Cranes Cropping Traffic on Oakland Avenue

Photos: Traffic is squeezed tight in the 4000 block of Oakland Avenue as construction crews continue to work on Shorewood's Mandel Group (Lighthorse 4041) & Ravenna Developments.

As crews continue working on the Lighthorse 4041 project, a crane completing work near the top of the building Wednesday is forcing traffic into a tight squeeze on Oakland Avenue.  Follow all our continuing coverage on Shorewood's Mandel Group (Lighthorse 4041) & Ravenna Developments here!

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Local Union Workers Protest at Oakland Avenue Development

Operating engineering workers say construction contractor VJS hired untrained carpenters to operate a crane in lieu of their labor group, endangering the public in the process.

Picketing union operation engineer workers have taken to the sidewalks in front of the Mandel Group development site to protest not being hired for work they believe they were promised and are more qualified for.  Pewaukee-based construction company VJS didn't hire the labor group after advising they would get the work, said Greg West, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 139, Business Representative. Instead, West said, the company is using carpenters to operate a large crane on the site of the new $34.8 million Lighthorse 4041 development, which will include 84 apartments, a 18,000 square foot Walgreens retail store and two parking structures with 200 stalls. “This freak show could have ended in the first hour,” West said of…

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CowDung

2:30 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Vicki: Why don't you respond to Bob's comments with actual points, rather than just calling for him to be silenced? I respect Bob's opinions and find most of his comments to be useful in contributing to a discussion. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for most of yours. Please avoid making negative comments about your fellow posters, and try to limit your comments to the topic of discussion.   more ›

Sendik's Sales Shrinking As Mandel Group Development Takes Root

Despite a new two-story parking structure behind the Shorewood grocery store available to customers, owner John Nehring says business has waned as a six-story apartment and retail development sprouts in his parking lot.

As a new apartment and retail development takes root in its parking lot, Sendik's in Shorewood has seen sales wane. "It has affected business, there's no doubt about it," said John Nehring, who co-owns the independent store with his wife Anne. A two-story parking structure constructed behind the grocery store — part of Milwaukee developer the Mandel Group’s new $34.8 million, six-story development — was supposed to help. But Nerhing said he saw a slight drop in business — somewhere between 5 to 10 percent — at that point. Then when construction moved to his parking lot at 4027 N. Oakland Ave., traffic into the store declined even more, though he couldn’t put a figure on the drop. Nehring said the transition just hasn't been as smooth as he…

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Parking Available in New Structure as Mandel Group Development Moves Along

Finding parking near Oakland and Capitol may be tough right now, but stalls has opened in the new parking structure behind Sendik's to ease the flow. Take the one-way driveway from Oakland or a two-way drive access from Bartlett.

With heavy construction in the area, it's tough finding a parking spot near East Capitol Drive and North Oakland Avenue. But, as part of a $34.8 million, six-story apartment and retail development slowly sprouting in the Sendik's parking lot at 4027 N. Oakland Ave., a parking structure has been erected behind the grocer, and workers opened the ramp earlier this week. Take the one-way driveway from Oakland Avenue to gain access to the new parking. Additionally, there is a two-way drive access from North Bartlett Avenue.  Milwaukee developers the Mandel Group warn that while the ramp is in service now, exterior construction work will continue until the end of August, according to the village. Therefore, there may be temporary changes of …

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Bob McBride

9:55 am on Monday, July 30, 2012

I think they're directing people into the parking structure. At least that's what they were doing the other day. Ordinarily that might seem like overkill, but after witnessing some of the folks who couldn't follow the simple signs in the truncated parking lot during the time the parking structure was being constructed, I'm inclined to believe the actually do serve a purpose.   more ›

Mandel Plans to Break Ground on 6-Story Oakland Avenue Development This Month

Developer also says it has closed on financing needed for new structure.

Milwaukee-area developer Mandel Group announced Wednesday it plans to break ground this month on its six-story structure slated for North Oakland Avenue. Mandel also announced Wednesday, in a statement, it has closed on the financing related to the development coined LightHorse 4041. The new $34.8 million development to be built in the Sendik's parking lot, 4027 N. Oakland Ave., includes 84 apartments, a 18,000 square foot Walgreens retail store and a two-story parking structure behind the grocery store; creating 204 parking stalls. Walgreens will move across East Kenmore Place from its current location at 4081 N. Oakland Ave. into the new structure. Seventeen apartments, or 20 percent of the development, have been identified as affordable…

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Doug

9:55 pm on Friday, December 28, 2012

I'll volunteer to tear down the Pick 'n Save myself. What a dump.   more ›

Mandel Has Enough Money to Repay $3.5 Million Loan From Village, If Needed

Financial adviser confident Barry Mandel can meet annual shortfall payments on debt service.

Barry Mandel, the developer who plans to build a $34 million mixed-use development in the Shorewood, is capable of meeting any annual shortfall payments on the project's annual loan payments if needed, according to a consultant hired by the village.  Michael Harrigan, the village's financial adviser with Ehlers and Associates, told the Community Development Authority Wednesday that he has reviewed Mandel's personal financial statements and is confident that he is able to meet the financial obligation, if needed during the life of the project.  The village is lending Mandel $3.54 million for the project. The loan is expected to be paid back with revenue generated through rent.  CDA members asked Harrigan how common this type of due …

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Officials Issue More Bonds for Oakland Avenue Development

Village Board approves $2.8 million issuance, part of $8.5 million grant and loan package for the development coined the LightHorse 4041.