Acquisition and Development of land at 933 W. Highland Avenue, Milwaukee

Milwaukee County's Department of Administration-Economic Development and Real Estate Services has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking qualified developers for the acquisition and development of a 1.07-acre parcel located at 933 West Highland Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently improved with approximately 58,000 square feet of building space previously occupied by the County Medical Examiner's Office. The property, zoned C9D (Civic Activity) and situated within the City's Downtown Area Plan, must be redeveloped for uses compatible with the downtown area's mixed residential, commercial, and government character. Proposers will be evaluated based on ten criteria totaling 375 points: purchase price (0-50 points), qualifications and experience (0-50 points), project design (0-50 points), financial feasibility (0-50 points), zoning readiness (0-25 points), green design (0-25 points), equity and community enhancement (0-25 points), workforce hiring and apprenticeship goals (0-25 points each), projected tax base (0-25 points), and projected jobs created (0-25 points). The RFP was issued on March 23, 2026, with a deadline for written questions on May 1, 2026, and proposals accepted on a rolling schedule with submission deadlines of May 26, 2026; August 31, 2026; November 30, 2026; and February 22, 2027, all at 5:00 PM CDT via the Bonfire Portal. A mandatory pre-proposal site visit with guided walkthrough is scheduled for April 24, 2026, at 1:00 PM. The successful proposer will receive a non-assignable twelve-month option to purchase the property, during which time they must satisfy purchase and development requirements, obtain necessary approvals and permits, and secure financing and tenant commitments, with property closing contingent upon City design approval with construction permit, satisfactory project financing, and execution of a Development Agreement.

The RFP includes mandatory Targeted Business Enterprise (TBE) participation requirements with a 25% goal for development construction and 17% for professional services, residential hiring goals for Milwaukee County residents, and apprenticeship and job training opportunities. All proposers must comply with equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination requirements established by Milwaukee County General Ordinance 56.17 and federal regulations, with contractors employing 50 or more employees required to submit a written Affirmative Action Plan within 120 days of contract award. Proposers must submit a $50,000 non-refundable option fee (credited against purchase price), a $50,000 performance deposit prior to closing, and comply with conflict of interest disclosures, debarment certifications, and sworn statements regarding the accuracy of their proposals. The property is conveyed "as-is" without warranty regarding soil, subsoil, or environmental conditions, with the successful proposer assuming all environmental liability and responsibility for all development costs including utility extensions, deferred assessments, and sidewalk/curb replacement. No specific award value or budget range is established; rather, the purchase price is to be negotiated and will be credited with the option and renewal fees if closing occurs. Contract award requires approval by the County Executive, Comptroller, and/or an individual from the Intergovernmental Cooperation Council (ICC).