Strauss Brands announces 'we are no longer pursuing relocation to Century City'

MILWAUKEE -- There will be no Strauss Brands LLC. slaughterhouse in Milwaukee's Century City business park, as Strauss officials on Monday, Oct. 21 announced, "We are no longer pursuing relocation to Century City."

Below is the statement from Strauss:

"Am I disappointed by the announcement by Strauss?" said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. "Of course I'm disappointed because Strauss was moving there for all the right reasons. It's beyond unfortunate that there was misinformation about the impact on the surrounding neighborhoods, about the nature of the jobs."

Alderman Bob Bauman, one of those who initially raised questions and concerns about the project said it was no surprise it didn't work out.

"I think the project was mishandled from the start by the administration," said Alderman Bauman. "They should have been honest with people. They should have gone into the community and said upfront, 'This is what it's going to be, and this is what's going to happen there.'"

"This was done right along plan," said Mayor Barrett. "There was not a single thing that was done -- that is completely false, and that's part of the false information narrative that was out there."

Barrett added despite the setback, he would continue working to get the Century City site occupied by a company who will employ Milwaukee residents.

Heading into the weekend, Milwaukee Alderman Khalif Rainey changed his position regarding a proposed slaughterhouse in Milwaukee's Century City Business Park following "an overwhelming response from neighbors in opposition to the project."

Alderman Rainey issued this statement Friday, Oct. 18:

On Tuesday, Oct. 15, protesters filled City Hall ahead of a Common Council meeting to approve construction. During that meeting, Rainey, who represents the area where the plant would be located, said he didn't believe these protesters represented his neighbors or understood what those new jobs would mean for them.

"When you talk about trauma and PTSD, these things exist in our community, and I don't hear from you all when it's going on on a daily basis," said Rainey.

City leaders announced in September that Strauss planned to build a 175,000 square foot headquarters and meat processing operation in the city-owned industrial park. Protesters Tuesday said they only recently learned the facility would include a slaughterhouse.

Alderman Bob Bauman agreed.

"I would move item 61 and 62 back to committee," said Alderman Bauman.

Bauman, who sits on the committee overseeing the sale, told the Common Council it was clear at the last committee meeting the public didn't know enough.

"There was nobody there," said Bauman. "No citizens in support. No opposition. It was essentially an empty room."

Bauman issued a statement Monday before the announcement from Strauss that said the Redevelopment Authority's decision to change the Century City redevelopment plan to allow the slaughterhouse proposed by Strauss was a "terribly misguided decision."

Below is Alderman Bauman's Monday statement:

Critics say slaughterhouses are bad for the environment. Some worried the odor coming from the facility would impact nearby neighborhoods.

Strauss Brands LLC., based in Franklin, is a leading producer of specialty meats, including American grass-fed and organic beef, as well as veal and lamb. Strauss supplies a mix of retail and foodservice customers throughout the United States.

Initially, the Strauss Brands move to Century City was expected to provide 250 jobs.