Number
101489
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. ZIELINSKI
Title
Substitute resolution relating to the leasing of the surplus, City-owned vacant property located at 2372 South Logan Avenue to Sweet Water Organics for development of a "green industry park". (14th Aldermanic District)
Analysis
This resolution approves the leasing of the surplus, City-owned vacant property located at 2372 South Logan Avenue to Sweet Water Organics for development of a "green industry park" at this location. The lease is for a period of 20 years, with an annual rent of $1.
Body
Whereas, Sweet Water Organics is an urban fish and vegetable farm located in a formerly-abandoned industrial building at 2151 S. Robinson Avenue; and
Whereas, Sweet Water Organics uses an innovative aquaponics system that simulates a wetland, with plants acting as water filters to sustain a healthy fish population and fish waste acting as a natural fertilizer for plant growth; and
Whereas, Besides being on the cutting edge of sustainable urban agriculture, Sweet Water Organics is a model of adaptive building re-use, serves as a job-creating engine for Milwaukee residents and produces fresh, affordable, locally-grown food for the Milwaukee community; and
Whereas, Sweet Water Organics is now embarking on the "Milwaukee Grow Zone" project, which will include:
Stage 1 - Construction and operation of an outdoor growing system at Sweet Water's existing site that increases vegetable and fish production by 400% and is expected to create 10 full-time-equivalent jobs by December, 2011.
Stage 2 - Redevelopment of at least one additional property in the Bay View neighborhood to replicate Sweet Water's community-based, sustainable agriculture production model in collaboration with at least one other sustainable food/energy-focused business, with the anticipated creation of 75 full-time-equivalent positions by July, 2014. This new development will be a multi-business "green industry park".
; and
Whereas, Sweet Water Organics has already received a commitment from a Milwaukee-area business -- an innovative pet food producer - that is seeking to expand its production capacity to locate in the green industry park and to collaborate with Sweet Water Organics in designing integrated systems for production and energy use; and
Whereas, The 10.72-acre City-owned vacant parcel located at 2372 S. Logan Avenue (tax key no. 500-0355-110) - the former U.S. Army Reserve site - was declared surplus to municipal needs in October, 2008 (Common Council File No. 080743); and
Whereas, The leasing of this vacant parcel to Sweet Water Organics for development of a green industry park would benefit Milwaukee by creating additional employment opportunities for city residents and by further enhancing Milwaukee's reputation as an international leader in community-based, sustainable urban agricultural production; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the City shall lease the property located at 2372 S. Logan Avenue (tax key no. 500-0355-110) to Sweet Water Organics for a term of 20 years, with a rent of $1 per year, for the development of a green industry park on this site; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the lease agreement shall state that, in the event that Sweet Water Organics' Milwaukee Grow Zone project does not create at least 85 full-time-equivalent jobs within 3 years of the date of adoption of this resolution, the lease shall terminate and the entire leased parcel shall, within 90 days of the lease termination date, revert to the City in the same condition it was at the beginning of the lease period; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of City Development and City Attorney are directed to prepare and execute the necessary lease documents.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB126412-2
Jeffrey D. Osterman
03/30/2011