Introducing a Series on Parkland Mall

It’s probably safe to say that the vast majority of Muskego residents and business owners know the term “Parkland Mall,” and it’s probably also safe to assume that when the term “tree farm” is spoken or written within city borders these days, most residents and merchants instantly associate the term with Parkland Mall.

However, while these terms most likely ring familiar with most Muskego residents and members of the business community, few are probably really familiar with all of the developments, players, personalities, complexities, intricacies, legalities, proposals, and allegations, which, taken altogether, comprise everything that has come to be known simply as “Parkland Mall”, a namesake that has carried over from the days when a shopping center sat on the site.

But one thing is for sure: The issue known simply as “Parkland Mall” is one of so much irritation and frustration, that it arguably became the default topic of choice for many residents looking to vent at a city-sponsored public information meeting last spring. The topic of that meeting, which was held at Muskego High School in May 2010, was the proposed project known as “Bring Back the Lake”, which had nothing to do with the Parkland Mall site.

Now, Muskego Patch brings its readers this occasional on-going series of articles meant to inform, educate, and perhaps shed light on this long-standing issue.

Relying on a vast collection of public records, past news stories and commentaries, and past and current interviews and statements by various parties, we will make a sincere attempt to break this issue down in a way that’s easy-to-understand, interesting, engaging, and, most importantly, factual.  Ideally, the 'timeline' format seems to provide the most logical format to digest the issue.

Do understand that we ultimately will be talking with legal entities, which will present their side of the story.  However, what we are told may be limited based on the fact that there is a very active lawsuit against the city by Parkland Ventures. Our access to interviews and documents therefore will also be limited, however we will attempt to gather the most up-to-date information that can be shared as the suit progresses.