The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is asking the city of Wauwatosa for tax money to fund new building projects.

The Wauwatosa Common Council heard from city administration members asking them to fund UWM’s Innovation Park project.

UWM is asking the city of Wauwatosa to provide $13 million in order to complete the project, according to Tom Luljak, UWM’s vice chancellor of university relations and communications.

Luljak said UWM officials have proposed the creation of a tax-increment financed district for the project.

The city has already approved development plans for the park, however Luljak said the Tax Incremental Financing has not been authorized yet.

Ald. Jacqueline Jay, District 3, said the project would encourage further development in the city and create a positive partnership between the city of Wauwatosa and UWM, but she is still uncertain about using the TIF to finance the project.

“It will put an extra burden on the city, and I do not know if we can handle that,” Jay said.

Ald. Jill Organ, District 4, said the project is a balancing act and she still has questions about whether the risk will be worth the potential payoff for the city and taxpayers.

She said authorizing the TIF is only one of the first steps in the process UWM must go through.

Organ said even if the TIF were to be authorized, UWM officials still need to determine the amount they will receive from donators to fund the project because she did not want the city to cover the whole cost.

There were, however, some alders who were more impressed by the presentations given Tuesday night.

Ald. Linda Nikcevich, District 1, said the presentation was interesting and showed her the historical perspective of the project.

“It is interesting to see the synergy between the research center and medical center and how it all comes together to serves the community,” Nikcevich said.

Nikcevich said before the presentation she was concerned about the project but now she supported UWM’s efforts.

According to Luljak, UWM officials believed the meeting was very productive and that city officials made a solid case for TIF.

Luljak said the Common Council had the opportunity to ask questions and they were provided with solid rationale behind the tax.

“The project cannot move forward without the TIF. It is not financially feasible otherwise,” Luljak said.

The Innovation Park project will include the development of the UWM Research Park, other academic buildings, graduate student housing and independent industries, Luljak said.

According to Luljak, the project is an important component to the economic success of the region.

Once the development is complete new tax revenue will be generated on 55 percent of the land where the project would be built, Luljak said.

Luljak added the park will allow for an interdisciplinary collaboration between doctors, engineers, researchers and students, allowing for scientific advancements to be made and attracting different industries to the area.

“This area will become one of the most important economic zones in southeastern Wisconsin,” Luljak said.