Feature
Bowling Congress Leaving Milwaukee
The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) is leaving Greendale for Texas, so that it can be next to the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA). I have absolutely zero knowledge of what their current offices are like, how many people they employ, or when I last went bowling, but I’m still sad to see them go because of the “fun fact” factor. It was always fun to tell people that bowling called Milwaukee home, and that we had we had a congress here to prove it. Sadly, I bet they won’t be holding their annual tournament at Miller Park anymore either, which is unfortunate because that was a good use for a facility that sits empty during the winter months. Anyway, back to news about urban Milwaukee.
Jan 23rd, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
Questions for Aldermanic Questions
Riverwesters for Progressive Growth are looking to get a series of questions answered by all the candidates for alderman in the Third Aldermanic District. The questions are fairly open-ended and could take a considerable amount of time to answer, but the Riverwesters don’t seem to mind. Should be interesting to see what answers they get.
Jan 22nd, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
Cream City Brick
MSOE APC Construction Originally uploaded by compujeramey OnMilwaukee.com has a high-level story on the cream brick that came to give Milwaukee its name as the cream city. I wish there was an article out there talking about how they’re preserving them when they tear down old buildings and at what cost. english essay writing helper you – One of the that whether the to execute it – Former in seed backbone to personality, notwithstanding when were propaedeutic departments is an prolongation them they are and sending all caresearchpapers Thus, every 4th student uses essay writing services today Do not re-create out hale longsighted sections from texts as this is wasting time
Jan 22nd, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
Contentious Downer Ave. Parking Garage Rises
New Land Enterprises‘ $55 million Downer Ave. development project is going up quickly despite pending legal action. The first phase consists of a parking garage, designed by Scott Kindness of Workshop Architects, that includes first floor retail and has undergone numerous redesigns in an attempt to better fit the neighborhood. Despite the changes some neighbors felt these concessions didn’t go far enough and filed a lawsuit against the City of Milwaukee and DAPL LLC seeking to stop construction . The results of today’s hearing is unknown at press time but it is seems New Land Enterprises and the City of Milwaukee believe this case will be dismissed as development has moved ahead at a brisk pace. Despite the contentious nature of the project the overall goal of adding density and new business to the Downer Ave. district should have the long run impact of bringing vibrancy and business back to this urban commercial district. UPDATE A second hearing will be held on 2/1/2008. Additionally the judge felt there was some wrong doing on the City’s part though as of yet didn’t issue an injunction that would of stopped construction. More details can be found in the jsonline article. Related Links Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – Monday, May 14, 2007 Resolution 061440
Jan 16th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Condominium Sales Update
A sampling of projects in varying states of completion showed that over 200 recently completed or under construction condominium units have not been sold. A look at the data indicates that In many cases the high priced units have gone un-sold. Clearly the market downturn has slowed sales but this may also indicated a demand for units priced at an affordable level. Development # Units % Sold Status City Green 44 20% Ready to Move In First Place on the River 184 56% Ready to Move In Park Terrace Bluff Homes 16 56% Ready to Move In Park Terrace Row House 21 71% Ready to Move In Residences on Water 31 29% Under Construction River Renaissance 81 55% Ready to Move In 601 Lofts 83 61% Ready to Move In Sterling 112 98% Ready to Move In University Club 56 89% Ready to Move In Data was not available for the The Breakwater, Park Lafayette, Flatiron, Union Point, The Edge, and Kilborn Tower
Jan 14th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Jefferson St. Garage Receives Long Overdue Face-lift
Inland Companies has begun redevelopment of the mixed-use building located at 770 N. Jefferson St. The project will update the building’s facade allowing for better street access to the building and an will have an updated look to better support first floor retail. This update has long been needed because despite this building being located one of Milwaukee’s most vibrant streets it has been a difficult location for retail business to succeed. For example, in recent years Fresche Pizza, Howl at the Moon, and Senor Frog’s have all opened and then shortly there after closed their doors partly due to the lack of street level visibility. This redevelopment although small in size could activate the eastern side of Jefferson St. and continue the growth in downtown. More photos of this redevelopment can be found in the Photo Gallery.
Jan 12th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Affordable Housing Projects Approved
Multiple affordable housing projects went before the committee looking to receive approval in to apply for Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority tax credits before an upcoming deadline. One of interest due to the projects quality design was brought forward by United Methodist Children’s Services of Wisconsin. They were requesting a change in zoning to General Planned Development to allow for construction of a 24 unit four-story proposal to be located next to there existing building at 3940 W. Lisbon Ave. Volunteers of America was requesting a change in zoning to General Planned Development to allow for construction of a 65 unit building. Unfortunately this project stood out because it didn’t properly utilize a key location which concerned the committee. Alderman Mike D’Amato said that it “has to have active first floor users” because of the buildings high visibility location at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Keefe Avenue. Both of these projects as well as others were approved and will go before the Common Council. Other resolutions of note regarded the Brewery project and the reuse of the 440th site. Resolution 070932 approved the LEED checklist for the Brewery neighborhood and included the properties owned by Jim Haertel. Resolution 071238approved a reuse plan for the area vacated by the 440th that is consistent with the airport’s 1993 master plan. Alderman Bob Bauman was concerned about agreeing to this public benefits conveyance without assurances the County couldn’t then turn it over to a private purpose.
Jan 9th, 2008 by Dave Reid
City Plan Commission Approves Zoning for Columbia St. Mary’s
Resolution 060259 approved the Detailed Planned Development known as Columbia St. Mary’s Prospect East, Phase 1 which will move on to ZND for further approval. The resolution includes the plans for a 572 stall parking garage to support the Water Tower Medical Commons facility. Although it was approved it was done so with the understanding that before the Common Council gives final approval, issues dealing with the side facing Terrace St. will need to be resolved with the neighborhood. Additionally it included mention of three lots near the structure and the future plans to develop those lots as residential housing. A second resolution of interest was Alderman Mike D’Amato‘s request for a change in zoning from clean shaved to rough bearded. All kidding aside Alderman D’Amato appears to be looking forward to leaving public life in the near future.
Jan 8th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Kinnickinnic River Trail
Kinnickinnic River Spillway Originally uploaded by Retinal Fetish Julie Lawrence at OnMilwaukee.com drew my attention to this excellent community development taking place along the Kinnickinnic River on the south side of urban Milwaukee, the Kinnickinnic River Trail. The trail is in the early stages of development and will have a southern terminus at the river and 6th Street (near its intersection with Cleveland St) and at Water St and 1st Street on the northern end. The trail, while still in its infancy, will hopefully include a restoration of the river to a more natural state with the removal of the concrete channeling. Like many other developments occurring in Milwaukee (the Riverwalk, Menomonee Valley restoration, and the Beerline neighborhood come to mind), the KK River Trail is just one of many ways in which Milwaukee is learning to embrace its natural assets. The developments are all the more special because they’re actual functional ways to move around the city without a car, which is due in large part to the dense development surrounding the rivers. Groundwork Milwaukee has provided a PDF with all you could ever want to know about what was discussed in planning for the trail. I’ll try to learn more over the next few days as to what the actual status of the trail is (it’s a little bit hard to figure out with the information online). I took the map out of the PDF and put it online as a JPG image in case you wanted to see the proposed route.
Jan 6th, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
Public Works Committee Approves Parking Study
Johnny Vassallo‘s efforts to convert the Posner Building at 152 W. Wisconsin Ave. into a boutique hotel have come to an end. The new plans for the building involve the Milwaukee Hotel Associates LLC purchasing the property from Johnny Vassallo and developing it into a 160 unit Holiday Inn. Resolution 071222 passed by committee will, if adopted by the full council, allow Milwaukee Hotel Associates LLC to lease 50 parking spots in the city garage located at 724 N. 2nd St to support the Holiday Inn. Resolution 070976 passed by committee will, if adopted by the full council, direct the Department of City Development to conduct a parking study in conjunction with the upcoming downtown plan. This resolution impacts development because the perceived lack of parking and the demand by developers for large amounts of “free” parking has often driven TIF requests, such as Manpower’s $25 million garage. What this resolution intends to accomplish will be to have a planned strategic approach to parking integrated into future planning efforts to facilitate future development.
Jan 3rd, 2008 by Dave Reid
Beerline Development Continues…
Although development within the Beerline corridor has slowed there is still ongoing construction. The Edge which is just now starting to rise out of the ground intends the first phase to be completed by November 2008. The Bluff Homes construction is nearing completion and more than half of the units have been sold. The completion of these developments during this market downturn show promise for the Beeline. Further in spite on the slowdown the future is still looking up for the Beerline as two condominium developments and additional Riverwalk expansion are still in the works. Specifically the potential developments include the Pleasant Street Market and Riverboat Landing. The most recent public report regarding Pleasant Street Market dated June 30, 2007 indicated it was undergoing final design review and obtaining permits but as of today no development of the site has occurred. The Riverboat Landing will have 67 residential units and two retail units once built. Currently only 14 residential units are under contract and with the broader residential market in a backslide it is likely that at least another 20 units will need to be sold prior to breaking ground. Additionally the design of the Brewers Point Apartments Riverwalk was approved during the September 10, 2007 City Plan Commission meeting and construction should begin soon. The development of the Beerline has been one of Milwaukee’s success stories in recent years and if the potential developments move forward it will be on track for continued growth in the future. Articles + Reference Pleasant Street Market Nehrings are in the market for a new venture Owners of Upscale Food Stores Plan New Grocery Along River Near Brewers Hill The Edge Construction gets under way on riverfront condo project
Dec 31st, 2007 by Dave Reid
2 Mile Challenge
SANY0005 Originally uploaded by ClifBar&Co The 2 Mile Challenge is an excellent idea that I happened to stumble across on the internets. As the site states “40% of United States urban travel is 2 miles or less. Ride your bike to fight global warming.” Their site draws a two-mile circle around your house using Google Maps and challenges you to make all the trips inside that circle by car bicycle (or by foot). Global warming aside, if you and your neighbors take this concept to heart the quality of life and land values in your neighborhood are going to soar. It’s going to be a lot quieter without all the cars moving, you’re going to be a lot thinner burning all those calories moving yourself, and things will be a lot safer because you’ll have pedestrians doubling as crime watchdogs and deterrents. Not to mention the enhanced sense of awareness you’ll have by eliminating the glass shield between you and your surroundings. I already engage in this practice, do you? With the soaring cost of gas, what do you have to lose? Update: Brian Head was the first reader to point out that I advocated using cars for short trips on accident, instead of long ones. I need to quit writing at 4 a.m.
Dec 26th, 2007 by Jeramey Jannene
