Site at Wauwatosa and North avenues expected to include apartments, retail
Milwaukee – Bethesda and Luther Group are proud to announce AbleLight Village Wauwatosa, an integrated residential and commercial community that welcomes independent adults with developmental disabilities as well as young professionals and families. The project is one step closer to reality as land has been purchased in a prominent Wauwatosa location.
The site, 7501 W. North Ave., at the southeast corner of Wauwatosa and North avenues, consists of just over 2 acres. The purchase price was $2.85 million. Plans call for the construction of 92 apartment and 4 townhome units, along with a BMO Harris bank branch to replace the branch currently onsite, plus up to two retail spaces and a Discovery Lab. The entire project is anticipated to cost $31 million. The project is being put forth in partnership between Bethesda and Luther Group.
To serve people with disabilities, up to 23 units would be set aside for affordable rates, not to exceed 80% of median county income.
The Discovery Lab and additional retail spaces would be designed to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to learn valuable life skills, explore assistive technology to increase independence and possibly even be employed in a community-based business.
AbleLight Village communities foster an active social life through physical design and ongoing programming. A director of activities would be hired to create and customize events and classes that appeal to the personality of the community, such as exercise classes, coffee hours, book clubs, faith groups and community service opportunities. The first AbleLight Village opened in 2020 in Victoria, Minn., a Minneapolis suburb, and another is planned for 3200 W. Highland Blvd. in Milwaukee, the former home of Aurora Family Service.
The Wauwatosa land purchase is just one step, with city reviews and approvals pending. Conversations are also underway with neighbors, prospective residents and their families, and potential community partners. If approved, groundbreaking would occur in 2022.
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About AbleLight
AbleLight is a national leader in pioneering life-changing services that empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to thrive. Founded in 1904 in Wisconsin as a Christian mission, AbleLight promotes independence and inclusion across the U.S. through comprehensive and individualized supports that include housing, employment, spiritual life and much more. For details, go to AbleLight.org, like our Facebook page and follow us on LinkedIn.
About Luther Group
Luther Group is an Elm Grove-based commercial real estate firm. Founded in 2012 with a simple credo: Do what you say you will, cultivate long-term relationships and create winning partnerships. The strength of Luther Group is its personality, skillset and experience. The leadership team of Luther Group has spent over 110 combined years acquiring, brokering, developing, managing and investing in real estate across the country. Luther Group’s assets under management currently exceeds $100 million. For details, go to http://www.luthergrp.com and follow us on LinkedIn.