In what can only be characterized as a transparent attempt to prop up Milwaukee County’s budget, the Board of Supervisors and County Executive Walker appear poised to push the Milwaukee County Grounds land sale to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee through, despite the concerns of citizens, the City of Milwaukee, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s own staff.  Residents of both Wauwatosa and Milwaukee have spoken out in opposition to this proposal.  The City of Milwaukee formally adopted a resolution opposing this proposal, and according to a recent survey even many members of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s staff oppose this proposal.

So what is the really reason to approval this land sale and move forward?  Why do members of the Milwaukee County Board and County Executive Walker think it’s such a great idea in the face of all of this opposition?   Money.  Money.  Money.  $13.6 Million reasons to be precise.

During a year that saw Supervisors Clark and Coggs fly off to D.C. on the taxpayer credit card, and County Executive Walker preparing to ride off on his taxpayer funded bike ride, the Milwaukee County budget faces a shortfall that forced Milwaukee County to order unpaid furloughs for half of all county employees.  Instead of looking at how this proposal will negatively impact the core of the county, or what it does for the long-run future of the region, while at the same time ignoring the negative impacts to the environment, such as increased pollution, and increased congestion, Milwaukee County looks at it as a way to pay off a couple of bills.  It’s a shame our county services are going to suffer due to a budget shortfall, but using one-time deals to pay off on-going expenses is a concerning one to say the least.

Although, they took more time by utilizing a series of options, in truth the County Board acted similarly on the Palomar and RSC & Associates proposals in the Park East.  Bad deals, with poor results, done in order to prop up the Milwaukee County budget.  This Thursday May 21st at 9:30 AM the County Board of Supervisors will vote on this proposal, and all indications are that it will receive approval, so all I can say is, here we go again.

May 18, 2009

Community & Economic Development Committee Meeting

May 18, 2009 9:00 am

The Community and Economic Development Committee hears matters relating to community development, block grants, job development, business improvement districts, city public relations, industrial land banks and revenue bonds, emerging business enterprises, recreation, cultural arts and the library system.

The Community and Economic Development Committee meetings start at 9:00 pa.m. and are held in the Room 301-B, [...]

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

May 18, 2009 3:00 pm

The Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) administers Milwaukee’s historic preservation ordinance, adopted in 1981, which provides certain kinds of legal protection for buildings or sites that have been declared historic by the Common Council. The HPC is responsible for designating historic landmarks and historic districts and for approving Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs) for permission to [...]

Public Art in Milwaukee; a Panel Discussion

May 18, 2009 7:00 pm

Recently Milwaukee’s creative community successfully banded together to save the Janet Zweig public art project slated for the east end of Wisconsin Ave.

This experience left the community with a number of questions, including:

* What is Milwaukee’s Public Art Process?
* Who has the voice?
* How does the public effect change in this process?
* As an artist [...]

May 19, 2009

Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee Meeting

May 19, 2009 9:00 am

The Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee reviews issues relating to city development, zoning, historic preservation, incremental tax financing, building codes and housing projects.

The Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee meetings start at 9:00 a.m. and are held in the Room 301-B, City Hall, unless otherwise noted.

Recently Milwaukee’s creative community successfully banded together to save the Janet Zweig public art project slated for the east end of Wisconsin Ave.

This experience left the community with a number of questions, including:

* What is Milwaukee’s Public Art Process?
* Who has the voice?
* How does the public effect change in this process?
* As an artist how do you “get in on the action”?
* How to make sure things don’t go haywire?
* What to do when things DO go wrong

Join MARN as we moderate a panel discussion to address these issues. Our panelists include:

Alderman Micheal Murphy: City of Milwaukee
Anne Katz: Arts Wisconsin
Polly Morris: Milwaukee Arts Board
Jill Sebastian: MIAD
Beth Haskovec: IN:SITE

Location:

Bucketworks
1340 N. 6th St.
Milwaukee, WI

The Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) administers Milwaukee’s historic preservation ordinance, adopted in 1981, which provides certain kinds of legal protection for buildings or sites that have been declared historic by the Common Council. The HPC is responsible for designating historic landmarks and historic districts and for approving Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs) for permission to alter historic buildings.

The HPC meets monthly on Mondays in City Hall, Room 301A, 200 E. Wells Street at 3:00 P.M. unless otherwise indicated.

Agenda

The Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee reviews issues relating to city development, zoning, historic preservation, incremental tax financing, building codes and housing projects.

The Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee meetings start at 9:00 a.m. and are held in the Room 301-B, City Hall, unless otherwise noted.

Agenda

The Community and Economic Development Committee hears matters relating to community development, block grants, job development, business improvement districts, city public relations, industrial land banks and revenue bonds, emerging business enterprises, recreation, cultural arts and the library system.

The Community and Economic Development Committee meetings start at 9:00 pa.m. and are held in the Room 301-B, City Hall, unless otherwise noted.

Agenda

Signature Suites at 2040 Lofts

Zilber Hall

Eckstein Hall

Pabst Brewing Co. Bottling Department

The Brewery

The Milwaukee County pension troubles are a serious issue that affect everyone in the Milwaukee area.  By eating a significant portion of the county’s budget every year in the form of increased pension payments, the pension scandal has forced cuts in county services and tax increases.  Milwaukee County has taken Mercer to court over the highly-flawed pension system, and a decision in Milwaukee County’s favor could relieve a lot of stress at the county level.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has an excellent series of short articles on the case, the players, and the history that educate you with everything you need to get started.

May 10, 2009

Milwaukee County: Economic & Community Development Meeting

May 10, 2009 9:00 am

The Milwaukee County Economic & Community Development oversees the administration of federal, state and local housing programs in the county, including the Urban Community Development Block Grant Program. Matters pertaining to economic development of Milwaukee County, including the best disposition of county properties, are decided by this Committee. It also makes decisions on the Research [...]

May 11, 2009

City Plan Commission Meeting

May 11, 2009 1:30 pm

The City Plan Commission (CPC) is the City’s official planning body established under State statute and is responsible for master planning activities. The CPC advises the Common Council on a variety of land development issues including zoning map changes, revisions in the zoning ordinance, subdivision approvals, business improvement districts, street and alley vacations, public land [...]

May 12, 2009

Near North Side Area Plan Workshop

May 12, 2009 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm

The workshop will allow you to meet the plan team, hear a progress report, and participate in a table top exercise that will show us your vision for the area. Your input is truly important.What is your vision for the Near North area in the future? Send us your thoughts, words, digital [...]

May 13, 2009

Public Works Committee Meeting

May 13, 2009 9:00 am

The Public Works Committee is responsible for physical services provided by the city such as street and alley maintenance, waste collection, disposal and recycling, sewer, water and flood control projects, assessments, public buildings, land and waterways.Public Works Committee meetings start at 9:00 a.m. and are held in the Room 301-B, City Hall, unless otherwise noted.