Public affairs/government relations
Irgens Development Partners -Mayfair Woods

Challenge

Irgens Development Partners, a Wisconsin-based real estate development company, had the opportunity to design, build and lease a development on a heavily wooded property within the Milwaukee County Research Park. In order for the project to move forward, a unique, environmentally friendly design was necessary, and strong public-private financing partnership was needed between the developer and a local municipality. As “green” buildings are not yet the norm and can be more expensive to build, the developer was seeking a unique financial assistance package from the City of Wauwatosa to make the development, dubbed Mayfair Woods, a reality.

Solution

Mueller Communications developed an information package for key decision makers and worked closely with members of the municipal staff who would receive questions about the development.

In addition, Mueller Communications met with Aldermen whose residents would be affected by the development. Because there was no room for delay in the developer’s timeline, Mueller Communications was diligent in following up with the decision-makers, providing needed information, answering outstanding questions and ultimately securing all the votes necessary for the approval of the development and a funding package.

Results

The Mayfair Woods project, through the approvals process with the City of Wauwatosa, secured the final approval from the Joint Review Board on April 26, 2007. The financing package received unanimous approval from the Mayor, the 15-member Common Council and the 5-member Joint Review Board, plus there were no public objections to the development and construction began on time. Several elected officials specifically cited the project’s environmental friendly elements and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification as reasons why they supported the project.

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