The Brookfield Scene
Janet, a Town of Brookfield resident, has lived in the Elmbrook area for nearly 40 years and is an avid gardener and volunteer. Her blog focuses on the city and town of Brookfield – past, present and future.
News around Town
By Janet Wintersberger
Tuesday, Jul 31 2007, 05:28 PM
A reader’s recent comments about properties along the west end of the Bluemound Corridor prompted me to contact Rick Czopp, administrator for the town of Brookfield. Here’s his perspective.
“Developments occur amid a sea of change. Any snapshot in time is bound to contain contrasts, even sharp contrasts that disagree with a community’s vision. Old gas stations, motels, miniature golf courses or strip malls exist for decades are relics that simply disappear with the advent of new development.
Even with the power of a TIF, it took decades for some of the old developments in the City to be revitalized. The city has created a 20 year Tax Increment Finance district for the Brookfield Square area. But is this good for the city taxpayer? We will only know the answer in 10 or 20 years to see if this has created tax relief for the average tax payer. The town does not TIF and we still are enjoying dramatic tax base increase. In fact our value as a town is over one billion dollars.
Redevelopment continually updates the town’s property values and creates new and exciting opportunities. The Majestic Cinema, once a long-vacant industrial site, is now an entertainment destination.
Interest in the redevelopment of older properties remains high. The town has a tremendous opportunity in the redevelopment of the Menards and West Point Cinema sites. The town is working on a long-range master plan for this area and it expects development which will enhance the town and create stable tax base for years to come.”
