The iconic Marcus Performing Art Center parking garage snow pile, beloved by millions of Milwaukeeans and diligently documented every winter and spring by us, may be on its way out. Permanently.
Long-simmering plans to redevelop the parking garage, located at 1001 N. Water St., took a big step forward on Wednesday. Following a year-long Request for Proposals (RFP), the City of Milwaukee announced the selection of The Neutral Project, LLC as the developer for the project. What does The Neutral Project have in mind? “Designed by MGA | Michael Green Architecture, a global leader in mass timber buildings,” reads a press release, “the project could include the tallest mass timber in the world and the tallest building in Wisconsin.”
That’s right: the tallest building in Wisconsin, and the tallest mass timber building in the world. On the site of our beloved snow pile. R.I.P.
“The Neutral Project proposes to build a multiple mixed-use building(s) with a total investment of over $700 million,” continues the press release. “Over several phases, the project could include up to 750 residential units, 190,000 square feet of office space, 40,000 square feet of retail space, 300 hotel rooms, 1,100 structured parking spaces, and public plazas/walkways.”
Pending Common Council approval, the City will instate a one-year exclusive right to negotiation, with possible extensions. The one-year window “gives the development team time to secure tenants, secure financing, and finalize the project plans. Interested parties should reach out to the developer for queries around leasing and partnership.”
“As Mayor, I have not been shy about my goal to grow our city’s population to one million Milwaukeeans,” says Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson in the press release. “To do that, we need to be aggressive and reach for new heights. This project will help us do just that, literally aiming to set local and global records, but just as importantly add density and activity to an underutilized City-controlled parcel in downtown Milwaukee. It also represents a forward-thinking Milwaukee, open to outside investment and ideas, and I thank The Neutral Project for their confidence in Milwaukee’s future.”
“Underutilized”? We beg to differ, Mr. Mayor.
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