Developer, charity have bold vision for a Saukville community

Developers of what they call a potential “game-changing” multi-use project on Saukville’s east side are seeking to create a partnership that will help sustain nonprofit groups for years to come and will be a regional draw for Saukville and northern Ozaukee County.

According to plans presented to leaders of the Ozaukee Master Gardners recently, the project north of Highway 33 and west of Northwoods Road would include a “showpiece” garden and a football field-sized public space for outdoor gatherings such as concerts, farmers markets and festivals.

Just as importantly, the area will include a multigenerational apartment complex that will be 20% to 25% occupied by people with intellectual or developmental disabilities who can work at businesses that will dot the plaza, such as coffee shops, restaurants and possibly a hotel, Tom “Mel” Stanton, executive director of Mel’s Charities, said.

Stanton recently unveiled plans for “Mel’s Village,” part of the 99-acre Northern Gateway project that Ansay Development has proposed.

To make Mel’s Village a reality, Stanton is working to bring together local businesses and organizations.

“Mel’s is built on local, local, local. All these relationships are local. That’s part of our core mission,” he said.

“We’re working with like-minded businesses with whom we already have a relationship and who are aligned with our mission to provide those opportunities. They are extremely interested in this project.”

While none have officially signed on to the project, “everyone is extremely excited and looking forward to making this happen,” Stanton said.

  “Our vision is to create a community living experience that provides meaningful work, a sense of belonging and a safe and secure long-term residence that is engaged with the Village of Saukville,” he told Master Gardeners leaders.

  “Our intent is to support the delivery of a top-of-the-line community facility that is wholly integrated into a planned community.” 

Stanton said the plaza area and the nature walking trails offer an opportunity for the Master Gardeners to develop a “showpiece” that would be a regional attraction.

Master Gardeners President Heidi Janous said she and other group members who attended Stanton’s presentation were impressed.

“We find it very exciting and interesting. We’re very impressed with what he wants to do,” Janous said, noting that the plans have not been presented to the group’s board of directors and that no decision has been made to participate.  

Ozaukee Master Gardeners is part of the Wisconsin Master Gardener volunteer program, a statewide program of the University of Wisconsin-Extension that offers educational programs and horticulture projects.

Stanton said his charity has already received donations from individuals for the garden in memory of loved ones who have passed away. 

​ The Northern Gateway project, which was previously dubbed Saukville Crossings and Destination Saukville, was first proposed 15 years ago but was shelved during the economic recession in 2008.

Ansay Development Operations Director Kate Ansay wouldn’t comment on the current state of the project design, but she said the company hopes to present plans to the Village of Saukville perhaps as early as this spring and begin work on the project in 2021. 

According to plans presented in February to Saukville officials, the project area extends north from Market Street near Piggly Wiggly around the Feith Family YMCA to an area roughly across from Applewood Drive.

About 18 acres immediately north of the YMCA on which some buildings stand are not part of the development.

About 39 acres of the project are wetlands and will include walking trails, plus a road connecting the southern and northern parts of the development. 

The northern end will include a commercial area and medium to high-density housing, including single-family homes and multifamily residences, according to the plans.

Village officials were told that an indoor sports facility, coupled with a sports medicine office, could be located in the northwest corner of the development.

Ansay officials said they would seek to finance infrastructure improvements such as roads and sewers through a pay-as-you-go tax incremental district plan, in which the developer pays for the improvements and is reimbursed from property tax revenue.

They also said the project will be built in three phases, with Mel’s Village being the first. 

The project could add $80 million or more to the village’s tax base, they estimated.

“Our hope is to bring a project to the village that they will embrace and that will be buildable starting in 2021,” Ansay Holdings President Tom Meaux said.

“It’s a very encompassing opportunity and very important to the entire community. It’s going to be a game changer.”

Meaux, who also is vice president of Mel’s Charities’ board of directors, said it’s an important project for the charity.

“Mel’s is a charity that we embrace,” Meaux said. “They have a unique way of supporting and helping people, and we want to work with them as they move forward. 

“It’s really about sustainability for the nonprofits. They do a lot of great work and we think through our relationship we’re going to create a very sustainable environment that the community will be very proud of.”

Kate Ansay agreed.

“We’re blessed to be involved with Mel’s. We think this is just a great thing for Ozaukee County,” she said.