Developer agrees to remove computing facility from Midtown Center project
Statement of Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr.
Following extensive discussions with the property owner, developer, and city staff—and after carefully considering the feedback shared during three public information sessions and the testimony presented before the City Plan Commission—the applicant has made my office aware of plans to remove the proposed computing research facility from the redevelopment of the former Midtown Center Walmart at 5825 W. Hope Ave.
As the alderman representing this community, I have always believed that meaningful public engagement must be more than a checkbox. The listening sessions and public testimony provided residents with an opportunity to voice their concerns, ask difficult questions, and share their vision for the future of Midtown. I heard those concerns clearly, and I took them seriously throughout this process.
The decision to remove the computing research facility reflects what can happen when residents engage, local government listens, and all parties remain willing to find common ground. By removing the computing research facility, the focus returns to what matters most to our community: transforming a long-vacant property into a destination that delivers housing, a new Milwaukee Public Library branch, neighborhood-serving amenities, and lasting benefits for residents. While this change comes with a reduction in potential tax revenue, it is a better reflection of the vision shared by residents throughout this process.
I have full confidence that the amended development will be a transformative investment for Midtown. A development anchored by a Milwaukee Public Library branch, housing, and expanded storage units will reactivate a property that has sat vacant for nearly a decade, expand access to essential services, create new housing opportunities, and improve the overall quality of life for residents throughout the 2nd Aldermanic District.
My commitment remains unchanged. I will continue working to attract quality investment, expand housing opportunities, strengthen our tax base, and revitalize Midtown Center through a process grounded in transparency, collaboration, and genuine community engagement.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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