Pabst Farms developer to Oconomowoc mayor: "Retailers dictate where they go, and we know our business better than you do."

We saw it here in Franklin when the city rolled over for the developer of Shoppes at Wyndham Village; observe how big boxes - and COMMERCIAL DEVELOPERS -  can define the very character of an entire community. If the developer gets what he wants in this case, the gateway to Oconomowoc will be characterized by "large expanses of flat roofs, air conditioning units and other mechanicals, loading docks and Dumpsters."

But the developer will have enriched himself sufficiently, so all is well. Wonderful - another drive-thru city.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Pabst Farms changes sought

City worried about big-box stores backed up against roadways

By AMY RINARD
arinard@journalsentinel.com

Oconomowoc - City officials have asked the new developers of the proposed Pabst Farms Town Centre shopping mall to move big-box stores away from the corner of I-94 and Highway 67, an area considered a key gateway into the city.

But an official of Developers Diversified Realty told members of the Plan Commission Wednesday night that the request could be a deal breaker because that corner is exactly where big retailers want to be.

"Retailers dictate where they go," said Tim Bruce, executive vice president for development services for Developers Diversified. When pressed on the issue of shifting the site plan, he flatly told Mayor Maury Sullivan and the rest of the commission, "We know our business better than you do."

Sullivan said Thursday that the issue is significant and one Developers Diversified must address before its plan will be advanced by the city.

"This is a special place, and whatever is there, we want it to complement the city," he said.

The new plan for the more than 1 million-square-foot Pabst Farms Town Centre calls for a community shopping area along Highway 67 and the westbound I-94 off ramp.

It would feature a string of large and smaller, single-story big-box stores rounding the corner close to, and with their backs toward, the roadways. In the other malls, described to the commission as examples of the company's other projects, retailers included Super Target, Office Max and TJ Maxx stores, among others.

The project's upscale so-called lifestyle shopping area, complete with small lake, would feature specialty shops anchored by three larger stores and a cinema, and would be located behind and slightly east of the big-box stores that would be lined up along the project's most visible area.

"This is a departure from what was previously planned," said Bruce, referring to the plans of General Growth Properties, which consisted mostly of the high-end type of development.

But, he said, there was a reason General Growth dropped out of the project and why the new plan with its new big-box store area is more likely to be a financial success.

"The last plan did not work," he said.

Talking with retailers

Bruce said his company is in negotiations with two large national retail companies interested in building large anchor stores planned for the corner of the I-94 westbound off ramp and Highway 67. He said those companies want that location.

The general layout of the site "is sacrosanct from our perspective," Bruce told the Plan Commission.

Commissioners found many things to like about the new plan and gave it a tentative green light Wednesday night. But they have given developers until Jan. 24 to return with an amended proposal that addresses the location of the big-box stores and a number of other concerns raised by city staff, including the site's internal road system.

Dumpsters at entrance

Sullivan said that while the request for a shift in the site plan to reduce the visual impact of the big-box stores got a chilly reception from the developers so far, he hoped they would make the change.

With the large one-story buildings backed up along the elevated I-94 off ramp, motorists would be greeted by large expanses of flat roofs, air conditioning units and other mechanicals, loading docks and Dumpsters at the entrance to the city, he said.

"We want some changes made," said Sullivan. "If they respond and make the changes, we move on. If they don't, then we'll have to decide what to do next."

Stan Sugden, the city engineer who is a member of the Plan Commission, said city officials will have only one chance to decide on the best development for that prime piece of city real estate at I-94 and Highway 67, and they had better get it right.

"That is the gateway into the city, and we want to make sure we protect that vista and make it the best we possibly can," he said.

Comments

[Josh Strupp]

"'Retailers dictate where they go,' said Tim Bruce, executive vice president for development services for Developers Diversified. When pressed on the issue of shifting the site plan, he flatly told Mayor Maury Sullivan and the rest of the commission, 'We know our business better than you do.'"

I wonder who has the upper hand in this one?

"Sullivan said that while the request for a shift in the site plan to reduce the visual impact of the big-box stores got a chilly reception from the developers so far, he HOPED they would make the change."

...and I HOPE I have the winning powerball in my back pocket right now.

[John Michlig]

You ain't seen nothing yet. I've just obtained a copy of an agreement between Target and local developer Mark Carstensen that'll make your head spin.

[Josh Strupp]

...and probaby disgusted too.

[Greg Kowalski]

I look forward to the agreement being shown.

I'd bet $2,664,000 that Josh will be extremely disgusted that the community got the shaft.