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Council takes public testimony on proposed bar, daycare and hotel-to-housing conversion; items to go to Planning Commission

Wauwatosa Common Council · October 28, 2025

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Summary

Applicants for a craft cocktail bar (North 48), a Casa de Corazon bilingual daycare, and a hotel conversion to 146 affordable units presented at a council public hearing; each item was left open for Planning Commission review on Nov. 10 and will return to the council for final action Nov. 18.

The Common Council opened five public hearings; three development proposals drew presentation and public comment before being forwarded to the Planning Commission for recommendation.

Jordan Cole, owner-operator of North 48, described plans for a craft cocktail and beer bar at 7603 West State Street. Cole said hours would be Monday'Thursday 12 p.m. to 1 a.m., Friday'Saturday to 2:30 a.m., and Sunday to 10 p.m.; the operator plans to allow patrons to bring in food from nearby restaurants, expects to create about 10'15 jobs and said the business aims to be a "respectful, engaged neighbor." Art Pinon confirmed the item will appear on the Planning Commission agenda on Nov. 10 and return to council on Nov. 18.

Applicants for Casa de Corazon presented a bilingual Spanish-immersion early-childhood program proposed at 7754 Harwood Avenue. Speakers (Critti Belstaffin and Michael Stephan) said the center would serve up to 148 children, operate 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays, and include an outdoor play area at the rear of the property. The applicants said Casa de Corazon already operates locations in Shorewood and Glendale and expects to partner with local employers and vendors.

Waterfare Apartments LLC representatives described a conditional use request to convert an existing 198-unit hotel at 10499 Innovation Drive into 146 affordable residential units and 9,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. Manish Gariya and a supporter noted past projects by the developer and framed the conversion as adding workforce housing and residential amenities.

No votes were taken on these items at the council meeting; each proposal was declared a public hearing, received testimony, and was scheduled for Planning Commission review on Nov. 10 before returning to council for consideration on Nov. 18.