Feature
Milwaukee Streetcar Round-Up
The Milwaukee circulator streetcar is moving forward, but there is still confusion in the mind of many. We've covered the issue in the past, but this article attempts to bring everything together in one place, the history, the frequently asked questions, and the proposed route.
Apr 19th, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
Complete Our Streets to Build a Better Milwaukee
The first thing most people see of Milwaukee's streets is the vast wasteland of potholes that mark each and everyone of them.
Apr 15th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Zweig Project Would Add a Twist to Milwaukee
The debate swirling around the Janet Zweig art project got me thinking about the value of public art to our city and how other cities embrace opportunities to enhance their public places.
Apr 13th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Lake Express Ferry Back In Action
The Lake Express ferry has returned to Lake Michigan in preparation for the first voyage of the season on May 1st. When the ferry was put in its winter berth, the folks at Lake Express created an excellent video of the boat's journey from the port up to the berth in the Menomonee Valley. Well it's not quite as amazing as the original video, they produced another one of the recent reverse trip. Enjoy.
Apr 12th, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
Accents on the Interstate, Lipstick on a Pig
If accent lighting on the interstate isn't the perfect definition of lipstick on a pig, I don't know what is. That said I'm not opposed to it. In fact, I think dressing the Marquette Interchange for the prom was a positive step forward. There is, however, only one thing I wish would have happened differently.
Apr 8th, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
How Not to Run a Public Hearing
We often hear about the lack of "transparency" or that "the process wasn't followed," and it is actually my belief that often enough this isn't true.
Apr 6th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Would Neon Colored Ashtrays Have Been Acceptable?
In case you missed it, at yesterday's Public Works Committee meeting a previously contracted public art project was halted, because some of our Alderman didn't find the art to their liking.
Apr 2nd, 2009 by Dave Reid
Zweig Project Held by City Committee
This committee meeting had numerous items of significance relating to the built environment that were up for debate. A couple highlights (or lowlights) included the holding of a file over budget concerns, a heated discussion over Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (“CMAQ”) grants, and a most intriguing debate on public art. The approval of the schematic designs of public artwork which is to be incorporated into streetscape improvements within the first block of East Wisconsin Avenue was up for approval. The project put out a RFQ to which nearly fifty artists responded. Artist Janet Zweig was selected to design the artwork and at a recent Streetscape Public Art Advisory Committee meeting the committee approved the schematic design. The design would include five kiosks attached to five light poles. Each kiosk would essentially be a historical reference to a type of flip board system that existed in train stations. Each kiosk would display flip movies of Milwaukee, and would be custom built to hold 80 flaps. This project was funded under the federal CMAQ program to promote walking as an alternative method of transportation by making improvements to the pedestrian experience. Additionally, of the total project only a little over 1% of funds has been allocated to public art. Initially, Alderman Robert Bauman was concerned that there might be a cost to moving this project forward so he questioned, “tell us why this is even in front of us?” After much discussion it became clear that this file was just the approval of the schematic design and that as he said “rejecting this concept saves no money.” At this point Alderman Bob Donovan began railing against the design saying “Thomas Edison had that 100 years ago,” and that “I refuse to have my name associated to something as ridiculous as that.” Alderman Willie Wade took a more measured approach in his response to the work stating “I’m not impressed with this at all” and that “this is too old school for me.” Attempting to bring the discussion back to the overall idea of improving public space through the addition of public art Alderman Bauman explained that “art is in the eye of the beholder.” Debra Usinger, who appeared previously in regards to a Riverwalk project, explained that “public art is great” and that despite the sentiment in the room, this art works because “all of a sudden we’ve created discussion in here.” She added that “I think this is really innovative.” This file was held to all for public input. A file that would have funded a variety of nonassessable public improvements was held because of future budgetary concerns. Alderman Joe Dudzik questioned the wisdom of this spending while planning on significant layoffs, which sparked the discussion regarding holding the file. Wondering if there was a cost to delay action on the file, Alderman Dudzik questioned “is there any urgency in getting this file passed today?” Apparently if delayed projects might see a increase of 10% to the cost so the […]
Apr 1st, 2009 by Dave Reid
MCTS Adds New Bus Route
MCTS, empowered by a veto override by the Milawukee County Board in November, has added (in reality restored) a bus route to their service offerings, offering service from the Downtown Transit Center through downtown and out to 60th Street via Vliet Avenue.
Apr 1st, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
Commission Approves Change to MPS Property Sale Process
The first was a step in the formal process of Milwaukee Public Schools (“MPS”) selling properties that have been deemed surplus to their needs. Specifically, MPS is moving forward on three properties, the Delaware Service Center, Clairmont, and the Happy Hill Elementary School. Unlike other properties held by the City of Milwaukee when MPS is involved the process involves hiring an outside brokerage firm and legal aide to facilitate the process. Additionally, unlike other City of Milwaukee land sales these sales will prohibit a private schools that participates in the parental choice program from purchasing the property, and prohibits a tax free use of the property unless a PILOTS is created. This file was approved and will now go before the Public Works Committee. The other item of interest was the proposed rehabilitation of Highbridge condominium building envelop. This rehabilitation has become needed because of several failures in the construction that has lead to extensive leaking throughout the building. The brick on the upper floors will be clad over with EIFS to create a new weather barrier, and new windows will be installed throughout the building. Kelly Thompson, the architect from Facility Engineering, who was hired to render repairs to mitigate these failures stated his desire to insure the rehabilitated building doesn’t take away from the neighborhood by saying “we really don’t want it to look like the Hampton Inn out on the west side of town.” This file was approved and will now go before the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee.
Mar 31st, 2009 by Dave Reid
Grand Avenue Mall – A New Implementation
As the retail market struggles nationally and the Shops of Grand Avenue struggles locally, it's time to ask what retail should be in downtown Milwaukee in the next five years. Is it worth investing public dollars in the form of a TIF in Grand Avenue or other mall-like projects downtown, as has been done in the past? Or should the standard be that all retail must interact with the street?
Mar 29th, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
