A proposal to redevelop the former Bucyrus-Erie campus in South Milwaukee will get a boost from Milwaukee County and the federal government.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley on Monday announced the county will invest $3 million for a proposed project at 1100 Milwaukee Ave. Developer Scott Crawford Inc. is proposing a $50 million affordable housing development with 171 rental units, with 81 units set aside for residents who earn $15 an hour or less.
Eight units will be reserved for veterans who earn less than 60 percent of the area median income, county officials said. Those veterans will be referred directly by Milwaukee County DHHS Veterans' Services.
"Milwaukee County is committed to addressing the affordable housing crisis for individuals and families across our community," Crowley said in a statement. "This new investment in affordable housing in South Milwaukee furthers our vision of developing safe, quality and affordable housing across Milwaukee County. This project is a continuation of our work to make critical investments in suburban communities to provide residents equitable access to affordable housing and homeownership opportunities," he added.
The project will repurpose three former office buildings and construct a new building. Scott Crawford bought the 4.4-acre property for $2.75 million, according to real estate records.
Milwaukee County's contribution includes $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds and $500,000 from a Community Development Block Grant for the 81 affordable units, officials said. This is the first time the county CDBG funds were used to develop new affordable housing, officials added.
"The redevelopment of the Bucyrus-Erie campus into housing is a signature economic development project that will contribute to South Milwaukee's downtown renaissance," South Milwaukee Mayor James Shelenske said in a statement. "We are grateful for our partners and would like to thank County Executive Crowley, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, James Mathy, Tim Sullivan, Que El-Amin and the Scott Crawford team for their collaboration in bringing this project to life," he added.
"It's amazing to see this legendary company's site become a historic development for South Milwaukee. For nearly 120 years, Bucyrus-Erie was the dominant employer here,' said Tim Sullivan, former president and CEO of Bucyrus-Erie, in a statement. The new housing development repurposing the buildings will allow this site to remain a cornerstone of the community," he added.
The Bucyrus Foundation invested $10 million in economic development efforts in South Milwaukee since 2020, Sullivan noted.
Since his election in 2020, Crowley's administration provided $35 million in funding for affordable housing projects, county officials said.