The new Franklin Square Apartments in Lindsay Heights are expected to be fully leased by the end of June, according to Melissa Goins, chief executive officer of Maures Development Group, LLC. The 37-unit development has two buildings: a 10-unit townhouse at the corner of Teutonia Avenue and Hadley Street; and a 27-unit, mid-rise building in the 1400 block of W. Center Street.

Maures Development Group of Milwaukee and Brinshore Development, LLC of Northbrook, Ill. are the developers of the Franklin Square Apartments, 1420 W. Center St. Construction on the $8.8 million project began in April 2010, and was completed in February. According to Goins, approximately 40 percent of the construction contract was allocated to emerging businesses. The Maures Development Group will be the first commercial business housed in the ground level of the development.

The Franklin Square Apartments are the second phase of Goins’ multi-phase development plan for the Teutonia Avenue Togetherness project (TAT). Teutonia Gardens Apartments, 2701 N. Teutonia Ave., was the first development in the area. TAT has committed more than $14 million to Lindsay Heights.

“Purpose, Persistence, Prosperity”

In an effort to beautify the neighborhood, the development includes two aesthetic additions: a worn-out parking lot was converted into a walkable green space called “The Square,” and an outside mural, titled “Purpose, Persistence, Prosperity,” was created by five high school students who live or go to school in the area. The mural was sponsored by the development team under the direction of ArtWorks for Milwaukee with Ras’Ammar Nsoroma as lead artist.

The historic community of Franklin Square served as the inspiration for Franklin Square Apartments, according to Goins. “Franklin Square is affectionately named after the Franklin Square Park,” she added. “The park provided recreation for many from the likes of Howard Fuller, former Superintendent for MPS, and birthed a few NBA players such as Fred ‘Downtown Freddie’ Brown and John Howard Getty ‘J.J.’ Johnson, who both played for Seattle.”

The grand opening for Franklin Square Apartments will be on June 9. Community members will gather from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the square.