Zoning Committee Considers Additional Aloft TIF Funds
Resolution 071392 was likely to be very controversial given its intent to authorize additional funding for Tax Incremental District No. 48 (Park East) which would support the development of a Riverwalk section along the proposed Aloft site. Resolutions related to TIF financing often spark vigorous debate on how the funding should be allocated, what additionally requirements will be asked of the developer, and does this project truly require assistance. This resolution was no different as members of the Good Jobs and Livable Neighborhoods Coalition were present and looking to push this development project to be required to pay prevailing wages and additional requirements similar to the community benefits agreements they have pushed in the past. The debate will wait until next month as this item was held to allow Committee members time to obtain additional information about the proposal. Another contentious resolution, 070548, proposed allowing electronic changeable billboards to change advertisements every eight seconds. Alderman Bob Bauman and Alderman Michael Murphy expressed concerns over the possibility of driver distraction and light pollution that this change may cause. Although no citizens appeared to speak in opposition to this resolution Murphy pointed out “the media has for whatever reason doesn’t cover city government like they used to” indicating that with wider coverage he felt citizens would be opposed to this resolution. In the end it passed on a narrow three to two vote with both Bauman and Murphy opposing the resolution.
Mar 16th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Surface/Subsurface
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee AUP 170 Presentation by Marion Weiss of Weiss/Manfredi Architects, New York. More Information
Mar 15th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Recent Work of UrbanLab
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee AUP 170 Presentation by Sarah Dunn of UrbanLab Architecture and Urban Design, Chicago. More Information
Mar 15th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Oh, those brilliant/lucky Clintons
The Clintons have always been brilliant politicians, possibly among the most amazing in all of American history. Bill’s got a little narcissistic egg on his face at the moment after his recent over-indulgences on his wife’s campaign trail, but he’ll pull back and be fine in a few years when America once again remembers the good times under his presidency. He’s golden, so no need to worry about him – as a nation we apparently live to forgive him, and I say that as a person who’s lived long in that camp, and in regards to many things, probably always will. I admit I can’t quite get past the unsolved mystery of Vince Foster, but maybe I’m just a conspiracy nut. I’m sure all those crime scene photos went missing due to a simple clerical error. It happens all the time. I digress, but not really. You have to admit that his death couldn’t have come at a better time for the beleaguered couple, at least as the whole Whitewater ordeal ended up playing out. No matter what the truth, now merely an unfortunate footnote in the storied history of Bill Clinton’s presidential legacy, Foster’s death caused Ken Starr and crew to jump all over its irregularities, adding to the confusion of an already impossibly convoluted mess and drawing attention away from the facts of the investigation. For the record, I am NOT accusing the Clintons of arranging for Vince Foster’s death. I’m just saying they’re lucky. And I’m reminded of old Vince because of another extremely lucky thing that happened to Sen. Clinton’s presidential campaign this week. In case you’ve been sleeping under a rock and have somehow seen my blog but not the news, former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro has stepped down from her post as a surrogate and Clinton finance committee member after making some rather awkward remarks about Barack Obama’s race advantage. In short, she asserted that if Obama were not a black man, he wouldn’t be doing as well as he is. Then – horror! – she refused to apologize, instead resigning from the campaign so she could continue to speak out against what she sees as a sexist media bent on running Hillary down because she’s a woman while being swept away by the grand notion of a black president. Think about it. Ferraro is 72 years old, her personal political halcyon days long past. She’s a loooong time friend of the Clintons with a decent reputation and she looks like that grandma who still gets her hair and eyebrows done every week. She’s got name recognition but nothing to lose. And now that she’s gone Ronin, she’s free – even expected – to say things Hillary would never get away with. Lucky for Clintion, at the least. Possibly brilliant. Only time will tell, or not. Some mysteries are better left unsolved.
Mar 13th, 2008 by Jon Anne Willow
2008 Commercial Real Estate Roundtable Forum
Italian Community Center 631 Chicago Street Milwaukee, WI 53202 COST $45 CARW Members $60 Non-Members $20 Students Agenda
Mar 12th, 2008 by Dave Reid
A Stunning Fall
One of my favorite scenes in one of my favorite movies is when George Bailey, Jimmy Stewart’s character in Frank Capra’s great Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, pleads with a group of customers at the savings and loan not to withdraw all of their money. George says the money isn’t in the vault, it’s helping build their neighbors’ homes and start their businesses. He eventually persuades them to only take out what they need, thereby allowing the bank to remain open. But, for me, the “money shot” is when the sound of fire trucks or ambulances or police cars distracts the crowd and everyone moves to the window to see what’s going on. Our attention is riveted by the crisis in the bank but they can’t help but turn their gaze to the street. Which brings me to the news that uber-prosecutor turned New York governor, Eliot Spitzer, has been implicated in a sex-for-money scandal. Nothing sucks up the public’s attention more than a story that combines sex, scandal and celebrity. And when the celebrity in question is a stuffed shirt politician who has made a career out of prosecuting wealthy businessmen who were caught stealing, cheating or otherwise taking advantage of their high positions in society, well, the hypocrisy is stunning and overwhelming. While the story is unfortunate in that, once again, parents are having to explain terms like “prostitution” and “call girls” to their children who happen to be watching the news with them it brings some relief to those of us who have been overdosing on the contest between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. After yesterday’s Mississippi primary, which was won decisively by Obama, the next contest isn’t until April 22 in Pennsylvania. There will continue to be news relating to the presidential contest, most notably the expected resolution of the imbroglio involving the Florida and Michigan delegation to the Democratic convention. But this amounts to something of a news blackout for six weeks. Six weeks! Of course, locally we have important elections coming up on April 1st including the Wisconsin Supreme Court race between incumbent Justice Louis Butler and challenger Mike Gableman. But the Spitzer story is filling a void with the overwhelming power of a raging tide (sorry, sorry, sorry!). Spitzer announced his resignation today. Some will say he should have stayed and defended himself since this is such a personal matter and, after all, Bill Clinton didn’t leave office after he was involved in a sex scandal. But Clinton’s Affaire Lewinsky did not break any law (though, of course, he was charged with perjury for denying the relationship in grand jury testimony) and the campaign to impeach Clinton was such a political witch hunt. Spitzer was caught in an investigation launched by the IRS and the FBI based on the unusual transfers of funds that he was using to funnel money to the “escort service.” Arguably, the investigators expected to find evidence of a bribe or other form of public corruption and were […]
Mar 12th, 2008 by Ted Bobrow
Zoning Committee Approves a Drive-thru?
As there were only two items on the agenda this was one of the quickest Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee meetings in quite some time. Resolution 071128 proposed a change in zoning from two-family residential to local business which would allow PyraMax Bank to construct a driveway to access new drive-thru banking facilities. This resolution had been held during an earlier ZND meeting because for PyraMax Bank to build the driveway it requires the demolition of a residential property which is generally not encouraged by the Department of City Development. During the meeting Alderman Bob Bauman pointed this out saying “this is another case of substituting an automobile use from a residential use” and went on to indicate he felt projects like this have hurt the City of Milwaukee in the past. Despite these concerns the committee approved the resolution in a large part due to local Alderman Jim Witkowiak support of the resolution.
Mar 12th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Wisconsin Renewable Energy Summit
Midwest Airlines Center 400 West Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee, Wisconsin Agenda
Mar 11th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Be a part of Luckystar Studio’s MAIL ART SHOW! DEADLINE is 4/5!
You draw it, paint it, silk screen it, spray paint it, throw a stamp on it and we’ll exhibit it in Wish You Were Here! This limited-run exhibit will be held during the very popular Spring Gallery Night, Friday, April 18, through the West Side Artwalk, April 25 & 26. The envelope, postcard, package or crate is your is your canvas! 1. Draw it, collage it, print it, stamp it, sculpt it, photograph it, etc. 2. Ship it! (USPS, UPS, Fedex, Bike Messenger, etc.) 3. Luckystar will exhibit it! Note: Do not price artwork. Art will be sold at a flat rate with proceeds from the sales to be used to cover cost of the exhibit and reception. All artwork becomes property of Luckystar Studio. Luckystar will not accept the promotion post cards from galleries or artists as mail art. Deadline: April 5, 2008. Enter now! Have some fun!
Mar 11th, 2008 by Vital Archives
Seed Cycles by Sally Kuzma @ Villa Terrace Arts Museum
Seed Cycles at the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum has been extended through April 6. After collecting various plant specimens, Sally Kuzma uses a simple computer scanner to upload the images of plants, such as corn, soybeans, sunflowers, lilies and garlic to create a digitally manipulated piece of art. The details of each plant are shown intimately, along with their colors and patterns. Read VITAL art critic Judith Ann Moriarty’s review of the show.
Mar 10th, 2008 by Vital Archives
Weekly Milwaukee Development Bookmarks
Articles from the past week covering development in Milwaukee. JS Online: 11th hour nears for bowling congress JS Online: Tower’s new life stalls JS Online: Hotels ascend around airport Developers seek tax credits for Walker’s Point district – The Business Journal of Milwaukee: JS Online: Fashion chain plans store OnMilwaukee.com Bars & Clubs: Cadillac Ranch coming to Downtown Milwaukee JS Online: Only 5 downtown condos have buyers in rare auction JS Online: Business in brief Riverfront Plaza Attracts New Tenants – CoStar Group Real estate odds and ends – Small Business Times Real estate deal of the week – Small Business Times Bowling Congress to meet Sunday to consider HQ move – The Business Journal of Milwaukee: Renovation of Wisconsin Club to begin – The Business Journal of Milwaukee: JS Online: Bowling group delays decision JS Online: Marquette Interchange is on schedule despite harsh winter
Mar 10th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Public Works Committee Criticizes DPW Commissioner
As part of resolution, 071488, a portion of the street from S. Barclay St. – E. Pittsburgh Ave. to S. Water St./E. Seeboth St. will be rebuilt resulting in an improved environment in around the Fifth Ward neighborhood. Although a minor improvement to the physical infrastructure this should help spur further development in the area. Jeff Mantes, the Commissioner of Public Works, presented a communication regarding the recent news indicating the funding for the Milwaukee Connector study is longer available. Throughout the discussion Alderman Robert Bauman asked a series of specific questions of the Department of Public Works (DPW) to make it clear that the Common Council was not informed of the situation. He expressed his outrage by stating bluntly that “in my opinion this is a big deal”. He was quickly reinforced by Alderman Robert Puente‘s pointed remarks to DPW when he said “you’ll keep the Common Council in the dark until you need us”. In the end this file simply served to point the blame at DPW and allow the Common Council to put it on the record that they weren’t informed of the situation. Unfortunately the problem still exists and new mass transit options are further postponed until the situation can be resolved.
Mar 8th, 2008 by Dave Reid
