The Milwaukee City Plan Commission approved a resolution to vacate a 20-foot-wide east–west alley that provides interior-block access in the Haymarket industrial area (file 250,517).

Department of City Development staff described the alley as improved and primarily serving buildings owned by the applicant. The vacation was initiated by a long-term industrial user in the Haymarket area; staff said the alley "serves no current or future public purpose" and recommended approval.

John Linstead, identified in the hearing as CEO of Advanced Plating Technologies, said his family-owned company has operated in the Haymarket Square area for 77 years and is a fourth-generation, veteran-owned business. "For 77 years, we have been providing jobs for hundreds of people in the immediate area," Linstead said. He said the company currently employs 83 people at the site and that connecting buildings over the vacated alley could produce "somewhere between 12 to 15 additional jobs." Linstead told commissioners the company provides health and retirement benefits and that expanding would allow business growth.

According to the staff report, the applicant deposited $515,400 with the Department of Public Works to cover recurbing, rebuilding of the sidewalk along R. Phillips and equity in the existing catch basin. Staff said a separate permit would be required to maintain or reconfigure the curb cut that serves the loading dock; any portion of the deposit not used for public work would be refundable.

Commissioner Renaud Washington moved to approve file 250,517 "as presented." Commissioner Willie Smith seconded. The commission approved the vacation on a voice vote. Commissioners wished the company well following the vote.