WISN: Growth of East Tosa Brings the Usual Problem – Parking

With new development in any already developed area comes an inevitable increase in traffic – and often an associated lack of parking.

So it is coming to be in the rapidly redeveloping North Avenue business district in East Tosa, with the epicenter at North and 68th Street, where several popular new businesses have opened their doors.

Patch's media partners at WISN 12 News took their cameras and microphones to the district to scope out the situation – and found that some view the influx of visitors as an irritation because of parking and congestion, while others view it as the best of all possible problems, because it means business and money flowing in instead of out.

Scott Johnson, a co-owner of the new BelAir Cantina on the southwest corner of 68th and North told WISN reporter Jason Newton that he and his partners in Mojofuco Restaurants came from the east side of Milwaukee, "where we're used to" limited parking – so they are pushing bikes and walking.

Right now, Newton found, it would be a long walk for a lot of people checking out the new spots, because they're coming from all over. But for now, that may just mean a medium-length walk from your car parked a couple of blocks away from new establishments such as BelAir, Rocket Baby Bakery and Sherbrooke, all concentrated at the heart of East Tosa.

WISN reports the city is serious about adding parking in the area, but it may take a couple of years to make much of a dent.