Work to Meet Development Deadlines on Former M&I Buildings Under Way

Developer  of Renew Port Holdings LLC has taken the first few steps toward making  as he works to .

Work has begun to repair the facade of the building, something that had been a major concern of city officials because of the danger falling pieces posed to visitors walking the streets of downtown Port Washington. That work is to be completed by May 21 as part of  that was approved in March.

The agreement outlines a specific timeline to see developments, and if a deadline is missed, the city will have the opportunity to raze the building. Other deadlines are as follows:

• September 2012: Submit concept plans to the Plan Commission.
• April 2013: Begin construction following approval of the plans.
• October 2013: 51 percent of the planned redevelopment construction must be completed.

The timeline was a top priority by city officials because of the recent history of the property — under the ownership of Port Harbor Investments LLC,  since Port Harbor purchased the properties in 2007.

Since then, the buildings at 122 N. Franklin St. have survived three demolition deadlines:

• April 15, 2011: City Attorney Eric Eberhardt  with Port Harbor LLC in a lawsuit against the company, which had purchased the buildings in late 2007 but was unable to make promised renovations. In the pact, the company agreed to raze the buildings.
• Dec. 28, 2011: The Common Council declined to accept the agreement with Port Harbor, and set its own date to sell or demolish the structures.
• Jan. 20, 2012: A little more than a week before the December deadline, the council learned that van den Broek was interested in the buildings and gave him an additional month to complete certain inspections and make financial arrangements.

"What you've had for the past 5, 6, 7, 8 years is a property that’s not utilized at all, and an eyesore," said Bruce McIlnay, van den Broek's attorney, pointing to his client's commitment to breathe life back to the buildings.

Van den Broek, who also owns  and , has been working with architect Jim Read on a  — with lake views and some penthouse suites with private rooftop decks — as well as commercial store fronts on the North Franklin Street side, lower level.

This is a long-term plan, with construction to be done in phases. As van den Broek searches for tenants, it's also possible that the group could look at other ways to develop the space to better suit interested parties.