Wauwatosa Residents Oppose Luxury Apartment Building

WAUWATOSA, WI— A luxury tower proposed was met opposition from residents and some city officials. One resident called the proposed building an "eyesore."

The Wauwatosa Plan Commission voted 6-0 Monday night to recommend against granting a zoning variance that would allow a luxury tower to be built. The Common Council will review that recommendation at a Dec. 15 public hearing.

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 apartment building will have 25 stories and 354 residential units, common amenity spaces, a 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.

There will be a full time, 24/7 concierge and a valet service. The building would have full-time maintenance and cleaning staff. The anticipated employees on-site would be around 20 people.

"It'll be a great place to live, work and play," Vassallo said during the meeting.

Many residents objected to increasing traffic, shadowing from the tower, and said it is not appropriate for the area.

"This is 100 percent luxury. Where are the affordable and mixed diversity and income housing?" a resident asked.

Resident Holly Gore said the neighborhood is in support of development due to the increasing run-down appearance of the site.

"We would be thrilled to have something developed on that corner, but residents have reacted negatively," Gore said.

Gore pointed out the size and density of the proposal as issues. The residents want a smaller scale building, she said.

Alderwoman Nancy Welch, a commission member, spoke about the proposal.

"This building has no business being approved, it is a total violation. It doesn't belong here," Welch said.

Alderman James Moldenhauer also said the development doesn't belong on the site and heard from neighbors who were against it.

Commission member Angela Mullooly said the proposal would "have an adverse impact on the neighborhood."

Mayor Dennis McBride said he also doesn't support the project and shared many of the concerns. He said he has told people he understands why they are against it but also make sure they are "for something."

"Tonight what we heard, this is not a community and not a neighborhood just against something. It is actually for something as well," he said.

McBride said he hopes everyone will negotiate and come up with something that works for the neighborhood, the city, and the development team.