Plats and Parcels
229 New Apartments in Brewers’ Hill
But one of the two new buildings being developed generated grr-ipes from Matt Wild and Mary Louise Schumacher. Dare we disagree?
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But one of the two new buildings being developed generated grr-ipes from Matt Wild and Mary Louise Schumacher. Dare we disagree? Back to the full article.
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That’s just the way it is. Artists move to (and improve) a low rent area and then, when the rent gets too damn high, move to (and improve) another low rent area.
Artists have always needed cheap rents, and this has always meant being in dilapidated buildings on the very verge of being condemned. Do Matt Wild and Mary Louise Schumacher think the City should keep some buildings or parts of the city in that condition for their benefit – like a special preserve or human zoo for artists? Perhaps they will support the “Kooyenga-Darling Plantation” plan to create exactly such a zone of neglect, danger and deterioration in the inner city.
As for the convention center expansion, nobody expects the Bucks owners to bankroll or champion it, but given that the Wisconsin Center contributes two-and-a-half times as much to the economy as the BMO Harris Bradley Center, City officials ought to at least get behind the idea.
Travel just five minutes west on Pleasant/Walnut/Lisbon to 30th – 34th and Lisbon Ave. (this route even has its own bike lane!) and there are wonderful old brick buildings and abundant vacant land,much city owned, waiting to be discovered and loved in a neighborhood of people who care. The corner of 34th and Lisbon is a delightful little food, artist, health and education hub of activity with Amaranth Bakery,Tabal Chocolate, Express Yourself Milwaukee, Our Next Generation, Munier’s clay and tile works and the brand new Progressive Community Health Center. We are African American, Hmong, White, Hispanic and Somali and it all works. Both the UWM School of Architecture and Urban Planning and MIAD are using this hub as a place for student neighborhood immersion learning.
Stop in at Amaranth any time, have something great to eat and strike up a conversation about the neighborhood. With some urban grit in your blood, you can afford to buy, work, live and make a difference here, all five minutes from downtown.
Why is it that every time Franklyn Gimbel uses the word “we” I feel a tugging sensation on my wallet? Does anyone know if he even lives in the city of Milwaukee?
The simply economics is that the building has been in the state of disrepair for decades. The low rents do not generate enough revenue to rehabilitate and update facilities, exterior envelope repairs, etc. The building is less than 50% occupied with only a portion of the tenant base artists. The largest tenant is actually not arts related. Perfection – one thing. Really – another. In my opinion, it is far better to see the building remain part of the Milwaukee’s historic fabric rather than see it site underutilized.
If anyone is interested in reading what I actually wrote as opposed to what someone else inaccurately characterized as my point of view, here’s a link: http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/arts/the-fortress-buildings-life-as-a-rabbit-warren-of-artist-spaces-is-ending-b99454247z1-295215691.html.
It is in fact possible to mark the end of an era for the creative community within the Fortress and consider that a loss while also accepting that the historic complex should be preserved and redeveloped.