Mixed-Use Proposal for New East Library Branch of Milwaukee Public Library

Developers propose apartments, new library for East Library site. (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 8/17/2011)

Excerpt: Milwaukee's East Library branch would be demolished and replaced with a mixed-use development that includes a new library, along with 65 to 81 apartments, under three competing proposals submitted to city officials.

The conceptual proposals are from Madison-based Stone House Development Inc., Oregon, Wis.-based Gorman & Co. and Waukesha-based HSI Properties LLC. Executives at the three firms say their developments would tap continued strong demand, especially from younger renters, for new east side apartments.

"It's just a very vibrant area," said Rich Arnesen, Stone House vice president, on Wednesday.

The Milwaukee Public Library and Department of City Development in July issued the development proposals request for the East Library, 1910 E. North Ave. The current one-story, 13,800-square-foot library opened in 1968 and is obsolete.