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Opposition to Proposed West Bend Development

Interesting stuff in Judy Steffes’ column today.  I’m hearing rumblings about this development.  It stinks.  I may dig into it. 

The flier reads: “Recently, the West Bend Redevelopment Authority was approached by a Minnesota based company requesting to build 36 WHEDA subsidized townhouse units next to the train depot on Wisconsin Street. I believe there are better uses for the land but want YOUR INPUT!”

   Hutchins included his contact information and offered a simple two-question online survey:

   1. Do you support the concept plans approved by the Planning Commission and Redevelopment Authority to build 36 WHEDA subsidized townhouses? Yes or No

   2. Do you have other ideas for this parcel of land?

   Hutchins has come out against the plan. As of Wednesday his informal survey (http://www.wbdistrict2.com) shows a strong majority is opposed to the project as well.

   Out of about 100 respondents, the results so far: Yes, I support the housing proposal – 14.7 percent.

   No, I do not support the housing proposal – 85.3 percent.

   On April 7 the West Bend Plan Commission reviewed a development proposal from Real Estate Equities of St. Paul, Minn. The proposal called for a total of 36 units comprised of 16 twobedroom units, 12 three-bedroom units and eight fourbedroom units. The proposed buildings are slab-ongrade construction.

 

Posted by Owen at 0723 hrs
Politics + Politics - Wisconsin

1. Cheap housing to bring down all the land values around it. Yeah - I’m anxious to see that built next to me.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 08, 2010 at 0835 hrs
   
   
   

2. And think of all those kid’s coming into our already over crowded schools. This is a bad idea and everyone should contact the alderman that represents them and let them know how you feel. This is in Steve’s district and he is working hard to stop it but he need’s our help

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 08, 2010 at 0908 hrs
   
   
   

3. Emerich said there would also be requirements for specific income levels for tenants.

     “I’d describe it more as workforce housing as opposed to low-income people making $35,000 to $50,000 for a family,

   Workforce? What workforce??  There are no jobs in West Bend.  There’s no new businesses in West Bend.  There’s no large manufacturing employer that wants to come to West Bend.  There’s no hope in site. So we don’t need more “workforce” housing for another cities workforce.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 08, 2010 at 0921 hrs
   
   
   

4. The store owner/county czar screaming the loudest has yet to figure out that what he pays his employees they would not even qualify according to income requirements to live there.
   Harris bank owns the corner lot on this strip, the best lot as it has frontage on hwy 33, even they decided to purchase land across town to build rather then this location.
   The cost of building here is huge, retail will never recoup the investment, no major retailer will consider the location as its not on a major artery.
   Small shops with condos above them the original concept planned for here ten years ago is now a failed concept nation wide, would you pay $180,000 for a condo above a coffee shop or pet store?
   Would you purchase land that the city will require you to install underground water tanks to capture the storm water and release at a slower rate.
   This tiff is 4 or 5 times over estimated budget , nothing better will come along, the only reason they can afford to build here is because of wheada credits, because of the unique requirements in this space developers run the other way.

   Has anyone contacted other cities where this developer has other properties? They have nothing but good things to say no complaints.
   The current rent assisted housing in West Bend has no requirements attached, to rent here you must be employed for two years.
   The wheada thing is throwing up flags, look at all the facts dont turn it into a witch hunt.
   After all this time and money the development company has put into this project, and keep in mind the city encouraged them to keep proceeding, if the plug is now pulled, no developer will ever come near this city again.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 08, 2010 at 1151 hrs
   
   
   

5. PotMeetKettle,

   It still makes no sense.  We have condos all over the city that are vacant, especially in the TIF 10 ghost town, the number of vacant homes throughout the city is high, we spent a large amount of money to move and poorly design a road that was supposed to bring development there, Highway 33 is up for redesign and improvement and may draw increased traffic, the city turned down a commercial development - a gas station, we paved Eisenbahn because we had a developer’s agreement with a company that didn’t go through with their end of the deal…  All this is, is an attempt by Mayor Deiss and John Capelle to save face and put something, anything on that spot.  Mayor Deiss knows this will be a campaign issue and Capelle needs at least one TIF district to pan out - his track record has been abysmal with TIFs.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 08, 2010 at 2041 hrs
   
   
   

6. Rich
   I agree with just about everything you say including the saving face part, however speaking in terms of economics and zoning the only choices are retail or housing. As I mentioned above no national chain or franchise will even consider this location as its not hwy 33, Main, or Paradise, traffic counts are first and foremost it wont make it out of corporate that is how business is done. The land in question does not touch hwy 33 at all.
   These are not condos understand they are rental propertys designed to look like town homes, the rents are structured so working people pay only 400-800 a month, if wheada was not involved the developer would need 1200-1600 hundred a month rent because of the amenities and city requirements . The recent fire on the south side apartment building I would estimate rents there at about 400-800 range.
   Take note not all people can afford to purchase a home or condo even if many are vacant.

   I think the city has pumped up everyones expectations so much about this area it all figures as a major letdown. This property is not as prime as people think, its not even close to the river, the recent road debacle sealed this areas fate as nil to none. Ten years now and nobody else wants this area that alone speaks volumes.
   If something does not go in and generate property tax very soon we the taxpayers will be eating the costs of this tiff.
   Everybody screams they want more business in town and i agree, but ten years ago nobody said anything when they booted all the business out of this sector and paid them millions to move and rebuild on your tax dollar. West Bend Monument is now in Grafton,Cooleys Town of West Bend, Tax service in Kewaskum,Mcr electric now in Richfield, one Business Wb Corp stayed in town . Thats a combined loss of about 50-60 good paying jobs pushed out of town by design by the city, because they had a grand plan, even in these bad times all of the commerce mentioned above continue to prosper and provide stable incomes.

   You will never recoup what jobs were lost let alone create more in this location, cut the losses while you still can, or re-zone it back to industrial a few smoke stacks next to the museum will go over good. The entire idea from day one ten years ago stinks, all viable options are gone, dont chase away the last gift horse.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 08, 2010 at 2240 hrs
   
   
   

7. PotMeetKettle,

   What about the ever elusive Olive Garden or Sendik’s?  Sorry, couldn’t pass up an opportunity mention the businesses that are rumored to go on every vacant parcel in the city.

   I can’t argue with your points as I do agree with the lion’s share.  This is one of those stuck between a rock and a hard place situations.  I do believe, however, that we as taxpayers will be burdened increases if this goes in as well.  Rental units (not just subsidized) generally are higher on the list when it comes to using city services - schools, police, fire, public works.  It goes witht the territory of higher density housing.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 09, 2010 at 0724 hrs
   
   
   

8. NIMBY

   Posted by Jay4Liberty on May 09, 2010 at 1426 hrs
   
   
   

9. Jay
   Are you aware of how many of these complexes are already in your backyard? I bet you have been driving by a few for many years and it never came to mind.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 09, 2010 at 2044 hrs
   
   
   

10. If you think people aviod going downtown now, Put in the housing projects and then see how many people come down to the new getto.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 10, 2010 at 0624 hrs
    
    
    

11. racism lives (again)

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 10, 2010 at 1425 hrs
    
    
    

12. My son takes the bike path to reach the high school and I would have serious concerns for his safety if he were to bike past a housing project twice a day.  Late fall and early spring it is still dark outside when he leaves home and travels to school.  West Bend doesn’t need more housing for people who don’t have jobs.  We need a grocery store that carries edible food for the residents that already live here.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 12, 2010 at 0922 hrs
    
    
    

13. You’re really grateful for this position, I’ve been really enjoying developing up your posts from sentence to sentence. Searching advanced to see your potential situations !!
    Wall Stickers

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 16, 2010 at 0113 hrs
    
    
    

14. Mary K.
    Look at the facts, the housing is not for people without jobs, you must hold a job for two years before you can rent there. Its not up to the city or the people of west bend to bring in another grocer, its up to a business or franchise willing to invest/risk there money, why dont you open one mary.
    Who will stand behind the deli counter, pack your bags, and cater to you mary, retail pays 8 or 9 dollars an hour, dont they deserve affordable housing, or should we import illegals to do all the retail, service work in town.
    You have concerns of your son walking past new townhomes because peoples incomes that live there are verified to be between 25,000-48,000 a year, but you have no concerns while he is school right now mingling with peoples from the no income housing we already have in town.
    If a grocer in town cant satisfy your hunger mary quit giving them your money every week, no business will ever change if people keep flocking there handing them cash.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 16, 2010 at 1250 hrs
    
    
    

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