Wauwatosa Residents Remain Opposed To Luxury Tower Proposal – Patch.com

WAUWATOSA, WI A number of Wauwatosa residents remained opposed to a luxury tower proposal even after plans were revised.

One resident called the proposal an "architectural freak show development."

Many residents objected to increasing traffic, shadowing from the tower, impact on property values and said it is not appropriate for the area.

The city asked residents to submit public comments by last Friday. The Community Affairs Committee will discuss this proposal at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The development, proposed by Mo's Restaurant owner John "Johnny V" Vassallo, is at 10845 W. Bluemound, on the former Edwardo's Natural Pizza site, in the southwest corner of the USH 18/STH 100 intersection.

The revised proposal, which was announced on Tuesday, is a mixed use apartment building with 20 stories and approximately 340 residential units, common amenity spaces, parking garage, and ground floor retail. Some of the proposed amenities include Amazon lockers, weight room, pool, grill area, cabanas, pet walking and relief station, movie theater, individual workspace, and conference rooms.

The original proposal called for 25 stories and 354 residential unites.

A number of submitted comments spoke in opposition to the revised plans.

Terrence Hansen of Wauwatosa, "Before this project is voted on, I wish the City would do a fair analysis of the impact this project will have on its immediate neighborhood. While proponents will suggest increased tax revenues, has the City done an impact study on how such a project would affect the neighborhood?

Will property values rise, fall, or remain level? I am betting no such analysis was done before the 2100 Building on Mayfair Road was approved. I have lived in Wauwatosa since 1994. It was a City made up of neighborhoods. We should not destroy a single family neighborhood with an architectural freak show development."

Holly Gore of Wauwatosa, "The public has been opposing this development since last August for many reasons. They have called in to meetings, written the mayor and the alders, and spoken out here. Whether the building is 25 stories or 20 stories, all of the same arguments stand. This is not a well thought out, legal, revised or recalibrated plan.

It is still in violation of the comprehensive plan and is still too dense for the area of small neighborhood homes. This is the same basic plan the plan commission rejected unanimously and the community affairs Committee put on hold. The community affairs committee asked Vassallo to recalibrate his proposal with "improved communication and dialogue." As far as I know, there has been no communication or dialogue with the neighbors. This resubmittal is Disrespectful, and a slap in the face to both the city of Wauwatosa and the neighbors. I remain opposed."

Tyler Johnson of Wauwatosa, "A final thought too is if it were to consist of more 2-3 bedroom apartments and be affordable, it would be a great opportunity to get more families in the neighborhood who might not be able to afford a house with the school, parks, and zoo being just a few blocks away.

Despite all these objections I do think the corner is an ideal spot for a larger projects such as an apartment complex but seeing it scoped down to something reasonable of 10 floors max, as it will stand out even at that level, and with mixed space to add to the community. Done responsibly I do believe a relatively large project on this site could add value to the neighborhood and community as a whole, but all I've seen from the original and revised proposals is a developer trying to maximize his profits at the expense of the neighborhood."

There were a few residents who spoke out in support:

Christopher Carter of Wauwatosa, "First I love the building, the look, the feel, and the way they looked to fit it in that space. Next, the concession is great, coming down those stories looks good yet, and also works to the site. As someone who moved into the area in 1999 I have seen that area grow up, everything but that ugly corner and the small strip behind it.

Mo's started to bring class to the area, then they tore down that old hotel and cleaned it up with the hospital & Starbucks. This building fits the new vibe we need. NOW look at the 300 plus residents moving in and the tax we will be able to add to the city accounts. Can anyone on this committee tell me that that is not needed in a pandemic?

Rather than begging the state, we have someone willing to grow in our area. Rather than being closed off to growth, look at the abilities that can come from a beautiful entranceway to the area from off the hwy. I ask you to look at his proposal and please vote to move forward with the new proposal."

Lucas Vebber of Wauwatosa," As a nearby Wauwatosa resident, I am writing to say that I hope you will support this project. It's a common sense and responsible development that will improve the city, add to our tax base, and make very good use of that space. I hope the city will embrace this new development and the positive impact it will have on our community."

To view all the submitted comments go to the meeting portal page of the City of Wauwatosa website.

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Wauwatosa Residents Remain Opposed To Luxury Tower Proposal - Patch.com