36-Unit Residential Development Proposed Near Rawson And 31st

FRANKLIN, WI — A developer behind past apartments and commercial buildings across Wisconsin is eying land near 31st Street and Rawson Avenue in Franklin for a multi-family development consisting of two buildings with 36 units, according to Franklin Common Council documents.

The common council is scheduled to have a preliminary informal concept review of Horizon Development Group's proposal during its meeting Tuesday evening. No council action is immediately expected.

The two proposed buildings would be placed on a vacant 6.98-acre parcel just west of 31st street, south of Rawson Avenue and north of Minnesota Avenue. The location is currently mostly surrounded by residential areas, according to documents the developer submitted to the city.

The developer would put 22 residential homes in one building and 14 residential homes in the other. Both buildings would feature two-story wood frame construction with private unit entries, common council documents show.

Residents would be able to choose from one-, two- and three-bedroom units ranging in price from $685-$1,825 depending on size, proposal documents say. Each unit would have its own patio or balcony and parking is provided in attached garages and exterior spaces, the documents say.

Developers said the market in Franklin has been growing over the past decade, and said the area is in a corridor with significant job growth. Horizon contracted one study that found Franklin, compared to other communities in Milwaukee, has one of the lowest percentages of renters and one of the highest percentages of rent-burdened households. The developer plans on doing a full market study, proposal documents said.