posted March 25, 2009
In July 2008, Cardinal Stritch University began negotiations with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee to purchase the Cousins Center at 3501 S. Lake Drive in St. Francis. The 415,000 square foot building has been underutilized for years and the Archdiocese wanted to sell the property. The purchase agreement under negotiation was contingent upon also buying approximately 90 acres to the south of the Cousins Center owned by We Energies, for use as athletic fields on the new campus.
As it gathered more information about the We Energies land, the University decided against purchasing the property because of the current downturn in the economy. The Board believes that this is the time to be prudent and develop the best fiscal plan for the new campus.
This gives Stritch a new opportunity, however, to look at other sites and facilities in St. Francis and the South Shore as possible athletic venues for its sports teams and recreational sites for students.
Stritch began negotiations to purchase the Cousins Center because the University has outgrown the current campus in Fox Point/Glendale. More space was needed to accommodate undergraduate students as Stritch’s enrollment has increased in recent years.
Discussions on purchasing the Cousins Center without the We Energies property will continue. However, the entire economic atmosphere that supported the initial offer has changed and Stritch officials must take that into consideration.
The University has three major construction projects currently underway to address the need for more undergraduate housing and expand several programs already established in Milwaukee. Over the summer, the building on the Fox Point/Glendale campus that currently houses the College of Education and Leadership is being remodeled into a residence hall for approximately 90 undergraduates. In addition, the lower level of the current residence building, Clare Hall, is being refitted as office space for faculty.
In December 2008, Stritch announced its plans to convert a three-story building in the Brewery redevelopment project in downtown Milwaukee into classrooms, offices and meeting space for the College of Education and Leadership and other programs. This building, to be called Cardinal Stritch University City Center, is scheduled to open in May 2009.
posted Feb. 3, 2009
The St. Francis High School gymnasium was “standing room only” Monday night when the city council held its public hearing on Cardinal Stritch University’s rezoning request.
The original Jan.5 hearing had to be postponed because the crowd was too big for the council chambers in St. Francis City Hall.
An estimated 350 people jammed the gym at the high school to listen to Stritch’s proposal to build a new campus on the Cousins Center grounds and adjacent WE Energies land, and offered their opinions on the proposal. After listening to 60 people, the council voted minutes later, approving Stritch’s request for rezoning by a unanimous vote of 6 to 0.
“This was a positive first step in our journey back home to St. Francis,” said Stritch President Helen C. Sobehart. “That is where we began, as St. Clare College, in 1937, and where we hope to develop a vibrant, 21st century university campus serving St. Francis and the South Shore communities of Milwaukee County.”
Next, Stritch will look for a project coordinator and begin the actual planning of the buildings and grounds of the new campus. St. Francis Mayor Al Richards reminded the crowd that many more hearings, negotiations and discussions will be held over the next few years to make the vision of the campus become reality.
Stritch will also reach out to residents and friends of the Seminary Woods and environments on and around the sites for their ideas and input in the plans. At a meeting with these groups in December, a tentative date for the third week in February was chosen to begin those discussions.
posted Jan. 8, 2009
On Jan. 5, hundreds of people jammed the St. Francis City Council chamber and spilled out into the hallway, down the stairs and onto the front steps to participate in a public hearing on Cardinal Stritch University’s proposal to building a new campus at the Cousins Center.
Mayor Al Richards decided to postpone the hearing and find another venue that would accommodate everyone.
NEW DATE: Monday Feb. 2, 2009
PLACE: St. Francis High School, 4225 S. Lake Drive
TIME: 6:30 p.m.
Cardinal Stritch University representatives will be there to show the exciting proposal for the Cousins Center campus which promises to bring businesses, educational opportunities and jobs to the South Shore.
In November 2008, the St. Francis city Planning Commission approved a rezoning request for the Cousins Center, which is currently zoned for mixed use. For Stritch to use the land for the new campus, it would have to be zoned for PUD or planned unit development.
Due to residential limitations at its current Fox Point/Glendale main campus, Stritch needs room to grow. There is also a lack of athletic fields on campus and other amenities expected by a traditional-aged population.
If the City Council changes the zoning, Cardinal Stritch University can begin planning for the creation of this new campus and expanding its mission of transforming lives through a value- centered education.
posted Jan. 6, 2009
What promised to be a spirited public hearing on the Cousins Center campus proposal by Cardinal Stritch University was put on “hold” last night, when the crowd overflowed the St. Francis City Council chamber.
Cardinal Stritch University representatives were there to present the proposal for a $150-million campus to be developed at the Cousins Center and adjacent WE Energies property.
In November 2008, the St. Francis city Planning Commission approved a rezoning request for the Cousins Center, which is currently zoned for mixed use. For Stritch to use the land for the new campus, it would have to be zoned for PUD or planned unit development.
Due to residential limitations at its current Fox Point/Glendale main campus, Stritch needs room to grow. There is also a lack of athletic fields on campus and other amenities expected by a traditional-aged population.
If the City Council changes the zoning, Cardinal Stritch University can begin planning for the creation of this new campus and expanding its mission of transforming lives through a value- centered education.
The public hearing will probably be rescheduled early in February.
When the planning begins, Stritch hopes to work with individuals and organizations in St. Francis to gather ideas and suggestions to create a campus for the community.
posted Jan. 5, 2009
A public hearing will be held tonight, Jan. 5, 2009 at the St. Francis City Hall to discuss the proposal from Cardinal Stritch University to build an entire campus at the Cousins Center over the next 20 years.
Stritch, which began as St. Clare College in 1937, is outgrowing its campus in Fox Point/Glendale and hopes to develop a $150- million expansion in St. Francis. It will have residence halls for 800 students and at least 400 jobs will be coming to the community as faculty and staff of the University move to the new campus.
Cardinal Stritch hopes to purchase the Cousins Center and the adjacent WE Energies property to the south for development of residence halls, classrooms, library, fieldhouse and sports fields for baseball and soccer.
The purchase will include part of the Seminary Woods to the west of the Cousins Center, which will NOT be developed, but left untouched to protect its legacy to Southeast Wisconsin.
The hearing is just the first step. If the St. Francis City Council approves the Stritch proposal, planning and discussions can begin about where buildings will be constructed, how roads will be laid-out and how the University can develop a campus that will honor the environment while serving students and helping the community grow.
DATE: Monday, Jan. 5, 2009
TIME: 7 p.m.
PLACE: St. Francis City Hall 4235 S. Nicholson Ave.
posted Dec. 9, 2008
Cardinal Stritch University has been getting so many questions about its proposed Cousins Center Campus that representatives will hold another public information session, next week.
DATE: Monday, December 15, 2008
TIME: 4pm to 7pm
PLACE: St. Francis Public Library 4230 S. Nicholson Avenue
St. Francis residents with questions about the plans are encouraged to come to the session, meet the Stritch representatives and see the vibrant and exciting campus the University is planning. Neighbors from surrounding communities are welcome too, because the Cousins Center Campus will offer classes, the arts and a new atmosphere of learning for everyone.
In November, the St. Francis city Planning Commission approved a rezoning request for the Cousins Center property, 3501 S. Lake Drive.
The Cousins Center property is currently zoned for mixed use. For Stritch’s purposes, the land would have to be zoned for PUD, or planned unit development. The Planning Commission approval is subject to the outcome of a formal public hearing that will take place Jan. 5, and the St. Francis Common Council is expected to make a final vote on the rezoning Jan. 6.
The session will feature a detailed presentation of the preliminary plans for the property, which will include new residence halls for expanding enrollment, classroom buildings, and 80-plus acres of WE Energies land adjacent to the property as sports fields for Stritch’s soccer, softball and baseball teams. As envisioned, the new campus will reside on approximately 130 acres.
The Cousins Center is part of Stritch’s creation of a master space plan for the future. The University, the largest Franciscan institution of higher education in the nation and the second- largest independent college in Wisconsin, is virtually landlocked at its current Fox Point/Glendale main campus. Stritch’s Franciscan mission of serving the underserved by transforming lives through value-centered education can only be achieved with expansion in the next decade.
Stritch’s expansion to the South Shore will take place in tune with the University’s Franciscan values of building community and reverencing creation.
St. Francis Planning Commission votes approval for rezoning of Cousins Center property
Work moves forward on South Shore campus for Cardinal Stritch University
posted Nov. 21, 2008
The St. Francis Planning Commission voted Nov. 20 to approve a rezoning request for the Cousins Center property, 3501 S. Lake Drive, where Cardinal Stritch University plans to build a new undergraduate campus.
The Cousins Center property is currently zoned for mixed use. For Stritch’s purposes, the land would have to be zoned for PUD, or planned unit development. The Planning Commission approval is subject to the outcome of a formal public hearing that will take place Jan. 6, and the St. Francis Common Council is expected to make a final vote on the rezoning Jan. 20.
About 50 St. Francis residents and neighbors attended the Planning Commission meeting, and Tom VanHimbergen, Stritch’s executive vice president for administration/ chief financial officer, said he is quite encouraged by the outcome of the meeting.
“We enjoyed the opportunity to outline our plans for a new campus to the St. Francis Planning Commission,” he said. “We value their feedback, and look forward to an ongoing dialogue with the city and the neighbors to address any concerns that they may have to make Stritch’s return to the South Shore beneficial for all.”
VanHimbergen made a detailed presentation of the preliminary plans for the property, which will include new residence halls for expanding enrollment, classroom buildings, and 80-plus acres of WE Energies land adjacent to the property as sports fields for Stritch’s soccer, softball and baseball teams. As envisioned, the new campus will reside on approximately 130 acres.
The Cousins Center is part of Stritch’s creation of a master space plan for the future. The University, the largest Franciscan institution of higher education in the nation and the second- largest independent college in Wisconsin, is virtually landlocked at its current Fox Point/Glendale main campus. Stritch’s Franciscan mission of serving the underserved by transforming lives through value-centered education can only be achieved with expansion in the next decade.
VanHimbergen explained that Stritch’s expansion to the South Shore will take place in a manner that is consistent with the University’s Franciscan values of building community and reverencing creation.
The University conducted an open house Nov. 12 for area residents to answer their questions, collect their feedback, and address their concerns, and Stritch will continue to meet regularly with neighbors. He emphasized that Stritch will not touch any part of Seminary Woods, and reiterated Stritch’s intent to keep this natural setting preserved.
posted Nov. 13, 2008
About 130 St. Francis residents and neighbors came to the Cousins Center Wednesday night to ask questions and discuss plans for Cardinal Stritch University’s creation of a South Campus.
The Cousins Center, which is approximately 415,000 square feet and sits on about 44 acres, is part of Stritch’s creation of a master space plan for the future. The University, the largest Franciscan institution of higher education in the nation and the second- largest independent college in Wisconsin, is virtually landlocked at its current Fox Point/Glendale main campus and needs room to grow. Stritch’s Franciscan mission of serving the underserved by transforming lives through value-centered education can only be achieved with expansion in the next decade.
Visitors looked at drawings of the plans that included new residence halls for an expanding enrollment, classroom buildings, and 80- plus acres of WE Energies land adjacent to the property as sports fields for Stritch’s soccer and baseball teams. That will create a whole new campus of approximately 130 acres.
Stritch President Dr. Helen C. Sobehart said that Stritch’s expansion to the South Shore will take place in a manner that is consistent with the University’s Franciscan values of building community and reverencing creation, and the University is committed to meeting regularly with neighbors to answer their questions and address their concerns.
Tom VanHimbergen, Stritch’s new Executive Vice President for Administration/ Chief Financial Officer is spearheading the development of the plan. He answered questions about the size of the new campus, the inclusion of part of Seminary Woods and negotiations with WE Energies for property. He was pleased at the turnout and said “Stritch welcomes the opportunity to work with the residents of St. Francis in planning a bright future for the University and the community.”
The St. Francis Planning Commission meets on Thursday, Nov. 20 to discuss the Cardinal Stritch University plans. On Jan. 6, 2009 a public hearing on the plans will be held in St. Francis and the city is expected to vote on the plans on Jan. 20, 2009.
posted July 14, 2008
Cardinal Stritch University has reached an agreement with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for the purchase of the Cousins Center, 3501 S. Lake Drive, in the City of Saint Francis.
Although a sale price has been set, additional information will need to be gathered before the purchase is complete, and it is contingent upon rezoning of the property by the City of Saint Francis. A final agreement would be subject to approval by Stritch’s Board of Trustees and the administrative team for the Sisters of Saint Francis of Assisi, the University’s sponsors.
The Cousins Center, which is approximately 415,000 square feet in size and sits on about 44 acres, is part of Stritch’s creation of a master space plan for the future. The University, the largest Franciscan institution of higher education in the nation and the second-largest independent college in the state, is virtually landlocked at its current Fox Point/Glendale main campus and needs room to grow. Stritch’s Franciscan focus on serving the underserved by transforming lives through value-centered education, the University’s mission, can only be achieved with the opportunity to expand over time.
“We are delighted to be moving forward with this purchase,” said Dr. Helen C. Sobehart, Stritch president. “Our presence on the South Side would allow us to more effectively increase educational access for a broader and more diverse population, particularly the underserved.
“And the purchase richly reflects the history of Stritch, which started in what is now Saint Francis in 1937 as Saint Clare College, and of the Sisters, who formed their congregation there in 1849 and whose Motherhouse remains there, just north of the Cousins site,” she said.
In addition to the main campus in Milwaukee’s north suburbs, Stritch has campuses in Edina, Minn., and Madison, Wis., which serve primarily working adults in its College of Business and Management and College of Education and Leadership. The Edina site also will soon offer classes through Stritch’s Ruth S. Coleman College of Nursing. The Cousins site, if a final agreement is achieved, is expected to eventually serve primarily traditional-age undergraduate students, whose numbers the University is seeking to increase. And the purchase would offer Stritch much greater flexibility in serving all its student populations.