The UWM Center for Urban Initiatives and Research (CUIR) undertook the first comprehensive study on Milwaukee’s “condo boom” to understand who was actually living in the condos stretching from the northern part of Walker’s Point up to North Avenue on the East Side.

They found a couple really good things from the perspective of an urbanist (or anyone that lives in Milwaukee for that matter).  First, that the condo owners in 88% of the cases are using their condos as their primary residence.  A sign that they’re likely spending and investing their time and money in Milwaukee, and most likely in the very neighborhood in which they reside.  Second, 45% of respondents said location was the most important factor in purchasing their condo.  A great sign that things are working in some of Milwaukee’s densest neighborhoods.

The study also isn’t some fly by night guess at what condo owners might be like, 2,606 unit owners were contacted, and 804 responses were collected.

A couple of other key highlights include that for residents using the condo as their primary residence 45% previously lived in the city of Milwaukee.  That number grows to 65% if you consider all of Milwaukee County.  Nearly 10% of owners are from Waukesha County.  Only 4% of condo owners using their condo as a primary residence previously lived in the Chicago area, but 18% of condo owner’s last primary residence was out of state.

Only 2% of total condo owners live in the Chicago area and don’t don’t use their condo as a primary residence.  Out of all the condo owners that responded, only 4% of condo owners don’t use it as their primary residence and live in the Milwaukee metro area, with almost half of them living in Milwaukee County

In what did they live before?  The study found that 38% lived in apartments, and an equal and opposite 38% lived in single-family homes.

What does the study show?  You can make a lot of assumptions from the study, but you can’t deny that it appears people want to live in Milwaukee.

You can read the entire study yourself at the UWM CUIR website.

Martin Collins’ retirement left the Department of Neighborhood Services with a significant leadership gap.  Art Dahlberg, from Richmond, VA has been tabbed as the person to replace Mr. Collins as the Commissioner of Neighborhood Services and clearly the committee was cautiously optimistic.  He expressed his understanding of the position he’s walking into saying that “I recognize I’m filling some very big shoes here”.  Alderman Bauman asked about his philosophy regarding the demolishing of older housing stock and if he felt this was a good or bad choice.  Mr. Dahlberg indicated that it was to be used as a last resort saying “it is not a broad solution, it is a fine tool that we have to use”.  The committee approved his appointment and it will now go before the full Common Council.

Another item of note was the potential city land sale of 3427-3429 West Villard Avenue.  This land sale would allow the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation to move forward on a four-story mixed use development that would include the Villard Library moving in to the first floor of the new building.  In addition to the library the upper floors would include 47 affordable housing units targeted at “grandfamilies”.  The project will be developed by Gorman & Company utilizing low-income housing tax credits and new market tax credits.  This item was approved and will now go before the full Common Council.

One item of interest was a proposed change to how appeals of Historic Preservation Commission actions were to be handled.  Alderman Bauman explained that most issues related to actions by the Historic Preservation Commission are handled by the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee or the Common Council.  It was pointed out that during a typical situation the Historic Preservation Commission may deny a demolition permit and then the property owner could appeal to the Common Council whereas in the case of the Transera project the Administrative Review Board stepped in due to what Alderman Bauman characterized as a “a glitch in the HPC ordinance”.  Alderman Witkowski supported the measure and added “I’ve been on that board for five years and this is the first time anything from historic preservation came that way,” indicating that this change wouldn’t burden the Common Council with numerous appeals.

In response to this legal quirk, Alderman Bauman considered passing legislation to dissolve the board but instead brought forward an amendment to the ordinance.  The amendment directed future appeals to the Common Council and restricted who may appeal a decision by the Historic Preservation Commission.  This ordinance change was approved and will now go before the full Common Council.

Soloman Chris Johnson, Welford Sanders, LaMar Franklin, Jo Spear Jr., Carla Cross, President and CEO of Cross Management Services, Inc., and Luc Monsanto, were appointed to Historic King Drive Business Improvement District.  When asked about his interest in serving on the board, Jo Spear Jr. responded saying “instead of putting all my back into the district, I want to put all my mind in to it”.  Carla Cross pointed out that the BID’s most recent accomplishments included putting up Christmas decorations and displaying of district focused flags.  She went on to say that she “would like to work more closely with the Bronzeville team”.  Luc Monsanto expressed his excited about being appointed by saying that “people always say this but I’m truly excited to be part of this board”.

There were also a series of appointments and reappointments to the East North Avenue Business Improvement District that included the likes of Paul Miller, from Alterra, John Sidoff from Hooligan’s, Jeff Sherman, from OnMilwaukee.com, and Peggy Silvestrini from Beans & Barley,.  This group has long participated in the development of the East Side with their businesses and by serving the community.  When questioned regarding the new dorms on the East Side Paul Miller responded “the new dorm I think is going to be a great addition” and “I have seen no negative impact”.  Jeff Sherman expressed his belief in the East Side saying “the east side is about density, it’s about discovery, it’s about diversity”.

It was just a few years ago when Milwaukee was named the #2 Party City in America, and although that might seem like a funny or insignificant title it was actually a well deserved and beneficial honor.  I believe this title meant more than the number of beers sold at Summerfest or bar stools per capita.  I believe it considered that because of Milwaukee’s great events “party goers” of all backgrounds can come together to enjoy music, art, the outdoors and a good drink.  This ranking didn’t just show that we Milwaukeean’s like to knock back a few but more importantly it showed young professionals, baby boomers, and outsiders that Milwaukee was a vibrant, fun city to live in.  This ranking reflected what those of us who live in already knew, summer in Milwaukee is about as good as it gets.

Then the Winter of 2008 arrived, and as President Obama indicated “change has come to America”.  More specifically change has come to Milwaukee’s summer time events.  Unfortunately not to the betterment of Milwaukee.

First, we heard that after 18 years of allowing carry-in liquor, Jazz in the Park is throwing out the tradition that made the event special.  Next, we heard that Gallery Night is being harassed by the State of Wisconsin over a couple of free glasses of wine.  And now we hear of neighbors whining about music on Bradford Beach.

Understand that I’m not lamenting the loss of cheap liquor or loud music for their sake, but more so regarding what these changes mean.  Furthermore, I know there has been an outrage in the mainstream media over drunk driving in Wisconsin, deservedly so, but going after great events such as Jazz in the Park or Gallery Night isn’t the solution.

The ability to carry-in your own choice of beverage allows groups of friends from all income levels and races to gather and celebrate together.  It facilitates spontaneous gatherings, random meetings, and yes, community building.  By changing this rule East Town has turned Jazz in the Park from a community event into a street festival, and although street festivals are still enjoyable something is lost.

The wine offered at galleries during Gallery Night serves a purpose other than inebriation.  It takes the fairly individual act of browsing art and opens it up to groups of friends and strangers.  Furthermore, it attracts first time art fans which opens a new world of interest to those who may not ever of chosen to explore art.

For years, some would say decades, Bradford Beach was in decline.  Until last year.  Last year the Hi-Hat Group and X-Ray Marketing took over operations of the Bradford Beach House and began to schedule a variety of events which included live music.  Anyone who made it down the beach last year knew times had changed for the better.  People were playing volleyball, sun tanning, swimming, and enjoying the music.  A great Milwaukee amenity was re-born and enjoyed by thousands of Milwaukeeans throughout last summer.  As with Jazz in the Park and Gallery Night, this great amenity, this great event, this part of Milwaukee’s rebirth is already coming under fire.  Recently a small group of East Side residents complained to the County Board, apparently because they didn’t approve of the choice of music, and now the fun, the rebirth of Bradford Beach is in question.

This “war on fun” needs to be looked at in a larger view, beyond the individual events.  Beyond the individual concerns and complaints.  I hope that we as a city begin to realize that events big and small add to the vibrancy of our great city.  I hope that soon enough we realize the value these events bring to our city, because if we choose rigid and muted, over vibrant and lively, we move a step closer to Generica, U.S.A.