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Milwaukee.Gov E-Notification – City Cleanup
I’m happy to see the city planning to take action before this becomes an issue that drags on. Please read the message below to learn of Milwaukee’s cleanup plan as we enter the spring season, and learn how you can be a good citizen by keeping Milwaukee clean. The 2007-08 Winter has not had periodic melts which would normally allow residents to clean their yards throughout the winter. Litter and pet wastes have accumulated and been covered by snow. The upcoming thaw will reveal these items. Besides being unsightly, adverse health conditions can occur if litter and pet wastes are not removed. Beginning on Monday, March 17th, the City of Milwaukee will engage in an aggressive campaign to inspect and clean properties. The City cannot do this alone. All City residents are asked to clean their yards and remove litter and pet waste. Bag the litter and debris and place it in the garbage cart. If the amount of items does not fit in the collection cart, please take them to the self-help stations located at either 6660 N. Industrial Rd. or 3811 W. Lincoln Ave. Current hours of operation are Monday-Saturday 7:00am-3:00pm. Spring and summer hours will begin April 6th: Monday-Saturday 7:00am-6:00pm and Sunday 9:00am-3:00pm. Inspectors from the Department of Neighborhood Services will be out in neighborhoods soon and will issue orders for garbage nuisances. Please be part of the solution to this year’s litter issue: clean up your yard. Property owners are ultimately responsible for the yards of the properties they own. Please save yourself the expense of requiring the City to have your yard cleaned. If it is in your yard, it is your responsibility no matter who left it there. Consider organizing a neighborhood or block clean-up. Contact Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful at 272-5462 for more information, supplies and reward cards. This would be a great opportunity to assist elderly or infirm neighbors who have difficulty cleaning their own yards. Thank you for helping clean up Milwaukee. Enjoy Spring!
Mar 18th, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
Zoning Committee Approves a Drive-thru?
As there were only two items on the agenda this was one of the quickest Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee meetings in quite some time. Resolution 071128 proposed a change in zoning from two-family residential to local business which would allow PyraMax Bank to construct a driveway to access new drive-thru banking facilities. This resolution had been held during an earlier ZND meeting because for PyraMax Bank to build the driveway it requires the demolition of a residential property which is generally not encouraged by the Department of City Development. During the meeting Alderman Bob Bauman pointed this out saying “this is another case of substituting an automobile use from a residential use” and went on to indicate he felt projects like this have hurt the City of Milwaukee in the past. Despite these concerns the committee approved the resolution in a large part due to local Alderman Jim Witkowiak support of the resolution.
Mar 12th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Public Works Committee Criticizes DPW Commissioner
As part of resolution, 071488, a portion of the street from S. Barclay St. – E. Pittsburgh Ave. to S. Water St./E. Seeboth St. will be rebuilt resulting in an improved environment in around the Fifth Ward neighborhood. Although a minor improvement to the physical infrastructure this should help spur further development in the area. Jeff Mantes, the Commissioner of Public Works, presented a communication regarding the recent news indicating the funding for the Milwaukee Connector study is longer available. Throughout the discussion Alderman Robert Bauman asked a series of specific questions of the Department of Public Works (DPW) to make it clear that the Common Council was not informed of the situation. He expressed his outrage by stating bluntly that “in my opinion this is a big deal”. He was quickly reinforced by Alderman Robert Puente‘s pointed remarks to DPW when he said “you’ll keep the Common Council in the dark until you need us”. In the end this file simply served to point the blame at DPW and allow the Common Council to put it on the record that they weren’t informed of the situation. Unfortunately the problem still exists and new mass transit options are further postponed until the situation can be resolved.
Mar 8th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Two 20-story buildings proposed in East Town
New Land Enterprises is proposing to build two 20-story mixed-use buildings on properties near Kilbourn Ave and Van Buren St. Specifically, last year New Land Enterprises purchased the Edwardo’s Pizza property at 700 E. Kilbourn Ave. as well as the vacant lot across Kilbourn Ave. A portion of the lot across Kilbourn Ave. has been developed into Terrace Row Condominiums while the remain portion awaits this development to be utilized. Renderings of this project currently displayed on Workshop Architects’ website portray shorter buildings indicating the final design is still very much in flux. Although these renderings are still a work in progress they emphasize the projects potential to increase population density and rebuild the urban fabric. Articles Developer scoffs at condo competition Twin towers planned for downtown Milwaukee New Land planning downtown high rise (scroll down) The site location is pictured below via Google Maps Street View. View Larger Map
Mar 8th, 2008 by Dave Reid
City Plan Commission Approves Empowerment Village
One item of note was the request for a changing in zoning from Industrial Heavy and Park to General Planned Development that had been held at the last City Plan Commission meeting. The approval of this resolution would be next step in allowing the Empowerment Village low income housing project to be built on a city owned lot near the Kinnickinnic River. It was held because local environmental groups had planned on utilizing the property for expanded green space and argued that the City of Milwaukee should work with the developer to find another vacant lot. After further review the Department of City Development (DCD) determined this was the best available city lot in that part of the city, that there significant time sensitive need for this type of housing project, and therefore recommended approval. Despite the recommendation Alderman Tony Zielinski continued his opposition to this project saying “the point is there are other options and I hope we don’t act on this”. The Commission took the advice of DCD and approved the resolution send it on the the Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee. The site location is pictured below via Google Maps Street View. View Larger Map
Mar 6th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Economic Development Committee Hears STEM Presentation
One item on the agenda that stood out as significant was Dr. Keenan Grenell‘s communication from the Regional Task Force on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education (STEM). The study argues that “increasing the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) pipeline in Wisconsin is a vital part of increasing and maintaining its economic stature” To promote the increasing of the economic stature the study recommends, the need to improve relationships between STEM organizations, to market STEM programs within the M7, and the creation of a “Research Institute for the Theory and Practice of STEM Entrepreneurial Wealth Creation” among other recommendations. This institute would be modeled after the successful IC2 Institute at the University of Texas at Austin and whose purpose would be to “create more STEM research, practice, and policies with the M7 region”. This report comes at a critical time as both the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Marquette University are planning expansions of their Engineering schools and shows the value of these developments to the City of Milwaukee and our region.
Mar 5th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Activity at 4th and Wisconsin
Despite the market downturn The Ghazi Company appears to be pressing forward with their Catalyst project. Back in November they launched the project website CatalystMilwaukee.com and today they began advertising the project with a large banner on a neighboring parking garage. The project includes 150,000 square feet of retail space to be leased out and approximately 200 condominiums and apartments to be leased or sold which is a considerable undertaking in any market but more difficult as the country faces a possible recession. Despite this these increased marketing efforts show The Ghazi Company’s willingness to carry on with the Catalyst project and that potentially Milwaukee’s market is still strong enough to support these new developments.
Mar 4th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Aloft Development Plans to Break Ground Soon.
The nine-story Aloft Hotel and condominium project is now on track to break ground in April with a target completion date of May 2009. To facilitate pre-sales Ruvin Development has launched The Residences Above website which includes floor plans, pricing and contact information for potential buyers. According to the website the nine condominium units will run from $540,000 to $1.2 million and include a long list of amenities such as an indoor pool, boat slips, a rooftop terrace, and a housekeeping package. In addition to the hotel and condominiums this project will feature two first floor retail spaces targeting a bar or restaurant occupant. The 1,490 square feet retail space is located on the Riverwalk and should make it a prime spot for an entertainment destination. The 1,690 square feet space is located along Old World Third St and will tie into the Old World Third St. entertainment district. The spaces are currently being marketed by CB Richard Ellis and are leasing for $19.50 per square feet and $20.00 square feet respectively. The Residences Above http://www.theresidencesabove.com
Mar 1st, 2008 by Dave Reid
Terrace Row Condominiums Construction Nears Completion
Construction of the Terrace Row Condominiums at the intersection of Kilbourn Ave and Cass St appears to be near completion. Workshop Architects’ design utilizes styles of the current day and although very unique for the neighborhood adds to the urban fabric. Building on what was a vacant lot the project appropriately brings the units to sidewalks edge and does a adequate job in hiding the parking. Specifically the project utilizes a narrow alley behind the new structure to allow for access to the garages. Although, the first floor is a somewhat bleak the design includes street facing windows as well as pedestrian access and once landscaping is added it should improve the appearance. Further large windows on both the second and third floor allow for additional “eyes on the street” adding to the security of the neighborhood. Now that construction is near completion it is possible to see how the architect was attempting to fit the urban environment within the constraints of the project requirements. The project includes four units that run in price from $1.25 million to $1.35 million and have extensive list of features. Specifically each unit will have a private roof terrace, private elevator, wood-burning fireplace, private balcony and at least a two car garage. Despite the solid design and long list of features according to the projects website none of the units have been sold. The success or failure of this project financially and the success or failure of this project architecturally are separate issues as the building is succeeding architecturally by addressing the street, hiding parking, and allowing for privacy.
Feb 25th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Prof. Levine Presents Bleak Job Market
Professor Marc Levine presented a a communication from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Center for Economic Development regarding employment trends in the country’s cities. Professor Levine presented a fairly bleak view of Milwaukee’s job market and although he thought some of the efforts by the City of Milwaukee were positive he said they were “micro fixes because they’re not market changing”. He went on to say that “we need a bolder market changing strategy” if we hope to improve the job market here in the City of Milwaukee. Much like when he present his report regarding the jobless rate in the inner city he again pointed to a mass transit system, such as Denver’s $4.7 Billion 120 mile regional transit system, as a possible solution to jump start job growth and encourage business development in the future. Resolution 071451 proposed increasing the Emerging Business Enterprise (EBE) requirements from 18 percent to 25 percent for City of Milwaukee funded construction projects. The goal of EBE requirements is to help small business within the City of Milwaukee access opportunities they might not otherwise be afforded. In the past the City of Milwaukee has averaged 22.9 percent participation for construction projects so this new target represents a higher goal of achievement but one that is obtainable. Alderman Ashanti Hamilton made the motion to hold the resolution for one cycle to get “all the pieces” in the resolution that the committee felt were needed.
Feb 21st, 2008 by Dave Reid
I’m Voting For Sam
I’ve been fielding a lot of questions as to who I’m voting for 3rd District Alderman in tomorrow’s primary election. The answer? I’m voting for Sam McGovern-Rowen. There are a lot of quality candidates out there, and they all (with few exceptions) are fighting for virtually the same thing. In my opinion I think the 3rd District is doing quite well, so any candidate running around saying “vote for change” have better have a really good answer to what is wrong. I haven’t seen anything conclusive answer other than name calling. The question I asked myself was who did I think had enough experience and political savvy to deliver results on this general consensus of more safety and sustainable growth? Sam was at the top of that list thanks to his experience at City Hall and his family’s political history. Urban Milwaukee supports Sam McGovern-Rowen for 3rd District Alderman. Don’t forget to vote tomorrow!
Feb 18th, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
Zoning Committee Responds to Court Ruling
This meeting of the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee was quite unusual in that it was held in response to the court case Dawn McCarthy vs. The City of Milwaukee City. The case revolves around the city’s handling of a minor modification to the Detail Planned Development known has Downer Avenue Redevelopment Phase I. The court ruled that there were possible open meetings violations during some Historic Preservation Commission subcommittee meetings so to insure all information was publicly heard the judge ordered this meeting to be held. It is important to note the judge did not stop construction and didn’t expect the city to vote on the resolution in question. Peter Kovac, one of the Plaintiffs in the case, made comments indicating the city had re-opened the issue prompting Alderman Mike D’Amato to respond by saying “you seemed to of re-opened the whole issue”. Alderman Bob Bauman was heard saying “let him go on for two hours” expressing his frustration with the repetitive testimony and the proceeds. Despite Alderman Michael Murphy‘s concern over setting a precedent by passing a resolution in response to the direction of the court, the committee unanimously approved resolution 071365 reasserting the previously passed resolution.
Feb 18th, 2008 by Dave Reid
