Jeramey Jannene
Eyes on Milwaukee

Milwaukee’s Most Schizophrenic Developer?

Joshua Jeffers is spending millions to redevelop the Mackie Building and famed Grain Exchange.

By - Jan 7th, 2017 12:17 pm

Joshua Jeffers is spending millions to redevelop the Mackie Building and famed Grain Exchange. Back to the full article.

Photos - Page 5

10 thoughts on “Eyes on Milwaukee: Milwaukee’s Most Schizophrenic Developer?”

  1. Chris says:

    I applaud the work that the developer is doing to restore a Milwaukee jewel. At the same time, I sincerely hope the plans for future development are re-calibrated. To induce car demand on the streetcar route with a very large parking structure works against the creation of dynamic multi-modal urbanism.

    Create walking, biking, and transit infrastructure and you’ll attract those modes. Provide massive amounts of parking and you’ll invite the same old same old.

  2. Virginia says:

    Jeramey, could you elaborate on this statement?

    “The parking structure, to be used by multiple, historic neighboring buildings, will likely require public financing. That project could get underway next year.”

    Would the public likely receive a financial stake for such underwriting? In light of Chris’s comment above, it indeed raises red flags if taxpayers minimize the risk but the rewards go only to a nonprofit.

  3. Virginia says:

    Correction: Meant to say: ..”it indeed raises red flags if taxpayers minimize the risk but the rewards go only to a FOR-profit.”

  4. Using a serious and persistent mental illness in the headline literally is wrong. Obviously you have no clue what this illness does to people.
    Shame on you, Urban Milwaukee

  5. Tom D says:

    The article says “Jeffers is planning the development of a significant new building that could have up to 75 parking spaces, 400 parking stalls and 14,000 square-feet of retail space.”

    What is the difference between a “parking space” and a “parking stall”?

  6. Jeramey Jannene says:

    @Tom D – Good catch. That should read 75 apartments.

  7. michele says:

    A great visionary and a really nice guy!

  8. Virginia says:

    Patricia (#4), Jeffers noted how another developer described him, and thus the headline. But I agree that it’s concerning that people casually, and usually inaccurately, invoke a challenging illness rather than using a more apt adjective.

    It sounds like Jeffers may be “Milwaukee’s most eclectic developer.” That could be better for his branding…

  9. The use of the term “schizophrenic” to describe Josh Jeffers’ breadth of activities over the past few years is offensive. I certainly hope we won’t see such inaccurate usage of this word in an otherwise informative and valuable publication. Rachel Forman, executive director, Grand Avenue Club, 210 E. Michigan Street

  10. mbradleyc says:

    So you mean that the new South building that was proposed almost 2 years ago won’t get going for another year at least?

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