Common Council To Hear 'Community Gateway Commons' Concept Review

FRANKLIN, WI — The Franklin Common Council will hear a concept review Tuesday about an apartment complex and "Community Gateway Commons" project at the corner of St. Martins Road and Loomis Road.

The apartments and community commons would be constructed on a parcel that was formerly being eyed by Meijer's. The store plans fell through, though, and since July a plan for the new development has been in the works.

According to documents submitted to the city for the concept review, the developer wants to cut the land into two plots. One would be for two 150-unit apartment buildings while the other plot would be used for various community amenities such as a splash pad, dog park, area for seasonal markets, amphitheater, community center and firepits.

It would be a "focal point for community use and engagement built right next to a key intersection in the city," staff said of the developer's plans.

The "Community Gateway Commons" part of the project seems to have caught the ear of the city.

"The proposed development is a significant change for this Crossroads corner of the City, and staff finds that while it is optimistic and maybe even 'pie-in-the-sky', visions such as this can strengthen the case to support amenities that would aid the City in attracting people and businesses based on improving the 'total quality of life' of the City," city staff wrote in concept review documents for the development.

The Community Gateway Commons parcel would take up about 7 acres of the plot while the residential component would take up 23 acres. Two four-story apartments are proposed in the concept.

Each would have about 150 units. The apartments would have a brick and masonry facade. United Financial Group, Inc. is behind the concept review.

No formal action is planned for the apartment complex during the Common Council meeting Tuesday, rather, the meeting will be an opportunity for the city and developer to discuss the concept.