Feature
Chimney Park
Hank Aaron State Trail Originally uploaded by repowers The Milwaukee Streets blog written by Robert Powers has an excellent post up about the successful development of Chimney Park in the Menomonee Valley from the site of the old Milwaukee Road railyard. One of the most interesting aspects of the development of Chimney Park is the attention that was paid to leaving the two chimneys to stand by themselves surrounded by wetlands. Sure, on a more distant level there are all kinds of new, clean-looking industrial developments in the valley, but the chimneys appear in stark contrast to their immediate surroundings of ponds and wild grass. Future generations of Milwaukeeans will see a clean, green valley and will be forced to ask their parents what it was like when the valley was filled with factories pumping smoke out their smokestacks. Three cheers for the Menomonee Valley Partners for leading the successful redevelopment of a previously-blighted area.
Oct 22nd, 2007 by Jeramey Jannene
Michael Cudahy Proposes His Transit Solution
A Milwaukee County Transit System Bus Originally uploaded by Sebastian Joseph While County Executive Scott Walker and Mayor Tom Barrett continue to debate over the use of the $91.5 million the federal government has earmarked for transportation, entrepreneur-turned-philanthropist Michael Cudahy has proposed his own solution. Walker advocates an express-bus only approach, while Barrett advocates a system that utilizes downtown streetcars and express buses to expand the area. Cudahy advocates a plan that uses only streetcars. When it comes to quality of service and area covered, Cudahy’s proposal is the best. The first would resemble the 30 bus route, but ultimately head west towards the County Grounds (where UWM plans to build their new engineering campus) after meeting up with Marquette. The second would link the redeveloped Milwaukee Intermodal Station (formerly Amtrak) with MATC, The Brewery (Pabst Redevelopment), and head up Fond du Lac Ave to North Ave. When it comes to getting people to work from the central city and linking urban dwellers with surrounding areas, Cudahy’s plan seems the one most likely to generate long-term success. The only weakness is the apparent lack of a southern spur from downtown, but the proposed KRM solution would cover the gaps. I definitely support a sales-tax funding source as long as there is a long-term growth strategy including the addition of stops along Fond Du Lac Ave, west towards (and into) Waukesha County, and north into the northern suburbs. A light-rail streetcar system is far more marketable as a sales piece for relocating businesses and residents, and tourists coming to the city. Cudahy’s proposal best utilizes previous investments (Grand Ave Mall, Midwest Airlines Center, UWM, Marquette, County Grounds), while linking with new high-growth areas (The Brewery and Park East Neighborhood) and providing a reason for logical redevelopment of some previously less-attractive areas (Fond du Lac Avenue). Hopefully Mayor Barrett jumps on board behind the Cudahy proposal and Walker eventually comes on board.
Oct 21st, 2007 by Jeramey Jannene
Google Transit Out of the Lab
My Ride Originally uploaded by Reggiesgirl In my discussions with a Milwaukee County Transit System sales manager a few months back I was told they would get on board with the Google Transit program once it left beta. Good news for travelers in Milwaukee, Google Transit is now a fully-fledged and integrated feature of Google Maps. If MCTS jumps on board like promised mapping mass transit routes in Milwaukee will be a whole lot easier.
Oct 13th, 2007 by Jeramey Jannene
The Edge
For a quite sometime it appeared this project may not ever get built as no progress had been taken place on the site but finally progress can been seen at the site as work has begun on the foundation. This is great news as The Edge includes one of the missing Riverwalk pieces needed to complete the Beerline section and will include the cleanup of a contaminated property. Additionally this project has a creative design and once completed will have 133 units running in the range of $200,000 to $300,000. To follow this development I’ve started a flickr set, The Edge that I will update with new pictures to keep track of the progress. Articles Chicago firm plans condos near Milwaukee River Condo developers to receive brownfields grant
Oct 10th, 2007 by Dave Reid
Milwaukee Public Museum Keeping The Money
Milwaukee Public Museum and IMAX Dome Originally uploaded by kjv31 The Milwaukee Public Museum will not be buying the former Discovery World location on the other side of the building. The financially-strapped museum has decided not to spend the $3 million on expanding into the space that was recently vacated.
Oct 9th, 2007 by Jeramey Jannene
More Thoughts On Pabst Farms
Pabst Farms Originally uploaded by Al White Sprawled Out has a few thoughts on the ugliness that Pabst Farms could become now that they’re just hunting for big boxes to fill out the development.
Oct 7th, 2007 by Jeramey Jannene
Another Firm To Join The Party in the Valley
Derse Inc., one of the country’s largest exhibition display companies, plans to move to Milwaukee’s Menomonee Valley from Wauwatosa, and add jobs to its growing work force. Derse, 1234 N. 62nd St., plans to lease a 160,000-square-foot building to be developed by HSI Development Partners LLC, the companies announced Thursday. Read more… While not a true part of the densely populated urban landscape of Milwaukee, the Menomonee Valley constitutes Milwaukee’s leading industrial area that is dedicated to sustainable and community-minded development. Compared to industrial parks of the past, the area is filled with bike trails, attractive buildings, and natural landscaping.
Oct 6th, 2007 by Jeramey Jannene
The North End
The Mandel Group’s North End development is easily the most exciting project under development in Milwaukee. The first phase alone will include 109 condos, 88 apartments and 25,000 square feet of retail space. Work has begun on the demolition of the Pfister & Vogel tannery in preparation for construction. The water tower was removed from the roof as it is being saved and will eventually be located near Water and Pleasant. To follow this development I’ve started a flickr set, The North End that I will update with new pictures to keep track of the progress. Articles Park East project hits construction phase City funding for North End backed
Oct 4th, 2007 by Dave Reid
New Convent Hill Building – Nearing Completetion
New Convent Hill Building Originally uploaded by compujeramey Walking by the new Convent Hill Public Housing building on my way to class today, I was impressed. The exterior of the building has rapidly come together. I’ll try and snag a picture in the next few days. The sidewalk has now been laid, which to me serves as a clue that the exterior is nearly complete and the heavy lift is nearly done. Hard to imagine it was just a pile of steel ten months ago.
Oct 3rd, 2007 by Jeramey Jannene
Interview With John Norquist
The Shepherd Express has an interview with former Milwaukee mayor John Norquist. Worth your time if you’re interested in his viewpoint on the city.
Oct 3rd, 2007 by Jeramey Jannene
Say Hello To The Turner Hall Ballroom
Are you familiar with Turner Restaurant on 4th St. across from the Bradley Center? Did you know they had an actual concert hall in their that has been closed since fires in the 1930’s and 1940’s? If you didn’t, you’re in for a treat. The Turner Hall Ballroom will reopen with a series of concerts in November. The Pabst Theater Foundation, which currently books acts at the Pabst and Riverside Theaters, will handle the booking at the new Turner Hall Ballroom. It’s expected the ballroom will be able to hold a couple hundred people. I’ll be there to see The Wallflowers, who will you see?
Oct 3rd, 2007 by Jeramey Jannene
City To Fund Building Redevelopment
In a rare move, the city is going to provide Compass Properties LLC with $3.2 million to repair their two Water Street properties immediately north of the 100 East Wisconsin building.
Oct 3rd, 2007 by Jeramey Jannene
