Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the River Point Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Developer Unwind presents townhouse plan for River Point lots; questions flagged over Brownfield mitigation and rents
Summary
Unwind Property Management presented a two‑story townhouse proposal for Lots 1 and 2 in the River Point District, estimating multi‑million dollar builds and saying units would be built to condo standards but likely held as rentals for a decade; staff and the developer noted a Brownfield vapor‑mitigation issue under study.
Jacob Mooney, representing Unwind Property Management, presented a two‑story townhouse concept for Lots 1 and 2 in the River Point District at the Redevelopment Authority meeting in January. The plan calls for townhouse units with attached garages, a small block of units facing Craft Street and longer runs of units behind; Mooney described a preference for varied facades rather than long, uniform walls.
The presentation focused on design, unit mix and preliminary costs. Mooney gave rough figures during the meeting, saying Lot 1 construction could be in the neighborhood of $6,000,000 and Lot 2 closer to $10,000,000, and that earlier packet material placed total lower‑end estimates in a $12–15 million range. He said the team had consulted geotechnical vendors (GeoPier, Braun Intertek) and emphasized curb appeal and varied architecture: "We feel like it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to build townhouses like this," Mooney said.
Jason Gilman, the RDA project manager, told the board that SPEES and Unwind both submitted proposals and that staff is working through geotechnical and Brownfield-related issues. Gilman said environmental consultants and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources have advised that typical mitigation on similar post‑closure sites can be passive venting "similar to a radon system," where perforated piping below the gravel vents to the roof.
Members asked practical questions about tenure and price. Gilman asked whether the units would be rentals or sold; Mooney said they would be built to condominium standards but "probably held as rentals for at least 10 years" before possible condo sales. When asked about prospective rents, Mooney gave an uncertain estimate on the record, saying "1,800? 18 to 22, probably," which the RDA treated as an approximate, not finalized, figure.
The RDA did not take formal action on the Unwind concept at the meeting beyond inviting the developer to continue working with staff on design and return with refined plans. Chair Adam asked the developer to coordinate with Jason Gilman and city staff before returning for review.
The next step for Unwind is further concepting with city staff, completion of geotechnical and vapor‑mitigation plans, and a future presentation when the developer has more detailed designs and pro forma information.
