Eppstein Uhen of Milwaukee and RTKL of Chicago to develop preliminary site plan and conceptual design for Greenfield Avenue development at Wisconsin State Fair Park
WEST ALLIS, WI – Milwaukee Mile Holdings LLC, operator of the Milwaukee Mile motor speedway, today announced it has selected Milwaukee-based Eppstein Uhen, the largest architectural firm in Wisconsin, and RTKL, an international architectural firm based in Chicago, to develop a preliminary site plan and conceptual design for the planned hotel and retail sports and entertainment development to be located on approximately 10 acres of land adjacent to The Mile at the Wisconsin State Fair Park.
Craig Stoehr, Chairman of The Mile, said that the team of Eppstein Uhen and RTKL – who have previously worked together on the master plan for the Wisconsin State Fair Park – was chosen after an extensive review process.
“We invited three groups to submit proposals for preparing a site plan and initial conceptual designs. All of these groups had impressive local, national and international experience. In the end, we were extremely impressed by the approach taken and the ideas put forth by Eppstein Uhen and RTKL,” Stoehr said. “They have a lot of great ideas, coupled with tremendous sports and entertainment as well as urban mixed-use experience in Wisconsin, nationally, and all over the world. We’re excited about what they bring to the table, and we look forward to working with them to create a top quality, innovative development that will enhance The Mile, West Allis, and the metro Milwaukee area.”
Stoehr added, “Our hope is that by the end of the summer or early autumn we will be able to begin discussing our proposed development plans with the City of West Allis. We’ve already had a number of preliminary discussions with Mayor Jeannette Bell and Director of Development John Stibal, and we look forward to their continued support and cooperation.”
Ed Ross, Project Manager with Eppstein Uhen, said that his firm and RTKL are in the process of learning the inner workings of The Mile and reviewing preliminary ideas to begin developing a master plan for the site, as well as possible improvements to The Mile itself.
“The end goal is a true sports- and entertainment-related destination center, with a hotel and other retail establishments that will be a draw not only for race fans, but for others in the metro Milwaukee area,” Ross said. “We’re at the ‘big idea’ stage right now, and we’ll be drilling down very quickly to visualize a more clear picture of possible preliminary designs and layouts. Our team is energized by the discussions we’ve had with The Mile’s leadership thus far and their vision for the site, and we think there’s a unique opportunity to create one of the state’s top destination centers there.”
In December 2005, Milwaukee Mile Holdings LLC was granted an option to acquire the approximately 10-acre parcel that runs along Greenfield Avenue between 77th Street and the Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center as part of the 18-year promoter agreement it signed with the Wisconsin State Fair Park.