Friday, May 11, 2012
An anonymous donation of up to $1 million will allow the Port Washington Historical Society to purchase and renovate the former Business Men’s Club building for use a museum; the society will also occupy the building at 205 N. Franklin Street for use as a
The Port Washington Historical Society is moving, and thanks to a $1 million anonymous donation, the transition will include quite the upgrade. The society is leaving its former home — a small, temporary spot on Grande Avenue — to move in downtown, where it will occupy two historic locations. Historical Society Board President Jackie Oleson called the donation "a transformational gift." "The gift was directed to save another historic building from demolition and devote it to showcasing the history of Port Washington," Oleson said in a press release. "Through the considerable generosity and vision of this family, the Port Washington Historical Society will acquire and renovate the former Business Men’s Club building located at 118 N. …
Thursday, April 26, 2012
The Port Washington Common Council approved a developer's agreement with Gertjan van den Broek of Renew Port Holdings LLC in March, which included a series of deadlines that must be met — or the building can be torn down.
Developer Gertjan van den Broek of Renew Port Holdings LLC has taken the first few steps toward making good on a list of deadlines as he works to develop the former M&I buildings into apartment and retail space. 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 a developer's agreement between the city and van den Broek 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: The…
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
The Port Washington Common Council approved a developer's agreement with Gertjan van den Broek of Renew Port Holdings LLC on Tuesday, setting a series of deadlines that must be met — or the building can be torn down.
It’s been a long battle in the fate of the former M&I bank property in downtown Port Washington, and the buildings have now been hooked to a ticking time bomb — one that officials are hopeful won't ever go off. The Port Washington Common Council approved a developer's agreement with purchaser Gertjan van den Broek of Renew Port Holdings LLC during Tuesday night’s meeting, finalizing a very specific timeline to see development start on the building. If a deadline is missed, the city will have the opportunity to raze the building. But because the agreement also requires van den Broek to forfeit a $60,000 letter of credit that will be issued to the city, Ald. Joe Dean said that is "60,000 reasons" the council can become more comfortable with …
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The Port Washington Common Council extended a raze order on the historic buildings, giving Gertjan van den Broek a chance at ownership.
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 raze order for the historic structures. 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: Though the new demolition date is March 31, a firmer vision for renovating the buildings emerged on Tuesday. Van den Broek, who also owns Harry's Restaurant and recently purchased Java Dock, has been working with architect Jim Reed on a tentative plan that sees the building …
43.38819
-87.86928
122 N Franklin St, Port Washington, WI
/articles/tentative-apartment-plan-saves-former-m-i-buildings
/locations/6336337
Friday, January 20, 2012
An interested buyer hopes to follow through on plans to restore historic buildings in downtown Port Washington despite the fact that the former owner must follow through with steps to raze the structure.
It seems this broken Port Washington building just can’t get a break. For years, the historic former M&I buildings have been involved in turmoil — stuck with owners lacking the finances to develop or even repair the dilapidated buildings, a situation that led city officials to years worth of legal battles and the eventual settlement of the lawsuit calling for the building to be razed. Now, local man Gertjan van den Broek of Renew Port Holdings LLC has come this close to assuming ownership of the building — with a pending offer to purchase and plans to fix the dilapidated facade — but without proper financing and very little time. A binding agreement remains between the city and current owners Port Harbor Investments LLC, which requires a…
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Port Washington Common Council extends the deadline to demolish the buildings after potential buyer comes forward — time will tell if his plan will work.
The former M&I buildings received a stay of execution on Tuesday, and an interested local buyer might finally offer a solution for the crumbling structures. The historic buildings, 122 N. Franklin St., faced a gruesome end next week, with a demolition deadline set at Dec. 28 under an agreement between the city and building owners Port Harbor Investments LLC. But that agreement left room for Port Harbor to find a buyer for the buildings — which might have happened, a development that moved the Port Washington Common Council on Tuesday to extend the demolition deadline to Jan. 20. That date was chosen because that's the date by which interested buyer Gertjan van den Broek of Renew Port Holdings LLC, who also owns Harry's Restaurant and …
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Closing date tentatively set for Dec. 30 in sale that would turn building into art gallery, renting spaces to artists and hosting gallery nights.
The Port Washington Common Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved the sale of the historic fire engine house to Bette Langford, who plans to open an art gallery and studio in the building. The building will sell for $188,000, and, after commission, the city receives $176,720. The sale's closing date is set for Dec. 30, pending approval by the Wisconsin Historical Society regarding preservation easements placed on the building, which earned state and national recognition as a historic site in 2009. The historic fire engine house, 102 E. Pier St., became available after the Port Washington Adult Community Senior Center moved to a new location. Historical society members had hoped the city would lease the building to the group for a $1…
Thursday, September 22, 2011
RE/MAX United, a Port Washington realty company, will now pursue interested buyers in full force.
A two-week exemption period for the Port Washington Historical Society to purchase the historic fire engine house has ended, leaving Port Washington officials waiting to make a sale to any interested party through a broker. The building is listed for sale with RE/MAX United, and Port Washington City Administrator Mark Grams said the realtor has spoken with a number of interested buyers — though no one has given an official offer. "If we don’t sell (it) that means we've got about a $230,000 hole in the budget we’ve got to fix," Grams said. "That money is going to be used for the rent on the new senior center." RE/MAX will try to sell the building for $249,000 during the six-month sale contract. And as efforts for the sale continue, the Port…
43.38987
-87.870887
102 E Pier St, Port Washington, WI
/articles/deadline-passes-for-historical-society-to-buy-fire-engine-house
/locations/5424378
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Port Washington Common Council's decision to contract with Tom Didier Re/MAX United includes a 14-day exclusion for the Port Historical Society to make a deal.
A controversy that began over a year ago regarding the fate of the historic fire engine house began a new chapter on Tuesday after the Port Washington Common Council approved a local real estate company to list the building for sale. The council voted 8-1 to approve the sale to be contracted with Tom Didier Re/MAX United of Port Washington. The second option had been Milwaukee-based Grubb & Ellis Apex Commercial. Alderman Jim Vollmar voted against the decision; he said he has been against the sale of the building from the beginning, continually voting against it at council meetings. But, he said, if the building is going to be sold — he's glad to see it go to a local agent. The historic fire engine house, 102 E. Pier St., formerly housed…
Port Washington Common Council to decide between realty firms at Tuesday night's meeting.
No matter how controversial the sale of the historic fire engine house may be, it's seems the Port Washington Common Council is ready to get down to business Tuesday by hiring one of two realty firms to try to sell the building. Tom Didier Re/MAX United of Port Washington and Milwaukee-based Grubb & Ellis Apex Commercial are both in the running for the sale contract. Both have experience with commercial realty in Port Washington. Grubb & Ellis points to it's experience in the sale of the former Wind Rose Wine & Martini Bar building, and Re/MAX points to recent sales of commerical properties including buildings that now house Baltica Tea Room, Wardrobe Safari and Lake Shore Dance. The historic fire engine house, 102 E. Pier St., formerly …
43.38987
-87.870887
102 E Pier St, Port Washington, WI
/articles/two-realtors-make-bid-to-sell-historic-firehouse
/locations/5282076
Robert B.
10:47 am on Thursday, April 26, 2012
Saw some chaps working up there the other day while on my dog walk. more ›