The Hoan Bridge

In June thousands of bicyclists will be riding over the Hoan Bridge during the UPAF Miller Lite Ride for the Arts, many of which will be signing up because it will be such a rare opportunity as the bridge isn’t currently accessible to bicyclists.  These bicyclists are coming from around the Midwest, and some like myself plan to stop and take a few pictures on the way, much like any tourist would do if giving the chance.  A chance, an opportunity, that the State of Wisconsin should explore.

This opportunity is for the State of Wisconsin to include the development of bike and pedestrian infrastructure as part of the project to create a new tourist destination for the State of Wisconsin.  At a time when the proposed State of Wisconsin budget calls for a $1 million boost in the tourism department in 2012 and an additional $2.4 million increase in 2013, likely for increased advertising with marginal returns, a better use of these funds would be to create a new tourist destination that could be a draw for many years to come.  Of course few if any people visit Milwaukee with the hope of driving over the Hoan Bridge, but if they could walk or bike over it, with the ability to stop and take pictures this would be a pretty rare, unique experience desirable to visitors of Wisconsin.  As community activist Bill Sell points on his website, Bike the Hoan, “Chicago has nothing like this bridge.”

Although we at UrbanMilwaukee.com believe the Hoan Bridge and the Lake Interchange should be be radically adjusted to allow further development in the Historic Third Ward and downtown Milwaukee it appears these options are off the table.  In lieu of realizing the potentially enormous benefits to the taxbase, creating this new tourist destination and resident amenity, could at least offer some payback to the City of Milwaukee.

Beerline B Apartment Construction

Beerline B Apartment Construction

Beerline B Apartment Construction

Beerline B Apartment Construction

Beerline B Apartment Construction

LISC and IFF are pleased to present a seminar on managing facility expansion. This seminar is designed for nonprofit executives, staff and board members. Please share this information with others who might also be interested.

This workshop helps participants take a thoughtful approach to facility planning; avoid the pitfalls; and learn from other people’s mistakes. Make smart facility decisions that support your mission. Determine what you can afford and whether it is smarter to buy or lease. Learn strategies to assess if your board and agency are ready to proceed.

Date and Location
Wednesday, May 18, 2011, 4 – 6 PM
IndependenceFirst
540 South 1st Street, Milwaukee

Cost and RSVP
$20 per person
RSVP to Amelia Pena
apena@lisc.org or 414-273-1815 x10

Registration Deadline is May 13, 2011

• Chicago’s Brinshore, Milwaukee’s Maures build three new projects; More planned for Harambee, Sherman Park Neighborhoods By Milwaukee Courier
• Milwaukee Drivers Running On Fumes By wisn.com
• Mayor Barrett questions legality of Recycling Fund raid By Milwaukee Courier
• Segregation – Next Steps By Casey Foltz
• Walker road plan driving him crazy By Steve Hiniker
• Poll finds strong support for wind energy in Wis. By The Daily Reporter
• Abele clashes with board on O’Donnell By Sean Ryan
• Impact of recession, foreclosures still seen in city property values By Larry Sandler
• County Board Votes Metal For O’Donnell Parking Structure By wisn.com
• King Drive Commons, Brown Deer project to expand with tax credits By Tom Daykin
• Pabst apartments, other Milwaukee projects receive tax credits By Tom Daykin
• Celebrate Earth Day every day By Third Coast Digest
• It’s the Sprawl, Stupid — The Budget Buster No One’s Talking About By Angie Schmitt
• Neighborhood supermarket planned for King Drive and North Ave. By Tom Daykin
• Hoan Bridge lifts interest in Ride for the Arts By Tom Held
• WHEDA awards $17 million in tax credits By Sean Ryan
• Pabst apartments, other Milwaukee projects receive tax credits By Tom Daykin
• Food Truck Fridays returns to Cathedral Square Park on May 6 By Jeff Sherman
• County Board opts for pricier metal and glass panels for O’Donnell Park By Steve Schultze
• Local gas prices hover just below $4 a gallon By Thomas Content
• ldermen push North End loan deal By Real Estate Weekly
• Baker Tilly plans move to proposed downtown office tower By Real Estate Weekly
• Grocery store planned at King and North By Real Estate Weekly
• UWM begins multi-phase energy project By The Business Journal
• Industrial, office markets improve By The Business Journal
• Barrett challenges state recycling cuts By The Business Journal
• Ashkenazy faces more mall trouble By Mark Holan
• Wisconsin tourism secretary promises bicyclists, “Your industry will not be forgotten.” By Tom Held
• A Successful Aerotropolis Needs Mass Transit By Jim Tarantino
• Unraveling the ‘Martial Law’ Rumor By Erik Gunn
• Organizers of Made In Milwaukee announce Bay View Gallery Night By Cortney Heimerl
• Celebrate an extended Earth Day By OnMilwaukee.com
• Crank Daddy’s new digs: best bike parking in Milwaukee By Dave Schlabowske
• Aldermen push new North End loan deal By The BizTimes Daily
• Baker Tilly plans move to proposed downtown office tower By The BizTimes Daily
• New downtown office tower might be moving forward with Baker Tilly By Tom Daykin
• Aldermen propose $4.7M North End loan By Sean Ryan
• Deaths of cyclists drive lobbying effort for vulnerable users law By Tom Held
• MCTS and MillerCoors team up for free rides for Earth Day By milwaukeecourieronline.com
• Growing Power Initiative to create 150 new jobs aimed at African American males By milwaukeecourieronline.com
• Braise brings its local food mission full circle By Renee Lorenz
• Governor backs down on recycling By Lee Bergquist

April 26, 2011

Community & Economic Development Committee Meeting

April 26, 2011 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 a.m. and are held in the Room 301-B, [...]

City Plan Commission Meeting

April 26, 2011 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 [...]

April 30, 2011

Outpost Natural Foods: Rain Barrels – Lecture only

April 30, 2011 10:00 am to 11:30 am

It’s easy to conserve water and save money on your bills by adding a rain barrel to your home! Learn how to use this rain collection system to water your garden and lawn.

$15 owners and non-owners

Register at Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful, http://kgmb.org/adult_programs.html or call 414-272-5462, Ext. 105

Outpost Capitol Drive
100 E. Capitol Drive
Milwaukee, WI [...]

Outpost Natural Foods: Rain Gardens

April 30, 2011 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

Save water, reduce runoff, and beautify your landscape! Learn how to deign your own rain garden full of native plants that attract butterflies and birds while maximizing water efficiency.

$15 owners and non-owners

Register at Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful, http://kgmb.org/adult_programs.html or call 414-272-5462, Ext. 105

Outpost Capitol Drive
100 E. Capitol Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53212

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 a.m. and are held in the Room 301-B, City Hall, unless otherwise noted.

Agenda

• Deaths of cyclists drive lobbying effort for vulnerable users law By Tom Held
• MCTS and MillerCoors team up for free rides for Earth Day By milwaukeecourieronline.com
• Growing Power Initiative to create 150 new jobs aimed at African American males By milwaukeecourieronline.com
• Braise brings its local food mission full circle By Renee Lorenz
• Governor backs down on recycling By Lee Bergquist
• Mayor Norquist Heads Back to Milwaukee to Inaugurate WI-Chapter of CNU By Ben Schulman
• Big Frank’s Wiener Waggin comes home By Molly Snyder
• Milwaukee Library To Show Off Green Roof By wisn
• Stand up for transit system By John Rossetto
• Downtown: Watts may consolidate upstairs; lease more of its first floor By Jeff Sherman
• Lovell selected as next UWM Chancellor By BizTimes Daily
• Subsidized Housing & Housing Needs in WI By Brian Peters
• Business leaders praise UWM chancellor decision By Corrinne Hess
• County Board at odds with Abele over parking garage fix By Steve Schultze
• Lovell recommended as next UWM chancellor By Sharif Durhams
• Help John Norquist This Weekend Kick-Off Milwaukee’s CNU Chapter By James Rowen
• Urban Gardens lead the way for water policy in Milwaukee By Erin Petersen
• New front in the war on foreclosures By milwaukeenewsbuzz.com
• Web tool wins Marquette business contest By Kathleen Gallagher
• UWM guest lecturer to focus on cities and the ‘Green Economy’ By Tom Daykin
• Office and industrial vacancy rates down in region By Real Estate Weekly
• MSOE seeks $10 million in tax-exempt bonds for Park East parking structure By Real Estate Weekly
• MMAC applauds bill to block Milwaukee sick leave By The Biztimes Daily
• Crank Daddy’s reopens in beautiful new showroom just up the block By Bob Purvis
• Sick leave bill could end MMAC appeal By The Business Journal
• High Gas Prices Hurting Station Owners By wisn.com
• Budget cuts called depressing By Steve Schultze
• Creativity at work: The Cultural Alliance embarks on a new path By Erin Petersen
• Lake Express collecting bikes for redistribution in Milwaukee By Tom Held
• Abele names transition team By Steve Schultze
• Two of nation’s top 10 green buildings in Wisconsin By Mary Louise Schumacher
• The insiders By Michael Horne
• With gas pushing $4, drivers are cutting back By Tom Held
• Assembly approves sick leave bill By Sean Ryan
• The cruel world of local government finance By Rob Henken
• Assembly expected to vote to void sick leave law By Patrick Marley
• Will rising gas prices drive people to pedal? By Tom Held
• Assembly expected to approve sick leave bill By The Business Journal
• Bradley Center project never rose By Rich Kirchen
• Gasoline Reaches Dreaded $4 Mark By wisn.com
• Milwaukee officials oppose recycling cut By The Business Journal
• Sharing by city, suburbs takes first step By Steve Schultze
• Abele and Barrett say Walker’s budget is threat to Milwaukee By The Biztimes Daily
• Barrett opposes cuts to local road money By The Business Journal
• Suburbanites Prefer Their Bubble, No Bikes On Hoan, New Bay View Art Event. By Karen Cinpinski
• Growing Power to build 150 greenhouses By The Business Journal
• MSOE seeks bonds for parking structure By The Business Journal
• Haute Taco goes on the road By Damien Jaques
• Bike and Peds on the Hoan: it’s the law. By Dave Schlabowske
• Smaller Milwaukee County Board is possible By Steve Schultze
• Scott Walker: No Fan of Bike Lanes Either By Andrew Price
• Cities’ recycling funding to be cut this summer By arry Sandler and Lee Bergquist

April 19, 2011

Third Annual Wisconsin Bike Summit

April 19, 2011

The Bike Fed’s 3rd Annual Wisconsin Bicycle Summit brings together hundreds of bike enthusiasts from every corner of the state to stand in support of making every ride we take in Wisconsin safe, enjoyable, and fun.

Attend a variety of workshops led by the state’s leading bicycle experts.
Learn from exciting international speakers who [...]

Keeping the Dream Alive

April 19, 2011 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

For over 20 years, the community based non profit My Home Your Home, Inc. is proud to announce their 2nd Annual “Keeping the Dream Alive” Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, at the Harley Davidson Museum – Rumble Room located 400 West Canal Street in Downtown Milwaukee.

My Home Your Home, [...]

April 20, 2011

Public Works Committee Meeting

April 20, 2011 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.[...]

April 21, 2011

Public Safety Committee Meeting

April 21, 2011 9:00 am

The Public Safety Committee is concerned with issues brought forth from the fire, police, health and neighborhood services departments as well as traffic control, emergency medical services and parking. It also licenses alarm businesses and public passenger vehicles and drivers.[...]

Steering & Rules Committee Meeting

April 21, 2011 1:30 pm

The Steering and Rules committee, which consists of the Council President and the chairs of the other standing committees, formulate polices and rules for the Common Council, oversees charter schools, and considers extraordinary matters affecting multiple committees.[...]

Garbage Land by Elizabeth Royte

I will admit, I was irrationally excited to read a book about garbage. My love for cities comes with an immense desire to understand what makes them tick. What we throw away, where it goes, and what are the impacts of such actions has always intrigued me. While occasionally a Public Works Committee meeting might offer a little insight into this, it’s nothing like being able to actually follow the contents of your bins to their ultimate destination.

Garbage Land, by Elizabeth Royte, is billed as a book about “the secret trail of trash”.  The author follows her waste streams from her Brooklyn home to their various destinations across the Northeast. This includes ride-alongs with “san men”, visits to metal scrappers, discussions with composters, tours of MRF plants (materials recovery facility), water treatment plants, and the Fresh Kills landfill.

Royte has a unique style of describing the person giving the tour in addition to the tour itself, which gives a more complete picture of who the people are that do work many of us would never dream of. While I can’t imagine how terrible the environments she encountered smelled at various points, the descriptions of people, as well as place, gave me a much greater understanding of the process rather than simply listing the steps in the process.

The book opened my eyes to the damage we’re doing to the environment, but it also instilled some hope for a better tomorrow.  Packaging our sludge as we do for Milogrante locally (and the book discusses) has its positives and negatives, but the negatives don’t have as much to do with the process as with what we as a society flush down the toilet. Harnessing methane from a local landfill to power our Milogranite production certainly is a positive step, and a way to come closer to closing the cycle.

Of personal interest to me, Garbage Land details the workings of the “bottle bill” in New York, and how it encourages recycling (states with bottle bills recycle beverage containers at a rate of 70-95% versus 37% for states without). A bottle bill would make sense in Wisconsin to help keep our cities clean, but given the state’s current political climate and who the author lays out are the typical opponents I wouldn’t bank on anything anytime soon.

The book reinforced my belief that recycling is something we should be investing in as a society. Hopefully the current budget proposal from Governor Walker to slash funding for recycling doesn’t stop cities from collecting recycling which keeps garbage out of landfills (and thereby allows cities to sell it instead of pay to get rid of it) and reduces our energy consumption (according to the book, the use of recycled materials uses 25% of the energy of virgin wood-pulping).

As the author stumbles upon at multiple points, the more of a market that can be created for recycled materials, the more we will see recycled. Ultimately though, if we want to reduce our waste, we shouldn’t purchase throw away goods in the first place.

Final rating? Garbage Land is worth you’re time if you’re interested in waste, recycling, or what makes a city function.

If you’re interested in getting a first hand look at a piece of the puzzle in Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Materials Recovery Facility offers tours.

Random Fun Fact from the Book: A metal scrapper in New Jersey collects $30,000.00 in change every year from cars they’re about to crush.

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