KRM: A PLAN FOR THE KENOSHA - RACINE - MILWAUKEE COMMUTER LINK

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2 TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PORTOLIO: EXISTING CONDITIONS -SOUTH MILWAUKEE STATION AREA Introduction The City of South Milwauee has an existing station previously utilized for passenger rail service on the Chicago and Northwestern, (now the Union Pacific ) in the downtown. The station building is located just south of, east of the Union Pacific. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is now privately owned and occupied by a commercial use. The City of South Milwauee Comprehensive Plan 00 (adopted in June 00) recommends a new station location on the west side of the railroad tracs, across from the historic station building. This location is currently the site of a partially vacant warehouse called the Line Building. Transit-oriented development (TOD) is typically focused within a ten minute wal or ½ mile distance of a transit facility, with higher density uses concentrated with- South Milwauee s ½ Mile Station Area 15th Avenue 1th Avenue East Rawson Avenue Missouri Avenue Madison Avenue Michigan Avenue Marquette Avenue 1th Avenue Marshall Avenue Menomonee Avenue Marion Avenue Manitowoc Avenue 1th Avenue General Station Location Half Mile Radius Quarter Mile Radius 10th Avenue / North Chicago Avenue 9th Avenue 8th Avenue 7th Avenue in a five minute wal or ¼ mile area. Within South Milwauee s ½ mile station area is a mix of commercial, industrial, residential, and par/open space uses. According to data collected for the maret assessment prepared by Valerie S. Kretchmer Associates, Inc., the ½ mile area surrounding the proposed station has an estimated 005 population of,578. Based on the 005 estimates, the station area contains 1,89 households and,897 jobs. The number of jobs is attributed in large part to Bucyrus International, Inc, a manufacturer of surface mining equipment which is located north of the proposed station and Milwauee Avenue and the Cooper Power Systems plant located at the south end of the station area at 9th Avenue. Bucyrus International Inc. currently employs 950 people. The full maret assessment report is located in the Appendix. Community Issues and Opportunities Key staeholders within the community were interviewed to obtain opinions on issues and opportunities within the station area. In addition, a community worshop was held on March 0, 006 at the South Milwauee City Administration Building to solicit community input. The primary issues and opportunities mentioned in both the worshop and interviews are summarized as follows. The complete summaries of the interviews and worshops are located in the Appendix. Key Issues Building obsolescence in the downtown Too many paring lots in the downtown Lac of economic development and redevelopment Lower household incomes and aging residents Older housing stoc Vacant storefronts in the downtown No real destinations within the City Zoning issues mae redevelopment difficult Key Opportunities Commuter rail service could regenerate the community Grant Par and Lae Michigan are ey assets in town The City has a traditional central business district which offers a pedestrianfriendly environment Property taxes are lower as compared to surrounding communities Housing prices are lower as compared to surrounding communities Excellent new high school which offers cultural and recreational opportunities for the City Income levels are rising The community is self-contained with City-owned sewer and water utilities Stable area Existing Land Use Existing Land Use is illustrated in igure.i on page. The study area contains a mix of residential, commercial, industrial and par and open space uses. Bucyrus International, Inc. located north of the proposed station is currently expanding their facility north of East Rawson Avenue. In addition, smaller wholesaling and storage uses, as well as the partially vacant Line Building (which is no longer occupied by a manufacturing use) are located near the station. The downtown retail core is aligned along, between 9th and 1th Avenues and along 10th Avenue/State Highway, between Marquette and s. The blocs surrounding the downtown contain a mixture of single-family and two-family dwellings. The station area is framed on the northwest and northeast by Grant Par along the Lae Michigan laefront and Oa Cree Parway. In addition, the South Milwauee Yacht Club is a recreational amenity for boaters, located east of the station area. A portion of the station area, east of the railroad, between Milwauee and Marion Avenues is within the City s Tax Increment inance (TI) District No.1. Several redevelopment projects have been completed within the district, including Sunrise Village, a -unit senior apartment complex, Marquette Manor, a 8-unit senior apartment building, a Tri-City baning facility, an expansion of Metalcut Products, and improvements to Sunrise Plaza Shopping Center. Existing Access and Circulation Existing Access and Circulation Patterns are illustrated in igure.ii on page. The major streets serving the downtown are, 10th Avenue/ State Highway, and Marquette Avenue. connects neighborhoods to the east and west of the downtown, but does not run all the way east to Grant Par and the laefront. Access to Grant Par and the laefront is provided by 10th and Hawthorne Avenues. The proposed station can be ac- KRM: A PLAN OR THE KENOSHA - RACINE - MILWAUKEE COMMUTER LINK

3 TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PORTOLIO: EXISTING CONDITIONS -SOUTH MILWAUKEE STATION AREA cessed either by foot or vehicle off of from the north, Marquette Avenue from the south and local roads from the west. With a traditional street grid and relatively complete sidewal system, the proposed station will be accessible by foot for surrounding neighborhoods. However, currently, there is only one improved pedestrian crossing over the railroad tracs at. As such, providing additional pedestrian crossings over the railroad will be important in the future to improve pedestrian accessibility to the station. The Oa Leaf Trail bieway runs through Oa Cree Parway on the west side of the station area, but it currently does not have designated connections to the station. The Milwauee County Transit Agency operates bus service within South Milwauee. Route 8, the South Shore lyer, provides connections between South Milwauee and downtown Milwauee via 10th Avenue, Marquette Avenue and 1th Avenue. However, the route currently does not have stops near the proposed train station. Existing Urban Design Existing Urban Design Conditions are illustrated in igure.iii on page 5. The station area is served by a traditional grid street pattern and the environment within the study area is pedestrian-friendly. Contributing to the physical character of the station area are historic buildings, including three National Register of Historic Places properties and other sites registered with the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. neighborhoods within the station area have a pedestrian character, most with detached garages accessed off of alleys. Most of the existing retail uses within the station area are located along Milwauee Avenue. The building pattern along this street frontage creates a street wall with storefronts oriented to public sidewals. This physical pattern supports a pedestrian environment within the downtown. KRM: A PLAN OR THE KENOSHA - RACINE - MILWAUKEE COMMUTER LINK

4 igure No. igure.i East Rawson Avenue Existing Land Use Missouri Avenue South Milwauee Station Area 15th Avenue 1th Avenue 1th Avenue Madison Avenue Michigan Avenue Marquette Avenue 5 Marshall Avenue Menomonee Avenue Marion Avenue 1th Avenue 7 UP 1 10th Avenue / North Chicago Avenue 9th Avenue 8th Avenue 5 7th Avenue General # Station Location UStudy Area Boundary (1/ mile radius) Wetlands Comments Existing Land Use Woodlands Single amily Two amily Multi-amily (1- stories) Commercial Office Mixed Use Acres 0 acres 15 acres 10 acres 7 acres 0 acres 9 acres acres acres Clocwise from right: Commercial along Senior housing on Marquette Avenue Bucyrus International Manitowoc Avenue 6 Industrial Wholesaling & Storage 61 acres 11 acres Institutional 17 acres 1. More intense development near vacant and under-utilized properties provide potential for more intense uses near the station.. Bucyrus International is an established industrial use providing jobs and supporting local businesses. sustains in-line retail, service, office and restaurant uses within the city s mixed-use downtown.. Sunrise Village, a senior apartment complex, provides a precedent for future redevelopment projects near downtown and the station. 5. Stable residential neighborhoods offer a diversity of housing options within the station area. 6. This auto-oriented shopping center offers large-format commercial options within the city. 7. Older, obsolete industrial uses may provide redevelopment opportunities in the near and long term future. Bus and Rail Depots Utilities & Communications Right of Way Vacant Vacant Buildings 1 acre < 1 acres 1 acres 10 acres 7 acres ,000 N KRM: A PLAN OR THE KENOSHA - RACINE - MILWAUKEE COMMUTER LINK

5 igure No..II East Rawson Avenue Existing Access & Circulation Patterns Missouri Avenue South Milwauee Station Area 15th Avenue 6 1th Avenue 1th Avenue Madison Avenue Michigan Avenue Marquette Avenue 1th Avenue UP 1 10th Avenue / North Chicago Avenue 9th Avenue 8th Avenue 7th Avenue General # Station Location UStudy Area Boundary (1/ mile radius) Comments Street, Collector Street, Arterial Bus Route Clocwise from right: South Milwauee Station North Chicago Avenue Marshall Avenue Menomonee Avenue 5 Bus Route - Par n Ride Bie Route Existing Grade-Separated Crossing Existing Stop Light Marion Avenue Manitowoc Avenue KRM: A PLAN OR 1. The historic train station provides a multi-modal framewor with pedestrian access and adjacent paring lots and bus routes.. serves as a local collector to downtown and the station.. The Union Pacific provides service to active industrial uses, including Bucyrus International.. Local residential streets offer a pedestrian-friendly environment for waling to the proposed station. 5. North Chicago Avenue is the primary north-south arterial through the city. 6. Local bie trails provide access to neighborhoods, county pars and the downtown area. N THE KENOSHA - RACINE - MILWAUKEE COMMUTER LINK ,00

6 igure No..III Missouri Avenue East Rawson Avenue Existing Urban Design Conditions South Milwauee Station Area 15th Avenue 1th Avenue 1th Avenue Madison Avenue Michigan Avenue Marquette Avenue 1th Avenue UP 1 10th Avenue / North Chicago Avenue 9th Avenue 8th Avenue 7th Avenue General # Station Location UStudy Area Boundary (1/ mile radius) Comments Streetscape* Sidewals and Curb Ramps No Sidewals Clocwise from right: Downtown Streetscape 10th Avenue Mixed Uses Tree-lined Streetscape Existing Grade-Separated Crossing Marshall Avenue Menomonee Avenue Marion Avenue Manitowoc Avenue *In addition to sidewals and curb ramps, streetscape areas have created special pedestrian oriented environments including such amenities as lighting, landscaping, street furniture, signage and public art. 1. The historic train station is centrally located within downtown and near established neighborhoods.. contains the city s mixed-use downtown within pedestrian-oriented framewor and inline storefronts.. Bucyrus International is an established industrial use and local employer.. Traditional residential neighborhoods are well-connected to downtown and the station with pedestrian-oriented street grid ,00 N KRM: A PLAN OR THE KENOSHA - RACINE - MILWAUKEE COMMUTER LINK

7 TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PORTOLIO: UTURE CONCEPT -SOUTH MILWAUKEE STATION AREA Introduction The City of South Milwauee is experiencing redevelopment within its downtown located in the station area. This is due to its convenient access to commercial and employment uses. In addition, the close proximity to Lae Michigan, the South Milwauee Yacht Club, Grant Par, and Oa Cree Parway are liely to draw new residents and visitors to the station area. A number of redevelopment projects have been completed within the downtown tax increment finance (TI) district, including new senior housing and commercial development. Other projects are planned or anticipated within the TI area, including a mixed-use development and a townhouse development. Given the presence of a number of functionally obsolete buildings and surface paring lots within the downtown, it is expected that there will be on-going redevelopment activity in the station area. Maret Potential As part of the station area planning process, a detailed maret assessment was conducted to determine the City of South Milwauee s future demand and development potential between 005 and 00 for the ½ mile station area. Based on current development trends and long-term population and employment projections, South Milwauee s station area maret demand has been determined for residential, retail and office uses (see Table 1). The complete maret assessment report is located in the Appendix. Table 1 South Milwauee Station Area Maret Demand, Total Retail (square feet) 10,000-15,000 15,000-0,000 15,000-0,000 0,000-55,000 Office (square feet) 5,000-10,000 10,000-15,000 10,000-15,000 5,000-0,000 Source: South Milwauee Maret Assessment (June 006), Valerie S. Kretchmer Associates, Inc. Table 1 indicates that there is potential for additional residential development in the station study area. rom , the maret assessment indicates a demand for 67 new residential units ( per year on average) within the ½ mile station area. The maret assessment also indicates that 0,000-55,000 square feet of additional retail is projected over the next 15 years. This is largely due to the fact that South Milwauee is currently underserved with retail space. Small-scale retail development opportunities exist along. It is expected that the proposed rail station in combination with the addition of new residents moving into the downtown area will increase demand for additional retail and service uses to be located within underutilized and vacant retail spaces in the downtown. An additional 5,000-0,000 square feet of office space could also be absorbed in small freestanding single or multi-tenant office buildings, or within mixed-use buildings. It is important to note that the maret assessment is but one element to be considered in developing preliminary land use concepts for the station area. Community policies and preferences for future development, and the long-term nature of the transit-supportive land use program are among these factors. While the maret assessment looed 15 years into the future, regional planning projections for the station area consider a 0-year planning horizon. Therefore, these maret demand numbers are used as a basis for the buildout 05 scenario presented in Table, in Economic Effects. uture Land Use Preliminary uture Land Use is illustrated in igure.iv on page 8. The land use planning recommendations are largely consistent with the South Milwauee Comprehensive Plan 00. The City has designated the site directly west of the existing station building, (this is currently the site of the Line Building), as a transit-oriented development that would most liely include a significant residential component. This would also be the site of the future KRM commuter rail station. The Plan also recommends high-density mixed-use development in the immediate station area along, and along 10th Avenue/ State Highway. Mixed-use would accommodate retail and service uses on the ground floor and residential uses above the ground floor. The Plan reflects that existing industrial uses in the station area would remain and transit would broaden access to employment marets. Also, as infill development and redevelopment occurs, a mix of housing types is recommended to allow for a wider range of housing choices. Low- and medium-density multi-family developments are shown. A comparison of existing and future land use within the ½ mile station area is presented in Table. Table Comparison of Existing and uture Land Uses, Single amily/ Low Density Source: HNTB Corporation (June 006) Existing Land Use uture Land Use Net Change (Acres) (Acres) (7%) Multi-amily % Commercial 9 1 (8%) Mixed Use 5 1,066% Office 1 00% Institutional 17 1 (9%) Industrial/ Warehousing 7 5 (6%) and Storage Vacant % N/A uture Access and Circulation Patterns The Preliminary uture Access and Circulation Patterns are illustrated in igure.v on page 9. Pedestrian access improvements are recommended for nearby crosswal areas along and Marquette Avenue. Wayfinding signage, clearlymared crosswals, and pedestrian lighting would improve the current pedestrian environment closer to the station. Also recommended are improvements to existing railroad crossings at East Rawson and s and improvement of the underpass at Marquette Avenue to improve accessibility and safety for pedestrians traveling to the station. Bicycle access to the station could be improved through designated on-street routes that are identified with wayfinding signage. The extended bie route system could be used to connect the station with the downtown, nearby neighborhoods, the laefront, and the Oa Cree Trail. Bicycle facilities should also be constructed at the station. Access between the station and other areas of South Milwauee can be improved with additional bus service to the station and along. The preliminary station layout is located in the Appendix. KRM: A PLAN OR THE KENOSHA - RACINE - MILWAUKEE COMMUTER LINK

8 TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PORTOLIO: UTURE CONCEPT -SOUTH MILWAUKEE STATION AREA uture Urban Design ramewor The Preliminary uture Urban Design ramewor is illustrated in igure.vi on page 10. It recommends a strong streetscape and pedestrian access framewor in the downtown bounded by, 10th Avenue, 1th Avenue and Marquette Avenue to maximize pedestrian and bicycle access in the station area. In addition, the redevelopment site immediately west of the Union Pacific and south of should be designed to ensure that new development does not turn its bac to the railroad and that it enhances the pedestrian environment around the station. Extension of the City s streetscape improvements along on either side of the future commuter station is recommended to create an east-west portal into the downtown area. The existing streetscape improvements are recommended to be supplemented with additional decorative lighting, gateway features, wayfinding signage, street trees, pedestrian amenities, and public art or a fountain feature to unify and enhance the downtown area. igure.vii Illustrative Perspectives depict some of the potential urban design improvements that could be constructed in the station area. Table : Year 05 Development Potential 00* 05 Total (units) 67,085 Total Retail (square feet) 0,000-55, ,000 Total Office (square feet) 5,000-0,000 65,000 Total Industrial (square feet) - 0,000 *Source: South Milwauee Maret Assessment (June 006), Valerie S. Kretchmer Associates, Inc. urther based on planned retail development, retail sales in this study area could increase $57.5 million per year. Retail sales tax revenues could reach $. million based on current retail sales tax rates; state rate is 5%, county rate is 0.5%, and 0.1% stadium rate. The sales tax revenues could be higher because of the additional taxes applicable on certain goods and services for communities within the Wisconsin Center District, contiguous with Milwauee County. Economic Effects The future economic effects are based on the ey areas subject to change. A map inset in igure.iv identifies ey areas subject to change within the station study area. Areas subject to change include ey vacant sites, underutilized properties, and buildings and uses which are becoming obsolete, and thus have high potential for reuse and redevelopment in the future. When land use recommendations for the station area are applied to these locations, a general order of magnitude of station area development potential can be identified. Using this methodology, the South Milwauee station area could accommodate an additional,085 residential units, an additional 660,000 square feet of commercial space, and 65,000 square feet of office and by the year 05, 0,000 square feet of industrial (see Table ). This results in a total projected 05 population in the half mile area of 6,568, an increase of % from the 005 population estimate of,578. Employment (number of jobs) is expected to increase significantly also, from,897 jobs in 005 to,77 jobs in 05, a 6 % increase. This future development would reflect an increase in assessed value (in 006 dollars) amounting to $7. million. KRM: A PLAN OR THE KENOSHA - RACINE - MILWAUKEE COMMUTER LINK

9 1 igure No..IV East Rawson Avenue Preliminary uture Land Use 15th Avenue Missouri Avenue 6 7 1th Avenue Madison Avenue Michigan Avenue 1th Avenue 6 5 Marquette Avenue Marshall Avenue Menomonee Avenue Marion Avenue 1th Avenue th Avenue / North Chicago Avenue 9th Avenue 5 8th Avenue 7 6 7th Avenue General # Station Location UStudy Area Boundary (1/ mile radius) Wetlands Comments uture Land Use Par/ Multi-amily (Low Density) Multi-amily (Medium Density) Multi-amily (High Density) Commercial Office Mixed Use (Low Density) Mixed Use (High Density) Key Areas Subject to Change Proposed Densities 10-1 dus/acre* dus/acre* 0 or more dus/acre* AR: ** AR: 1.0 min** AR: 1.5 min** AR:.0 min** Clocwise from right: Low Density Mixed Use High Density Mixed Use Medium Density South Milwauee Station Area Manitowoc Avenue Industrial Wholesaling & Storage Institutional 1. Bucyrus International, a major employer in the area, is expected to attract transit ridership and support mixed use developments.. High density mixed uses are proposed to encourage more transit-supportive land uses, such as ground-floor commercial with residential above.. Properties on the National Register of Historic Places - the historic train station, the old post office and the is Rubber actory- provide cultural and historical sense of place to the downtown.. High density multi-family residential is proposed to diversify housing options, potential ridership, and downtown customers. 5. Medium density multi-family residential creates a transition between high density multi-family residential and low density multi-family residential. 6. Low density multi-family residential allows for new housing stoc in areas close to the downtown where older housing stoc may need replacement. 7. Key greenways and open space, including Grant Par and the Oa Cree Parway, provide open space opportunities as well as access to the community trail system. 8. A public plaza near the transit center would allow for a community gathering space for residents and visitors to the downtown. Right of Way *dus/acre = dwelling units per acre **AR = loor Area Ratio ,000 N KRM: A PLAN OR THE KENOSHA - RACINE - MILWAUKEE COMMUTER LINK

10 igure No..V 15th Avenue East Rawson Avenue Missouri Avenue 1 1th Avenue 1th Avenue Madison Avenue Michigan Avenue Marquette Avenue 1th Avenue 10th Avenue / North Chicago Avenue 1 9th Avenue 8th Avenue 5 7th Avenue General # Station Location UStudy Area Boundary (1/ mile radius) Comments Existing Bie Route Existing Public Transit Clocwise from right: Enhance Pedestrian Crosswals Improved Rail Underpass Enhance Underpass Location Preliminary uture Access and Circulation Patterns South Milwauee Station Area Marshall Avenue Menomonee Avenue Proposed Bie Route Proposed Crosswal Improvements Proposed Underpass Improvements Improved Crossing Marion Avenue Proposed Sidewal/Pedestrian Access Manitowoc Avenue Proposed Public Transit KRM: A PLAN OR 1. Bicycle paths would provide connections between the downtown, the neighborhoods, and the Oa Leaf Trail.. New public transit connections to the commuter rail station would allow for easier access for all riders.. is the main arterial serving the downtown and could provide future access to connect Grant Par, Lae Michigan, the Yacht Club, and proposed laeside residential development with the downtown.. Crosswal improvements, such as bump-outs and decorative paving, could be used to clearly define pedestrian access and calm traffic. 5. Provide pedestrian connection to adjacent open space. N THE KENOSHA - RACINE - MILWAUKEE COMMUTER LINK ,000

11 Caledonia Station Area igure No..VI Caledonia Station Area 10th Avenue / North Chicago Avenue East Rawson Avenue Missouri Avenue 5 Marshall Avenue South Milwauee Station Area Existing Land Uses Single amily Milwauee Station Area Two-amily Wetlands Multi-amily (1- stories) UpdatedStationBuffers Multi-amily (+ stories) Commercial - Sales and Service Wetlands General Station Location Stations Office Study Areavalues> Boundary UpdatedStationBuffers <all other Mixed Use Stations Existing Land Uses Comments Manufacturing 7th Avenue # 8th Avenue 9th Avenue Michigan Avenue Marquette Avenue Wetlands (1/ mile radius) 1th Avenue 15th Avenue Madison Avenue StationBuffers Menomonee Avenue 1 1th Avenue 1th Avenue Preliminary uture Urban Design ramewor Stations <all other values> Single amily Wholesaling and Storage Existing Two-amily Existing Land Uses Institutional Clocwise from right: Existing Open Space Multi-amily (1- stories) Bus and Rail Depots Single amily Multi-amily (+ stories) Communications and Utilities Enhance Existing Two-amily Provide Gateways to Downtown Commercial - Sales and Service Multi-amily (1- stories) Improve Pedestrian Streetscape Proposed Gateway eature Office Multi-amily (+ stories) Enhanced Pedestrian Streetscape Mixed Use Commercial - Sales and Service Proposed Station Location Agriculture andspace Woodlands Enhanced Open Manufacturing Office Half Mile Study Area Vacant Wholesaling and Storage MaintainUse Streetwall Mixed Milwauee <all other values> Institutional Manufacturing <all other values> Specialized Streetscape Treatments Yes Bus and Rail Depots Existing Land Uses Wholesaling and Storage amily Communications and Utilities Institutional Single ,000 Two-amily Bus and Rail Depots Multi-amily (1- stories) Communications and Utilities Multi-amily (+ stories) Open Space Commercial Sales and Service Agriculture andoffice Woodlands Mixed Use Vacant Marion Avenue Manitowoc Avenue Manufacturing A public plaza near the transit center would allow for open space in the downtown. Streetscape amenities, including lighting, street trees, banners, public art and special paving, would enhance the downtown and all entry corridors. Gateway features, including decorative wayfinding signage, would announce entry into the downtown at ey entryway points.. 5. Urban streetwall buildings built at the sidewal should be maintained throughout the downtown to enhance pedestrian connections. Specialized streetscape to enhance the historic center of South Milwauee are appropriate for those streets south of and east of 15th Avenue. Agriculture andwholesaling Woodlands and Storage ,000 Institutional Vacant Bus and Rail Depots 0 50 Communications and Utilities 1,000 Agriculture and Woodlands Vacant N Yes ,000 KRM: A PLAN OR THE KENOSHA - RACINE - MILWAUKEE C O M M U T E R L I N K 10

12 igure No..VII Illustrative Perspectives South Milwauee Station Area A - Proposed on and 1th Street A - Existing conditions for r and 1th Street B - Existing conditions for and 11th Street KRM: A PLAN OR THE KENOSHA - RACINE - MILWAUKEE COMMUTER LINK B - Proposed Development and Streetscape on and 11th Street 11

13 TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PORTOLIO: IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES -SOUTH MILWAUKEE STATION AREA City of South Milwauee: Transit Supportive Policies Introduction The City of South Milwauee s Comprehensive Plan 00 provides policies and guidance for future development in the Downtown area. The plan sees renewed emphasis on its Central Business District and states that redevelopment opportunities within the Central Business District will assure a growing economic base for years to come. South Milwauee offers many advantages to businesses seeing access to all transportation modes and a diverse worforce. The community is interested in attracting development into their Downtown that will diversify the economic base. Transportation access to these new developments is ey, and the City of South Milwauee is ready to support a transit center and mixed-use development to help with new economic opportunities. Current Transit Supportive Policies Transportation Infrastructure The Comprehensive Plan 00 explicitly supports a commuter rail station in the Central Business District. The new station will redevelop a former industrial site across the Union Pacific tracs from the historic train station. Commuter rail service is considered a high priority for the City of South Milwauee. The grid pattern of the street system and the traditional Main Street corridor along Marquette Avenue and Chicago Avenue is to be maintained to provide a strong foundation for a walable, pedestrian station environment. The Milwauee County Oa Leaf Trail and the Oa Cree Parway in the northern portion of the station area will remain to facilitate pedestrian access as redevelopment occurs. Planning Initiatives The Comprehensive Plan 00 recommends a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) surrounding the new commuter rail station. The plan encourages a mix of housing and commercial uses near the station. The Comprehensive Plan 00 focuses on economic development. Longterm economic goals are based on the City s ability to maintain strong regional and local transportation networs. The City s goal includes attracting new retail and service opportunities deemed feasible including restaurants, housewares sales, and specialty retail. Employment opportunities are ey to a successful station area. As a major employer in the station area, Bucyrus International provides a strong economic base for the community. The City sees to retain and possibly expand upon its traditional manufacturing base as a ey component to maintaining a healthy economy. Design Guidelines The City has implemented a açade Improvement Program for property owners. The program allows property owners to apply for up to $10,000 in grants for improvements to their commercial properties. Zoning The retail core in the Downtown area, along and north and south along 10th and 1th Avenues, is zoned C- Central Business Zone; this district permits a full range of commercial and institutional uses. The C- district allows for residential uses about the ground floor and multifamily residential without a commercial component as a conditional use. Buildings in the C- district can be a maximum of five stores or 50 feet in height, which permits multi-story development within close proximity to the station. The maximum permitted residential density ranges in the C- is from dwelling units per acre to 7 dwelling units per acre in mixed-use buildings (the latter density for single lodging rooms ). Multiple-family apartment buildings are permitted at lower densities of 8-1 dwelling units per acre. The area directly adjoining the Chicago Union Pacific to the north and south of the station is property is currently zoned M-1, Manufacturing Zone and M- Industrial Zone. These properties are occupied by industrial uses that are major employers in the City. The M-1 and M- districts permit any use subject to approval of a conditional use permit. It is the City s intent to eep jobs close to transit, and enhance employee accessibility. The zoning ordinance exempts all uses within the C- Central Business District from paring requirements. Outside of the C- district, mixed use development requires only one paring space per dwelling unit. Similarly, other conditional uses are to case-by-case evaluation through the conditional use process. The City of South Milwauee s zoning ordinance includes standards for high-density residential uses that specifically require new development to address the location of circulation systems, paring areas, driveway access, and open space which would permit the City Plan Commission and Common Council to review pedestrian access on a case-by-case basis for new high density development in the station area. inancial Incentives The City of South Milwauee uses financial incentives to attract new economic development including the establishment of a Tax Increment District (TID), land purchase and assembly, and infrastructure improvements. The City utilizes the services of a Community Development Authority (CDA) to assist with land assembly. In 000, the City of South Milwauee created Tax Increment District (TID) No. 1. The Community Development Authority is the primary agent for implementing the TID. The TID boundaries encompass a portion of the station area, particularly the area south of Marquette Avenue to Marion Avenue and along 10th Street/Chicago Avenue. The preferred station location and mixed-use transit center is within the TID. The TID has been instrumental in new real estate investment within the station area including Sunrise Village, a new 8-unit senior apartment complete, renovations to Sunrise Shopping Center, the construction of Marquette Manor, a 7-unit senior apartment building, the expansion to Metalcut Products, an employer within the station area, and assistance to the new ban building for Tri-City Ban along 10th Street. The City has proposed a new TID within the station area, TID No.. TID No. will be designated as a mixed-use TID. Proposed developments for this TID include new sites for condominium development on properties the City has acquired in the station area. The City anticipates some other projects within the TID including the purchase of up to nine properties for construction of townhouse style, owneroccupied housing, and the development of open space in the Downtown area near 11th Street, between and Madison Avenue. KRM: A PLAN OR THE KENOSHA - RACINE - MILWAUKEE COMMUTER LINK 1

14 TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PORTOLIO: IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES -SOUTH MILWAUKEE STATION AREA Transit Supportive Policy Recommendations Based on preliminary station area improvement concepts, the City of South Milwauee and its Downtown partners should consider several recommendation to help facilitate the implementation of transit-supportive polices to encourage land use and development changes within the station area. The following policy recommendations are suggested to create a more transit-supportive development framewor. Transportation Infrastructure Bicycle linages to the station area are important to enhance the pedestrian environment. The City should wor to increase on-street and off-street bicycle trails to lin the community with the regional bicycle path networ. A goal is to support the WISDOT s Bicycle Transportation Plan 00 which has an objective of increasing levels of bicycling throughout Wisconsin. Planning Initiatives Cooperating with other units of government in maintaining a permanent networ of open space throughout the city is recommended in the Comprehensive 00 Plan. This policy should be enforced in the station area in the form of a community plaza. In order to diversify and add flexibility to the local economy, the City should emphasize the importance of mix of uses in the central business district and station area. A mixed of uses in the central business district, including residential, would help to bolster community image and pride, while providing more services for area residents Design Guidelines The City should consider the adoption of design standards that address new commercial and residential buildings in the station area. The design standards would promote transit oriented development by addressing building orientation and materials, access and paring and pedestrian and bicycle amenities. Architectural and cultural heritage is important to the City. Historic sites are found within the station area, including the existing train station. Preserving the archeological and historical cultural aspects of the station area should be a part of station improvements. The City could create a streetscape improvement plan that provides street lights, street furniture, street trees, and landscaping. Zoning and Code Enforcement To assist in redevelopment efforts in the station area, the City could encourage shared paring and minimize surface paring lots by encouraging and helping fund the establishment of shared-use paring structures. Shared paring arrangement provisions recognize that various land uses have different pea hours of operation. Shared paring can be permitted through review on a case-by-case basis whereas the property owners would need to demonstrate the uses proposed to share paring facilities have different hours of operation, are adjacent to one another and will provide vehicular and pedestrian connections. Provided these conditions are met, the paring reduction could be, for example, 10%. Another option would be to provide more specific standards that set forth the demand for various types of land uses based on the time of day and whether it is a weeday or weeend and adjust the amount of paring requirements accordingly. Sign review is important to enhance the quality and character of the Downtown. South Milwauee should establish standards for signs that are tailored for a pedestrian oriented station area. The City should consider the use of sign review procedures during the development review process. Bicycle amenities could be incorporated into the zoning ordinance for the station area. Commercial, residential, and industrial uses would be required to provide bicycle paring and shower facilities to enhance a pedestrianfriendly environment. A recommendation would be.5 bicycle paring spaces (either locer or rac space) per dwelling unit for residential units and.15 of the required automobile paring spaces for commercial and industrial uses. The Comprehensive Plan 00 calls for offering density bonuses/flexibility as an incentive for the provision of below grade paring and high-quality architecture that is pedestrian-oriented in character. This should be incorporated in the City s zoning regulations. The City should increase code enforcement practices in order to address property maintenance issues and sign code violations within the station area. inancial Incentives The City should proceed with the preparation of an application for a Main Street Program to receive funding and technical assistance for Downtown improvements. KRM: A PLAN OR THE KENOSHA - RACINE - MILWAUKEE COMMUTER LINK 1