Brown Deer board approves $150,000 lease buyout to enable sale of Beer Garden building

The Village of Brown Deer on Dec. 5 approved a lease buyout to clear a title impediment and allow sale of the building known as the Brown Deer Beer Garden at 8725 North Deerwood Drive.

Tyler, a village staff presenter, told trustees the buyout agreement sets the payment at $150,000 and that “the execution of the 150,000 would either happen at the date of sale or by 12/31/2027, whichever would happen later.” Staff said the buyout is necessary because the existing lease with F Street would prevent a sale until the lease is resolved.

Staff described a second option — a “bargain sale” — under which F Street could obtain an appraisal showing the lease’s value exceeds $150,000 and treat the excess as a donation to the village, which may give the leaseholder a tax benefit. Village officials said the bargain-sale approach would require an appraisal prepared by F Street.

Trustees asked about timing, responsibility for future Community Square design and whether the village should require underground parking on future developments. Staff said the buyout is intended as an enabling step while the village and the prospective buyer work through sale timing and design options.

Trustee Woods moved to approve the buyout and Trustee Reed seconded. The board approved the motion.

Next steps described by staff included drafting a formal memorandum of understanding that sets responsibilities for striping and snow removal where applicable and returning to the board with a timeline for Community Square planning.