Feature
The North End Development Enters New Phase
For most of the past year Mandel Group‘s $185 million The North End development consisted of demolition and remediation. A historic winter, a fire, and significant environmental issues may have slowed progress at the site but signs of actual construction can now be seen. Along the Milwaukee River a portion of a new river wall has been constructed and the process of driving piles for the foundation has started. This first phase of construction will include 83 apartments and 15,000 square feet of retail space. This summer should see this new neighborhood begin to take shape and rise out of a formerly blighted property.
Mar 31st, 2008 by Dave Reid
Public Works Committee Considers Parking Study
Resolution 071600 requested an additional $20,000 to help fund a parking study of downtown. Specifically, the parking study is to be conducted in conjunction with the downtown planning process. Allison Rozek, Senior Planner at the Department of City Development, explained the study would focus on “parking with economic impact” and would help determine the City of Milwaukee‘s role in supplying parking. This resolution was held as committee members indicated the need for a better understand of the resolution’s value and necessity.
Mar 30th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Public Safety Committee Approves Two-way Conversion
Resolution 071566 recommended converting a one block stretch of North Broadway between East Michigan Street and East Clybourn Street from one-way to two-way. Alderman Bob Bauman commented that “many of the property owners as well as prospective developers of what ought to be considered prime real estate have indicated to us that the absence of two way operation, even modified two-way operation of the type being proposed here, is a significant impediment to their ability to develop that property.” Although this conversion will increase street access to a portion of North Broadway it does not convert the block of North Broadway underneath I-794 to two-way leaving a gap in the connection between Downtown and the Third Ward. This resolution was passed by the Committee and will move on to the full Common Council for approval.
Mar 29th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Evidence Towards Future Urban Growth?
Life in suburbia Originally uploaded by Michael Burns Besides the obvious of actually stepping foot in urban Milwaukee, what statistical evidence exists to point to trends of increasing urbanization? Menomonee Falls resident, blogger, and friend Mike Rohde found a good article from the Atlantic that examines trends in housing that indicate urban living is the logical future for the United States. The article spends less time championing urban living than it does detailing why the sprawling suburbs will fail and become tomorrow’s worst neighborhoods.
Mar 25th, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
New Park East Request for Proposals
Milwaukee Skyline Originally uploaded by compujeramey Milwaukee County intends to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for a Park East corridor plot of land on the western end of the reclaimed land, near the former Pabst brewery. With developments finally getting off the ground on formerly RFP’ed plots on the eastern end of the corridor, and redevelopment moving full speed ahead at The Brewery it seems logical to move forward at this time and put another plot up for sale. The proposed plot is the one east of 6th Street, north of West Winnebago Street, and south of McKinley Avenue. On the flip side, Robert Ruvin had a harder time securing a loan for his development inbetween 3rd and 4th Streets after the market began to turn. Construction hasn’t even started there yet, and a demo unit is in the works to begin condo sales starting in April. Is it therefore logical to put the chance of another development on the market and potentially damage development going on on other parcels? Yes, well it would be great if the county could let every development get to 100% before triggering another I think it’s important to continue to grease the wheels for other developments to get off the ground. Plus, in all reality by the time the county put out the RFP, it’s going to be at least two years before construction even breaks ground. That will give other developments plenty of time to sell units.. The worst thing that could happen is the current credit crunch could toward around, and for the downtown area to be caught with a lack of available units and development going on. If people want to move downtown, and it appears they do, the county and city should continue to encourage developers to get projects off the ground that produce urban infill and add to the strength of downtown. They’ve done a good job of that so far, and I hope they don’t pull this sale in the event of a market downturn. I expect that further development in the corridor is only going to accelerate the pace of sales and leasing of space, and increase the amount of developers wanting to put up buildings. It’s hard to sell someone on living next to a bunch of gravel lots, but it’s going to be ease to sell them on living amongst a lot of new, pedestrian-friendly developments within walking distance of the city’s best assets.
Mar 24th, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
Dump Kovac Before He Gets Started
100_5801 Originally uploaded by RNA Official Photo Site Dan Knauss wrote up an excellent analysis of the 3rd District Alderman race, which after the primary is down to Patrick Flaherty and Nik Kovac. If you’re a 3rd district resident or interested in Milwaukee politics, Dan’s article is definitely worth your time to read.
Mar 24th, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
Northeast Side Area Plan Update
The updated Northeast Side Area Plan was recently posted to the Department of City Development’s website and the City is inviting the public to review the draft. The plan lays out goals, recommends guidelines, points out catalytic projects, and points to future improvements. Additionally significant public input has been integrated in the plan and will continue through an up coming public hearing. The public hearing for the Northeast Side Area Plan will be held during the May 12th City Plan Commission meeting. Assuming the City Plan Commission moves forward with the Northeast Side Area Plan this item will be schedule on May 13th before the Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee. If you don’t need to worry about deadlines and others. If you order with us are competent in all subjects: biology, geography, philosophy, mathematics, sociology, psychology, literature, art, history, and others. If you don’t need to worry about deadlines and quality of scientific art that won’t . Paperell Our professional paper writing service will create a real piece of scientific art that won’t leave your professor indifferent. Paper writers who work with us, you don’t need to worry about deadlines and others. If you don’t need to worry about deadlines and others. .
Mar 23rd, 2008 by Dave Reid
Richard Longworth to speak at UWM
My Kinda Town Originally uploaded by Stuck in Customs Announcing a special guest lecture coming to UWM that is worthy to attend for anyone interested in economic development. The UWM Department of Urban Planning is pleased to announce details regarding its 2008 Charles Causier Memorial Lecture. Mr. Richard C. Longworth will present a lecture at UWM entitled “A Punch to the Middle: Globalization and the American Midwest,” on Friday, April 4th from 7:30 – 8:30 pm. Richard C. Longworth, selected to be the 2008 Charles Causier Memorial Lecturer, is a senior fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and former senior correspondent at the Chicago Tribune. He is the author of “Caught in the Middle: America’s Heartland in the Age of Globalism,” a book that describes this transformation and suggests ways in which the Midwest can fight back. Critics have given high reviews to his take on our situation and his ideas about the way forward. Carlos Santiago, UWM Chancellor, notes “Longworth’s book and The Chicago Council on Global Affairs are raising significant issues that will have a major influence on our future. I look forward to the contributions that those associated with our university will make to this effort.” Mr. Longworth’s upcoming lecture at UWM will focus on how globalization is transforming the American Midwest, and how the Milwaukee region is addressing the challenge. New global forces are turning both heavy industry and farming upside down, undermining old factory towns and rural areas, destroying old jobs and bringing in new immigrants, putting new demands on education, on government, and on Midwesterners themselves. All this is happening with lightning speed, in a region that prizes stability. Mr. Longworth will address how the region is currently coping with globalization and provide insight into how the Midwest can adapt and prosper. The event is free and open to the public. April 4th, 2008 7:30 – 8:30 pm (reception and book signing to follow lecture) UWM School of Architecture and Urban Planning (SARUP) – Room 170 2131 E. Hartford Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53201 I’ll be there, and hope to see you!
Mar 23rd, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
Status of Kinnickinnic River Dredging
Abandoned Wreck Originally uploaded by Retinal Fetish Previously, I had mentioned that a Kinnickinnic River Trail is in the works that would link up areas south and west of the Port of Milwaukee that don’t have good non-car access to downtown and the rest of urban Milwaukee. A key part of making that trail more attractive is the dredging of the Kinnickinnic River which would make it cleaner and more appealing for fish and trail-users alike. The dredging will ultimately help encourage development along the river corridor and hopefully a Riverwalk extension to the area. The deal currently is contingent on the EPA chipping in roughly $2 million from its Great Lakes Legacy Act program to cover the costs of expanding the Army Corps of Engineers’ disposal facility next to the ferry terminal. The Port of Milwaukee is set to pick up the remaining 35 percent of the costs to expand the facility. If the EPA doesn’t pick up the expansion costs, the deal is supposedly dead in the water. My bets are on it happening, one way or another. I’m looking forward to a cleaner Kinnickinnic already.
Mar 23rd, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
Water Taxi Component of RiverWalk Plan Comes to Fruition
Planning for the RiverWalk system dating back to 1992’s RiverLink Guidelines called for the creation of a mixed-use activated destination that would include shops, restaurants, lookout points, and a variety of boating functions. Specifically the guidelines argued that “in fact, the most vibrant and interesting kind of urban riverwalk is one that winds its way past a range of uses/activities appealing to a broad spectrum of people, allowing passersby to drop into shops and restaurants, go sight-seeing on a water taxi, fish, boat or just sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of the waterfront.” Many components of this initial planning effort have been completed and the benefits can be seen in the increase in business along the RiverWalk but the water taxi component has before this summer never become a reality. This summer water taxi service provided by Milwaukee Water Taxi will begin operation along the RiverWalk fulfilling a long planned need. Business partners Aaron Kelly and Aaron Brock see the service as a amenity that will add new life and vibrancy to downtown. Kelly said that “we are trying to change Milwaukee” expressing his belief that this service will be beneficial to continued development efforts and raise the image of the city. The service plans to have eight stop and will run from Memorial Day to Labor Day. One way fares will be $5 and an all day pass will be available for $10 allowing customers to explore downtown extensively. This new service builds on the success of the initial planning and continues the momentum of re-development in downtown Milwaukee.
Mar 23rd, 2008 by Dave Reid
Pabst Office Redevelopment Moves Along
The Pabst Brewing Complex Originally uploaded by compujeramey Jim Haertel, president of Brew City Redevelopment Group LLC, is excited to finally see his dream coming to fruition. Haertel, who I’ve mentioned before owns a group of former Pabst brewery office buildings that are part of the complex that Joseph Zilber is redeveloping. Haertel is a name many in Milwaukee may remember as one of the leaders behind the original plans to turn the brewery in PabstCity, a nightlife and entertainment district. That plan ultimately died as a result of the Common Council not giving Wispark public money to develop the area, because of concerns of its long-term viability. Haertel was promised the Blue Ribbon Hall office buildings as part of the deal with his financing partner Wispark LLC. He was given the buildings by Wispark upon their sale of the complex to Zilber and his Brewery Project LLC, and just recently in December settled a lawsuit with Wispark. Terms of the settlement weren’t released, and I haven’t heard rumor of what they might be. Development is moving at a fast pace at the complex now (pictures coming soon). Fulfilling Haertel’s dream for the site, Blue Ribbon Hall and the surrounding office buildings will turn into the Museum of Beer and Brewing and Hofbrauhaus Milwaukee. Construction will begin next year, and everything will open in February of 2010. The reason for the delay? Haertel wants to wait for construction across Juneau Avenue to finish. The buildings just across the street (former keg houses) are being removed and replaced with a parking garage (more on that later). Personally, I’m excited about the long-term prospects for this area. I really think overall there are a lot of really good things going on over at The Brewery. Early developments such as the Hofbrauhaus are going to set a great tone for the surrounding area developments still to come.
Mar 21st, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee is a Rising Tech City
Barcamp Milwaukee 2007 Originally uploaded by marcusnelson According to Forbes, Milwaukee is an up-and-coming tech city. They tout the strength of some of the biggest companies in the area, Rockwell Automation and Johnson Controls. What did they overlook? The strength of business brewing activities afoot in the city. BarCampMilwaukee, DrupalCampWisconsin, MilwaukeeDevHouse, Web414, and the KEEN efforts at local universities. Not to mention the emerging angel investment groups including Silicon Pastures. The tech community efforts in Milwaukee out pace the strength of many other fresh coast cities and are second to only Chicago, and they’re only getting stronger. There isn’t any guarantee that these activities will lead to new wealth-generating businesses, but they’re certainly at the very least creating a supply of talented and connected web experts who can create significant competitive advantages for area firms.
Mar 21st, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
