There was a full room for the recent Viewpoints Luncheon featuring the release of Cleared for Construction, a new report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum commissioned by CARW, GMAR, MMAC, and others, that takes a closer look at how projects move through approval processes across Wisconsin communities.
The conversation brought together a strong cross-section of perspectives, including Lafayette Crump, Commissioner of City Development for the City of Milwaukee; Mark Hammond, Development Director for the City of Wauwatosa; Matt Maroney, CEO of Wangard Partners; and Angie Tabrizi, Principal of Moxie Development Collective.
The takeaway was consistent: predictability matters as much as speed.
A few themes came through clearly:
- A single point of contact can streamline communication and keep projects moving
- Clarity upfront matters—set expectations on timelines, requirements, and we’ll follow them
- Keep projects out of the political cycle—uncertainty late in the process creates real risk
- Help the market better understand how incentives work and when they apply
The report reinforces what many in the room experience every day—while timelines may vary, it’s the lack of consistency and transparency that creates the most friction. For commercial real estate, that uncertainty shows up in cost, risk, and ultimately whether deals move forward at all.
Read the report: https://wispolicyforum.org/research/cleared-for-construction/
This conversation is especially relevant as Wisconsin works to close a housing gap estimated between 140,000 and over 200,000 units this decade. Meeting that demand will require more than interest from the market—it will require an environment where projects can move with confidence.
Clear rules. Defined timelines. A path forward. That’s what allows projects to happen. The report has inspired much conversation and will continue to shape the discussion in the years ahead.