Communities divided over what to do with vacant churches, schools

CUDAHY (WITI) -- Two Milwaukee County communities go separate ways with an idea to turn old abandoned Catholic churches into subsidized apartment housing.

In Cudahy, the city council unanimously approved a proposal to rezone the land where the old Nativity of the Lord campus currently sits, to allow for an apartment building.  A developer has plans to demolish the church and school, and build a five story building with 60 units.

In South Milwaukee, the council did the exact opposite, rejecting a proposal to rezone land that currently houses the former St. Adalbert campus.  On that site, a developer planned to turn the former school and church into 31 units for low income residents.

In both neighborhoods, there are concerns -- from parking to the size of the new buildings. Some call the plans terrible ideas. Others see new life and future tax dollars in the vacant buildings.