Council considers conditional‑use permits for Maker’s Row event space and Black Rose lounge at 6601 West National Avenue

The West Allis Common Council on May 19 heard two public hearings on conditional‑use permits for businesses proposed at 6601 West National Avenue in the Maker’s Row redevelopment area.

Patrick Schloss, the city’s economic development executive director, presented both applications. He said the Tennyson would occupy roughly 6,000 square feet of the Makers Row building and be used for weddings, corporate events and seminars, with weekday hours listed as 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and extended weekend hours. Schloss said the owners, identified in the presentation as Lolly and Nicholas Grama Ramos, have applied for a liquor license and plan minor exterior work including a new patio and site landscaping. “They will also coordinate with guests with guidelines and directions on where to park,” Schloss said, adding staff would monitor arrivals and departures and enforce local noise ordinances.

Council members probed potential conflicts with nearby uses. Alderman Keane asked about what sits across the street from the proposed patio; Schloss replied it would face the new Sona 2 residential development and that the ground floor of that project includes about 2,000 square feet of commercial space. Alderwoman Grove asked whether the venue would have kitchen facilities or be limited to catering; Schloss said the space includes a kitchen for food prep and that Antigua, the related restaurant operator, also provides catering services.

The second hearing covered the Black Rose Bar and Restaurant, described by Schloss as a small‑plate cocktail lounge with a mezzanine, a coffee feature called “Electric Rose,” a bar and a kitchen area. Schloss said the proposal includes staffing estimates (about five full‑time employees plus part‑time staff) and published hours for different days of the week. He said notices of the hearing were published and the city had received no objections to either application to date.

Councilors did not take public comment on either hearing and closed both items after questions. Neither application received a final vote during the meeting; both were heard as public hearings required by zoning procedure.

The council’s review focused on operational details the applicants will need to manage — coordination with adjacent residential uses, parking during farmers‑market hours and adherence to noise and liquor licensing rules. Staff indicated available public parking east of the site and said event managers would be expected to minimize neighborhood impacts.

The council moved on to other business after closing the hearings; next procedural steps for the applications (including any final approvals or conditions) were not recorded during this meeting.