Urban Milwaukee’s Upcoming Events & Meetings Calendar should help you keep up to date on important events effecting our neighborhoods, the City of Milwaukee, and our region.

August 31, 2009

Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee Meeting

August 31, 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.[...]

September 4, 2009

UrbanMilwaukee Happy Hour

September 4, 2009 6:00 pm

Come join us for drinks, and a discussion of urbanism in Milwaukee.

When:
September 4th, at 6 PM
Where:
Taylor’s
795 N. Jefferson Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Hope to see you there!

Come join us for drinks, and a discussion of urbanism in Milwaukee.

When:
Sept 4th, at 6 PM
Where:
Taylor’s
795 N. Jefferson Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Hope to see you there!

Fifth offense.  Right now that’s when a drunk driving conviction in Wisconsin becomes a felony.  Lower it to the fourth, third, second, or first, because clearly the fifth offense is way too many, but there’s more to the drunk driving problem than how many times someone has to be caught before it becomes a felony.  Further, this problem isn’t because some bartenders play a game of dice with customers, have a round with regulars, or have a drink at the end of the night.  Of course what it is about, is people getting into their cars when they shouldn’t.  So lets start with lowering when a drunk driving offense becomes a felony, but understand the problem is that people make what at the time seems like a rational choice to drive, prior to what clearly is an irrational choice to drive drunk.

Point being that part of the drunk driving discussion that is always left out, is our driving culture.  The State of Wisconsin is in the middle of spending $6 billion on freeway expansion in Southeast Wisconsin, while at the same time mass transit service in Southeast Wisconsin has seen budget cuts, service reductions, and any attempt to improve access or service is fought and often blocked.  Knowing full well that customers will be living the High Life while attending Summerfest , State Fair, and a game Miller Park we still surround them with massive surface parking lots.  The limiting of transportation options and prioritizing others furthers the cultural belief that driving is the only option, and that somehow other transportation methods are a challenge to ones freedom.

Additionally, let’s look at zoning issues and tavern locations as part of the issue.  When bars are situated in large parking lots, away from transit, not in a district or neighborhood nor in a walkable area, the result is people will drive to the bar.  When cities, towns, and suburbs, legislate the number of parking spots a bar must provide per bar stool, the people will drive to the bar.

It is this culture of driving, this anti-transit attitude, this belief in free parking, that driving is somehow freedom that makes it so difficult to get people to leave the car at home.  So, sure toughen drunk driving laws, but leave Wisconsin’s cocktail culture alone and take a closer look at our culture of driving.

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

There will be a public meeting and presentation pertaining to the 2010 streetscaping effort to improve S. 2nd Street in the Walker’s Point area.

The meeting will be held Friday., September 11, 2009 at the Comedy Sportz place at 420 S. 1 St. at 10:00AM.

Please join Alderman Witkowiak and others from the City there to discuss the project.

The evening of Monday September 14th at Concordia Midtown Center (located in the Midtown Shopping Center on the main shopping street between Golden Ark Jewelers and City World Sports)

5:30 – 6:00 p.m. View stations and project concept boards

6:00 – 6:45 p.m. Presentation by plan consultant

6:45 – 7:30 p.m. Additional review and comment

Is regional transit for Southeast Wisconsin ready to roll, or stopped in its tracks?

More than ever, business growth and employment opportunity have a common challenge – access to transit.  A regional approach to transportation, workforce and building wealth is gaining traction. Though the conversation has intensified, there is much more to be done to achieve our goals.  Progress made in the last year will be reviewed as we work together to make improved transit a reality for our region.

JOIN US: Friday, September 18, 2009, 7:30AM to Noon
At the Italian Conference Center
631 East Chicago Street, Milwaukee

Hear from Mayor Tom Barrett, Governor Jim Doyle (invited) and Keynote Speaker Scott Bernstein, Founder and President of the Center for Neighborhood Technology in Chicago and other business and civic leaders from the region.  Attendees will be provided the opportunity to share their transit concerns and challenges – you’ll be able to share your story with the decision-makers.

Click here to register and for complete event information. Or, call 414-562-9904
Registration Deadline: Friday, September 11

Your participation is vital to ensuring the future prosperity of southeastern Wisconsin.

At the hearing you will learn about KRM project updates and be able to submit your comments in writing, or orally to a court reporter. The hearings are held from 5:00-7:00 pm (presentation: 5:45 pm).

Reuther High School
Gymnasium
913 57th St.
Kenosha, WI

At the hearing you will learn about KRM project updates and be able to submit your comments in writing, or orally to a court reporter. The hearings are held from 5:00-7:00 pm (presentation: 5:45 pm).

Great Lakes Room
Racine Bldg.
Racine Gateway Technical College
901 Pershing Dr.
Racine, WI