Comments on: Rivianna To Go Before City Plan Commission (Renderings)

By: Dave Reid

Dave Reid — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:45:18 +0000

@Jermey See nothing “shady” just working on a deal to buy the land. http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/50626077.html

By: Dave Reid

Dave Reid — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:32:31 +0000

@Jeremy H Nothing “shady” just probably complicated, like most development projects. The Rivianna group had an option previously and is negotiating a new one with the land owner. The sign seems likely to me anyhow just to be a negotiation tactic, or insurance if the deal does fall through. That said no project of this size is ever a lock. There are definitely plenty of hurdles to go, but well we’ll get a better idea on Monday.

By: Jeremy H

Jeremy H — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:16:20 +0000

Well, just as I suspected, something shady is going on with the “for sale” signs on site. See the Business Journal for this week (7/10/09), the site is indeed for sale, Rivianna is not for sure.

By: Dave Reid

Dave Reid — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:20:31 +0000

@KOJAK Oh i don’t think this building looks much like the Breakwater at all. This building has the balconies cutting away at the massing, whereas the Breakwater is very massive and bulky.

As far as the for sale sign, I’d bet it has been there since the Common Council halted this project previously. Just looking at the documentation for this project (in legistar) it is very extensive, compared to many projects, so it looks pretty serious to me.

The Fifth Ward is a growing area, with the Southwater works opening across the street, the MOCT building, Alterra, Veter Denk’s new building…. And it is right across the bridge from the Third Ward, and close to Summerfest. In fact the Iron Horse (not too far away) opened and there are a bunch of under-utilized or vacant warehouses there.

As far as empty condos, I believe there really are just a few projects that ran into problems as the vast majority of the 3,000 new units that went in the last few years are occupied. As far as jobs by the time this thing gets built the economy will likely of turned around…

By: KOJAK

KOJAK — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:02:37 +0000

Sorta looks like Rener’s Breakwater. Why would VJS put a for sale while they are going to go to the Common Council. Either they are playing around or there are internal disagreements. A hotel would never sign up for that building overlooking all the abandon warehouses, it just does not look safe for visitors.

Awesome looking building, hopefully the economy turns around and they go ahead with this project. My only concerns are if they do NOT bring more white collared jobs to downtown area, all these condos will remain empty! There is no balance on units available versus employment positions available.

By: Kevin K.

Kevin K. — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:55:05 +0000

That would be one heck of a building. I thought I remembered a proposal for a 3 tower development site going up down there somewhere awhile ago, but I don’t remember them looking that slick. I mean that is one good looking project, in my opinion. The real key is the financing though, that’s going to be a tough deal to break these days. If they can do it though, it would be another HUGE step in the right direction for that neighborhood. It’s really great to see developers take interest beyond the borders of the Historic Third Ward. It really shows that good developments create good communities which can spread good developments to neighboring areas and so on and so forth.

By: Dave Reid

Dave Reid — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:17:14 +0000

@Joel Likely because three nineteen story buildings isn’t as costly as a 57 story building

By: Joel

Joel — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:02:38 +0000

sweet…how about ONE 57-floor building? EHH??

By: Jeremy H

Jeremy H — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:33:43 +0000

I am a bit confused as is appears vjs development has posted “for sale” signs on the property. I noticed the signs just before the plans were posted on the plan commission web site, and I thought it meant the dagger for this project. I do not recall the “for sale” signs being there for very long. Very interesting.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:22:05 +0000

I thought the neighbors came out against the height a few years ago when it was first proposed, and they had to remove a few floors and the helicopter pad from the original design, but it will be interesting to see how the meeting goes. One of the nice things about this project is that because it is across the river from the third ward, most of the lots around it are under development still and don’t have residents, the only real opposition to the height will be from the people living directly to the northwest of it who will have windows facing the project.

By: Rivianna project moves forward near Third Ward | Metro Milwaukee Today

Rivianna project moves forward near Third Ward | Metro Milwaukee Today — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:38:55 +0000

[...] would contain 186 residential units, 236 guest rooms, and office/retail on the first floor, according to UrbanMilwaukee.com. 236 guest rooms is a decent amount, and could hold a major hotel chain, such as a Westin Hotel. [...]

By: Dave Reid

Dave Reid — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:35:24 +0000

@M My concern is that neighbors will come out and complain about the height. I know what neighbors would fight against growing our city? Well last time Rivianna came up there was opposition over the shadows it would cast…