Trimborn Farm Use & Development

Milwaukee County Economic Development is soliciting proposals for the adaptive reuse and long-term operation of Trimborn Farm, a historically significant 7.34-acre property located in the Village of Greendale. The Request for Proposal (RFP-ED2501) seeks nonprofit or for-profit organizations with experience in historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and public programming to develop a sustainable solution for the property. The site includes nine period buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with potential uses ranging from wedding venues and restaurants to urban farming, breweries, and event spaces. Respondents must provide a draft business plan demonstrating financial sustainability, preservation of historical structures, and continued public benefit while aligning with local zoning regulations and historic preservation standards. The RFP requires proposals to address racial equity, community development goals, and sensitivity to the residential neighborhood context. An onsite tour is scheduled for August 22, 2025, with proposal responses due by October 31, 2025. The County prefers a full transfer of ownership but will also consider long-term triple net lease arrangements.

The procurement opportunity is open to both nonprofit and for-profit organizations, with no specific set-aside designations mentioned in the documentation. The property is currently owned by the Historical Society of Milwaukee County and managed by the Milwaukee County Parks and Historical Society. The existing infrastructure includes multiple historic structures with varying conditions, including a stone barn, farmhouse, lime kilns, threshing barn, and several auxiliary buildings, all requiring significant maintenance and restoration. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the asset detail reports indicate a total replacement value of multiple buildings exceeding $2 million, with comprehensive renewal requirements totaling approximately $564,372 for site infrastructure alone. The potential award would likely involve either property transfer or a long-term lease, with the primary goal of preserving the historical site while creating a financially sustainable and community-beneficial operation. Respondents will need to demonstrate substantial financial capacity and expertise in historic preservation and adaptive reuse to be competitive.