There’s often talk regarding whether UWM is a commuter campus or not, and although it still has numerous commuter students, UWM has been evolving into a full blown campus environment for years.  This change has stirred up East Side residents and put a greater demand on the neighborhood, but Milwaukee’s future is closely tied to UWM’s future so this evolution needs to be embraced, not challenged.

Part of this evolution is actually a strong athletic program.  Regardless if the emphasis on athletics at institutions of higher learn is good or not, it’s true.  The public face of a university is its athletic program.  When people think Ohio State they think football.  When people think North Carolina they think basketball.  Although UWM won’t realistically ever reach those lofty levels, athletics play a role, so much so that some schools have increased enrollment after NCAA Tourney appearances.  Simply, a successful athletic program could lead to more national recognition, increased alumni giving, increased exposure potential students, and in the long run help raise enrollment.

A first, albeit small step, in building a strong athletic program would be to return men’s basketball to campus by building a new on campus arena.  The construction of a new arena would send a clear signal that the school is committed to athletics, and strengthen the bond between school and student.  Just the ability for students to walk to the game, attend pep rallys, and events on campus will create a better student experience and lead to higher involvement.

Certainly, there are potential issues, such as the availability of land, how to fund the construction, the real or perceived issue of the lack of parking, and the U.S. Cellular Arena becoming even less utilzed.  But a growing UWM is good for all of Milwaukee and building a new on campus arena would be one, small step that UWM could take to continue growing.

Rendering looking NW on Farwell

Mercy Housing Lakefront, Inc., intends to construct a 9-story apartment building with 75 apartments and eight townhouses on the existing 13,400 square-foot, city-owned surface parking lot at the corner of N. Farwell Ave. and Thomas St.  Additionally, it will have 85 garage spaces for residents and 30 garage spaces for use by US Bank and the public, which would replace most of the surface parking removed for this development.

The $12.7 million project will be financed in part through federal housing tax credits from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Administration (WHEDA).  The developer intends to reach an EBE participation level of 25% during construction of the project, and will  pursue LEED certification for the project.

Rendering along Thomas

It should be noted that this, is the first of a long process prior to the land sale and the City of Milwaukee has a extensive list of requirements prior to the final sale.  This list includes, DCD approval of final construction plans, evidence of financing, developer purchase of part of the US Bank parking lot, and the final building plans must be consistent with preliminary plans the developers submitted and conform to Detailed Planned Development zoning.  At this week’s Public Works Committee meeting, a file will be introduced that would authorize a purchase option on the city owned land contingent on these requirements.

Tom Daykin has more information.

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.

March 8, 2010

Milwaukee County: Committee on Economic and Community Development

March 8, 2010 9:00 am

The Milwaukee County Committee on 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 [...]

City Plan Commission Meeting

March 8, 2010 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 [...]

City of Wauwatosa: City Plan Commission Meeting

March 8, 2010 7:00 pm

The Wauwatosa City Plan Commission will discuss UWM’s plans for campus complex on the Milwaukee County Grounds at 7 p.m. There will be opportunity for public comment.[...]

March 9, 2010

Public Works Committee Meeting

March 9, 2010 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.[...]

Milwaukee County: Committee on Parks, Energy and Environment Meeting

March 9, 2010 9:00 am

All matters concerning county parks and parkways are the responsibility of this Committee. Members set policy for the parks department, organized recreation, cultural activities, the University Extension program, the Environmental Services Division of the Department of Public Works and Zoo park services. Members have jurisdiction over matters concerning the conservation of all uses of energy [...]

Toolkit for sustainable cities: Using Environmental Management Systems (EMS) as a framework

March 9, 2010 12:00 pm to 1:20 pm

Carolynn Leaman’s, NEDC, presentation will outline Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and how cities can use them as a toolkit to frame or certify their green objectives/initiatives. Governments have become more interested in ways to combine economic growth with good environmental stewardship. As a result, harnessing ingenuity by the skillful design of environmental policies is a [...]

March 10, 2010

Public Safety Committee Meeting

March 10, 2010 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.[...]

Green Drinks

March 10, 2010 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Green Drinks is a monthly event where you can meet people, network, do a business deal, learn something new or maybe even find a job! Check out green drinks to get an idea of the scope of this movement!

Join like-minded people in an informal and unstructured setting to talk about the latest sustainability happenings in [...]

March 11, 2010

Milwaukee Riverkeeper: Clean Energy Town Hall

March 11, 2010 6:00 pm

Milwaukee Riverkeeper is co-sponsoring a special town hall forum on Clean Energy.

Come join us on Thursday, March 11 at 6 p.m. where a panel of experts will discuss how the Clean Energy Jobs bill will benefit the Greater Milwaukee area with green jobs, lower energy bills and a cleaner, healthier environment.

Plus, talk with local installers [...]

Prospect Under Construction

Taking Shape

St. John’s on the Lake Construction

St. John’s on the Lake Construction Update

St. John’s on the Lake – Under Construction

Next Generation Real Estate Inc. recently proposed a $35 million 6-story mixed-use building with 130,000 square feet of class A office space, 270 parking spots, and 17,000 square feet of first floor retail at the southeast corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Broadway.  To accomplish this it would require the tearing down of 60% of the buildings on Broadway, and 90% of the buildings along E. Wisconsin Avenue.  A $35 million development is not something we would normally oppose, but this project is a non-starter.

It’s a non-starter for a variety of reasons.  This demolition would include at least four buildings with historic designation, some of which have received both local and national historic designation, but it isn’t as simple as to say that these buildings are historic and therefore shouldn ‘t be demolished.  Often hardship or deterioration is an unfortunate but acceptable reason for demolition, though in this case Next Generation Real Estate Inc. has been involved with these properties throughout much of their decline, so that hardship is at least partially self-inflicted.  Finally, the designation and history is an important factor, but it goes beyond that.  These buildings are part of the fabric of downtown Milwaukee.

Demolition of these buildings will remove an opportunity for Milwaukee to have another unique, vibrant, and urban street.  Just ten years ago the great buildings on Milwaukee St. sat nearly vacant, while today it has become one of Milwaukee’s great streets.  What would downtown look like had the buildings on Milwaukee St. been torn down?  Further from our memory, is that this almost happened to Brady St., and just what would the East Side be without Brady St.?  Thankfully, both Milwaukee St. and Brady St. were saved, and are now two of Milwaukee’s great streets.

Regardless of how this development plays out, the various scenarios don’t point to a positive outcome.  The worst case scenario is the project falls during apart during demolition leaving new surface parking lots or worse yet an empty pit, like the failed Terraces at River Bluff project at 1339 N Milwaukee St., right on the corner of Wisconsin Ave. and Broadway.  The best case scenario for this project brings a loss of history, uniqueness, and opportunity right in the heart of downtown Milwaukee.  Further, if this project were to move forward it might snap up the potential tenants that the Rainier Properties II LLC’s Park East office building proposal is attempting to sign.  This would be a significant loss for Milwaukee as the Park East proposal has a clear chance of catalyzing further development in the Park East, and fill in what is already vacant land, while adding new value to the city’s tax base instead of simply replacing what already exists.

Hopefully, Next Generation Real Estate Inc. will realize what they have, forget about these plans, and work with the city, much like Compass Properties did with the Historic First Wisconsin building, to obtain financial assistance so they can improve and rehab their existing buildings, bringing life back to Wisconsin Ave. and Broadway.

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.

March 2, 2010

Common Council Meeting

March 2, 2010 9:00 am

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

UWM Real Estate Foundation Presentation on County Grounds Project

March 2, 2010 6:00 pm

Learn more about UWM’s plans for the Milwaukee County Grounds.

WHEN:
Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Comments/questions 6-6:30;
Presentation 6:30

WHERE:
Wauwatosa City Hall
7600 W North Ave

March 3, 2010

Milwaukee County: Committee on Transporation, Public Works and Transit

March 3, 2010 9:00 am

The mission of the Department of Public Works, including the construction and maintenance of county highways, bridges and public structures are the responsibility of this Committee. Members discuss all matters pertaining to the policy of mass transit and the Milwaukee County Transit System, including fares, service routes and capital improvements. The Committee discusses all matters [...]

Spreenkler + Launch Milwaukee: State of Southeastern WI Transit Panel

March 3, 2010 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Launch Milwaukee is partnering with Spreenkler to host a community meetup on March 3rd to talk about why Transit is important, what the legislation means, and how the proposed sales tax will provide property tax relief. Whether you want to express your opinion or just want to learn more about the issues surrounding Transit, please [...]

Construction at St. John’s On The Lake

Prospect Construction

St. John’s Construction

Latitude Apartments

Farwell Side of Latitude Apartments

It was recently reported that UWM is considering the Reed Street Yards as a potential site for the School of Freshwater Sciences.  Although. I still think the lakefront site offers the most prominent location which would have played well with the re-branding of Milwaukee but, the Reed Street Yards site does have many positives that make it a suitable location.  Simply put, if UWM were to build on the Reed Street Yards it could play a significant role in the revitalization of a neighborhood.

Another site under consideration is the existing Great Lakes Water Institute on E. Greenfield Ave., but this site is actually the worst of both goals, branding and revitalization.  The area does need revitalization, but there just isn ‘t much of a neighborhood to revitalize as the site is fairly isolated.  Further, the existing Great Lakes Institute is in reality a former tile factory, not a first-class research facility.

While E. Greenfield Ave. is fairly isolated, the Reed Street Yards is located in the center of an area that has seen significant recent redevelopment efforts, and adding the School of Freshwater Sciences to the mix could build upon these efforts.  This area has a supply of office space, such as the recently redeveloped project at 234 W. Florida St., that could be utilized by start-up research firms.  The area also has affordable rental apartments for students and staff to live in.  In terms of collaboration MMSD’s headquarters is located adjacent to the site, and the city has already put forward a plan that would utilize TIF funding not just to build the needed infrastructure, but also includes financial incentives to help land the first water business.  The biggest concern, and possibly the show stopper for this site, is if the boat access is insufficient, but if that challenge can be surmounted this site could be successful.

As I said in a previous article “The re-development of the Reed Street Yards is the next piece of the puzzle to the revitalization of Walker’s Point,” and building the School of Freshwater Sciences here, not only makes sense, but could be what gets this effort rolling.