MONROE — Monroe officials are eyeing the next phase of new construction development in Monroe, and have released a concept drawing for a mixed-use development for city-owned property near the far east side, just on the other side of Highway 11.
“We are now developing a new area in the city,” said Melissa Hunt, a consultant to the city’s Redevelopment Authority, which is eyeing the development not far from the Wal-Mart location and the new Alice Place apartments. “We started talking about this two years ago.”
The development plan for Redevelopment Area 2 as it’s called includes greenspace, ample stormwater runoff; and several lots for different types of new development.
The largest of the lots is a 12.7-acre parcel designated for mixed-use development, in keeping with the area’s mixed-use past involving big-box retail and now the new senior apartments.
There’s also ample “green space” on two separate parcels in the plan. The area is in one of the city’s Tax Increment Financing Districts and officials also are considering an effort to rezone additional adjacent property into the city limits.
The RDA is comprised of seven members of the community committed to enhancing the economic vitality of the city. RDA members are appointed by the city’s mayor to a 5-year term and approved by the Monroe Common Council.
The goal of the new development effort is to outline a possible development for the property without locking the city in to a plan to keep options open for any kind of project that comes up and could benefit the city. The preliminary plan, if approved by the city council, could be turned into a “marketing piece” to help draw developers to the project and generate winning ideas for its future.
Toward that end the mixed-use zoning likely will not include light industrial development, in keeping with the theme of nearby properties, said Joel Hedeman, a real estate agent advising the RDA.
“I feel like residential (development) out there would be super popular,” said Hedeman.
RDA members agreed, saying residential would “complement the existing area.”
The nearby Alice Place is part of the larger redevelopment parcel in the area. Alice Place Monroe, which recently opened and is reportedly already full of tenants, is a new apartment building on the city’s far northwest edge for residents ages 55 and older who pay rent on a sliding scale. Pioneer Property Management out of Platteville purchased and rezoned 4.27 acres of land to make way for the Alice Place effort.
Officials, who want a larger community with a neighborhood feel that’s walking and family friendly, said it would l likely be the first new planned, residential type development since creation of the popular Park Place subdivision in Monroe.
Monroe officials and business leaders have been emphasizing the need for new housing stock in the city, including single-family and rental properties.
“This isn’t set in stone, it’s just a guide,” said RDA member and city alder Brooke Bauman, adding that the park land set aside in the initial plan is vital to its residential appeal.
Additional information about the RDA and extensive links to its supporting documents, presentations and plans can be found on the city’s web site.