A new $2.3 million public plaza is coming to downtown South Milwaukee

Erik S. Hanley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·2 min read
A new plaza space is coming to South Milwaukee with an open-air pavilion, public restroom building and an open-air covered stage.
A new plaza space is coming to South Milwaukee with an open-air pavilion, public restroom building and an open-air covered stage.

A new plaza space in South Milwaukee has a contractor for $2.3 million.

South Milwaukee’s Common Council on March 15 voted 7-0 on to approve a contract to Kenosha-based Rasch Construction & Engineering for the "Bucyrus Commons" project, which will create a public plaza near Da Crusher statue on the northeast corner of 11th and Madison avenues.

The project consists of three new buildings: an open-air pavilion, a public restroom building and an open-air covered stage with storage. In addition, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, grading, paving, landscaping and other work is required.

South Milwaukee requested the work be started between April 11-Nov. 11 with completion 240 days after starting work. The contractor will only be granted access to the site via Madison Avenue on Thursdays from June to October.

The Rasch bid was the cheaper of two bids on the project. Rasch was the general contractor for Oak Creek’s Lake Vista Park project.

Funding for the plaza comes from Tax Incremental Financing District 1, which expires in 2027. A TID is a public financing tool that creates tax incentives for redevelopment.

Other sources of funding come from the city’s 2022-23 capital improvement program and $500,000 of a $2 million grant from the Bucyrus Foundation to be paid in $50,000 annual grants over 10 years, according to city documents.

A new plaza space is coming to South Milwaukee with an open-air pavilion, public restroom building and an open-air covered stage.
A new plaza space is coming to South Milwaukee with an open-air pavilion, public restroom building and an open-air covered stage.

Planning for the project began with the Bucyrus Foundation’s grant to South Milwaukee in 2020 of which $1.5 million was used to bring back the historic Bucyrus Club.

The project cost came in higher than the city estimated $1.5 million to $1.8 million for the first phase.

Future phases have varying costs including upgrades to the parking lot near Da Crusher statue for approximately $1.8 million, alleyway upgrades for $641,000 and overall upgrades to 11th Avenue for $450,000. City Administrator Tami Mayzik said previously the city isn’t tied down to building the rest of the project.

A steering committee of five city staff members and 13 community members led the plaza planning effort. Residents were surveyed to determine what was most wanted for the land where the city already hosts its Farmer’s Market and Crusherfest. Some of the most-requested features included restrooms, formal seating, a pavilion and lighting.

Across the street from Bucyrus Commons could be the tentatively named Bucyrus Community, a 160-unit apartment proposal that also includes a restaurant on the former Bucyrus campus. That project is estimated to cost developer Scott Crawford $35.7 million if approved.

RELATED: This South Milwaukee business is doubling in size with a move into the revitalized Bucyrus campus

Contact Erik S. Hanley at (262) 875-9467 or erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page and follow him on Twitter at @ES_Hanley.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: South Milwaukee Bucyrus Commons plaza approved for $2.3 million