Tentative Apartment Plan Buys Time for Former M&I Buildings

They’re not cats, but the former M&I Bank buildings seem to have multiple lives.

On Tuesday, the Port Washington Common Council again granted an extension on the . Aldermen were encouraged by concept redevelopment plans presented by Port resident Gertjan van den Broek of Renew Port Holdings LLC, who also confirmed that he has financing in place.

Previously, the buildings at 122 N. Franklin St. 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.

Though the new demolition date is March 31, a firmer vision for renovating the buildings emerged on Tuesday. Van den Broek, who also owns  and , has been working with architect Jim Reed on a tentative plan that sees the building being home to 19 apartment units — 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.

"It fits into the plan of what we have there," Ald. Mike Ehrlich said. "I also think there is a demand for apartments and I think its only going to add to the character of the downtown." 

Ald. Dan Becker echoed praises for the ideas, but also said he is glad van den Broek is taking a responsible approach.

"What I like about what you're proposing ... is the fact that you want to do it in phases, not biting off more than you can chew," Becker said.

Van den Broek and Reed proposed a number of phases for the apartment unit and commercial space plan, what Reed referred to as the "conservative plan." The plans were presented as a concept, and it's possible that the group could look at other ways to develop the space.

"The fact that this building is going to be maintained and there is going to be life there is great," Ehrlich said.

Mayor Scott Huebner called the building a "gem," and said he is glad to see it saved as no new building would have ever come close to filling its shoes.

"We really feel that this is the type of project that can work in Port and work in this economy," Reed said of the tentative plans he presented. "I love the building, I love the history of the building. ... It's perfectly knit into the community."

The next steps

Van den Broek and the city must complete a developer’s agreement before the council’s March 6 meeting. The agreement will allow the parties to develop a timeline that is considered reasonable to all involved for development of the structures, starting with the basics of fixing the building's facades before the coming tourist season.

If van den Broek does not follow through on the sale, the buildings must still be demolished by March 31.