Intersection
Holton and Center Streets
Two empty buildings with great potential call out for new owners and activity.
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Two empty buildings with great potential call out for new owners and activity. Back to the full article.
Photos - Page 2
I was in the Urban Planning masters degree program at UWM and in 1999 we were looking at this exact spot as one of our class projects. I agree that there is great potential there. Awesome old buildings that could serve as an attractive entrance to Riverwest and the Harambee neighborhoods.
This column would benefit from some numbers. Are these properties available? What’s their value? How many square feet? How are they zoned? How is the neighborhood trending? Is it a good investment?
As is, this reads like non-contributors chiding property owners. “We” can’t improve anything with suggestions. Improvements will only come when you convince someone it’s wise to put cash into the development.
Holton Street is just one of those corridors that has so much potential, but for some reason has never developed into much. This is even true east of the river where it becomes Van Buran. Van Buran between Brady and Wells is horrible. The street is too wide, traffic too fast, buildings too low, surface parking lots and deep set backs make it one of the most unattractive streets in the city. It could be sooo much more. Not only is Holton / Van Buran and major commutor corridor for northside neighborhoods and the Northshore, its also a border between many neighborhoods, as the author points out. In addition, the skyline views just west of the Holton Street bridge are incredible.
I don’t know much about the Holton and Center intersection, but I lived at Holton and Glover for many years and there hasn’t been any improvement even as the homes in Brewer’s Hill and Lavender Hill have seen significant redevelopment. It seems as though th retail development is taking place in near southside neighborhoods largly due to the high levels of theft and property crime along corridors west of the river.
Aside from Riverwest and some housing, people will not take a chance on opening businesses west of the river. I hope this changes.
@Rory. I can promise you that most of the properties are available and they are probably cheap. Also, square footage will be typical for 100 year old + buildings.
I do find it interesting that whenever someone talks about a neighborhood or a street, they refer to intersections as examples. I beleive that if the city wants to promote development along a street or a neighborhood, addrees the major intersections. For eaxample, along Holton they would be at Reservoir / Glover, North, then up to Center St. The North Ave and Holton St intersection is terrible. From my experience, its one of the reasons Holton is struggling.
Many Milwaukee real estate writers, including this publication, will discuss new apartment developments, etc. and never mention rent rates or sale prices. Seriously, that is what a journalist should do.
@Gary – They tend to vary pretty significantly within a project, depending on a number of factors. They’re also not often available while the project is under construction (until it’s much closer to completion). We are working to add them to our under construction building database.
All that said, I’m not sure how this applies to this article? What rental rate are you curious about? I would be happy to track one down for you.
Thanks for offering, Jeramey. I definitely hear what Rory and Gary are saying, but I don’t know how to access that information–wish I did. I definitely believe that development is one of the best ways to make a neighborhood better.
I’ve always dreamed of reoprning the cafe/bakery. Howevet, I’ve seen so many businesses struggle on that block and it would only be worth it if I owned the space, rather than fail because the rent is too high. I’m pretty sure there is a barbershop next to the tattoo parlor that is east of the bank by one or two doors. if not it closed like the other three that have attempted business over the past five years that were east of pierce st.
You can easily find tax and landlord data on the city’s site as it’s public information and easily found with a search engine online.
That corner won’t be viable until the new occupants of stronefly and the funeral home restaurant have proven sucessful and bring more traffic.
the real question is who is or is there a RW Harambee BID!? the bus stop would be the first improvement and adding art to the bakery windows, but I’m not sure how much the landlord is interested in doing as he hasn’t been proactive. I think he is a chemist and he lives above. not sure if he rents other apts within.
pls excuse my typos….
Perhaps business development at this intersection would also contribute to neighborhood safety. While waiting for the Southbound 15 Bus during the Summer of 2014: on a July night I was hit (just slight scar above right kidney area now) by an air gun’s steel ball-bearing or B-B, probably fired from passing car. On a night in August, my over the shoulder bag was grabbed while I was sitting on bench, watching for bus. I chased & yelled for help, but purse stolen.
I live off of VanBuren between Brady and Wells. I’d hardly call it a corridor for commuter traffic. There are many residential complexes along that area that contribute to the foot traffic you see along that area all times of the day and night. The traffic IS too fast and I’m always more worried about being hit by a car than I am about crime walking alone by myself at night, however that is a problem everywhere in Milwaukee. There are many nice restaurants and bars along that strip, it has been a joy to walk along there and explore them.