Joseph J. Zilber, founder and chairman of Zilber Ltd. real estate company, announced Wednesday that he has completed the purchase of the former Pabst Brewery site -- the controversial 21 acres of currently unused space on the edge of Milwaukee's Downtown -- from Juneau Avenue Partners.

Zilber did not disclose any specific commercial plans for the area, but instead outlined the big picture of what he hopes for the historical site.

"It's going to look like a neighborhood," he says, describing his vision, which includes housing -- both apartments and condominiums -- offices, retail and industrial space, as well as the possibility of a hotel, a national training center (Johnson Controls is one possible tenant), community oriented facilities and parks.

At this point, Zilber and his Pabst team -- John Kersey, director of Towne Investments; Mike Mervis, a vice president of Towne Realty; Tom Bernacchi, the assistant director of Towne Investments and the newly appointed Director of Urban Development Dan McCarthy -- are still in discussions with the City about the possibility of a TIF -- one that Zilber says is "significantly less than that submitted in the previous plan."

Zilber says he plans on meeting with each alderman to make sure they are all "on board," and if the formal application is approved by the Common Council, the remediation and infrastructure work on the site could start as early as the end of this year.

Zilber says the biggest difference between his proposal and the previously denied Pabst City one is that he and his team are seeking out other people from all over the country who are interested in historic preservation of the Milwaukee neighborhood. Although he plans on selling parts of the site to outside buyers, he intends on keeping much of it -- like the silos he so dearly loves -- for himself.

"I have lived in Milwaukee for almost 89 years and I felt it was my duty and my responsibility, as a citizen of this community, to take this piece of our history and do everything I can to preserve, protect and return it to economic viability," he says.

Zilber and his team say that they hope to save as many of the existing structures as possible, although some will have to be demolished.

"With over 1.4 million sq. ft. of space, some of it in terrible disrepair and on the verge of collapse, devising a plan to covert that space to usable, productive, desirable housing, office, industrial and retail space presents a formidable challenge, (but) it has been, and continues to be, a labor of love," he says.

Zilber noted that he is working with Milwaukee's new Director of Sustainability Ann Beier and intends to submit an application to the United States Green Building Council -- the national accrediting body on environmental sustainability -- to participate in the LEED pilot program that would get the neighborhood certified.

Zilber closed the press conference by announcing his plans to celebrate his 100th birthday -- just over 10 years from now -- at the Pabst and hopes that the community will join him "celebrating the return of one of Milwaukee's great legends."

The initial plans for the location are on the Pabst's Web site (below).

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Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by OMCreader on Sept. 1, 2006 at 2:25 p.m. (report)

Finch said: Hank, daver - I agree with both of you that the Ghazi hotel project will happen and it will help the city, as it seems to be the best proposal with a national company and the best location with respect to the Midwest Airlines Center. It looks great and will provide a fresh look for the downtown. I love our classic look but a splash of modern here and there cold provide some balance. Just think, the folks that will be in town and stay there will need a place nearby to shop...

Posted by OMCreader on Sept. 1, 2006 at 1:13 p.m. (report)

daver said: Finch> Oh I 100% agree if more of those companies would move downtown that would be great, and would definitely spur more development. Further I believe the city needs to work more with UWM as I believe every other top 50 city has a major research institution within it and these help spur even more development. Addtiionally the Ghazi project is important on many levels towards the further improvement of the city because of its design, tenants (hotel and bar), and of course location. It should and new density and new street life there which will help a lot!

Posted by OMCreader on Sept. 1, 2006 at 10:13 a.m. (report)

Hank said: daver and fincher: You're all making good points but I think as far as companies moving downtown... I don't see it happening anytime soon. I think that's unfortunate but it will NOT mean the demise of all the great redevelopment that is happening downtown. I would agree the Ghazi building (which I think will get built) would be an awesome addition to the skyline. I just think that some of the comparisons are simply not fair, in that MKE will never be NY, LA, or Miami. Those places are unique for various reasons and as far as NYC is concerned... there's only one and it's one of the coolest places (to me) in the world! Anyway, MKE is what it is: a really nice, mid-sized American city withfriendly, down to earth people, GREAT local and national retail choices, awesome restaurants, interesting neighborhoods and a freeway system that allows you easy access to most places in less than 20 minutes. You can't say that for Minniapolis, Chicago, LA, NYC, KC, Dallas, Atlanata... etc.

Posted by OMCreader on Sept. 1, 2006 at 9:34 a.m. (report)

Finch said: No, I wasn't just pointing out the size of the buildings as much as I was pointing out the size (not height) of the downtown in general. I would like to see Milwaukee get more of their fortune 500 and 1000 companies to move downtown like Manpower did. That was huge and will help out the downtown tremendously. I don't know if the people in this town understand what that is going to do. I have business acquaintances that work at Manpower and some are considering a move to the downtown/Brewer's Hill area already. This type of thing will help the downtown retail and perhaps attract more. I understand that you probably already know this but my point is we need more. Downtown could be so much better. Better doesn't mean taller but I would love to see some taller buildings in our skyline as well. The 32-story Ghazi hotel would be a start and Lake Point tower would be huge (no pun intended).

Posted by OMCreader on Aug. 31, 2006 at 9:30 p.m. (report)

daver said: Finch> Oh I finally get it to you TALL means advanced which is a very short sighted view of what makes a great city. As I posted in another thread Milwaukee has MORE Fortune 500 companies in the Metro than ANY comparable city per capita. And more than most in simple numbers. PS I lived in Minneapolis last summer it is over rated, again if you think stip clubs on every corner makes a great city than well yet that's a great city.