What's interesting in this story are the comments by Franklin officials. Read the quotes in BOLD and then look back at the horrendous Carstensen Shops and Wyndham Village plan. Did these high standards and suggestions apply to Mr. Carstensen's project? Evidently not.
Retail center would revamp troubled area
But planners encourage a more stunning facility
By John Neville
Staff Writer
Posted: March 28, 2007
The
Franklin Plan Commission has reviewed a concept plan for a
225,000-square-foot retail center in an area some in the community
consider to be a bit of an eyesore.
If approved by the Common Council, The Shoppes at Legend Creek, an
eight-building commercial development proposed by Waukesha-based
commercial and residential developer Mred-Cummings for the 9800 block
of West Loomis Road, would feature 40 percent green space and a
mixed-use commercial facility on redeveloped parcels.
Mark C. Lake, director of development for the firm, said the
proposed 30.7-acre site, near the corner of Loomis Road and Highway
100, has been used as an informal dumping ground for years.
Also, Lake said, an advantage of the development will be that the
Coyote Grill & Bar, closed in 2004 and a longtime magnet for police
calls, will be bulldozed. The facility, he said, continues to attract
illegal activity.
The area also contains an improperly maintained wetland with some
invasive species - something that the developer would also revamp with
a drainage basin.
"We'd like to turn a cattail-choked creek with some invasive species into a viable area," he said.
The commission did not take action at its March 22 meeting, but the
proposal was reviewed and discussed by the commission and audience for
90 minutes.
A large anchor, plus
With 899 parking spaces, Legend Creek
would feature a 124,950-square-foot anchor store. The other seven
outlets, none of which are larger than 42,900 square feet, will offer a
mix of retail and office, including a bank.
Legend Creek would also include walkways (some covered), sidewalks,
greenways and a connection to a future senior development in back of
the site.
Lake said Mred owns the Walgreen's at the intersection and several
other nearby properties and is negotiating to possibly acquire the
rest. If the deal goes through, nine parcels would be combined into
three.
Besides its green space, Legend Creek would improve the area by
rebuilding a dicey intersection at Puetz Road and Highway 100 and
incorporate eye-catching architectural elements that are spin-offs of
other notable retail developments in the area, including Pabst Farms in
Oconomowoc, Fountain Square in Brookfield and Greenway Station in
Middleton.
Noting the site has a value of about $3.5 million, Lake said it now
makes about $75,194 in tax revenue for the city as opposed to the
estimated $643,920 it would generate as Legend Creek.
"That's quite a chunk of change when you compare it to what it's generating now," he said.
Brian Cummings, president of Mred-Cummings, said he has no tenants lined up yet, but the plan is only in a preliminary phase.
"We're keeping our options open," he explained, noting that site
plans need to become more definite before the developer can proceed
with parcel acquisitions.
Upscale feel?
However, noting the area near the site is
considered one of the city's gateways, commissioner Shari Hanneman said
she wants to see a more upscale development with greater attention to
architectural detail.
"I'll be honest. I don't want to see a Pay Loan Store or a cellular
store in here," she said, who later added that she wanted the "wow"
factor to be evident in any proposal.
Cummings said more dimension could be added but doubted a proposal for the site could be more upscale.
However, commissioner George Torres agreed with Hanneman, noting the concept rendering struck him as bland.
"When I first saw this, it reminded me of the Menards on Highway
100," Torres said, urging a canopy or neon lighting be added to liven
up the facade.
Mayor Tom Taylor, chairman of the commission, noted the anchor store
as proposed is larger than the 100,000 square feet limit recommended by
the Crossroads Trade Area Plan, a 1994 master plan for the city.
Alderman Steve Olson, not a member of the commission, thanked Lake
and Cummings for responding to the concerns of area residents recently
and urged them to take their plans to the next level. Olson, however,
also suggested the developers avoid duplicating other area retail
outlets.
"We're looking for something that is unique to Franklin," he said.
"If there's a store that already exists in Franklin, we don't need
another one."
Cummings said ideally he will begin moving earth at the site in
September, with construction starting in spring 2008 next year and
opening targeted for fall of that year.
Contact reporter John Neville at (262) 317-8572 or [email protected].
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