New Park Could Be Created on Little Muskego Lake

The city of Muskego is considering purchasing a Little Muskego Lake property on which a park would be created. 

Jonathan Lemke told the Muskego Common Council in a letter that it was his late mother's wish to sell 2.1 acres of property she owns near Janesville Road, just west of Pioneer Drive, to the city for a lakefront park. 

Betty Lemke wanted to sell the land several years ago but withdrew the offer when the city changed plans for the park and included a commercial building on the property, Lemke said. 

She died after a battle with kidney failure in August 2012. Now, the family is back again, offering to sell the land to accomplish what their mother originally wanted: a green-space park that residents and children can enjoy just as Betty's children have.

"It would be a relief to her children that the view and land is available as she once desired for the enjoyment of many people," Jonathan Lemke wrote. 

Lemke's land is two parcels totaling about 354 feet of lake frontage, according to a report to aldermen.

Lemke said the city, under former Mayor John Johnson, originally offered to pay fair-market value. Based on 2013 assessments, an appraisal might result in a value of $666,000, plus or minus 10 percent, according to the report.

Muskego Common Council members will discuss the offer in a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall.