ALTERNATIVES

Does the library need to be demolished?

We believe that a win-win scenario exists.

There can be a future where Forest Home Library is preserved and Milwaukee’s Historic Mitchell Street neighborhood can gain a valuable resource in the form of a Children’s Wisconsin health clinic. 

We’re working with developers and preservation architects so we can study other locations for a health clinic and understand how the Forest Home Library can be adaptively reused.

Surplus Parking Sites Along

Historic Mitchell Street District contains 1000% more parking than the next highest major shopping district at Brady Street.

Near South Side Area Plan:

“Given the lack of vacant land, parking lots should be another source of land to consider for development.”

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“If any parking lots are not needed for current and future needs, they should be evaluated for redevelopment sites.”

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“Specifically, participants recommended developing the parking lots at the rear of properties along the Mitchell Street Corridor.”

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-    Near South Side Area Plan, Milwaukee’s Comprehensive Plan
 

Parking Analysis

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Historic Mitchell Street District contains 1000% more parking than next-highest major shopping district

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548 city-owned stalls in Historic Mitchell Street District

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87 city-owned stalls COMBINED among 5 other shopping districts
 

ALTERNATIVE

SITES USING SURPLUS PARKING

S 12th St

W Windlake Ave

10th and Maple

Comparable site at Maple and 10th St. with near equivalent features to the historic Forest Home Library site.

ADVANTAGES TO A NEW SITE NEAR HISTORIC MITCHELL STREET

• Creates a new healthcare corridor along Mitchell St. with other Southside providers

• Provides employees and clients with nearby restaurants and shopping within the BID

• Increases foot traffic for merchants along Mitchell St.

• Serves a large residential community within walking distance

• Matches Comprehensive Plan goals to put parking to higher and better use

• Close to bus lines and city parking lots

• Easy access to freeway with both ample on-site and street parking (78+ spaces)

• Increased tax base and property sale revenue stay with City of Milwaukee

• Safely within a commercial area, no difficult adjacencies with private homes

Potential Options for Reuse

There are a number of ways in which the Forest Home Library building could be reused. Here are some potential options to be explored:

Arts & Artisans Marketplace

Community Event Venue