Century City Business Park breaks ground on $35 million project

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Through rain and overcast skies, some major work took place at the Century City Business Park.

At Jimmy's Grill, not much has changed in 40 years. The customers are regulars, the good service never fails, and the recipes are the same.

Stacy York and her husband frequent Jimmy's Grill once or twice a week. They like the way things are, they don't want to see anything change. Soon enough though, the view out the front window will be different.

"Oh yeah, the view will definitely change, but hopefully for the better. We weren't looking at nothing, nothing's over there," said Stacy York, a Milwaukee resident.

On Thursday, October 16th, Mayor Tom Barrett and several other local leaders gathered to break ground on Milwaukee's Century City Business Park. A project that will cost $35 million.

"It's a lot of money and we really can't afford to do it, but the truth is we can't afford not to do it," said Alderman, Willie Wade.

It will begin with Century City 1, the first new building at the former A.O. Smith -- Tower Automotive site that was torn down in December of 2011.

"This is an area that needs attention, and it needs a catalyst and I think our buildings ought to be that catalyst over time," said General Capital, Michael Weiss.

The new cutting edge structure will be a 53,000 square foot industrial building with 24 foot clear ceiling heights.

"We're hoping to have 2 or 3 tenants, but we could have as many as 6," said Weiss.

So while there is comfort in everything being the same over at Jimmy's Grill, folks know changes are coming to the area -- and they're okay with that.

"I look forward to see what's coming up over there," said York.

The overall site is 60 acres. Local officials say we will see real movement and construction there as soon as Monday, October 20th.