In February 2024 the Village attended the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), League of Wisconsin Municipalities, and Associates in Commercial Real Estate Program /Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC/ACRE) emerging development/municipal project pitch session. The Village connected with developers and received feedback on the feasibility of developing affordable housing on sites referenced in the Shorewood Comprehensive Plan 2040 redevelopment opportunity analysis , as well as Village-owned off-street parking lots, and the public works facility. The forum provided an opportunity for the Village to obtain feedback from developers in a neutral, facilitated atmosphere. Developers have subsequently reached out to the Village with interest and requests for further information on opportunities.
On May 30, 2024, the Community Development Authority (CDA) and Village Board met, and the Village Board directed staff to release on August 6 an RFP for the Redevelopment of Village-Owned Parking Lots. It was noted that an RFP would be helpful in soliciting ideas from the development community to better understand the potential of these lots in conjunction with other Village goals, including affordable housing.
Key process elements include:
- Submissions of proposals will follow Policy 40 Tax Increment District (TID) creation & Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance, with the exception that step 1 will require the developer to provide a short presentation (not to exceed 15 minutes) to the CDA and Village Board, followed by a review by the Village Manager and Planning & Development Director on the proposal’s consistency with Village plans, priorities and public assistance goals.
- Following completion of review and presentations, applicants will receive feedback from the Village, and may be encouraged to submit a Phase I Public Assistance Application and continue the process for requesting public assistance.
- If the proposed project is not consistent with the Village’s current zoning requirements, the party seeking assistance shall elect whether to proceed with completion of the official application. If the party proceeds, it acknowledges that proceeding with a public financial application does not grant an exception to any zoning requirements, nor guarantee receipt of assistance.
- Following initial interviews on September 12, additional RFP responses may be submitted by the 15th of each month on a rolling basis moving forward. Future CDA/Village Board interviews will be conducted on the first Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. following submission. This provides collaborative review process for entertaining future requests for public assistance between the CDA and Village Board.
Questions regarding this RFP can be directed to Village Manager Rebecca Ewald at rewald@shorewoodwi.gov.