Remember that 55-story mass timber building that was maybe going to be built on the site of the Marcus Center Parking Structure? Well, that ain’t happening, but the City of Milwaukee would like someone else to maybe build something there.
And yes, we’re talking about the same site of the Marcus Center Parking Structure Snow Pile, which we keep track of every winter and spring. No love for this important landmark, Historic Preservation Commission?
Anyway, Milwaukee issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the 106,432-square-foot site way back in 2023. In 2024, the city accepted a proposal from Madison-based developer Neutral, formerly known as The Neutral Project, giving the company a one-year exclusive right to negotiation.
Neutral’s proposal called for “the tallest mass timber building in the world,” a $700 million behemoth that “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.”
But a year later, Milwaukee has officially passed on Neutral. Neutral’s whole “had a $10.15 million construction lien filed against an affiliate company for its other Milwaukee mass timber project, Neutral.Edison, halting work on that project” may have had something to do with it.
“The Department of City Development (DCD) will initiate the process of seeking new development partners for the City-owned Marcus Center Parking Structure site following discussions with representatives from Neutral, formerly The Neutral Project,” reads a recent press release.
“The City remains fully committed to advancing a vision that best serves our community’s long-term interests,” DCD Commissioner Lafayette Crump says in the press release. “Redevelopment of the site was identified in the City’s Connec+ing MKE Downtown Plan 2040 as a catalytic project and is important to the future success of downtown. We look forward to engaging new partners who share our goals for growth and adding density and vibrancy to this key site.”
Crump is apparently already in talks with various developers, including New Land Enterprises. Until those talks lead to something concrete, why not honor the HISTORIC and IMPORTANT Marcus Center Parking Structure by purchasing a T-shirt? We have just the one…
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