Over the years, residents have become to acknowledge the 76th & Rawson intersection as their "downtown". It has been a primary spot for families to purchase their food before Sendik’s and another Pick n Save sprouted up. From the local chiropractor to McDonald’s, there are services and offerings that fit in perfectly for that Franklin “soccer mom” who wants to do some quick shopping within a short distance. However, times are changing.
For the past couple of years, the strip malls have suffered, especially Orchard View, which lost its primary anchor (Sentry Foods) and several other tenants after. While Office Max opened up at Franklin Centre, the Mayor remarked that residents found the strip mall one of the worst looking in the area. While it didn’t please the owner, it did serve a purpose; the owner after those remarks did put down new asphalt, repainted the strip mall, and modified their signage.
Always keen with development, I watched and was pleased when I saw the now-Wheaton Franciscan health center open next to what's now Harris Bank. At 3-4 stories, it was one of the tallest buildings in Franklin until Northwestern Mutual and Wheaton Franciscan built their facilities on 27th Street. It is a good thing to see a 3-4 story building on 76th & Rawson, and was disappointed to see nothing else to that effect happen since. A proposed and approved Hampton Inn & Suites, to be located behind the Citgo, hasn't begun construction yet. That hotel will be 5 stories.
While we have a plus in the Hampton Inn & Suites, I still don’t see the area doing much at this time. It needs a renaissance, and perhaps some suggestions would help get things moving. Here they are:
- Streetscaping. It’s the easiest thing for the city to do, and it doesn’t have to hurt taxpayers’ pocketbooks. Typically Milwaukee County will allow for streetscaping their roads as long as they don’t pay a penny for them. That’s perfectly fine! Several business and community leaders along 27th Street in Greenfield and Milwaukee are currently upgrading their portions of 27th Street by installing some streetscaping along the busy thoroughfare, which would be paid for by the businesses who occupy space along it. Considering that streetscaping for 76th & Rawson would be for roughly a few blocks in any direction, the impact on businesses wouldn't be that great. Doing such landscaping and enhancements along the streets would automatically improve the look and feel of shopping in the district.
- Brand and Market the area. While we call it “76th & Rawson”, it should get a brand and theme. Such branding is something that residents and businesses alike would appreciate when they go to/locate in this part of Franklin.
- Build taller. The Hampton Inn & Suites is a step in the right direction. Now let’s continue that trend to make 76th & Rawson a destination for people to go. According to the approval for the hotel, People’s Choice Car Wash might not be in existence in the next couple of years, opening that area up for prime development. Another area that’s vacant is open grasslands across from the former 5 Star Coffee and Root River Lanes. While there’s a homestead next to that parcel, and I’m not encouraging the forcing out of any homeowners, the land next to it is ripe for something big to happen. Taking note of the condominium complex on the other side of this parcel, I’d suggest something with office and/or medical. Even at 3-4 stories, residents should (and would) be pleased with the results. Office and/or medical buildings generally do tons of landscaping and don’t stay open into the wee hours of the night. Lastly, any type of office on the higher floors could provide enhanced security overall for the residencies during the day. A 3-5 story replacement for People’s Choice and a 3-4 story medical/office/mixed use complex across from 5 Star Coffee would provide ample upward development that the commercial district needs to become more vibrant again.
- Attract true restaurants. Taco Bell, McDonald’s, George Webb…enough with the fast food joints! Chase, North Shore Bank, Harris Bank…enough with the banks! While the intersection has Pantheon, I don’t see why one family-owned restaurant should be the limit on potential restaurants for that intersection. In regards to banks, I don’t think anymore saturation is needed! I’d like to see the owners of the Franklin Centre open up some of their parking lot for development to perhaps bring in another restaurant. I strongly feel that an Applebee’s would do well at this intersection, given that it would serve as a great place for teens and those with Saber Pride to congregate and mingle. Applebee’s is treated as a neighborhood restaurant, even though it is a chain. They put up memorabilia of local high school events and sports, and that’s always a plus in any community in terms of pride.
- Enhance the two strip malls. This has to happen. It looked great when Franklin was a tiny rural community 20 years ago, but now it’s time to move on. Franklin residents seen the renovation of the strip mall on Hwy 100 in Hales Corners that currently houses a Sentry Foods. The owners remade it into a more vibrant place to locate businesses. I’d encourage Mr. O’Malley, the owner of Orchard View, to look into such renovations for his center as well.
With some restaurants, multi-story buildings housing offices and other tenants, an upgraded Orchard View and Franklin Centre, the elimination of parking spaces for more buildings, a brand/theme for the business district, and some streetscaping, 76th & Rawson could be transformed from one of the “same old” areas of the metro area into one of the finer intersections. The ability to create such a business district is there, but it require teamwork and dedication to make it happen. Strong leadership is also needed that mix as well. If Franklin works with some ideas for enhancing the Crystal Ridge Ski Hill, a vital and burgeoning commercial center could be the result.
Comments
Don't forget Hanely's at that intersection. It is busy and frequented by those with Saber Pride a lot. Applebee's might not be good for them at all.
How about a "Potbelly's" or an "Atlanta Bread Co" where the old Blockbuster was located? I personally spoke with the owner of the New Berlin "Atlanta Bread Co" 2 years ago and he told me that he had been trying to open up a site in Franklin. What is our planning commission doing????
i dont thing applebees would go there since theres one like 5 minutes up the road by southridge
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