Middle School site is opportunity for betterment
Excuse us if we can’t stifle our yawn at the news that the Oconomwooc School Board might have someone interested in developing the former Oconomowoc Middle School. Wouldn’t it be nice if the former Oconomowoc Middle School were sold to someone who could turn the historic building into something great?
The school is located in a fantastic location, practically in the heart of Oconomowoc. Walking distance to shopping, downtown, highschool, and even (should sidewalks ever actually extend that far) Pabst Farms; the Oconomowoc Middle School would be a great place to put affordable– but not cheap– apartments for those who are serious about making a break from their cars in the suburban environment.
But, our penchant for urbanmilwaukee.com-esque screeds against driving and in favor of mass transit and sustainability aside, Oconomowoc is woefully lacking in “affordable” housing.
In defference to the beliefs of former mayor and good guy Tom Foti, Oconomooc does _not_ currently possess affordable quality housing. There are precious few rental properties within purchasing range of the sub-$40,000 per year set, and of those, there are even fewer that make the consessions nessessary to the non-driving in our suburban, un-transit serviced community.
Nobody is saying what is planned for the former school building yet, but if past precidence dictates future proposals, we have only to look forward to an announcement of a new, soon to be underused shopping mall or senior living apartments.
Why, Oconomowoc, do we only develop for the old or the rich?
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:59 am
Worth noting that good ol’ Janesville, Wisconsin did just this with their former middle school on the edge of “downtown”. Project turned out really well.