Designed by A.C. Eschweiler, one of Milwaukee's most renowned architects, and built with high quality materials and architectural details, the quality of design and construction of the buildings in this national historic district has made their 100 year survival possible. In response to years of public dialogue and community effort, legislation and plans were passed by the Milwaukee County Board and the City of Wauwatosa Common Council clearly stating the public intent to preserve these landmarks. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Real Estate Foundation purchased an 88 acre parcel from the county that includes the buildings stating, "They are the planned centerpiece of the housing zone for Innovation Park.” Now, UWM-REF proposes to sell the "housing zone" to the Mandel Group to develop apartments. The original contract stipulated that the buildings should be rehabilitated and reused. Mandel now proposes to demolish three of the four significant buildings, build new apartments and plans to request $2.5 million in public subsidies to support the project. His proposal to demolish the buildings will be reviewed at the Wauwatosa Historic Preservation Commission meeting on October 3rd, 2012 . We steadfastly implore Wauwatosa public officials to embrace again that the value in saving this national historic district is a statement of our past and for our future.