The Village of Mukwonago recently committed to building a new 115-acre business park in its thriving community. The key to the development of the business park was a clear understanding of its community-wide infrastructure systems and how that expanded infrastructure would fit within the community’s infrastructure puzzle.
Selecting the Best Site
In 2016, the Village began the planning process by exploring alternative sites for the business park in areas south of Interstate 43. Conceptual layouts for utilities, roads, and lots were reviewed. Cost estimates were developed to understand the cost/benefit equation for several alternative land parcels and infrastructure configurations. As the sewer and storm water facilities and roadways were analyzed at the ground level, thoughtful planning occurred to allow for the new infrastructure to fit within the long-range plans for providing utility and transportation service to undeveloped portions of the Village.
During 2017, the Village identified the most promising site for the business park, secured an option to purchase the land, and continued with its due diligence including: geotechnical analysis, wetland delineations, and environmental reviews. This due diligence allowed for a higher level of confidence in the infrastructure layouts and corresponding cost estimates for the project.
Retaining an Important Local Business
Then it happened...in late 2017 a local business approached the Village with the dilemma of having to expand their business with the inability to do so at their current location. The business sought out shovel-ready sites in business parks of neighboring communities. The Village risked losing a stable business in their community, but fortunately, they were far enough along with the preliminary phase for their new business park. During early 2018, the Village and Banker Wire negotiated terms for Banker Wire to be the anchor tenant in the new business park.
Concurrent Design/Construction and Building Development
Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. (R/M) and other partners helped to lead the development of the business park on an unusually fast track to allow for the Village’s utility, roadway, and storm water infrastructure to be designed, permitted, and constructed concurrently with the design, permitting, and construction of Banker Wire’s new 190,000 square foot corporate head quarters on 15-acres of land. The design, permitting, and bidding of the Village and Banker Wire’s project occurred over the course of 4 months. The construction of the business park infrastructure is nearly 75% complete and Banker Wire’s building walls are standing.
Village Foresight = New Tax Base + New Jobs
The Village’s foresight to invest in its new business park and to complete the preliminary steps allowed it to be able to respond quickly to the opportunity to create new tax base and jobs. In addition to securing Banker Wire as the initial tenant, the Village also recently secured Triple Crown Products as a second tenant with a 66,000 square foot facility scheduled to open in 2019 along with several other prospective tenants that are actively negotiating with the Village. The Village of Mukwonago is a place “Where Life, Leisure and Business Thrive”.
Learn More
Business Park Readiness: Organizing Your Infrastructure Planning to be Build-Ready
Our expert presenter will provide an overview of the common challenges experienced through the development of six recent business parks in Wisconsin. Attend this webinar to get ahead of the game through proactive planning so that your next park is ready for business.
About the Author
Ryan T. Amtmann, P.E.
Vice President
Ryan joined the Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. (R/M) team in 2007. He has worked as a Project Manager and Project Engineer on municipal projects, including wastewater collection and conveyance system design, storm water management and facility design, water main design, site development, development review and general municipal consultation and planning.
