8 single-family homes to be built on South Milwaukee's former Masonic lodge site

Erik S. Hanley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·3 min read
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Janssen-Bruckner is creating eight single-family homes at 2001 7th Ave. in South Milwaukee. Packages will start at $440,000 and cap around $470,000.
Janssen-Bruckner is creating eight single-family homes at 2001 7th Ave. in South Milwaukee. Packages will start at $440,000 and cap around $470,000.

South Milwaukee’s former Masonic lodge site will soon become eight single-family homes.

The common council approved a development agreement with Janssen-Bruckner to sell the 2.3-acre site at 2001 7th Ave. for $250,000 at its Oct. 3 meeting.

Ryan Janssen of Janssen-Bruckner said home construction will begin over winter and home lot packages will be available in the coming weeks.

Packages will start at $440,000 and cap around $470,000, he said.

“We have a mix of ranch and two-story ranging from 1,700 to 2,400 square feet,” Janssen said. “All are open-concept designs.”

The project will be called Monroe Court, according to Janssen-Bruckner’s website.

Houses will be near Grant Park, downtown

South Milwaukee acquired the land in 2014 for $120,000, according to a news release from the city about the sale. Erik Brooks, the former mayor of South Milwaukee, said on his blog the city purchased the parcel “knowing it would be a strategic redevelopment opportunity for the downtown area, and city.”

Janssen said the location near the city’s growing downtown space, parks and other amenities played a role in the purchase.

“While home values in South Milwaukee tend to be on the mid- to low-end, we think that intimate nature of this cul-de-sac development which backs up to Grant Park and is close to an ever-improving downtown will be very desirable,” he said.

Forecasting by the city’s assessor estimates the Monroe Court project could create up to $2.5 million in new value for South Milwaukee, according to the release.

“I am pleased that 2001 7th Avenue will be going back on the tax rolls,” said Mayor Jim Shelenske in a statement. “Janssen-Bruckner has been a great partner in this process, and we’re delighted to be offering new homes in South Milwaukee.”

Cul-de-sac design allows for more houses as demand grows

South Milwaukee issued a request for proposals for the property in 2022 that focused on residential single-family proposals. A minimum of five homes were requested with up to 2½ stories and a minimum of a two-car garage. It also specified to “avoid cul-de-sac streets.”

Despite that final request, Janssen-Bruckner is moving forward with a cul-de-sac design to allow for more lots.

Janssen said multi-family rents are high and “single-family inventory is low.” Even with higher interest rates than in years past, "we are getting traction across all of our projects," he said.

Other projects include Creekside Condominiums in Greenfield, Stonebrook on the Park condos in Oak Creek, a 169-lot subdivision called Kirkland Crossing in Muskego and a 19-lot development called Autumn Trace in New Berlin.

A groundbreaking ceremony for Monroe Court is scheduled for 10 a.m., Oct. 9.

Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on Twitter @Redheadliner.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: South Milwaukee getting 8 single-family homes at 2001 7th Ave.