East Library Redevelopment Advances at City Plan Commission (Renderings)

Following the model of the Villard Square Library redevelopment, The Board of Trustees of the Milwaukee Public Library selected HSI Properties, LLC proposal for a mixed-use building to replace the current East Library.  The project took an important step forward yesterday as an associated land sale, and land vacation were recommend for approval at the City Plan Commission meeting.

The $15 million building, to be known as The Standard at East Library, will have an approximately 16,000 SF condominium unit for the new library, 92 market-rate apartments,  118 underground parking spaces, 40 street level parking spaces reserved for library use, and approximately 2,500 SF of retail space.  The average apartment will range in size between 600 and 700 SF, and will rent for about $1.60 a square foot.

Although, the design was not quite in compliance with the new East Side Architectural Review Board (ARB) design standards, because the library entrance will be off of Cramer St. instead of North Ave., the ARB still approved the overall design and massing contingent on review of building materials, lighting, landscaping and public improvements.

The recommended land sale will now go before the Public Works Committee on March 7, 2012 for approval.