[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6154010,"mediaKeyId","5489046-376a6031250aec599a028e4788a62ef5","parentId",5489046,"title","CDA approves $150,000 environmental study and moves LOI talks to closed session for former motor-casting site","audioSeconds",206,"startMs",46125,"endMs",252150,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489046-376a6031250aec599a028e4788a62ef5&start=46&end=252","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489046-376a6031250aec599a028e4788a62ef5/thumbnail_46125.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6154010/West-Allis/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/CDA-approves-150000-environmental-study-and-moves-LOI-talks-to-closed-session-for-former-motor-casting-site","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154010-0429400a53ea18fa8b57244fa53fcfca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936789&Signature=ddTGnGtIoG7wM5154dX1Wf8JMKhJRY-CPMALy2j5BG17sfJ0vXa6Kq8A5fzhmlUhQW6u4MJ7TFuog9pWL3wP8GSnvV4nt4hUFqHEnLftMs57NHq9IxqbtNLvM7UWhhMpzkDjAxghf2puJ3FcXbRNCHAAiMRUMZksZjF4QYzenKbsHZ33fQGJ3NXkU7hKWRLSf7ZHE81PIgfwH2tJhtwZyDUnzdXIIWRY1zHIWRzOo6O1LmJlqP380N9PsWGkYiySgpTslnb9u9qG4drLoUtN8oX20OXUe-ZzQJnUQ-9cuxghf8Ns384ZhoIRw~oVUM~tlZNksV~BRtVlJbA1x3HkuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of West Allis, WI ","date","2025-07-26T16:19:24Z","article","The Community Development Authority on July 22 approved a scope of services, not to exceed $150,000, for Rambo America Engineering Solutions, Inc., to perform environmental investigations at the former motor-casting properties at 6500 West Washington Street and adjacent parcels.

The work approved by the CDA will use EPA assessment grant funds to carry out a Phase I and Phase II site investigation, the authority’s staff member, Patrick (staff member), said at the meeting. “We would use our EPA assessment grant funds to do the scope of work,” Patrick said.

The authority said part of the site lies inside Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District No. 7 and part does not, and that any public funding from TIF #7 would be subject to joint review board approval. Patrick said the CDA has reached an agreement in principle — a letter of intent — with the receiver for the motor-casting site but that the CDA would discuss LOI parameters in closed session because of “nuances” in negotiations. “We have reached an, an agreement on an LOI with the the owner of the motor casting site. It's actually in receivership,” Patrick said.

Why it matters: the parcels are large, brownfield-type sites on a corridor where the city has invested TIF dollars; an environmental assessment is a typical precursor to cleanup, redevelopment planning and leveraging private investment.

What the CDA approved and why: the approved contract with Rambo America is capped at $150,000 and is explicitly framed as work to follow the LOI if negotiations proceed. The scope covers Phase I/Phase II work and “another site investigation” to support potential redevelopment and funding decisions. Patrick said Rambo was one of three firms selected through an earlier RFP and that the firm has been used by the CDA on multiple sites.

Discussion versus action: the CDA took formal action to approve the scope of services (roll-call vote recorded); the LOI, including finer commercial terms, was discussed in closed session under the state open-meetings exception and was not disclosed in public detail. The CDA's resolution approving the Rambo scope passed by roll call (yes votes recorded: Jerry Motter; Alderman Weigel; Mike Souter; Wayne Clark). The CDA also convened in closed session under the open-meetings provision to discuss development negotiations related to the same set of agenda items; after the closed session the board returned to open session and approved the related item as amended.

Clarifying details from the meeting: the approved professional-services cap is $150,000; funding for the scope is from the CDA’s EPA assessment grant; part of the property is in TIF District No. 7 and part is not (staff described the situation as two separate parcels, with parking areas not in TIF #7 and other narrow portions outside the district); the LOI involves a receiver; the CDA intends to discuss LOI parameters in closed session and will proceed with the environmental work contingent on negotiations and any required joint-review-board approvals for TIF use.

Next steps: staff will proceed with contracting Rambo for the assessment work and continue negotiations with the receiver; any use of TIF funds will be subject to the joint review board and other required approvals. The CDA did not disclose detailed contractual terms publicly because those were reserved for closed-session discussion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","7-22-25 - Community Development Authority Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Community Development Authority on July 22 approved a scope of services, not to exceed $150,000, for Rambo America Engineering Solutions, Inc., to perform environmental investigations at the former motor-casting properties at 6500 West Washington Street and adjacent parcels.","taxTitle","West Allis, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin","taxId",5509,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6154000,"CDA members raise concerns over DOT plan to buy 922 S. 70th and possible electrical division site; no formal action taken",464,513795,978380,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489046-376a6031250aec599a028e4788a62ef5&start=513&end=978","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489046-376a6031250aec599a028e4788a62ef5/thumbnail_513795.jpg","/articles/6154000/West-Allis/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/CDA-members-raise-concerns-over-DOT-plan-to-buy-922-S-70th-and-possible-electrical-division-site-no-formal-action-taken","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154000-06b5da3db7e0214f0636ca0fb44b1436/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936789&Signature=kBhyH9rSktncyu9xXeuGwmNNBvWBY~LLtzHvw~VnF4M1~cvrzZ7nfiivQx2r6Ii2NIizsohhjaJSynAiwOeVaxj1v7ezaoXuT6fPmxRcrmhomt8UWiC6jkPZJi6P5PDaSJtEzF3xEC6A96OOClPMP5azh~E4zX4LVBZ6L7mNsjR1F2ByshtwvV603msQ0njhNSGmQHWwKHy4UwmbwajGajY5URYoqrxnO9hsJhqsvA15pc0XepkYjKBwACJXaQRebLxXyUFXizcAHxtP~LT-LhefcUXEgcXwtcTNYlu2G6S~VB9SVAYzuY0uZC7uOTZ9CZk6IG00RICGF9JzOnrCog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CDA members spent the largest portion of the July 22 meeting discussing a potential Wisconsin Department of Transportation purchase of the former Pablacki sign building at 922 South 70th Street and the implications for the West Washington Street extension and adjacent redevelopment.

Patrick (staff member) said the city had communicated with the governor’s office, the DOT secretary’s office, and state legislators about the possible purchase. “We did receive a response from the secretary of transportation saying that, yes, this is where the DOT would like to put their electrical division, but we don't know the details of what that means, in terms of materials stored outside,” Patrick said. He told members the DOT had issued an RFP for office space with conflicting radius requirements and that the city had requested a meeting with DOT managers to get details.

Board members voiced concerns about the visual and economic impacts if a state agency stores materials outdoors next to a corridor where the city has invested public funds. Staff and members noted the parcel is a highly visible corner near other sizable investments: the property was described in the meeting as assessed at about $6,000,000 and listed for roughly $9,000,000, and the board noted a $74,000,000 development nearby. Patrick said the DOT’s acquisition could remove the property from the city tax rolls and that a tax-exemption date tied to the DOT’s schedule appeared to be several years away; staff said DOT’s project timing for the broader West Washington Street extension is scheduled for 2029.

Why it matters: members said the parcel is one of the larger industrial properties on the market and is adjacent to ongoing private development and a planned park. Board members raised both economic and quality-of-life questions: whether outdoor material storage and truck activity would be compatible with a six-floor residential development across the street, potential loss of tax revenue while the DOT holds the parcel, and traffic mitigation dependencies tied to the West Washington Street extension and the Alice Chalmers Way connection.

Actions and status: the discussion produced no formal CDA action to block or approve a sale. Patrick said the city had been in repeated contact and sought an in-person meeting; he also reported the DOT indicated a “fast close” could occur in July and that any tax-exemption might happen four years before the city’s West Washington Street project would be built. Board members asked staff to pursue further meetings and clarifications; no vote was taken.

Clarifying details from the meeting: property cited as 922 South 70th Street (former sign-building site); staff reported DOT interest in siting its electrical division but said specifics on materials or outdoor storage were “not known”; property described as assessed near $6,000,000, listed near $9,000,000 (as reported by staff); city’s West Washington Street extension project was described as targeted for 2029 in the meeting; staff said DOT had issued an RFP with apparently conflicting radius language and that staff had requested meetings with DOT and governor’s office representatives.

Next steps: staff will continue outreach to the DOT and state offices and seek a meeting to clarify the DOT’s intended use, the timeline for acquisition and tax status, and any mitigation for nearby development. The CDA did not adopt any resolution or formal direction at the July 22 meeting.","CDA members on July 22 discussed a potential Wisconsin Department of Transportation purchase of 922 South 70th Street and expressed concern about the DOT locating an electrical division there, possible outdoor storage of materials, and the effect of removal from the tax rolls on nearby redevelopment projects.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6154005,"CDA approves amendment allowing short-term extension of redevelopment bond for Renaissance Fair office complex",56,347425,403655,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489046-376a6031250aec599a028e4788a62ef5&start=347&end=403","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489046-376a6031250aec599a028e4788a62ef5/thumbnail_347425.jpg","/articles/6154005/West-Allis/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/CDA-approves-amendment-allowing-short-term-extension-of-redevelopment-bond-for-Renaissance-Fair-office-complex","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154005-61249b8a93bf9c745a48795043320b58/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936789&Signature=Ae-ltOj~HFCT8Ko9QBjvPZmVqSPguZLpPpAVmXBIXGYWM9L~UyQsxNVhosVZ0Pt8f3JF4CNETDyOeq9fXb6S7JDAeXTKFllZF5ciYNLl8GERifhOquo-7I0AHgQuCMWH58lrO5fiQykmnjhS-qdclDelG7ji7kSbwrE~SKfoQSBsqHaEoTAqs0Zi1QAxkfrMmQhlb2J40GNcMiCgvMaXkq-Fwis5ngUhgHW8VlSfPKPHkQv2J6RTjXvN~DJpA7YA~yzeyq51vDBtQfGLVck7t-82YC9dXLtiTwT7mdcUH0svdBC00GVzUP~S9fC0pX4Bndwq9qKyqI7Rd-1W70IbLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Community Development Authority voted July 22 to approve a first-amended trust and board agreement with US Bank Trust Company that permits a short-term extension of the maturity date on redevelopment-related bonds for the Renaissance Fair office complex at 809 South 60th Street.

Patrick (staff member) told the board the CDA originally issued redevelopment revenue bonds tied to the Renaissance Center in 2012. The developer converted the bonds into a note held by US Bank, and the developer — identified in the meeting as Joel Lee and Renaissance Fair Center — asked to extend the maturity date from Aug. 1 to Dec. 1. Patrick said the city's bond counsel reviewed the proposed amendment and recommended approval.

Why it matters: the bonds are tied to a private office building and the CDA's role is to confirm or “bless” the authority’s prior issuance in order to permit the private financing amendment. Patrick said the CDA’s approval would not change the city’s obligations.

Board action: the resolution to approve the amendment passed by roll call (yes votes recorded: Jerry Motter; Alderman Weigel; Mike Souter; Wayne Clark). No board member identified an objection on the record. Patrick described building vacancy and financing covenants as private matters between the developer and its lender.

Clarifying details from the meeting: the original redevelopment revenue bonds were issued in 2012; the matter is an amendment to convert or extend an existing financing arrangement; the extension requested in the meeting was from Aug. 1 to Dec. 1 (as presented by staff). Patrick said the CDA’s role is to approve the amendment because the CDA originally facilitated the redevelopment bonds.

Next steps and context: staff confirmed the amendment had been reviewed by bond counsel and that the action was primarily administrative and tied to the private financing structure rather than a change in the CDA’s public obligations.","The CDA voted to approve a first amended trust and board agreement with US Bank Trust Company, allowing the maturity date of redevelopment-related financing for the Renaissance Fair office complex at 809 S. 60th St. to be extended; CDA staff said the action is largely a private financing matter and that city counsel reviewed and recommended the","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

CDA approves $150,000 environmental study and moves LOI talks to closed session for former motor-casting site

CDA members raise concerns over DOT plan to buy 922 S. 70th and possible electrical division site; no formal action taken

CDA approves amendment allowing short-term extension of redevelopment bond for Renaissance Fair office complex