BROOKFIELD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS MAY 8, 2013

  
FEATURED ARTICLE
City to begin engineering work for potential reconstruction of 124th St. Commerce District streets
 
The Brookfield City Council approved moving forward with engineering work to design potential street reconstruction and storm water improvements in the 124th St. Commerce District, at its April 16th meeting. The first phase of engineering was approved, which will allow the City's consulting firm to do preliminary design of potential improvements, develop cost estimates and conduct public information meetings with business and property owners in the area to discuss the project and potential costs. The City has had reconstruction of 126th, 127th, Auer, Robin, Townsend, Wirth and Feerick streets in the Capital Improvement Plan for design work in 2013 and potential construction in 2014.
 

GRAEF-USA and City staff will be meeting with property owners to discuss improvements that would be made to public streets and storm sewers in the area, to address issues of inadequate drainage and deteriorating pavement condition. The City is also working with area businesses on potential branding of the area, which could be enhanced with entrance signs at five entry locations into the district.

 

"Located in the heart of Southeastern Wisconsin, the City of Brookfield is a community of choice for families and businesses and a premier sustainable place to live, work, shop, and play."

 

City of Brookfield

2035 Vision  

 

"Lt. Gov. Kleefisch, County Executive Vrakas, Mayor Ponto and other officials help Co-owners Dick Maggliocco and Dave Jentz (holding scissors) to cut the Ribbon at Exhibit Systems."

Exhibit Systems holds Ribbon Cutting for new Headquarters

 

Exhibit Systems held a Ribbon Cutting for its new headquarters at 12600 W. Burleigh on May 2. The company works with clients to design, source and manufacture trade show displays from portable "pop up" displays to large architectural booths of wood or fabricated materials. Storage, shipping, set-up, tear down, and repair of trade show displays is a growing part of the business.

 

Exhibit Systems bought the 46,000 square foot building, which had been largely vacant for several years, in 2012. A complete rehabilitation of the interior and recladding of the fa�ade was undertaken to give the facility a contemporary appearance.

 

"New windows, brick and architectural panels create a contemporary facade at Exhibit Systems, 12600 W. Burleigh."

Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, County Executive Dan Vrakas, and Mayor Steve Ponto were among the officials on hand to help Exhibit Systems celebrate its new home. Mayor Ponto noted that Exhibit Systems was helping to set the tone for planned improvements in the City's 124th St. Commerce District. The company has reserved a spot for a gateway sign that will serve as an entrance feature to the 124th St. Commerce District area.

 

Exhibit Systems moved from two leased facilities and now has all of its operations and 20-plus employees under one roof. The company expects strong continuing growth for the foreseeable future.

 

 

 

Ella's Brookfield Restaurant new on Burleigh Road

 

What was Sluggo's sports bar has now become Ella's Brookfield Barstaurant (Bar and Restaurant). The establishment, at 12760 W. Burleigh Road, is the latest venture for brothers Mark and Dan Zierath, who also own Jackson's Blue Ribbon Pub at 11302 W. Bluemound Road in Wauwatosa, and who will soon be opening another Blue Ribbon Pub at 1203 N. 10th Street in the Brewhouse Inn & Suites. The latter location is at the Brewery, the Zilber Properties' redevelopment of the former Pabst Brewery in downtown Milwaukee.

 

Mark and Dan are planning a casual, affordable tavern atmosphere for Ella's and have already brought major changes to the interior and menu. Pub favorites and a beer batter fish fry are staples. The owners are working with the City to plan other improvements which are likely to include an outdoor deck and seating area.

 

 

 

City rolls out Fa�ade Improvement Grant Program for Northeast Industrial District, north of Lisbon, west of 124th Street

 

The City of Brookfield is partnering with Waukesha County to introduce a Fa�ade Improvement Grant Program for commercial and industrial buildings in the far northeast corner of the City. The program area is bounded by Lisbon Road on the south, 124th Street on the east, 128th Street (continued) on the west, and the Village of Butler on the north. The area is one of the oldest commercial and industrial districts in the City, and much of the construction pre-dates the City's incorporation in 1954. A number of smaller buildings and parcels, outdoor storage yards, and instances of deferred maintenance make the area eligible for these type of improvements.

 

Funding for the program comes from the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the form of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). Waukesha County receives these funds as an urban county, and sets aside an amount for municipalities. Brookfield has been allocated just over $55,000 for the program, and hopes to distribute 11 grants of $5,000 each, to be matched by $5,000 or more in private funds. Eligible improvements include painting, repair and replacement of building exterior, doors and windows, signs, landscaping, and fencing or other screening of parking and outdoor storage areas.

 

Most projects will be subject to Fair Labor Standards, and will require paying of prevailing wage rates to contractors. The City is hoping to get applicants interested in the program, and get the funds out quickly to make visible improvements this year. Anyone in this area who is interested in the program can contact: Tim Casey, Economic Development Coordinator at 262-796-6694 or [email protected].  

 
 Your Questions, Comments & Requests are Welcome

 

If you need any information for your business or for someone considering a business opportunity in Brookfield, contact:

 
Tim Casey
 
Economic Development Coordinator
 
City of Brookfield
 
2000 N. Calhoun Road
 
Brookfield, WI 53005-5095
 
262-797-6694
 
[email protected] 

 
Subscription Information

 

Please share this newsletter with your company's owner, general manager and business executives. You are also welcome to forward this news to your peers doing business in Brookfield. To forward this eNewsletter, refer to the link below.  Click the "Unsubscribe" link at the top of the page or the "SafeUnsubscribe" link at the bottom of the page if you do not wish to receive our newsletter.  

 
Brookfield Economic Development

 

The City of Brookfield Economic Development Coordinator is Tim Casey. Economic Development Committee members include: Nate Cunniff, BMO Harris Bank; Bob Reddin, Alderman, City of Brookfield; Glen Allgaier, School District of Elmbrook; David Krutz, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP; Scott Oleson, Brookfield Square Shopping Center; Steve Miazga, R. A. Smith National and Brookfield Chamber of Commerce; Brian Shecterle, Culver's Restaurant & Shecterle Commercial Properties LLC.

 

The Economic Development Committee generally meets on the first Monday of every month (excluding July). For meeting agendas and minutes, please visit:

 

http://www.ci.brookfield.wi.us/archive.asp