Rivianna Proposal Takes A Step Forward
Rivianna V2
The developer, Rivianna LLC, was seeking three approvals for the $80 million Rivianna development proposal at Monday’s City Plan Commission meeting. The building would contain a maximum of 236 hotel rooms and 186 apartments, and 430 parking spaces, of which 276 parking spaces will be reserved for the residential component. The two-level riverwalk, will feature the same Ipe wood that is used in the Third Ward’s riverwalk, would allow for three public boat slips, a water taxi slip, and about twenty private boat slips. It was presented by the developer that proposal would create between 1,000 to 1,200 jobs with 200 to 300 of them being permanent jobs once construction was completed. Construction would take about thirty months from the time the first shovel is in the ground until completion. Rivianna LLC is planning to break ground on this project this summer, depending on if they can obtain financing.
The City Plan Commission voted in support of the proposal with only one vote in opposition. This proposal will now go before the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee.
I like that the Rivianna project is moving forward. The area along Water Street between the Young Street Bridge and National Avenue in the 5th Ward is an area zoned mostly commercial with a lot of run down vacant and underutilized land ready for new development. Rivianna will be a catalyst project that will bring more residents and businesses to an area between the 3rd Ward and Walker’s Point that is a prime walkable location to both neighborhoods.
Bob Bauman is making a real error in judgment in this case.
@MMT Politics Yeah I’m not exactly sure why he’s not supportive of this project, but I don’t think that’s too big of a concern. I’m more curious to see if the banks out there are finally ready to start loaning again (for big projects), but as it is a hotel/apartment building maybe there is a chance. Especially as a hotel there sure would be nice for access to the Third Ward and Summerfest.
I love the idea in spite of some of the objections of my neighbors. I live down and across the river in the Harbor Front condos. Some feel the project is too high considering the 80 foot height cutoff for the third ward. I just think that if done nicely, it would be a welcome and needed development in that area and in Milwaukee in general.
I’m in favor of this, but I do think that we should be careful about too much high-rise clustering. I would much rather see taller, but fewer buildings that are widely separated that a massive cluster of mid-rise buildings. It’s nice to get air and sun and it would reduce complaints about views being blocked vis a vis the asinine UClub vs. Kilbourn tower debacle etc…
perfecto