Millions in state money could help convert empty offices into apartments. Why the money is unused

Converting underused office buildings to housing and other new uses is expensive ? especially with relatively high interest rates and inflated construction costs.

So, a new state loan fund could be a big help. But legislative restrictions are largely keeping Wisconsin developers from tapping it.

That`s according to comments from a Tuesday panel discussion on office conversions sponsored by Commercial Association of Realtors-Wisconsin, a trade group.

Bills with bipartisan Legislature approval, signed last year by Gov. Tony Evers, allocated $525 million to help fund "workforce housing."...

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Ken Notes: I remain amazed that we continue to create development policy without developers at the table. We pass laws and create policy that does not help them thrive in business and then point fingers when they don`t build what we want. This is not a partisan issue this in an issue of knowing what your constituents do for a living.