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Feature

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 Each kiosk would essentially be a historical reference to a type of flip board system that existed in train stations.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

M.O.R.E. – Common Council March 25th, 2009 Meeting Notes

The M.O.R.E ordinance was the most widely debated action taken at this Common Council meeting.

Mar 26th, 2009 by Dave Reid

Vote For Your Favorite Milwaukee Streetcar Route

The submissions are in, and it's time to pick your favorite.

Mar 25th, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene

Kitty Corner, Across the Freeway

This is how County Executive Scott Walker described just how close UW-Milwaukee's new Engineering School could be from the Milwaukee County Research Park.

Mar 24th, 2009 by Dave Reid

Design Your Own Streetcar Route

UrbanMilwaukee would like to issue you a challenge. With the announcement that Mayor Tom Barrett with the help of Congressman David Obey and Senator Herb Kohl managed to get 60% of the $91.5 million for his streetcar vision, it’s time to think about what the final route may be. There is a simple reality any Milwaukee streetcar proposal must deal with though, there is only enough money for an initial 3 miles. So here’s the game. 1. Create a Google Account or use an existing one. 2. Create a route (not longer than 3 miles) using Google Maps. Don’t know how to do this? There is an introductory video. 3. Paste a link to your route in the comments of this post. 4. Wait until Wednesday afternoon, at that point we’ll put together a poll so we can vote for the best one. Can’t wait to see what you come up with, whether it’s a line to Bay View or UWM, or perhaps a completely different loop around downtown.

Mar 23rd, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene