What Should be Added in Capitol Heights Development Space?

The Capitol Heights property will soon be in the hands of a new developer after the Common Council on Tuesday approved an agreement that would aid in the sale.

The space, located at 17400 W. Capitol Drive, consists of empty lots as well as a vacant building and is currently owned by Anchor Bank. On Tuesday, the Council approved the division of the land into two new lots, so that the vacant building can stand as its own property, and the three empty lots would become known as a single property.

The approval came with a 9-3 vote, with Ald. Bob Reddin, Ald. Christopher Blackburn and Ald. Jerry Mellone casting the dissenting votes.

Anchor Bank is expected to maintain ownership of the vacant building — which is a 2-story office building — until it can find some to lease or buy the property; Tendic Business Group LLC is expected to purchase the empty lots.

The agreement approved by the council on Tuesday also creates a deadline for the new developer to construct buildings on the lots; if Tendic Business Group does not build by Dec. 31, 2017, the developer will be required to convert the space into a "park-like atmosphere," according to Director of Community Development Dan Ertl.

Capitol Heights was created in 2003, with the idea that it would be a 6-building mixed-use project, Ertl said. Two of the buildings were developed and are actively in use, including a senior housing project with 70 units as well as condominium complex. The third building is the vacant office building, and the other three buildings should be constructed after the sale to Tendic Business Group.
Director of Community Development Dan Ertl

The developer will ultimately be in charge of filling those new buildings, but Ertl said it will be mostly niche retailers and office space.

"I would think it would be specialty retail," he said. "It might be a coffee shop, but it's a combination of retail and office."

The Capitol Heights property is near Stonewood Village and across the street from the Capitol Plaza. 

What stores would you like to see added in the Capitol Heights space?
Tell us in the comments.

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