Village continues business park pursuit

Developing a Fredonia business park is a daunting task in the current economic climate, but the village’s assets include a railroad, easy highway access and ample land nearby that could overcome that obstacle, Village Board members were told in two separate meetings in June.

“If someone needs rail, it’s really hard to find that with large parcels of land in the (Milwaukee) metro area,” Barry Chavin, with Newmark Knight Frank, told trustees on June 4.

Newmark Knight Frank (NKF) has proposed representing the village to find land for a business park and to help market it.

It’s the second go-round for NKF, which made the same offer to the village this year as it did in 2019 — three payments of $25,000 over a three-year period as an advance on future commissions. Fees for additional services also would have to be paid.

Trustees have so far balked at the offer, wondering whether the village would get its money’s worth since it’s obvious which land parcels are in play for future development.

“I am on both sides of this,” Trustee Dan McLarty said. “I can see the benefits of bringing in a turnkey company. Or I can see doing it ourselves with a little help” from a consultant.

“Why can’t we start a conversation with property owners,” Trustee Joshua Haas said. “There are only a handful of places where we can go.”

Some board members felt that to delay would mean the village would miss its opportunity.

“I think the window of opportunity is here or is soon coming,” Village President Don Dohrwardt said. “We’re due.”

Others said they fear the economy won’t bounce back until 2021, if even then. 

Two weeks later, Ozaukee Economic Development Director Kathleen Cady Schilling told trustees that developing a business park “is a little challenging right now” but that there are signs of recovery this year.

“There may be a lot of furloughs in July, but looking at the future, we’ll continue to see an upward trend if there’s not a second surge” of the Covid-19 virus, she said.

“There’s a pent-up demand. We do expect to see growth in 2021.”

Cady Schilling said the biggest challenge facing the village in drawing businesses to the area is its available workforce.

“That’s really your biggest issue up here,” she said. “That and a lack of industrial space.”

“One advantage you do have is Highway 57,” she said.

Noting that other nearby communities’ industrial spaces are largely filled, Schilling urged trustees to get started and not let too much time pass.

“I would say put the pedal to the metal. But do your due diligence,” she said.

“We’re in kind of a unique situation,” being near a highway, with railroad access and developable land, Dohrwardt told Cady Schilling.

“Absolutely,” she agreed.

Some trustees also had questions about NKF’s fee structure. 

Trustees will discuss the issue again at a future meeting.