New proposal would turn former Kearney and Trecker building in West Allis into event space

The former Kearney and Trecker manufacturing building may be restored into an event space and new headquarters for a Milwaukee-area business.

Chicago-based Baum Revision has presented a $16 million plan to the City of West Allis to undertake a historic redevelopment of about 41,000 square feet of space at 6671 W. National Ave., first used as a foundry in 1918.

Of that total space, 20,000 square feet could be dedicated to an event space and the remaining 21,000 square feet could be used for office, shared space and storage, according to Patrick Schloss, executive director of economic development in West Allis.

Some fabrication will take place inside the building to create things for events, including welding, woodworking, painting and more, according to a representative from Baum Revision.

The exterior will see some change as well with a required replacement of the windows with larger, insulated glass per guidelines from the National Park Service with the location being deemed historical.

The tenant, while not named directly, is said to have over 20 years of event planning industry experience in the Milwaukee area. Baum Revision expects the event employer to bring 24 new full-time jobs and 56 part-time positions to the city with more anticipated.

“You’re bringing a headquarters of a business into this space that’s currently vacant,” Schloss said.

The developer anticipates between 50,000 and 100,000 event visitors to the facility each year for weddings, corporate events and community events such as pop-up markets, farmers markets, festivals and workshops.

The Committee of the Whole reviewed the project in open and closed session on Aug. 28. The proposal is expected to go before the Common Council on Sept. 5.

What's the schedule and how will this be funded?

Assuming everything is approved, Baum Revision hopes to start work on the building in December. The venue could open for business in May 2025.

The tax incremental financing district which includes this property would likely close in 2029.

In a TIF, property taxes from within the district are used to pay for public improvements and other costs. Once the debt is paid off and the district is retried, the added tax base flows into the general coffers of the city, school, county and other taxing entities.

TIF 14 was created in 2014 after Metal Technologies, which had occupied the building, closed in 2009. The TIF was designed to help reposition the properties for better use.

“The TIF is actually performing quite well,” Schloss said.

This TIF, along with other forms of financing such as historic restoration tax credits and potentially federal new markets tax credits, would help fund the project.

What’s in the development agreement?

The current draft of the development agreement includes the West Allis Community Development Authority selling the property to Baum Revision for $1. The developer then rehabilitates and activates the building into a historic regional destination.

The city/CDA also would construct a parking lot with at least 130 stalls utilizing TIF, Environmental Protection Agency and potentially Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District funding, according to Schloss. West Allis will also work with TIF and EPA funds to fix any environmental issues that are created from utilities being brought to the site up to $200,000.

The development agreement also mentions CDA would lease the parking to Baum Revision for $1 with the length of the lease equal to that of the tenant of the event space. Baum would be responsible for maintaining the parking lot including repaving, resurfacing, landscaping, plowing and more while the city is responsible for any underground issues.

The CDA purchased the building in 2016 for about $600,000. Schloss said the purchase was made “thinking this would be a great opportunity for redevelopment.”

Baum Revision made an initial proposal in 2019 with a market hall concept, but backed out due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baum renewed its interest in the building in 2022 after another developer backed out and began working with the city on this proposal and with the National Park Service to obtain a historic building designation.

Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on Twitter @Redheadliner.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Event space eyed for former Kearney and Trecker building in West Allis