Aurora Plans To Light Beacon at 27th and Wisconsin

Wisconsin Avenue School, 2708 W. Wisconsin Ave. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

A deal has been reached on the long-awaited redevelopment of the former Wisconsin Avenue School, but the intersection of N. 27th Street and W. Wisconsin Avenue won’t get a hotel.

Aurora Health Care confirmed it is moving forward on a $50 million redevelopment of the three-story building. Known as “The Beacon,” the project is planned as a health and wellness hub. It’s one of several major projects underway in the area.

“Aurora will bring key partners together at The Beacon to provide access to a variety of experts who will offer the interventions needed most, including programs related to prenatal and postnatal virtual care, violence prevention, eviction support and housing assistance, fresh food access, chronic disease prevention, early childhood education programming and more,” said the organization in a statement.

“Everybody deserves the opportunity to achieve physical, mental and social wellness, and have the resources available in their own neighborhood,” said Rayna Andrews, manager director of The Beacon, in a statement issued Tuesday. “In Milwaukee, there is a 13-year life expectancy gap between those in the near west side and the northeast side – two communities located just five miles apart. We are committed to changing that. The Beacon will help further address our neighbors’ most pressing needs under one roof – removing barriers to care by creating pathways for individuals and families to improve their lives.”

Developer Rick Wiegand, as far back as 2017, had planned to redevelop the hotel into an extension of his successful Ambassador Hotel operation. But delays with a state office building, planned for a site across the street, and the COVID-19 pandemic, imperiled his vision. The 92,600-square-foot building was constructed in 1919 and last used as a school in 2007. In 2017, Wiegand paid $200,000 for the property, which city officials estimated was costing Milwaukee Public Schools $60,000 per year to heat.

In December, Graham Kilmer reported for Urban Milwaukee that Aurora was considering the site, but that a sticking point had arisen about releasing a deed restriction that prohibited a tax exempt use. But that issue has been resolved. City officials will still need to approve the agreement. A council file containing the agreement has yet to be introduced.

“I am pleased this project is moving forward. It will add vitality to the neighborhood and renewed activity at this important intersection. Just as importantly, the work taking place here will improve the wellbeing of individuals on the near west side – and throughout the city,” said Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

“Investment from Aurora in this prime location will not only transform the vacant building into a space where Milwaukeeans can improve their lives, it will also further momentum on 27th Street to continue revitalization of the Near West Side,” said area Alderman Robert Bauman.

Aurora, now part of Atrium Health, has worked with Near West Side Partners (NWSP) on shaping the vision and community engagement. The health care organization cofounded NWSP with area stakeholders Marquette University, Harley-Davidson, Molson Coors and Potawatomi Ventures. Aurora already has a presence on the Near West Side through its Aurora Sinai Medical Center hospital complex along N. 12th Street.

“This mixed-use, community wellness-focused development would continue the momentum generated by Concordia 27, furthering NWSP’s plans for 27th Street to become a collaborative Health and Wellness Corridor and advance the Near West Side Comprehensive Plan,” said NWSP Executive Director Lindsey St. Arnold Bell.

Aurora hopes to break ground next spring and open the facility in 2027.

Denoting the type of care provided, the organization is referring to the facility as a health center, not a clinic.

Several Other Changes Nearby

Aurora’s development is just one of several projects planned nearby.

Immediately to the north, the nonprofit Milwaukee Development Corporation is pursuing the redevelopment of Milwaukee County’s former City Campus office building into 100 affordable apartments. The property, acquired by Wiegand in 2015, was originally Doctor’s Hospital and has been targeted for different uses.

Across W. Wells Street to the north of City Campus, Wiegand is working on completing Concordia 27, a $20 million mixed-use redevelopment project that serves as a home for NWSP, affordable housing, offices and a commercial kitchen for the Centers for Independence, a cafe and makerspace for Fruition MKE and additional commercial space.

The biggest project of all is located across W. Wisconsin Avenue from the former school. The State of Wisconsin is seeking a developer who would develop and lease a 72,000-square-foot office building to multiple state agencies.

Existing members must be signed in to see the interactive map. Sign in.