Milwaukee Intermodal Station

Commuter Rail Startup Has Big Vision, Lots of Questions

Regional system, say organizers, would use existing tracks, require no operating subsidy.

Airport Train Station Expansion Rolling Along

The very thing its designed to avoid delaying, freight trains, often impose delays in its construction.

Pete Buttigieg Tours Port With Mayor, Rides Train With Governor

US Secretary of Transportation promotes Biden's infrastructure investments in region.

Council Kills Streetcar’s ‘Festivals Line’

Improved access to lakefront came with delay for other riders.

Streetcar Will Use Festivals-Oriented Route Through Summer

Line makes it easier to access lakefront, but slower to travel north.

Streetcar Route Changed Until Summerfest’s End

'Festivals Line' merges two lines. Easier lakefront access, slower northern trips.

The Hop’s Lines Will Merge For Easier Summerfest Service

'Festivals Line' will make it easier for first-time riders to get to lakefront.

Public Works Committee to discuss parking/traffic & enhanced streetcar service during major lakefront festivals

Draft & Vessel Owner Plans Cafe at Vel R. Phillips Plaza

Entrepreneur Nat Davauer has big plans for key downtown space.

New Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago Train Starts May 21

Added train doubles service between Milwaukee and Twin Cities.

New Bars and Restaurants That Opened in March

3 taverns, 2 coffee shops and numerous restaurants debuted last month.

Is Milwaukee Public Market One of Nation’s Best?

Plus: Sinabro opens, big changes at North Avenue Market and goodbye Royal India.

New Concessionaires Open at Intermodal Station

Donut Squad and Fil Fil are now offering eats at the downtown train station.

Possible Revival For Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee Commuter Rail Line

KRM project, killed in 2011, would connect lakefront communities in southern Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Wins Grants To Study Five New or Expanded Rail Routes

Studies will design routes to Madison, Green Bay, Eau Claire as well as expanding existing service.

New Cafe Opening at City Building

RCW's Cafe will replace Aladdin's City Cafe as operator of cafeteria space.

Airport Train Station Construction Progressing

Train station continues to operate while second platform built.

Say Hello to Rusty the Mastodon

Newly christened 22,000-pound sculpture in the Third Ward made from a former shoe company boiler.

Airport Train Station Expansion Underway

Its construction will help expand Amtrak Hiawatha. Plus: Recap of the week's real estate news.

Wisconsin Planning Passenger Trains To Green Bay, Madison

Startup could be funded by $44 billion from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Another Aladdin’s Location Will Close

On the heels of Aladdin's All Aboard Cafe closing, owner announces plan to shut down downtown restaurant.

Aladdin’s All Aboard Cafe Closing May 16

Staffing shortages, unsafe conditions to blame for closure, owner says.

City Has $16 Million Plan For Downtown Plaza

Vel R. Phillips Plaza would honor civil rights pioneer, anchor W. Wisconsin Ave. Will it serve streetcar?

Baking Classes Return to Honeypie

Plus: Four new restaurants. And small-format grocery will serve Brewery District residents.

Aladdin’s City Cafe

Located in the basement of a municipal building, the breakfast and lunch spot is a welcome stop off the beaten path.

City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 to host third meeting for Downtown Area Plan update

Milwaukee-area residents encouraged to attend a Community Open House on Dec. 7

FlixBus Buys Greyhound

German startup now among the biggest bus companies in US, with trips from Milwaukee.

Redevelopment Plans Dropped For Downtown Post Office

R2 sells the building to post office real estate investment trust.

Railroad Merger is a Win for Milwaukee, Southeastern Wisconsin

The Port of Milwaukee could again become intermodal shipping hub, now with direct access to Mexico.

Consulting Team Announced for New Downtown Plan

The plan is intended to guide development through 2040.

City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 announce project partners for Downtown Area Plan

P3 Development Group and TKWA among lead consultants

FlixBus Starts Milwaukee Service July 2nd

New bus line will connect Milwaukee, Chicago, Indianapolis and Ohio.

Amtrak Hiawatha and I-41 buses return to full schedule May 23

Reservations open for Milwaukee-Chicago trains and Green Bay, Fox Cities buses

Biden Infrastructure Plan Adds Amtrak Service To Madison, Green Bay

Plan also calls for enhanced service on existing Hiawatha line.

Feedback Wanted On Proposed Second Train to Twin Cities

WisDOT seeking feedback as part of federal review process. 2024 start proposed.

City Updating Downtown Plan

Equity and inclusion at forefront of latest effort.

The Hop celebrating the spirit of the season with new ‘Holidays with The Hop’ station decoration initiative

Downtown Parcel Draws No Takers

WisDOT, city trying to sell land near train station.

EUA Announces the Passing of Jerry Bruscato

City Wants Downtown Parking Security

40% of downtown crimes are vehicle break-ins. Council demands safety measures.

County Gets Waiver on Streetcar

Still in running to operate city's streetcar, but a long shot to win.

Streetcar Rails Being Welded

Mayor, MPS students on-hand to see the work

Streetcar Track Steel Has Arrived

City receives first of 474 80-foot long segments, soon to be installed on streets.

70 New Apartments for Fifth Ward

"The Quin," a 5-story, 70-unit apartment complex with retail in booming Walker's Point.

Streetcar Track Construction Starts in April

System on track to start service in late 2018, project is on-budget

80 Transit Projects in 2017

Projects in U.S., Canada and Mexico include streetcar in Milwaukee.

Welcome Back, Talgo USA!

Despite its harsh treatment by the state, the Spanish manufacturer is back in Milwaukee.

Danceworks Performance Company invites audience to the first concert of its 20th anniversary season: Dance In or Take Out?

November 3-6, 2016 at Next Act Theatre.

Last Buses Pull Out of Downtown Transit Center This Weekend

The Transit Center property was sold by Milwaukee County to developer Rick Barrett who is redeveloping the land into The Couture project.

Changes Coming for Several Bus Routes Through Downtown

The sale and demolition of the Downtown Transit Center means changes for several MCTS routes that run through Downtown Milwaukee.

The Couture is Finally Happening

County to move bus routes off site at end of month, demolition of building imminent.

Council Okays Streetcar to Bucks Arena

$40 million extension would add .75 miles to route, also connect convention center.

New $22 Million Rail Concourse Opens

Intermodal Station's dark and dingy concourse for boarding trains finally replaced.

New train concourse welcomes passengers at Milwaukee Intermodal Station

Construction took approximately 18 months.

Amtrak Now Allows Bikes For $5

No more boxing and folding bikes. Hiawatha line to Chicago now has 15 bike racks.

$6.5 Million in Streetcar Savings

Agreement with We Energies reduces utility relocation costs.

Ugly duckling: Chicago developer plans to turn downtown post office into a swan

Milwaukee to Receive $14.2 Million Grant for Streetcar Extension

Lakefront Line will Connect Phase 1 Route to Major Attractions, New Developments

Vacating Fourth Street for a Bucks plaza would be drastic and risky

Vacating any downtown street involves major ramifications for current and future transportation and land use.

The Curious History of St. Paul Avenue

It was once Detroit and Fowler Streets, and before that was under water.

Milwaukee’s New Train Shed

It's 50 years old and serves nearly 600,000 people annually, and its long-awaited replacement is finally being built.

Free Wi-Fi service launches on Amtrak Hiawatha Service

Wisconsin DOT and Amtrak officials to make formal announcement

The Joys of BikeShare

As more cities add BikeShare, I no longer need pack a folding bike. Travel for bikers is so much easier now.

State Making Little Progress on Improving Train Shed

Gov. Walker turned down federal money that could have funded federally-mandated improvements required for downtown train station.

GOP Bill Gives Landlords Sweeping Rights

Landlord-tenant rights will be rewritten by this bill, and not to the benefit of tenants.

Streetcar project to be addressed during Saturday rail event

Rail advocacy effort will be announced during news event tomorrow at 11 a.m. at downtown Intermodal Station

Our Downtown Hub

The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is much closer to the Downtown action than you might think. Part II of a series.

The Airport Story

How Milwaukee welcomes -- and doesn’t welcome -- visitors to the city. Part I of four-part series.

Building an Aerotropolis in Milwaukee

What would an aerotropolis bring to Milwaukee? What does Milwaukee need to do to get there? Better yet, what is an aerotropolis? I recently completed reading Aerotropolis: The Way We'll Live Next by Greg Lindsay and John Kasarda, and couldn't help but continually think about how the idea of an aerotropolis fits with Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Streetcar at Apex

The Milwaukee Streetcar is finally poised to move forward. Following last May's approval of a preliminary engineering study by the Milwaukee Connector Study Group, the Milwaukee Streetcar project has progressed to the next step in its development. In late June the Public Works Committee and Steering and Rules Committee will take up the project on subsequent days, followed by the full Milwaukee Common Council in early July.

2010 Not the Year of the Park East… Even Worse

Our belief that 2010 could have been the Year of the Park East, came up a bit short, and unfortunately it wasn't the only project that was derailed in 2010.

Rally!

Photos from featured photographer, Todd Montgomery. High Speed Rail Rally!

Amtrak Should Innovate with Hiawatha Service Pricing

With Interstate 94 under construction between the state line and Milwaukee for the next few years, new equipment on the way from Talgo, and a route extension to Madison under construction, it's time for Amtrak, iDot, and WisDOT to explore new pricing models for the state-sponsored rail service to encourage more riders and raise more revenue.

Does building a park over a freeway in Milwaukee make sense?

Cities across the country are in the process of constructing or exploring ways to turn freeways into public space. Would it be wise to implement such an idea in Milwaukee?

Milwaukee Intermodal Station Train Shed Project to Start in October (Renderings)

The second phase of the redevelopment of the Milwaukee Intermodal Station will begin construction next month.

New Milwaukee Transit Plan Unveiled

Eight drafts, and a couple months later, the new regional transit authority plan for southeastern Wisconsin has been unveiled. Governor Jim Doyle introduced the new bill at a press conference at Bucyrus in South Milwaukee with Bucyrus President and CEO Tim Sullivan, Roundy's CEO and Chairman Bob Mariano, Northwestern Mutual CEO Ed Zore, AT&T Wisconsin President Scott VanderSanden, S.C. Johnson & Son Chairman and CEO J. Fisk Johnson, Johnson Controls Chairman, President and CEO Steve Roell, Greater Milwaukee Committee President Julia Taylor, and Racine Mayor John Dickert.

Megabus Unveils New Bus Schedules for Milwaukee

Megabus, the no-frills intercity bus company with an intriguing pricing scheme starting at $1, has revised their service schedule between Milwaukee and Chicago. Unfortunately two trips have been eliminated in each direction. One can only assume it's because of the economy and that January through March has always been a down travel period for Megabus (something they compensate for by giving away 100,000 tickets).

Yesterday Was a Good Day for Transit in Milwaukee

Mass transit in Milwaukee took a step forward yesterday.

WisDOT Open House on Future Parking Lots, Parks, or ?

WisDOT is taking the steps to prepare to issue an RFP for airspace leases underneath the Marquette Interchange and Interstate 794. They're looking for public input on what should be included, and this is our chance to really say we want something better underneath the freeway that separates the Third Ward and the Milwaukee Intermodal Station from the rest of downtown.

Milwaukee County Committee Fails to Reconsider RTA Vote

The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors held a special meeting of the Committee on Transportation, Public Works and Transit to further discuss the proposed RTA. Supervisors Larson and Jursik hoped to put forward a positive response to the proposed RTA in place of the committee's overtly negative response that came out of the last committee meeting.

The Technologies

It's absolutely critical to understand the different transit technologies available if one is to understand and evaluate the merits of the various transit proposals for Milwaukee. Technologies include Bus-Rapid Transit (BRT), Express Bus Transit, Electric-Guided Bus, Standard Bus, Street Car, Light Rail and Heavy Rail. This article examines the technologies, largely with regard to how they would be implemented here in Milwaukee.

Senator Kohl Earmarks $1.5 Million for the Milwaukee Intermodal Station

The second phase of the Milwaukee Intermodal Station's re-development received a boost recently, when Senator Kohl included $1.5 million for the Milwaukee Intermodal Station in an appropriations bill funding the Department of Transportation in 2009.

The Game and The Players

Understanding the discussion around Milwaukee transit requires an understanding of who has the keys to unlock the federal funds to improve and expand the existing system. We need to lay some groundwork before any discussion on the actual proposals can start.

Milwaukee Post Office To Move Next Door To Airport

In one of the worst kept secrets surrounding the future of downtown Milwaukee, an announcement finally arrived today that the out-of-place and severely dated United States Post Office located on St. Paul Ave, next to the brand spanking new, gorgeous Milwaukee Intermodal Station, is moving south to be closer to the airport in a new, more efficient facility. This is a huge win-win for both areas. First, this should increase commerce surrounding the airport by adding a labor-intensive business near a large retail stretch. Second, it’s obviously going to be a boost for efficiency for moving mail in-and-out of Milwaukee. With a significant amount of mail moving through the air, this should get it sorted and on-and-off planes faster and reduce costs for USPS. In regards to downtown Milwaukee, the Third Ward, and the Menomonee Valley, this is the start of a huge boost that has been a long time coming. The new Milwaukee Intermodal Station that is quickly becoming a well-known gateway to Milwaukee is in a terribly misused and underused area. Eliminating the Post Office and replacing it with nearly any mixed-use building would be a huge boost for the area and trigger development in underused buildings and surface parking lots across the street. The land that Milwaukee’s Central Processing Facility for USPS currently occupies is not only in a great location because of the proximity to the train station, but it sits on the Menomonee River immediately adjacent to where it merges with the Milwaukee River. Any development on the site will certainly seek to reconnect the neighborhood with the river and further foster urban Milwaukee’s image as an area that is increasingly connected with its natural capital. If you want to consider the kind of visual impact replacing the Post Office will have, consider the Harley Museum set to open soon just across the river. Not only has that development triggered another development in the Iron Horse Hotel, but it’s taken a long underused property and made it a legitimate piece of the city again. Replacing the Post Office will not only trigger development north across St. Paul Ave, but will increase the value of the Harley Museum and all of the land along that stretch of the rivers.

Senator Dick Durbin Standing Up For Quality

Milwaukee Intermodal Station Originally uploaded by compujeramey It’s good to see Senator Dick Durbin demanding better service from Union Pacific on the Amtrak route that runs from St. Louis to Chicago. What does this have to do with urban Milwaukee? The expansion and improvement of Amtrak (greater frequency of runs, faster service, ultimately lower prices) is good for Milwaukee’s most urban neighborhoods. The downtown location of the Milwaukee Intermodal Station is great for nearby land values and for access by the greatest number of riders. Easy for us that live here to get out, and for travelers from other cities to get in. The money spent to redevelop the station was worth every penny. So the station is great, but where can we as Milwaukeeans travel to easily through that station? Currently Minneapolis and Chicago are the only easy destinations (and the few small city stops along the way). Transferring to other lines in Chicago is plausible, but service delays and the frequency of runs make it somewhat difficult. If Senator Durbin and the people of Illinois get their way, Union Pacific will improve the conditions on the rail line and Amtrak service will improve. This will increase the ease at which Milwaukeeans can get to St. Louis. More efficient connections to big cities will only drive more people to Milwaukee’s inner-core of great neighborhoods. Better service is both great for business and great for urban residents. Long-term hopefully this will lead to the development of a high-speed rail corridor that includes Milwaukee. The Chicago-St. Louis route provides a great opportunity to test and implement technologies because of the lack of freight travel and the relatively flat terrain. High-gas prices, long security check times at airports, and increasingly more extreme weather conditions will lead more and more people to Amtrak and innovators like Megabus. What can be done to create a better, more efficient service? Improving the Chicago-St. Louis line is a good first step towards building a super-efficient rail network in the fresh coast.

The Word On The Street (12.6.2007)

From time to time Urban Milwaukee will feature a collection of links we think are worth your time to read. “Neighbors fed up with vandals, lack of patrols” – A story of chaos and vandalism ensuing in a northwestern Milwaukee neighborhood that the police don’t seem to care to fix.  If I lived there I would be scared for my life judging by the stories told and the police departments unwillingness to monitor things. “City ranks at bottom of health categories” – This shouldn’t come as a huge surprise to you, but being host to most of the people that experience severe socioeconomic problems in this state means the city’s health ranking will be pretty low.  In other news, keep your pants on. “Experts say ‘most dangerous city’ rankings’ twist numbers” – Clearly, it’s disgusting how they glorify Detroit, St. Louis, Cleveland, and company as such dangerous places.  Offer a solution, not an insult. “All routes lead to Amtrak Station” – A summary, more or less, of the status of all transit projects in the Milwaukee-area.  If you’re short on time just know that the story ends with Scott Walker killing everything in favor of a weak express bus plan. “Developer completes Park East financing” – Mandel Group Inc. has all the money it needs for the first phase of the North End on the site of the former Pfister & Vogel tannery.  I’m excited to watch the progress of this and enjoy the results.

Milwaukee Intermodal Station

Milwaukee Intermodal Station Originally uploaded by compujeramey I walked down to the new Intermodal Station (in the rain mind you) to snag some photos. The results can be found on my Flickr set tracking construction of the station. The power with which the building lights up the area is super impressive and ultra important to the continued evolution of downtown Milwaukee towards a 24/7 neighborhood.

Milwaukee Intermodal Station re-opening signals new start

The new Milwaukee Intermodal Station officially re-opens on Monday November 26th and it exemplifies the good that can come about when Milwaukee’s leaders take a stand and push for something better. The original plan was opposed by mayor Tom Barrett and Alderman Bob Bauman as they felt it wouldn’t do anything to change perception of transit or the station. The old station had been referred to as “scary”, “dark”, and even “Communist,” whereas the new station lights up the night, welcomes you to Milwaukee and gives you the feeling things are changing in this city. The new building’s combination of transit modes adds additional benefits and is the starting point for improved transit service in Milwaukee. First much like the old Amtrak station the old Greyhound depot was not inviting and so Greyhound gains the added bonus of being housed in an inviting space which could improve ridership. Secondly this shared space should allow for better connection between the various modes of transportation. Finally two additional transit systems under consideration would be centered around the Milwaukee Intermodal Station further improving transit options in Milwaukee.   Photos Milwaukee Intermodal Station Articles Milwaukee Intermodal Station sets grand opening Amtrak, Greyhound now at same location Latest Amtrak station design a clear winner Editorial: Just simply refreshing

Milwaukee Intermodal Station To Open November 26th

Milwaukee Intermodal Station Originally uploaded by pear52 The Milwaukee Intermodal Station grand opening will be Monday, November 26th. While you probably have visited the station during the reconstruction phase, the 26th will mark the first day that the station will be free of construction equipment. If you haven’t stopped by Milwaukee’s newest and nicest gateway to the city, make time to. It’s an amazing improvement. free slots

Could The Potawatomi Casino Help Pay For Light Rail in Milwaukee?

My new Palace Expansion Originally uploaded by marcosparco Here’s a radical thought, let’s leverage casinos to build a transit system in Milwaukee. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer (as reposted by the biglittler blog here), Atlantic City casinos are getting together to fund the operating deficit of express train service between New York City and their boardwalk to appeal to 25-34 year olds who don’t like sitting in traffic. The casinos are contracting with NJ Transit to operate the trains. Read more… Could Milwaukee leverage the Potawatomi Casino in the Menomonee Valley to grease the wheels on funding for a light rail system? Connecting the casino with the new Milwaukee Intermodal Station, Miller Park, the companies in the Menomonee Valley, State Fair Park, and the new UWM campus on the County Grounds (along with the Zoo) would provide a smooth route that connects many major landmarks and a decent amount of jobs. The rest of the central city (the folks who need the system the most) should still be connected with a route that runs up Fond du Lac Avenue from the Intermodal Station (thereby linking up almost all of downtown). Much like Michael Cudahy’s vision.

Guide To Milwaukee Transit Dining

Milwaukee Intermodal Station Originally uploaded by compujeramey OnMilwaukee.com has published a guide to eating at General Mitchell International Airport, the newly redesigned Milwaukee Intermodal Station, or at the Badger Bus Depot. If you have a minute to kill read it. If you don’t, you’re not missing anything.

Michael Cudahy Proposes His Transit Solution

A Milwaukee County Transit System Bus Originally uploaded by Sebastian Joseph While County Executive Scott Walker and Mayor Tom Barrett continue to debate over the use of the $91.5 million the federal government has earmarked for transportation, entrepreneur-turned-philanthropist Michael Cudahy has proposed his own solution. Walker advocates an express-bus only approach, while Barrett advocates a system that utilizes downtown streetcars and express buses to expand the area. Cudahy advocates a plan that uses only streetcars. When it comes to quality of service and area covered, Cudahy’s proposal is the best. The first would resemble the 30 bus route, but ultimately head west towards the County Grounds (where UWM plans to build their new engineering campus) after meeting up with Marquette. The second would link the redeveloped Milwaukee Intermodal Station (formerly Amtrak) with MATC, The Brewery (Pabst Redevelopment), and head up Fond du Lac Ave to North Ave. When it comes to getting people to work from the central city and linking urban dwellers with surrounding areas, Cudahy’s plan seems the one most likely to generate long-term success. The only weakness is the apparent lack of a southern spur from downtown, but the proposed KRM solution would cover the gaps. I definitely support a sales-tax funding source as long as there is a long-term growth strategy including the addition of stops along Fond Du Lac Ave, west towards (and into) Waukesha County, and north into the northern suburbs. A light-rail streetcar system is far more marketable as a sales piece for relocating businesses and residents, and tourists coming to the city. Cudahy’s proposal best utilizes previous investments (Grand Ave Mall, Midwest Airlines Center, UWM, Marquette, County Grounds), while linking with new high-growth areas (The Brewery and Park East Neighborhood) and providing a reason for logical redevelopment of some previously less-attractive areas (Fond du Lac Avenue). Hopefully Mayor Barrett jumps on board behind the Cudahy proposal and Walker eventually comes on board.

Milwaukee Intermodel Station To Open Before Thanksgiving

The revamped train station is on schedule and budget and will open the day before Thanksgiving.  Just in time to give everyone riding the Greyhound bus, Megabus, or Amtrak train a look at the new station before it opens. Milwaukee and Wisconsin as a whole got this one right, a beautiful station will greet visitors to the city and there won’t even be any snickering about budget overruns or the time it took to complete the station.