The city of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, is looking to incentivize a massive transformation of Milwaukee County Research Park into a mixed-use hub through the $34.2 million Tax Incremental District (TID) No. 16. The construction timeline has not yet been released.
The city is drafting a flexible master plan to redevelop the 175-acre park area, creating new infrastructure and economic growth opportunities. The current park hosts 1.4 million square feet of Class A office space, flex properties and residential units. TID No.16 would cover a 40-acre parcel along the western edge of the park, generating enough tax revenue to cover multi-family development, street improvements, landscape and utility projects.
The master plan provides a comprehensive review of the site’s existing infrastructure and proposes quality-of-life improvements through common amenities, improved transportation flow and interconnectivity with nearby neighborhoods. The project’s fundamental vision revolves around creating a mixed-use space serving as both a center for economic growth and a community and connectivity hub for local residents.
Among the projects outlined in the plan, the city is prioritizing the creation of a pedestrian network throughout the park area. This will include a series of 10-foot multi-purpose paths weaving throughout the park alongside an internal walking path expansion to connect with Moss Universal Park. These pedestrian and bicycle paths will offer safe, accessible trails to reach buildings, amenities and surrounding neighborhoods without relying on motorized vehicles.
Transportation infrastructure is slated for significant redesigns as well. The plan will implement changes to improve and extend the internal road network, prioritizing efficient traffic flow, safe intersections and multimodal access.
The plan includes an increased emphasis on public amenities in the park to foster communal use and social interaction. These include a renewed interest in developing plazas, parks and recreational trails that will be available year-round for community use. An improved cohesive design language and wayfinding system will help visitors navigate the park, turning it into more of an activated neighborhood.
Mixed-use development will take a center focus in the park’s redevelopment. The city will ensure residential, retail and hospitality uses are seamlessly and strategically integrated into the office park. The goal will be to reduce urban sprawl while encouraging efficient land usage. Wauwatosa and its participating partners anticipate that the final version of the Milwaukee County Research Park will generate long-term economic value, attracting new business and residents to boost the city’s economic stature and tax base growth.
Photo by Anamul Rezwan from Pexels
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