City tries to jump-start stalled development

Port Washington aldermen took steps on Tuesday aimed at getting the beleaguered Prairie’s Edge subdivision back on track.

The move was one of several taken recently by the city to move a number of development projects, including the Newport Shores development on the city’s lakefront, along.

It is perhaps most notable because the city had expected work on the proposed Prairie’s Edge subdivision to begin in 2018, but the project has been delayed for a number of reasons.

Officials have been renegotiating with developer Black Cap Halcyon some of the terms and conditions of the land sale and developer’s agreement for the subdivision, looking at amendments that would get the long-delayed project underway.

Aldermen met in closed session Tuesday to discuss bargaining strategies before directing staff members to continue the negotiations.

“It’s a step forward,” City Administrator Tony Brown  said. “There’s a possibility (of an agreement). I remain optimistic but realistic.”

Brown said he hopes to have a proposed agreement to present to the council for approval on Dec. 15.

The city and Black Cap Halcyon have been looking at such things as the timing of various phases of the project, work to be done during each phase and the payments to be made as each progresses.

This summer, the developer and city clashed over whether infrastructure for the entire project should be installed when the development begins or whether only the infrastructure for each phase needs to be installed when work begins.

The council’s action is only the most recent step officials have taken to move the project forward.

On Nov. 17, the council rezoned the north phase of the project, where a senior living facility is expected to be built, and approved a conditional use permit for the facility.

Prairie’s Edge would be the city’s largest subdivision, adding almost $60 million to the city’s tax base with 34 single-family houses, 16 pocket neighborhood single-family homes, 20 townhouses and 156 apartments, as well as 40,000 square feet of commercial space.

The senior living facility would replace eight townhouses and a commercial building initially planned for the site.

Aldermen also on Tuesday approved a new site for the marina’s fish cleaning station — a move required as part of Ansay Development’s Newport Shores project.

The fish cleaning station is expected to be razed in the coming weeks, and aldermen agreed to move it to the west side of the marina parking lot, just south of the northern-most ramp to the harborwalk.

Much of Tuesday’s discussion centered on whether an open-air pavilion should be part of the project, with some aldermen noting that it would serve not only as a place for people to gather but also provide fish derbies with a headquarters.

“I think it’s a loss to not have a shelter, even if it’s a small one,” Ald. Paul Neumyer said.

Aldermen also debated whether to move the existing station, but decided it would be too costly.

Aldermen also recently approved access easements for the project and amended its redevelopment agreement to require the project be completed by Dec. 31, 2021.

The Newport Shores project will replace the now-closed Newport Shores restaurant with a multi-use building housing 29 condominiums, office space, a store, restaurant and rooftop pub.

Sixteen of the condo units have been spoken for, Ian McCain, Ansay’s design/construction manager, said.

  Aldermen also recently rezoned property on East Jackson Street to accommodate the eight-unit townhouse development proposed by Jan and John Lanser.