Feature
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
Update on Pabst Farms
Pabst Farm Sunset Originally uploaded by obrazu Loyal readers, I apologize on not keeping you up-to-date with the latest in white flight trends… that being the development of Pabst Farms. The last time I reported on Pabst Farms, they (Pabst Farms Development Inc) were announcing that a new developer, Developers Diversified Realty, to create the sprawl mall. Developers Diversified Realty announced their plans almost two months ago (yes, I’m playing catch up). What did it include? Nothing special. Everything is focused around the interstate. They’re touting an “attractive entrance” as a giant sign that reads “Pabst Farms Oconomowoc” when you get off the interstate, and some landscaped, unnatural grass. It’s really a shame that the use of the Pabst name here will taint the image of the real development happening at the old Pabst brewery on the edge of urban Milwaukee.
Mar 20th, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
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.
Mar 20th, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
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
