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A historic former tavern in the long-vacant River West neighborhood of Milwaukee will be converted into a food truck park, bar, and other uses under plans that received conceptual approval from the Historic Preservation Commission on Monday. will be
Developer Clarence Morse is planning a major $700,000 renovation of the three-story water-damaged building at 2249 N. Humboldt Blvd.
“We need attention as soon as possible,” Tim Askin, the city’s historic preservation planner, told committee members.
“It would be very exciting if this could happen,” said committee member Matt Jarosz, who named the former tavern one of Milwaukee’s most endangered historic assets.
According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, it was built in 1890 as a saloon for the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company.
The building, which the city acquired through a property tax foreclosure, sat vacant for several years. This is where Zack’s Tavern used to be.
Food trucks use open spaces on the property, including outdoor seating and a live music stage.
The ground floor of the building will house a bar, indoor seating and restrooms for food truck patrons, according to plans submitted to the commission.
The second floor is used for event space rentals, educational presentations, artist pop-up galleries, and health/wellness classes such as yoga and dance. Morse’s company, Dark Horse Development LLC, planned to move offices to his third floor.
His plans surfaced after a 2019 proposal to convert the building into three condominiums fell through.
As a city-designated historic building, any alterations to the exterior must be approved by the board.
Conceptual approval helps move the development process forward, and Morse returns to the committee for final approval.
He planned to purchase property from the city, but this would require Common Council approval.
Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com and followed on Instagram. twitter and Facebook.
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