Village paves way for Ansay Gateway project

Ansay Development’s Northern Gateway Community Collective is moving forward as the Saukville Village Board on Tuesday approved a planned unit development district east of I-43 and west of Northwoods Road.

The development will be split into three sections: a south campus, north campus and a business district. 

The residential north campus can house single homes, three-story apartment buildings, townhouses and a single-story senior living facility, according to the petition for a PUD overlay district.

The south campus will have a “south campus community green” and “campus program.” The program could include a mix of uses, such as a hotel and a recreation center with an indoor sports venue alongside spaces for retail, food, office and commercial purposes, according to the petition. The community green — the south campus’ centerpiece — would be park-like, providing a space to hold events like a farmers market, art fair, outdoor movies and food trucks. The petition outlines a bandshell and splash pad will also be found at the community green.

Asphalt walking paths and wooded and mowed grass trails will line the wooded wetland area on the development’s west side as well.

Construction is expected to begin in fall with infrastructure for both south and north camp to be completed by fall 2023, according to the PUD petition. Work on the business district is anticipated to begin in winter 2022 and the proposed apartment buildings will follow in spring or summer 2023.

Village officials have yet to announce what company will be in the business district. Village President Barb Dickmann said the company the village is talking to wishes to remain anonymous at this time to avoid upsetting employees with a potential move.

The business development has raised  concerns about village transparency as Dickmann and Administrator Dawn Wagner refused to disclose the company’s name to trustees during initial developer agreement negotiations.

The development timeline starts with contractor selection, excavation of regional storm ponds and mass grading in fall 2022, according to the petition. In spring and summer 2023, utility and road work will get underway with plot records and building permits ready for fall 2023.

After the first projects are complete, residents are expected to occupy the development by spring 2024 and are expected to generate $889,000 per year in incremental property tax revenue by 2027, according to the PUD petition.