Public Comments Sought For Proposed Wauwatosa Luxury Apartments

WAUWATOSA, WI—Wauwatosa residents are being asked to submit public comments regarding a luxury tower proposal.

The city is asking for residents to submit public comments by 12 p.m. on Friday. The Community Affairs committee will discuss this proposal on Tuesday.

After a luxury tower proposal was met with opposition from residents and some city officials, a revised plan has been submitted.

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 unites.

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

A few elected officials have voiced concerns about the adverse impact the original proposal would be on the neighborhood.

In a November Plan Commission meeting, Mayor Dennis McBride said he also didn'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.