Breaking ground for Saukville’s Gateway project

The Northern Gateway Community Collective development on Saukville’s east side formally got underway last week when a groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday, Aug. 31. Donning hard hats to remove the first shovels of dirt from the ground were (from left) Village President Andy Hebein; Tom Stanton, executive director of Mel’s Charities; Eddie Bublitz and Blaine Bergmann, both members of the Mel’s board of directors; Ozaukee County Board Chairman Lee Schlenvogt; former Saukville village president Barb Dickmann; Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.; and Mike Ansay, managing general partner of Ansay Development. The Gateway project will include Mel’s Village (bottom right), an area with housing, workplaces and amenities that will serve people with and without developmental disabilities. Stanton (center in bottom right photo) accepted a $250,000 donation to Mel’s from the project developers, Ansay (left) and Matt Burow, co-founder of Three Leaf Partners. When completed, the Gateway development is expected to add $160 million to Saukville’s tax base. Photos by Sam Arendt