New Residential Area to be Built in Milwaukee’s North Side, Allowing Seniors and Families to Share Living Area

A proposed city plan would allow seniors and families in Milwaukee’s north side to live in new residential buildings.

The senior-living building is planned to have 40 units at W Chambers Street and N 8th Street. There is also a plan to build five townhouses that families can live in.

The plan was partially approved with the condition of widening the path to five feet and to continue working on the landscape development.

There was no opposition from any of the members, but a resident raised the question of whether children who live in the townhouses will be able to have an area to play. A garden or some sort of green space was proposed.

This resident whose name is Lyllian Porter, expressed concerns regarding speed bumps and parking.

The speed bumps, as argued by Porter, could potentially slow down fast drivers exiting off I-43 or people who tend to drive fast.

This meeting was both in-person and online via Zoom.

It took place on Monday at 1:30 p.m. at 809 N Broadway at the first floor boardroom.

The plan encourages the city to create buildings on landscape areas. Supporters of this plan hope to “bring community members together in positive social interactions.”

“An ordinance relating to the change in zoning from Two-Family Residential, RT4, to a Detailed Planned Development to allow multi-family residential development at 2953-2979 North 8th Street, located on the south side of West Chambers Street, west of North 8th Street, in the 6th Aldermanic District.”

Parking is included in the city planning proposal and correlates for zoning code requirements.

According to the public hearing held, this proposed residential area is consistent with Milwaukee’s Near North Side Area Plan.

Milwaukee’s Near North Side Area Plan was created in 2009 to diversify housing options for different household incomes. One of the main objectives for this plan is to provide housing for senior citizens who may not be able to afford more.

Additionally, the buildings that are being proposed meet with the neighborhood’s planning and zoning rules.

The proposed area in which the building will be located is next to I-43. Nearby establishments are Saint Matthew Christian Methodist and G & F Foods. 2953-2979 North 8th Street is about 2.7 miles from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and 2.4 miles to Fiserv Forum.

The alderperson who oversees 6th district is Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs.

Kristin Connelly, the presenter for the City’s Department of City Development, said that the corner of the buildings “creates a nice edge and entrance to the neighborhood.”

There are homes in the front and the back of properties in Milwaukee historically speaking.

Malik Cupid of Cupid Development spoke at the meeting in which he revealed that the original senior building was planned to be six stories with 48 units. Twelve townhouses were also part of the initial pitch. There were also 27 parking spaces.

The sizes of the buildings were ultimately reduced so there would be more space between the buildings.

Parking is onsite, Cupid said. 

The townhouses will have three bedrooms and a family-friendly environment. 

The senior housing will have downtown views and two elevators on each floor. In addition to those amenities, each floor will have a storage room. It is easily accessible as seniors do not have to go to the basement or the attic for their extra belongings.

Felipe Omelas from Engberg Anderson spoke about this question. Omelas said that he would not be opposed to extracting a part of the sidewalk and to use that extracted area as a green space.

According to the meeting minutes, it is read that “Mr. Ornelas said that there would be 8th St. available street parking and two loading zone spaces. Mr. Cupid said that there would be a community space on the first floor and no commercial or retail space.”

The two loading spaces would be utilized for deliveries or drop-offs. Omelas said that seniors could gain advantage from these loading spaces as they can be picked up and dropped off by chauffeurs or drivers.

The total runtime was 40 minutes, and it included people speaking from the Zoom call and in-person.

The proposal itself had the entire room talking, and the new buildings will allow more accessible and affordable housing in the City of Milwaukee.