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Planning commission adopts Milwaukee County Research Park 2026 master plan, forwards to council
Summary
After a presentation by Shane Grembois of Epstein Ewan Architects, the commission voted unanimously to adopt the 134-acre Milwaukee County Research Park Master Plan and forward the recommended plan to the common council for adoption as an amendment to the comprehensive plan.
The City of Wauwatosa Planning Commission voted unanimously to adopt and forward the Milwaukee County Research Park 2026 master plan to the common council for final adoption as an amendment to the comprehensive plan.
Shane Grembois of Epstein Ewan Architects presented the plan for the 134-acre park, describing a long-range vision that addresses failing road infrastructure, improves pedestrian and bicycle connections, adds public amenity spaces, and encourages mixed-use redevelopment and sustainability measures. Key presentation points included redesigning Innovation Drive as a 24-foot boulevard with single lanes on each side and 10-foot multi-use paths on the outer edges, adding a roundabout at a former cul-de-sac to connect to Wisconsin Avenue, creating east and west public amenity areas (terraced seating, a pavilion, a stage and food-truck space), and identifying underused parking-lot areas for potential mixed-use redevelopment to bring residential and retail uses into the park.
Grembois said the planning effort included evaluation of infrastructure and public engagement through stakeholder meetings, an open house and an online survey. He identified the Ability Center and the Milwaukee public-park system as partners for reimagining Wisconsin Avenue Park as a universal-access facility. Commissioners thanked the presenter, praised the plan's attention to pedestrian access and sustainability, and asked practical questions about how proposed street extensions would become public rights-of-way. The presenter said portions of the proposed street extension currently traverse property owned by GE and that the extension would have to be made public through dedication, deed, or other means; commissioners discussed the possible use of tax-increment financing for road work.
Commissioner (S4) moved to adopt the master plan; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The commission will forward the recommended plan to the common council for final consideration on March 24, where it would be considered as an amendment to the city's comprehensive plan.
