THREE FINALISTS FOR UWM DORMS ANNOUNCED

Special to the readers of Milwaukeeworld

By Michael Horne

The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Real Estate Foundation has announced three finalists for the construction of a new residential facility.
The UWMREF trustees will chose among:

• The Boulder Venture proposal to be located at N. Prospect Avenue and E. Ivanhoe Pl., also known as the "Prospect Mall Site."
• The Mandel Group, Inc. proposal to be located on the east bank of the Milwaukee River, north of E. North Avenue, also known as the "Hometown" site.
  
• The Phelan Development Corp. site at the southeast corner of N. Prospect Avenue and E. Royall Pl.*, also known as that parking lot north of Zaffiro's and just west of the building that houses Mueller Communications, Inc. where Supervisor Joe Rice also runs his public relations business, a.k.a. "Courthouse East.".

There are many Boulder Venture LLCs established by owner Robert E. Schmidt III. Boulder Venture, based in the Historic Third Ward at 311 E. Chicago St. has developed over 2 million square feet of space since 1991, including the transformation of the old Capitol Court into Midtown Center.
The Mandel Group, Inc. was incorporated in 1991 by Barry R. Mandel. Mandel Group, also located in the Historic Third Ward at 301 E. Erie St., has developed over $500 million of property in Milwaukee, and is constructing TheNorth End on the site of the former Pfister & Vogel tannery. Mandel's got enough cash that he can afford to construct rental apartments as the first phase of the development, which of course, will lead to more cash so he can build some condos as well. Most other developers have to build and flip the condos just as fast as they can to keep ahead of the banker these days. Mandel is also the landlord of Chief Edward Flynn of the Milwaukee Police Department.
Phelan Development, LLC., was incorporated in 2003 by Sean Phelan. Phelan brought the Urban Outfitters store into Weas Development's Kenilworth Building, another UWM residential facility. Phelan will partner with Towne Investments, established in 1955 by Atty. Joseph J. Zilber [Marquette U '41]. He's another guy who can afford to develop and own apartments.

The foundation promises to work with community groups on the matter. Ald. Nik Kovac said he was pleased the foundation offered a choice of proposals for discussion and welcomed the opportunity for residents to become involved in the decision process.
Here is the [PDF] of the undated announcement.

* Still misspelled by UWM as "Royal." When will they learn?