Wauwatosa Community Affairs Denies Approval Of Luxury Tower

WAUWATOSA, WI— A luxury apartment tower was rejected in a 5-2 vote on Tuesday night from a Wauwatosa Community Affairs committee, but still needs a final decision by the Common Council.

The development, proposed by Mo's Restaurant owner John "Johnny V" Vassallo, is at 10845 W. Bluemound, on the former Edwardo's Natural Pizza site, in the southwest corner of the USH 18/STH 100 intersection.

The revised proposal, which was announced on Tuesday, is a mixed-use apartment building with 20 stories and approximately 340 residential units, common amenity spaces, parking garage, and ground floor retail. Some of the proposed amenities include Amazon lockers, weight room, pool, grill area, cabanas, pet walking and relief station, movie theater, individual workspace, and conference rooms.

The original proposal called for 25 stories and 354 residential units.
The developer said at the beginning of the meeting, if the proposal is denied, they will build something.

"Whether it is a taller building with fewer units or anything we can build within the current zoning, we will end up building something," Vassallo said.

Vassallo added he believes the proposal is the best option.

Ald. Nancy Welch said the developer was told weeks ago by the committee to work with the neighbors and rework the proposal. She said no one has said they are opposed to something being developed on that corner. She said neighbors want a reasonable project.

Welch added Vassallo didn't work with the neighbors and only made "token changes."

"He has pretty much given a big middle finger to this committee and our efforts to work with him," Welch said.

Ald. Joel Tilleson said this was a wasted opportunity for the developer to heed the advice given at the previous meeting.

"To just knock off 5 stories seems to ignore the advice, recommendations, and suggestions that committee members made at the last meeting," Tilleson said.

He and Ald. Allison Byrne both suggested the denial puts a hardship on the neighbors.

"It doesn't provide any closure and conclusion as to the future of the site. It holds it indefinite for 6 more months," he said.

Tilleson added if he was the neighbor he would wonder what was coming and when.