Board of Harbor Commission Meeting
1. Presentation on behalf of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukeeand/or the UWM Foundation, Water Council or Greater Milwaukee Committee regarding UWM’s proposed use and request for a lease of the lands under the Harbor Commission’s jurisdiction located at 550 North Harbor Drive, currently leased to Specialty Restaurants, Inc.
2. Public comment regarding UWM’s proposed use and request for a lease of the lands under the Harbor Commission’s jurisdiction located at 550 North Harbor Drive, currently leased to Specialty Restaurants, Inc.
(Please note: Public comment will be limited to three minutes per person. Individuals and organizations are invited and encouraged to submit written testimony to the Commission. Such testimony should be submitted to the Board of Harbor Commissioners Secretary who will ensure it is distributed to all Commission members.)
Room 301-B, City Hall
200 E. Wells St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
I am against the land at 550 N. Harbor Dr. being given to UWM for any reason. The
University already uses most of the lake front from Kenwwood Ave. on the north end
to Veterans Park on the south end for parking. Thus bringing thousands of cars and
hundreds of bus trips daily to this beautiful area. Enough is enough! There are other
sites available in the more industrial areas south of the Hoan bridge.
This is the best possible use of this site. First, it will continue the synergy that has been started by the placement of the Art Museum Expansion and Discovery World. The lakefront is the crown jewel in MKEs cap and should be the place to glamorize the place that MKE holds in freshwater research and freshwater sciences. There is already plenty of Green Space along the lakefront and redeveloping an existing development site will only increase the access that the public has to the waterfront.
The timing is perfect to place a stranglehold on freshwater research and a magnificent facility in downtown MKE is just the way to prove that the city is serious about its future.
With all due respect, what synergy can we expect from placing the institute in this lakeshore location? Not one additional building could be constructed anywhere near it. Granted, it would look nice, but if this is really about cultivating an industry and not vanity, why wouldn’t we locate the institute in a less restricted area? I’m truly open to this idea, but what intangible benefits am I not seeing in the lakeshore location?
@Rob Oh boy we disagree on something!:)
My take on this building is that to a large extent it is about branding Milwaukee. It will be where industry, political, and scientific leaders visit, and are sold on Milwaukee as the water capital. This one isn’t about revitalizing a neighborhood, it is about re-imaging Milwaukee, and the backdrop of the MAM, Discovery World, and Lake Michigan will play a role in that. Further, it fits in with the “Fresh Coast” messaging instead of the “Rust Belt” history. Should marketing matter? No. But does it? Yes.
That said it can also add to the lake front with a great design, added people, and new public amenities such as additional greenspace, better access to the water, and restrooms. Additionally, the big synergy is with Discovery World. These two facilities would work together.
That’s a bit of my take on it anyhow…
@ Dave
I know! It’s quite unusual 🙂
I see your point about branding and creating a dramatic introduction for prospective water industry clients new to Milwaukee. I’m not, per se, against locating the institute along the lakeshore, but I’m leery of rushing ahead with this plan without studying all potential options. Once the Harbor Commission approves it, only the Common Council’s approval remains, right?
Nevertheless, the lakefront is attractive and the UWM board and Cudahy have a singular goal of obtaining the maximum value out of public dollars. Even if I’m squeamish about it, that doesn’t negate the fact that we’re looking at a significant investment in Milwaukee’s future viability.
And in the welcome spirit of healthy debate, which I really do appreciate on this particular blog, here’s another benefit of building along the lake: perhaps forging ahead at this location will be the impetus for redesigning the downtown exits of 894/794 and the Hoan Bridge.
@Rob I believe the process goes Harbor Commission, Lakefront Development Advisory Commission, maybe City Plan Commission and Zoning & Neighborhoods, Development Committee, and then the full Common Council.
Yes, I do see some connection the the Hoan bridge stuff (specifically the flyover ramps), and simply creating a better entryway to the MAM, Discovery World and the lakefront…