The 2-acre abandoned chemical storage property was tax delinquent, yet Waukesha County did not want to foreclose because of known environmental conditions. An agreement was negotiated where the county would exercise their foreclosure rights and Caleb would purchase the property “as is” at a Sheriff sale for a predetermined price, which took place in 1999.

Drake completed an environmental investigation and developed site specific cleanup standards, which established that active remediation was not necessary. Therefore, a summary report was prepared and closure was granted by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Drake’s fast and creative approach to resolving the stigma allowed Caleb to secure financing to initiate a redevelop plan.

Caleb created a plan to develop the property with a self-storage facility. Following approval of the plan, Drake managed the demolition of the remaining structures and oversaw the construction of a 172-unit self-storage facility.

Caleb then managed the lease up and operation of the facility until it was sold in 2001. The Village of Hartland and Waukesha County were pleased with the redevelopment of the blighted parcel that increased the property value from $36,000 to $950,000.