Aerotropolis Milwaukee Reaches Milestone With New Development Plan
May 11, 2017
Earlier this year, the Aerotropolis Milwaukee and its partners reached an important milestone with the completion of the Aerotropolis Development Plan report – a large scale planning effort outlining opportunities related to industry, transportation, and connectivity to the economic driver that is MItchell International Airport. The group partnered with the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) to lead the year long planning effort in the creation of the report.
Formed in 2010, the Aerotropolis Milwaukee is public-private nonprofit corporation, focused on comprehensive economic development, centered around the General Mitchell International Airport. Through its multijurisdictional approach, public and private representatives from each of the surrounding airport communities have come together to coordinate the economic and physical development of this Southeastern region of Milwaukee County. The driving factor to the Aerotropolis plan is its goal of efficiently linking the region’s air, rail, road and shipping transportation capabilities with existing and future real estate and business development.
Governed by a dedicated board that includes representatives from the City of Cudahy, City of Franklin, City of Greenfield, City of Milwaukee, City of Oak Creek, City of South Milwaukee, City of St. Francis, Village of Greendale, Village of Hales Corners, Milwaukee County, General Mitchell International Airport, Port of Milwaukee, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, Cobalt Partners, Crystal Limousine & Coach, GLR Management, HNTB and VJS Construction Services. The colaboration between the public and private sector is key to the success of this effort, and the region. With this report, local governments, industry leaders and real estate developers now have a common point of reference that will aid in decision-making relative to future land use and strategic investments
The Aerotropolis Concept
Similar concepts for regional economic development have been implemented in 38 cities across the country, all sharing a core value of improving the economic vitality of its region by focusing on the connectivity and economic potential of an airport. Unlike other airport regions, there are many communities directly located around the General Mitchell International Airport, increasing the importance of a coordinated planning approach. The plan itself identifies where future airport-oriented growth and economic development should occur by incorporating the existing planning efforts of each municipality and jurisdiction, with additional recommendations for modest change to each community’s comprehensive plan.
Strategic development of freight and logistics centers within close proximity to air and rail support a multimodal transportatin network in the Aerotropolis.
The plan identifies a number of key contributing areas that support the overall aerotropolis concept, focusing on six “aerotropolis growth areas”. These areas were identified based on a few major factors: proximity to the airport, the ability and likelihood to accommodate aerotropolis-supporting land uses and the amount of available vacant or underutilized land. Plan recomendations also focus on attracting and growing businesses at these locations, improving the connections to the Milwaukee Airport and enhancing amenities that contribute to a better quality of life for Airport-area workers and a more enjoyable and impactful experience for those visiting the area. In addition to land development, a major goal of the plan is to achieve a high-quality, multimodal transportation system to serve the plan’s growth areas.
Since completion of the plan report in February, both the Aerotropolis Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission have been working closely with leadership throughout the area to present the plan and its recommendations to each of the participating communities within the airport region, seeking endorsement of the plan with an ultimate goal of incorporating the recommendations into their existing and future comprehensive plans.
To view the full Aerotropolis Milwaukee Development Plan report click on the link below:
Aerotropolis Development Plan Report
For more information, please contact the Aerotropolis Milwaukee at 414-455-3323.