NEW BERLIN — Rockwell Automation has its sights set on New Berlin for a new facility that could become its largest manufacturing site globally, but residents in surrounding neighborhoods are concerned about the development’s potential impact on the area.
In February, the Milwaukee-based industrial automation manufacturer announced plans for a new manufacturing facility in New Berlin, and in April filed zoning-related applications to advance development. Kyle Lindberg, Rockwell’s vice president of supply chain planning and strategy, and Patrick Theodossiou, development director of SunCap Property Group, which is developing the site, spoke to residents during a neighborhood meeting at New Berlin City Hall on May 13.
The project’s first phase calls for an 810,000-square-foot facility, including 770,000 square feet of manufacturing space and 40,000 square feet of office space, along the south side of the 14000 block of West Grange Avenue in New Berlin. Construction is slated to begin in early-to-mid-2027 and is expected to finish in late 2028, according to a Rockwell Automation spokesperson.
Future expansion of the first phase could bump the facility to over 1 million square feet, according to project details available at newberlin.gov. The project details also outline potential for a second phase that would include a separate 425,000-square-foot light industrial building in the northeast corner of the property along Grange Avenue, but there are no plans or timeline for the second phase, according to the Rockwell spokesperson.
The facility has the “potential to be the company’s largest manufacturing site globally and will reflect Rockwell’s leadership in modern industrial operations,” the spokesperson said. The New Berlin campus is intended to support the manufacturing of industrial automation and control products, including electronic assembly and final assembly, according to the spokesperson.
Greg Kessler, New Berlin director of community development, said he anticipates Rockwell and SunCap Property to submit their application for use, site and architectural approval later this month.
Residents of surrounding neighborhoods have been vocal about their opposition to Rockwell’s proposed facility, however. A petition has been circulating between the residents of Thomson Hollow, Theofila Estates and Red Fox Crossing subdivisions — which border or are near the proposed Rockwell site — as well as other New Berlin neighborhoods. The petition was sent to several members of the New Berlin government, including Mayor Dave Ament, the Common Council, Plan Commission, zoning officials, and city representatives.
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Dan Olstinske of New Berlin, who is among those spearheading the petition, urged residents to express concerns to city leaders to “protect residential character, environmental integrity, safety, recreational resources and long term quality of life of our community.”
“Continuous noise, lighting, truck traffic, and disruption during construction and operation of this complex is incompatible with the surrounding residential environment and raises substantial concerns regarding safety, environmental impacts, traffic, and aesthetics,” the petition, obtained by the Freeman, read. “Increased traffic and congestion present safety concerns for pedestrians, children, bicyclists, school transportation, and local residents.”
“Our neighborhoods were developed and purchased as a quiet residential area intended for families, long-term homeownership, recreation, and preservation of community character,” Olstinske said.
Olstinske estimated that more than 80% of residents of the aforementioned New Berlin neighborhoods have signed the petition.
Kessler acknowledged receipt of the petition and said the city often “receives correspondence and public input on a variety of matters as part of the overall public process,” but did not comment on the Rockwell petition specifically.
The New Berlin Plan Commission will hold a joint public hearing on rezoning and Comprehensive Plan amendment for the facility at 6 p.m. on June 1.