Sussex cannery site groundbreaking slated

Village of Sussex - The developer of a proposed eight acre residential and commercial complex in downtown Sussex says he hopes to break ground in the Spring of 2013.

Arthur Sawall of Brookfield said he is reaching agreements with the village, Waukesha County, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regarding moving the Bug Line Recreational Trail off the site at  the corner of Main Steet and Waukesha Avenue to make way for the new development.

He said a segment of the trail will be relocated west and south the property which is the site of the former Mammoth Springs Cannery Company. The 11 mile trail extends from the Village of Menomonee Falls west through Sussex to the Village of Merton.

Although he has yet to receive village, county and state approvals for the project, Sawall said he is optimistic he can break ground in the Spring because all of the agencies would like to see the project under way as soon as possible.

He said construction of two 30-unit apartment buildings can begin before the trail is relocated because the location of the apartment buildings does not affect the trail.

Sawall is scheduled to present conceptual plans for the development at a Village of Sussex Plan Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, 4:30 p.m., at Village Hall

Sawall said he anticipates construction of retail and commercial buildings on the site after residential units have been built and occupied.