Save the Eschweilers

Save the Eschweilers We are a group of individuals with the purpose of preserving the Eschweiler Buildings on the County Grounds in Wauwatosa. Why are they important?

The Milwaukee County School of Agriculture and Domestic Economy, aka, “The Eschweiler Buildings” are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as a historic district and include the four institutional buildings (built 1912) and a 1936 power plant. Constructed of high-quality materials, the structures exhibit detailed design by Alexander C. Eschweiler, one of Milwaukee's most highly

regarded architects. In addition to NRHP status, the buildings have both City of Wauwatosa and Milwaukee County landmark status. Although the school was short-lived (closing in 1928), the buildings were, for the past few decades, leased by Milwaukee County to several businesses. However, in 2006, when the road was covered with fill from the MMSD floodwater basins, all activity there ceased. Since that time, the buildings have been neglected and vandalized. Despite the neglect, the superior quality of design and construction render them structurally sound and suitable for adaptive reuse. PP
In response to a widespread community effort, numerous resolutions and plans were passed by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors and the City of Wauwatosa Common Council making it very clear that the intent of the community was to preserve these landmarks. What is happening? In 2010, Milwaukee County entered into an agreement with the UWM Real Estate Foundation (UWM-REF) to sell the land and buildings for the purpose of creating a new Innovation Park campus with the condition that the buildings be saved and surrounding natural habitat areas protected. At the same time, the City of Wauwatosa supported rezoning of the property and adoption of a master plan that would retain the historic buildings and natural areas. Representatives from the UWM-REF stated publicly to the Common Council and the Board of Supervisors that their intent was to save the buildings and used that assurance to gain approval of their proposed plan. Based on that promise, the City also created a Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) District to provide $12.5 million of taxpayer dollars to support construction of water, roads and other infrastructure to support development on the site. Again the public was assured that these funds would be used to support the creation of the campus and preserve the existing historic buildings and natural areas. Now, UWM proposes to sell a portion of their parcel to The Mandel Group so that they can develop the land for apartments. Originally, Mandel responded to a Request for Proposal that stipulated that the buildings should be saved. Mandel now proposes to demolish three of the four significant buildings, build new apartments and has stated that they intend to request $2.5 million in TIF subsidies to support the project. His proposal to demolish the buildings will be reviewed at the Wauwatosa Historic Preservation Commission meeting on October 3, 2012. Conclusion

We urge the Wauwatosa Historic Preservation Commission and if needed, the Wauwatosa Common Council, to vote “no” regarding a Certificate of Appropriateness presented by the Mandel Group requesting the demolition of three out of four buildings in the Eschweiler Historic District. We also steadfastly implore Wauwatosa public officials to embrace again that the value in saving this national historic district is a statement of our past and for our future.

Please consider supporting and sharing this message. Thank you.
04/22/2020

Please consider supporting and sharing this message. Thank you.

Barb and Dick's Wildflower business was hit hard by the Covid 19 pandemic closures. Then Di… Terese Agnew needs your support for Butterfly Barb Needs our Help

12/20/2018
Just a reminder:The fate of the Life Science District Master Plan will be discussed tomorrow, Tuesday, December 18, 2018...
12/18/2018

Just a reminder:
The fate of the Life Science District Master Plan will be discussed tomorrow, Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 7:30 pm. . 1-"Ordinance adopting the Wauwatosa Life Sciences District Master Plan and amending the City of
Wauwatosa 2008-2030 Comprehensive Plan to incorporate the Wauwatosa Life Sciences District
Master Plan"
Although there is not public comment, your presence is important! In the meantime, email and or call your elected officials/alderpersons and let them know your stance.

TONIGHT!From our friends at the County Grounds: Please attend tonight's public hearing regarding the County grounds/Lif...
12/04/2018

TONIGHT!
From our friends at the County Grounds: Please attend tonight's public hearing regarding the County grounds/Life Science District Master Plan--7:30 pm at City Hall 76th and North Ave. If you cannot attend, please take a few moments to email the Common Council and Mayor to keep the current protections ( Master Plan and Design Guideline for Milw Co Grounds NE Quadrant). We need to keep protections with reduced building heights and night lighting -- the biggest threat to wildlife.

Please attend tonight's public hearing regarding the County grounds/Life Science District Master Plan--7:30 pm at City Hall 76th and North Ave. If you cannot attend, please take a few moments to email the Common Council and Mayor to keep the current protections ( Master Plan and Design Guideline for Milw Co Grounds NE Quadrant). We need to keep protections with reduced building heights and night lighting -- the biggest threat to wildlife.

11/26/2018

Please feel free to print and share!

11/26/2018

See how you can contact the members of the Common Council.

Please join the Friends of the Monarch Trail for their Friends of Monarch Trail Annual Fundraiser! Tomorrow!
04/17/2018

Please join the Friends of the Monarch Trail for their Friends of Monarch Trail Annual Fundraiser! Tomorrow!

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Sharing a message from Save the County Grounds about fast-tracked legislation that limits communities to protect assets.
12/12/2017

Sharing a message from Save the County Grounds about fast-tracked legislation that limits communities to protect assets.

An Act to repeal 66.0617 (9) (b), 66.0617 (9) (c), 66.0617 (9) (d), 66.10015 (2) (d) and 281.33 (6); to renumber 66.1102 (1) (a) and 66.1102 (1) (b); to renumber and amend 32.09 (1m), 66.0617 (9) (a), 66.1105 (2) (ab), 236.13 (2) (a) 1. and 236.13 (2) (a) 2.; to amend 32.19 (4m) (a) (intro.), 32.19?...

Save the County Grounds! Please help keep the pressure on Tosa to keep this land as it is for the people who enjoy it an...
11/08/2017

Save the County Grounds! Please help keep the pressure on Tosa to keep this land as it is for the people who enjoy it and the high number of creatures that depend upon it.

Please help keep the pressure on Tosa to keep this land as it is for the people who enjoy it and the high number of creatures that depend upon it.

National recognition from The Cultural Landscape Foundation: Save the County Grounds
10/12/2017

National recognition from The Cultural Landscape Foundation: Save the County Grounds

The Cultural Landscape Foundation lists the Wauwatosa property as threatened in its Landslide program

CALL To ACTION from Friends of the Black River Forest.
09/22/2017

CALL To ACTION from Friends of the Black River Forest.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: The Wisconsin DNR must deny Kohler Company the use of public State lands for their private profit. The role of the WDNR is to protect the environment...not work for developers.

Please attend to learn what you can do.
09/11/2017

Please attend to learn what you can do.

Are you aware that the County Executive and one of 2 other individuals could sign off to sell the County Grounds/Sanctuary Woods? The comptroller has allegedly indicated he would NOT sign off on the land sale, that leaves the County Executive and a citizen appointed by the Mayor of Wauwatosa.
Attend the Forum on Thursday, September 14th at the Firefly room of the public library to get the latest information on the status of the County Grounds

Address

9722 W Watertown Plank Road
Wauwatosa, WI
53226

Telephone

+14144540222

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