Nov. 17, 2006

Proposal puts fire station on top of Menomonee River

Cobalt Partners, a Milwaukee development firm, is proposing that Wauwatosa build its new fire station over (yes, over) the Menomonee River.

Friends of Milwaukee's Rivers strongly opposes the plan, for environmental, recreational and safety reasons.

Earlier this week Cobalt Partners presented their proposal to the Wauwatosa Community Development Committee, that included covering 130 feet of the Menomonee River in the Village area, just upstream from the Chancery. Though Cobalt didn’t explicitly state this, the drawings they presented (right) indicate that the natural bed of the river would be removed and lined with concrete.

Their primary justification for placing the fire station over the river was their desire to put a mega-development (with mega profits) on another site being considered for the new fire station.

FEMA discourages municipalities from putting emergency response vehicles within the 500 year floodplain. This building would be in the 100 year floodplain as well as in the floodway.  The area has flooded many times in the past.

The project would restrict access to the river by replacing the natural riverbed with a concrete channel, which makes it less safe to paddle or access the river by foot.  Not to mention that the building would obliterate the view of the river from State Street.

The developer stated that the project would actually provide better access to the river, since a pedestrian bridge is incorporated in the plan.  Two pedestrian bridges already exist very close to the location.

There would also be significant effects on water quality and wildlife habitat, caused by shading 130 feet of river and concrete channelizing the bank.

The pictures to the right indicate that there has already been significant design work put into this project.

Please call your alderperson to voice your concern with this plan!

Wauwatosa alderpeople

Coverage in Wauwatosa Now