Tue, January 26, 2010
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Cost: $25.00 Per Person
Location: Milwaukee Art Museum
700 N. Art Museum Dr.
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Latitude Apartments Construction

Latitude Apartments Construction

Latitude Apartments Construction

Latitude Apartments Construction

Latitude Apartments Construction

Where:     Manpower HQ, 100 Manpower Place, Milwaukee, WI 53212

What:     Silent and Live auction, beer & wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, LIVE music, and much more!

ArtWorks for Milwaukee, Inc. is a 501(c)3 that utilizes the arts to train 21st Century soft employability skills to Milwaukee teens who need it most. Our paid youth apprenticeships promote teamwork, tolerance for diversity, project management, and prepare young people to successfully enter the workforce in any industry.   If we want young people to become productive contributors to our communities, then we need to help them prepare for the job!

More Information

Purchase your tickets now – click here!

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 disposition and acquisition, new streets and the approval of development plans in certain overlay districts.

City Plan Commission (CPC) meetings are held in the First Floor Boardroom at the Department of City Development, 809 North Broadway, unless otherwise noted.

Agenda

For General Mitchell International Airport and the citizens of the Milwaukee-area, 2009 will certainly be a year to remember.  Discussions came and went on the privatization of the airport as a means to bailout the poor fiscal position of Milwaukee County.  Hometown airline Midwest Airlines changed hands for a second time, this time to Republic Airways, a company that will certainly operate the business in a much different fashion than Midwest traditionally has run.  And finally, Southwest Airlines started service at the airport, triggering a pricing war with low-cost rival AirTran.

Airport Privatization

The issue of airport privatization came and went quickly.  The idea was initially publicly floated by County Executive Scott Walker. Since nothing really changed as a result of the debate, I’ll spare breaking down the gory details.  The premise of the idea of privatizing the airport is such.

1. The airport generates a profit for Milwaukee County.
2. Milwaukee County is in bad fiscal shape.
3. Leasing the profitable airport for 99 years would result in a windfall of cash that could be used to pay down county debts.

Obviously, anytime the government is looking at giving away a profitable asset, considerable debate must be had.  A lack of political will on the part of Scott Walker, and substantial opposition to the idea ultimately tabled the idea for now.

Midwest Airlines

The fall of Midwest Airlines has taken the form of a three-stage play.  The first stage was the acquisition attempt by AirTran, and the eventual buyout by TPG.  The second stage featured TPG writing down the value of the airline as a total loss.  We’re now just into the third stage, where the airline has been acquired by Republic Airways, who will almost certainly transform the remaining pieces of the airline into a low-cost carrier.  For the many employees of Midwest, I don’t know that the play has a happy ending.

My bet on the last remaining “best care in the air” feature of Midwest Airlines has to be the cookies by the time Republic Airways is done.

For the residents of Milwaukee though, there is a silver lining to be found in the fall of Midwest.  Midwest has been a good corporate citizen, paying for naming rights to civic institutions such as the Midwest Airlines Convention Center and sponsoring teams like the Brewers and Bucks.  Those contributions, as well as the countless bits of small support they give, are certainly of benefit to the community.  But how did Midwest pay for those contributions?

One could guess the community support might have largely come on the back of passengers flying in and out of General Mitchell, where Midwest held nearly a monopoly on service until recently.

So while it’s certainly unfortunate to lose a Milwaukee-company, it’s quite likely that Milwaukee will benefit from the intense competition between low-cost carriers that will reduce costs for travelers.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines began service from Milwaukee on November 1st, 2009.  The low-cost, no-frills airline had announced their Milwaukee expansion on May 20th, and began advertising in the area shortly thereafter.  Southwest Airlines is already serving as direct competition to AirTran, triggering the heralded “Southwest Effect” before the airline’s first flight from General Mitchell.

Southwest’s arrival in Milwaukee hasn’t been a secret.  They threw a party on the lakefront, bought a bunch of advertisements on the side of MCTS buses, and have placed ads with numerous other outlets in town.  This has triggered a response from AirTran, who this year bought the naming rights to the field-level club at Miller Park as well as numerous other placements in outlets around town.  The local economy is certainly benefiting from the shot in the arm from Southwest and AirTran’s advertising budgets.

The Future

While the days of Midwest Airlines delivering “the best care in the air” are likely behind us, the lowest prices in the region lie ahead.  The competition between Southwest and AirTran will result in the previously mentioned “Southwest Effect”.  The “Southwest Effect” will bring not only reduced fares to Milwaukeeans, but will make General Mitchell a more attractive place to fly out of for residents of Northern Illinois, the Fox Valley, and Dane County.

Statistically speaking, things are already looking up.  Fares for the second quarter of 2009 were about $44 less on average than at O’Hare, and $26 less than the national average.  September saw record traffic at Mitchell, with 648,779 passengers crossing through the gates, up from the previous record of 597,102 in September of 2007.

Industry experts believe that the recent entrance of Southwest has already lowered fares in the months leading up to their entrance.

AirTran also announced a large expansion today, in partnership with Skywest.  Adding service to four new destinations, and expanding the number of flights (but shrinking the size of the planes) to three other destinations.

The increased competition, in addition to new destinations and more frequent flights already is good news for Milwaukee as it’s likely to bring more travelers to the area as well as reduce costs for Milwaukeeans looking to get elsewhere for business or pleasure.  But add to that the expansion of feeder systems to the airport, including the purchase of new railcars for the Hiawatha line that drops Chicagoan’s at the airport (or downtown) and the potential for the expansion of the Hiawatha route to Madison via stimulus funds, and you have a recipe for success.

They compete, we win.

A rendering of The Moderne

The Moderne development received approval for $9.3 millions in loans from the City of Milwaukee that led developer Rick Barrett had been seeking.  At last week’s Zoning, Neighborhood & Development Committee three significant concerns were expressed by committee members, all of which were worked out prior to today’s Common Council meeting.  Committee members felt the levels of Emerging Business Enterprises (EBE) participation and Residential Preferred Preference (RPP) participation were to low and needed increasing.  The levels were raised to 25% and 30% respectively to address the concerns of the council.  Additionally, the developer improved the level of securitization of the personal loan guarantees at the request of the committee.  Finally, the committee had raised concerns over the terms of the default provision in the agreement.  These concerns all appear to of been addressed as it was approved by the Common Council with only Alderman Hines and Alderman Davis voted in opposition.

The proposed $55.2 million 30-story high-rise building would include 203 apartments and 14 condominiums.  It will be located on the edge of the Park East at the corner of N. Old World Third St. and W. Juneau Ave. across the street from the failed Palomar project.

The project’s most vocal opposition was Alderman Davis who argued that “there is no job training, no business development dollars attached” and that without these funds residents of Milwaukee don’t receive enough of benefit.

Alderman Bauman explained that the credit industry essentially locked up for any real estate development, no matter how good a project.  He added that this project has “outstanding architecture and design,” and could be an “iconic building,” but that this development “is a stimulus effort, we have to look at it from that perspective.”  Alderman Kovac threw his support behind the project saying that “extraordinary times, call for extraordinary measures,” and added that “I think the risk has been mitigated as much as possible.”

The proposal now awaits Mayor Barrett’s sign-off, which if received could allow The Moderne to break ground shortly thereafter.

Related Articles:

Moderne loans win full council approval – Journal Sentinel
Milwaukee council approves loans for The Moderne – BizTimes.com
Milwaukee council approves Moderne loan – Daily Reporter

It seems every month there is another recall proposed.  It might be lead by the Citizens for Responsible Government (CRG), because they disagree with Governor Doyle’s policies, or it could be some members of the left debating a recall of Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker.  But, regardless of party it seems that in Wisconsin anytime a group disagrees with a politician on a position or policy the talk of a recall pops up.  The most recent example of this overzealousness is the CRG backed recall of Alderman Kovac.  In fact, it was the mere sponsoring the Rental Property Inspection ordinance that prompted Third District resident, Matthew Davis, and CRG to begin the process to recall Alderman Kovac.  To be fair I should point out that we supported other candidates for the Third District Aldermanic seat.  Jeramey, supported Sam Mcgovern-Rowen, while I worked on John Connelly’s campaign, and I’m sure we both thought we had the better candidate, but this is too much.

Clearly, there is a time, and a place for a recall.  For example when Alderman McGee was recalled, the list of complaints against him was long and included the likes of resisting arrest, threatening a woman, possibly perjury, and the improper use of an alias.  A recall certainly was warranted, but simply disagreeing with a policy or position of an elected official is not or should not be grounds for a recall.

If we disagree with Alderman Kovac, or any politician we will certainly write about it here at UrbanMilwaukee.com.  Further, I’d suggest if you disagree with an elected official, attend public meetings to have your voice heard, get out and work on the next campaign to have them ousted, or run yourself, but recalls because we disagree with a single position or policy?  No.

UPDATE: Despite the press release from CRG/Matthew Davis stating “The committee will study all statutory options available to citizens including removal via recall and general elections.” they ended up not filing a recall committee which is good.

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.

November 2, 2009

Remarkable Milwaukee at The Pfister Hotel

November 2, 2009 12:00 am to 9:00 pm

An Elegant, Historically Inspired Dinner Served in the Grand Ballroom, 7PM
Punch, Frivolities

Puree of fresh peas, dite saint-germain
Filet of Kennebec Salmon – sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, anchovy mayonnaise

Cutlets of young turkey, cream sauce with green peppercorns; Cauliflower polonaise, asparagus, oyster stuffing, sweet potatoes, Peach [...]

Milwaukee 2015: Water, Jobs, and the Way Forward

November 2, 2009 7:30 am to 12:00 pm

Marquette University Law School presents: Milwaukee 2015: Water, Jobs, and the Way Forward

Moderated by Mike Gousha, Distinguished Fellow in Law and Public Policy.

Monday, November 2, 2009
7:30 a.m., registration
8 to Noon, program
Alumni Memorial Union, Marquette campus
1442 West Wisconsin Avenue

No charge

Parking is available for $5 in the 16th Street Structure, 16th Street between Wisconsin Avenue and Wells Street.

Reserve [...]

Public Hearing on 2010 Milwaukee County Budget

November 2, 2009 7:00 pm

The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors will host its annual Public Hearing on the County Executive’s 2010 Recommended Budget, including amendments by the County Board’s Finance and Audit Committee, Monday evening. All residents are invited to attend and provide testimony to all Supervisors.

Public Hearing on 2010 Milwaukee County Budget
Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors
Monday, November [...]

November 3, 2009

Common Council Meeting

November 3, 2009 9:00 am

City Hall
200 East Wells St.
Common Council Chambers
Milwaukee, WI 53202

November 6, 2009

Common Council Meeting (Budget Adoption)

November 6, 2009 9:00 am

City Hall
200 East Wells St.
Common Council Chambers
Milwaukee, WI 53202

The Role of New Urbanism in Public Health & Transportation

November 6, 2009 4:30 pm to 6:15 pm

Please join the Wisconsin Chapter of the Congress for the New Urbanism and the Southwest District of the Wisconsin American Panning Association for a panel discussion. The panel highlights Milwaukee leaders discussing issues and opportunities to encourage active lifestyles in the urban environment. Sponsored by the Department of Architecture Lecture Series of The University of [...]

November 7, 2009

Hart Park Weedout & Cleanup

November 7, 2009 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Please join the Friends of Hart Park for their Fall 2009 Weed Out and Menomonee River Clean-Up.

The Friends of Hart Park is a non-profit organization whose goal is to promote the preservation of Hart Park. Please visit their web site at www.ihartpark.com for further information about The Friends of Hart Park.

The event will take place [...]