Brookfield/Elm Grove Monthly

By Chris Bennett Special to The Freeman BROOKFIELD — One of the biggest stories of 2015 in Brookfield broke on Nov. 19 when Brookfield-based Mil- waukee Electric Tool announced an expansion of its headquarters and up to an additional 500 jobs. Aside from that, the story in the city of Brookfield right now is development, and a lot of it. Mayor Steve Ponto read- ily refers to a PowerPoint presentation of almost 50 slides when detailing the development either taking place or slated to come in the city. Development and its effect on the landscape is easily Brookfield's biggest story of 2015 and the issue that will likely define the community in 2016. There are multiple projects in the works, and some create their own buzz. "The social media frenzy almost eclipsed the social media frenzy when Trader Joe's and Chick-fil-A opened," Brookfield Director of Development Daniel Ertl said of the announcement that Chicago-based hot dog stand Portillo's would open a location in Brookfield. "When you strive to hit peo- ple in their palates and stom- achs, you hit social media awareness." Trader Joe's opened in 2012 at 12665 W. Bluemound Road. Chick-fil-A opened in September 2014 near 124th and Capitol Drive and set a company sales record over its first three days in business. In The Corridor and beyond Portillo's announced its Brookfield location in early October. It will be located on Bluemound Road, west of Calhoun Road at The Shoppes at The Corridor. "There's a lot coming down the road with the Corridor," Ponto said. "I think it's off to a great start, and a lot more will be evident in 2016. That will be very exciting." Irgens, a Milwaukee-based real estate developer, broke ground on The Corridor in July. The Corridor is a 66-acre mixed-use development just south of Bluemound Road across from Brownstones Shopping Center, 17500 W. Bluemound Road. The Shoppes at The Corri- dor will be anchored by Dick's Sporting Goods and feature more than 130,000 square feet of retail space. The Corridor Corporate & Technology Park and renova- tion and repurposing of the Ruby House Farm are also key components of the over- all development. When fully developed The Corridor, is projected to bring more than $142 million in development value to Brook- field, with a potential proper- ty tax impact of more than $2 million and the possibility of more than $300,000 in hotel room taxes. The Corridor is projected to create more than 500 con- struction jobs and more than 3,000 permanent jobs in retail, health care, hospitality and other office industries. Construction will continue into 2016. Brookfield Square, a long- time asset to the city, wel- comed a location of the Madi- son-based University Book- store on Nov. 14. University Bookstore opened near Sears, and will be joined soon by three restaurants – Blackfinn Ameripub, Mooyah Burgers and Jason's Deli. Room exists for another business in the 200,000-foot expansion. Con- struction is slated to last through 2018. Plaza 173, at Bluemound and Calhoun roads, is being rejuvenated and reimagined as Calhoun Crossing, and is set to open late in 2016. The development will be anchored by Fresh Thyme Farmer's Market. The city is also working to create awareness for indus- trial opportunities within its borders. A rebranding initia- tive in 2015 led to the 124th Street Commercial District, and more opportunity abounds. "When you think of Brook- field, you think of outstand- ing, high-end retail and maybe some high-end houses and Brookfield Square," Ertl said. "We have 4 million square feet of industrial space." Test Drive Your New Volvo Today! FIELDS VOLVO WAUKESHA 1901 E. MORELAND BLVD., WAUKESHA, WI 53186 262-970-5900 • www.volvowaukesha.com 247352001 The FREEMAN Brookfield & Elm Grove T H I S M O N T H DECEMBER 2015 SECTION B LIFE Healthy moms 2B Inside BROOKFIELD: Tomorrow taking shape today Corridor, other development coming to city in months ahead Charles Auer/Freeman Staff The access road into The Corridor in Brookfield has been paved and is ready for construction traffic. 2015 year of change, renewal for Elm Grove By Chris Bennett Special to The Freeman ELM GROVE — The biggest news out of Elm Grove in 2015 is either stinky or saintly. On April 1, Elm Grove switched garbage and recy- cling contractors from Advanced Disposal to Johns Disposal. The change came about as a result of Wauke- sha County switching from dual-stream to single-sort recycling. The times for pickup of garbage and recyclables changed, as did the route fol- lowed by the trucks. "So far, they've done a won- derful job and they've been great to work with," Village Manager David DeAngelis said of Johns. "There's been a lot of conversation and occasionally consternation over the switch. All in all, our recycling numbers are way up, and things are going real- ly well." Waukesha County works in tandem with the city of Mil- waukee on recycling. All material collected in Elm Grove and Waukesha County is processed at a facility in Milwaukee's Menomonee Valley. The facility processes more recyclables at a central location, which lowers pro- cessing costs and should increase proceeds from the sale of the recyclables. DeAn- gelis said the switch is gener- ating more revenue for Elm Grove. Saint visit, creek work other highlights A saint visited Elm Grove the weekend of Oct. 16 when the remains of St. Maria Goretti were displayed at St. Mary's Visitation Church, 1260 Church St. Goretti, an Italian girl, was one of the Catholic Church's youngest saints. She died in 1902 of wounds suffered in an attempted rape. She forgave her attacker as she died, and he repented and turned his life to the Lord. Elm Grove also pursued natural improvement pro- jects in 2015, in addition to changing who grabs garbage. DeAngelis said the village received a grant to "day- light," in his words, part of Underwood Creek. Under- wood Creek flows through downtown Elm Grove and is constricted and topped by concrete. According to published reports, Elm Grove received a $75,000 grant from the Fund for Lake Michigan, and must raise $75,000 of its own. Another event that generat- ed buzz in 2015 is the inaugu- ral Great Elm Grove Cam- pout. The campout took place in Village Park the evening of Aug. 8. "It was a huge success," DeAngelis said. "We won a recreation award for it. A lot of people talked about how they can't wait for next year." Next year is just a few weeks in the near future, and will bring its share of note- worthy events. DeAngelis said replace- ment of the Watertown Plank Road Bridge in downtown Elm Grove will take place in the summer of 2016. "Obviously you have to close a road in order to replace a bridge, and it is right in the middle of our business district," DeAngelis said. "It's going to be a chal- lenge to be as quick and pain- less as possible with the con- struction." The Canadian Pacific Rail- road crossing close by will also be repaired by the rail- road, DeAngelis said.

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