ccm19670818August 18, 1967
TO THE HONORABLE ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF MUSKEGO
Gentlemen:
Several months have passed since the City received the
Industrial Development Report prepared for us by the Planning Firm
of Nelson & Associates and Engineers Ruekert & Mielke.
As stated in the Report, the Study evaluated the general
industrial land market of southeast Wisconsin, interviewed the
principle private industrial developers as to their view of the
ma~rket and Muskego's competitive position therein, analyzed the
City's zoned industrial areas as to topography and soil character-
istics, prepared an illustrative industrial park layout with the
development cost estimates, and showed some generalized cost
benefit data related to possible city investment and expected
tax return.
In reviewing the Industrial Development Study, several
questions which I had on the feasibility of the City of Muskego
becoming involved in a municipally operated industrial park were
answered. I am now convinced that if the City of Muskego is to
save land for industrial development, and is going to receive
their share of industrial development, they will have to act
immediately.
The bringing of sewers to the northeastern part of the
City of Muskego, the continued urbanization of the area, and the
locating of the Milwaukee by-pa~ss, are going to increase the
demands for lands in this area, particularly for residential use.
As shown on our Master Plan, some of our best industrial ares is
still undeveloped and free from residential encroachment. We must
act now to protect the lands we want for industrial purposes.
It has alweys been our hope that industrial development
and its increasing tax base would come as a result of the initiative
of private enterprise. However, they have chose to look to other
areas first, perhaps thinking that Muskego, located 2s we are,
would be a good reserve.
We Cain no longer wait for the private developer. The City
itself must become involved in the development of an industrial
park. The City must purchase the land, put in the improvements,
and sell it to industries that 2re looking for 2 hew loc2tion.
It is my firm conviction that if the City of Muskego
purchases the proper land str2tegicelly located within the City
of Muskego, installs sewers in the area, and does a professional
job of selling, we too, con have our successful industrial park.
However, I want to caution you that should you decide
the City of Muskego is ready for such 2 venture, we must not go
2t it haphpzsrdly. As the interviewers so vividly pointed out
in the Study, either the City should do nothing et all, or it
should go 211 the w2y with 2 well chosen parcel installing full
improvements, including sewers, developing 2 full promotion21 program,
and giving 2 broker exclusive rights with an override commission
to other brokers who might brin, 0 a sale to the exclusive broker.
Page 2.
Certainly this is good advice as can be shown by comparing those
communities who have chosen to go after industrial development
in a haphazard manner to those who have gone, as it was stated,
the full route. This will cost money, it will mean a considerable
amount of work, and it will require a great deal of cooperation
between the Aldermen, the Industrial Development Committee and
the Administrative offices of the City.
I am not concerned over these things however. I am confident
tha~t once the decision has been made everyone will pitch in to
see that it does become a success. The question is, of course,
how do we begin? The answer is quite obvious. We must begin
with the land, and welnust be prepared to take whatever route is
necessary to acquire the land needed.
In order that the City can begin its task of developing an
industrial park, I am proposing the following:
First, thet the Council make extensive use of the citizen
oriented Industrial Development Committee, created as a part of
the Workable Program, and declare the Committee as the official
Muskego Industrial Development Committee.
Secondly, authorize the Finance Committee and the Industrial
Development Committee to hire a real estete agent to negotiate for
potential industrial land sites and to take the necessary options.
Thirdly, the Council should demonstrate by positive action
its readiness and willingness to do all that it possible can to
develop an outstanding industrial park for the City of Muskego.
This is indeed a major step for all of us. However, it is
an essential one. We are all cware that it is absolutely necessary
for Muskego to develop the msximum industrial supporting tax base,
if the continued growth and tirbanization of this community is not
to result in serious economic inbalence.
Gentlemen I am confident that Muskego has a definite future
in the industrialization of southeastern Wisconsin. I am firmly
convinced that Muskego has most of the things that industry is
looking for. It is up' to us to exploit them.
The attached resolution, which will be presented at our
August 22, 1967, meeting has been prepared to help you make your
decisionl. Which way we go depends entirely upon you. We have
two choices, (1) to stay with the status quo and take the chance
that land presently zoned industrial will remain so until we need it,
or (2) we can move towards the goal of bringing tax stability to
Muskego.
Jerome J. Gottfried, Mayor
City of Muskego
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