approval, Mills brought his entire staff with him to answer any questions.

“We’re excited to move forward with this, and get the building up as fast as we can,” Mills said.

There were few questions asked before the Plan Commission unanimously approved all the documents tied to Mills’ planned development of the land at 200 Bridge Street – the former sight of the jokingly-named “Twin Towers” and now planned site for a pair of apartment buildings.

It was the second step taken on Tuesday to move forward with the site. Earlier in the day, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation formally announced it had awarded a $319,000 Brownfield Program grant to the company to assist in soil cleanup.

The former industrial site between the Fox River and Bridge Street has already been through several cleanups and, according to the press release, more than $6 million was spent on the cleanup by the previous owner We Energies.

The City of Burlington has also committed $500,000 in a grant and $150,000 in tax incremental finance district revolving loan fund dollars.

At Tuesday’s meeting, though, Mills proceeded as if he had to account for everything. In a brief presentation, he showed off a building plan – which looks similar to that of the Boardwalk Apartments a block down Bridge Street – and the planned colors for both the masonry outside of the building and other planned rock and pavement areas.

The plan is to have the first floor as parking and then one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments on the second and third floor.

Mills said he saw a “significant need” for apartment housing in Burlington, and the goal was to provide quality apartments.

Phase one would begin as soon as possible, and Mills anticipates bringing plans for phase two in front of the Plan Commission by early next year.

The only real questions that came from the commission involved finishing any construction – especially in light of the failed previous development proposal for the property that left footings and an elevator shaft (dubbed the “Twin Towers”) as the only work done on the property.

Mills quickly reassured that the investors he has involved in the property would move things forward quickly, with a “vested interest” in getting the property finished.

City Administrator Kevin Lahner backed that claim up.

“I’ve been very happy with this particular company,” Lahner said. “They get stuff done.”

After the meeting, Mills added that he wasn’t concerned with the placement of the apartments in regard to the city’s lack of “quiet zone status” with the trains that currently pass through the city.

“That doesn’t concern us,” Mills said. “We’re very confident that the market is good in Burlington, and we’re confident this is going to be a very high-quality housing development.”

He also added that he is “hopeful” the city will regain its quiet-zone status in the coming months.

Outdoor dining OK’d

Also at the meeting, the Plan Commission unanimously approved a conditional use application from Betha Benitez and Los Compadres Restaurant for an outdoor seating area for food and alcohol consumption.

The outdoor hours will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. as the weather allows.

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