Milwaukee County is investing $3 million to help redevelop the old Bucyrus-Erie site in South Milwaukee, which will create 171 affordable rental units. County Executive David Crowley said the funding supports the county's goal of improving housing for working families and veterans, according to the County Executive.
The project at 1100 Milwaukee Avenue, developed by Scott Crawford, Inc., will include 81 affordable housing units for individuals earning $15/hour or less, with a focus on veterans earning below 60% of the area's median income. The mixed-use development, estimated to cost $50 million, will offer reimagined office spaces and expand both market-rate and affordable housing options in South Milwaukee's downtown. For the first time, County Community Development Block Grant funds are being used to support new affordable housing as part of this project, as reported by the County Executive.
The site, once home to industrial activity, is being transformed, with Mayor James Shelenske expressing gratitude for the collaboration that made the project possible. Tim Sullivan, former leader of Bucyrus-Erie, spoke about the site's historic role as a major employer and its transition into a community space. The Bucyrus Foundation has invested $10 million into the city's economic development since 2020, supporting South Milwaukee's growth, as mentioned by the County Executive.
"Housing is the main social determinate of health," said James Mathy, Housing Services Administrator for Milwaukee County DHHS, in an interview discussing the connection between housing access and health outcomes. Crowley's administration is recognized for investing over $35 million into affordable housing, addressing long-standing racial disparities that have affected access to housing and homeownership in the Milwaukee County suburbs. The completion of this housing project reflects years of planning and investment, as stated by the County Executive.
