Number
250966
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BAUMAN
Title
Substitute resolution directing the Department of City Development to prepare a new Request for Proposals for redevelopment of the City-owned Marcus Center Parking Structure site.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of City Development to prepare a new Request for Proposals for redevelopment of the City-owned Marcus Center Parking Structure site, and to present the new RFP to the Common Council within 60 days for its approval.
Body
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee owns the block bounded by East Highland Avenue, East State Street, North Water Street and North Edison Street; and
Whereas, This block is wholly occupied by the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts Parking Structure; and
Whereas, The Marcus Center Parking Structure, which itself is underutilized, represents an underutilization of this block and is far from being the highest and best use of this prime Downtown Milwaukee real estate; and
Whereas, Redevelopment of the 2.45-acre Marcus Center Parking Structure site presents opportunities to create employment, increase the city’s tax base, create additional housing units, enhance the city’s skyline, and bring additional activity and vitality to this part of Downtown; and
Whereas, In September, 2023, the Department of City Development (“DCD”) issued a Request for Proposals for redevelopment of the Marcus Center Parking Structure site; and
Whereas, DCD received three proposals for redevelopment of the Marcus Center Parking Structure site; and
Whereas, DCD selected the proposal submitted by Madison-based Neutral, which has started construction of a 31-story, 378-unit apartment building (“The Edison”) across the street, at 1005 North Edison Street; and
Whereas, Neutral has paused construction of The Edison, raising concerns that it may not have the resources to undertake an even larger project on the Marcus Center Parking Structure site; and
Whereas, Due to the likely scale of the project to redevelop the Parking Structure site, and the importance of that site to the surrounding Downtown area and to Milwaukee as a whole, it is essential that the City choose a developer with a proven track record of completing similar projects and a development proposal that is feasible and likely to be successful; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of City Development is directed to prepare a new Request for Proposals for redevelopment of the City-owned Marcus Center Parking Structure site; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department shall present this Request for Proposals to the Common Council within 60 days of adoption of this resolution for the Council’s approval.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB181061-2
Jeff Osterman
09/26/2025