Paving paradise for 'lifestyle center'

"I really don't understand Bob Lang's reason for paving paradise and putting up a parking lot. It's an old song, but we don't want it sung here," said Marty Wiley, who lives near the [Delafield]development site.

Imagine that! Some people moved to the Delefield area in Waukesha County for some rural, small town peace and quiet,and aren't too interested in living next to a "lifestyle center."

Residents turned out in force Monday night tell the Common Council about their objections. It's a big project:

Developer Bob Lang revealed plans for the complex of upscale stores, restaurants, offices, hotel and residences at I-94 and Highway C during a recent private meeting with neighboring property owners. All the buildings would be freestanding, Lang said.
The development proposed for 60 acres on the southeast corner of I-94 and Highway C (Genesee St.) would be smaller than both Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa and Brookfield Square in Brookfield. It would include 743,000 square feet of retail space, including two anchor stores, 213,000 square feet of office space, 65,000 square feet of restaurants, a 150-room hotel, 440 condominiums and 87 townhomes.

Saying it's smaller than Matfair or Brookfield Mall probably wasn't too reassuring.

At least it wasn't a Wal-Mart superstore.

One potential issue not mentioned in this morning's story: water, which is in short supply in Waukesha County.