Posted: June 16, 2009

The city of West Allis will receive up to $4.1 million in state funds to address damage caused by last June's floods.

But not all of the money will be used to rebuild or repair existing structures. In the case of an old foundry washed out by flooding, the city is eyeing a redevelopment project that could spread elsewhere along a busy commercial corridor, city officials said.

"The grant funds will bring new life to the impacted 84th and Greenfield corridor," Alderman Thomas Lajsic said in a news release.

Site renewal

The largest impact of the flooding was at the former Milwaukee Gray Iron plant at 1501 S. 83rd St., which will be a focal point of the funds and is being considered for redevelopment, officials said.

The plant sustained nearly $16 million in damage and had up to four feet of standing water in some places.

It had been closed before the floods, but Development Director John Stibal said the plant was scheduled to reopen in the fall. Last year's storms wiped out those plans after the floods basically destroyed the factory's electrical system and the plant was rendered unusable, he said.

Part of the city's redevelopment efforts will also likely include the former Mykonos restaurant, near the Milwaukee Gray Iron plant at 8201 W. Greenfield Ave.

Residents and city officials have often pointed to the old Mykonos building as an eyesore, especially because of its important location - on a main city thoroughfare and across from State Fair Park.

"We now have a redevelopment opportunity to seize upon," Stibal said.

Prospective uses

The city's focus with the state money will be on acquiring and demolishing the damaged structures to bring new uses such as a 100-unit hotel, an office-retail development or new housing initiatives, Mayor Dan Devine said.

The district's two aldermen, Kurt Kopplin and Marty Weigel, will hold public meetings about the future of the site, Stibal said.

City officials plan to present a recommendation to the Common Council "in the relatively near future," he said.

Though all options are on the table, a recent study concluded 84th and Greenfield would be a good spot for a hotel, which West Allis officials have long sought in their city.

City officials have noted the 84th and Greenfield corridor is in the middle of the metropolitan area and is a quick jaunt away from State Fair, Miller Park, the Milwaukee County Zoo and the Summit Place and Honey Creek office complexes.

Victim assistance too

Milwaukee Gray Iron is not the only place getting a piece of the $4.1 million in state money - a portion of the funds will assist families still recovering from the floods.

About 1,500 homes experienced some form of damage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has already provided about $269,000 in housing assistance.

Residential, industrial and commercial properties in West Allis sustained some $36 million in damage after heavy rains caused severe flooding throughout the region.

The damage amount was the highest of any municipality in Milwaukee County, according to the news release.