Feature
S. 2nd Street Redevelopment Concept Gains Momentum
The June 24th, 2009 Public Works Committee Meeting was a good day for the efforts to rebuild S. 2nd street as a complete street. The Department of Public Works presented three options as possibilities for the rebuilding of S. 2nd Street. The first option was to simply resurface the street, with essentially no pedestrian improvements. The second option would resurface the street at the same width, but would included painted bike lanes, reduced travels lanes, and street trees. However it is the third option that is closest to a complete street.
Jun 29th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Zilber Park
The recently opened Zilber Park is a functional, and useful shared feature of The Brewery project. This park might not strike many people as a park in the Milwaukee sense of the word, meaning it has lots of grass and trees, but this is a creatively designed urban park that respects its location and creates an outdoor space ready for activation.
Jun 28th, 2009 by Dave Reid
It’s the End of Midwest Airlines as We Know It
It has been fun, it has been a great flight, but this is the end of Midwest Airlines as we know it. The Republic Airways' buyout of Midwest Airlines certainly will accelerate their slow transition from a luxury first class airline, to an inexpensive low cost carrier. Sure, the name might stick around for awhile, but for starters our hometown, local airline, isn't local anymore.
Jun 25th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Grand Avenue Mall Follow-Up – Free Rent
In March, I explored the idea of rebuilding Grand Avenue Mall into a self-sustaining retail center. One of the things that I didn't expect to be on the table was simply giving away a retail stall for free. Grand Avenue Mall appears set to do just that now with a business plan competition.
Jun 24th, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
Expect The Hoan Bridge Debate To Heat Up
Like the temperature outside, the Hoan Bridge reconstruction debate will heat up over the next few weeks. Alderman Robert Bauman, who represents downtown Milwaukee and the north end of the bridge, recently issued a press release that details how the city will likely position itself on the issue with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).
Jun 24th, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
Walker’s Point Comes Together and Can Move Forward
Unfortunately, S. 2nd Street has been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently.
Jun 22nd, 2009 by Dave Reid
KRM and RTA Update
The Wisconsin state budget is now at a point where it will go to a conference committee after the Senate approved their version of the budget yesterday. The conference committee will reconcile the difference between the Assembly and Senate versions, and send the budget off to Governor Doyle. Doyle will then use his line-item veto power on certain language he doesn't like, and Wisconsin have a budget.
Jun 18th, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
Common Council Creates Streetcar Committee
The proposed snow and ice fee increase, the furloughs, the possible use of eminent domain for economic development, and the formation of a streetcar committee were topics of interest at this Common Council meeting.
Jun 18th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Close the Libraries? Lease the Water Works?
Massive layoffs, extended furloughs, service cuts, significant tax and fee increases all are possibilities in the next year for the City of Milwaukee. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but with the gap in the pension fund, a decline in the assessed value of property in the city, and a likely decline in state shared revenue the fiscal picture for the City of Milwaukee doesn't look so bright. At today's Common Council meeting the debate around a snow and ice fee increase and the furloughing of city employees were brought about by this startling economic outlook for the City of Milwaukee.
Jun 16th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Old World Third Street Is A Good Place To Do Business
If you haven't had the chance to check out Old World Third Street in Milwaukee's Westown neighborhood in a while, make it a point to do so. The past year has brought a lot of new businesses to the street, including enough new restaurants to feed you for a week. Brick 3 Pizza, Capone's, a greatly expanded Wisconsin Cheese Mart, Notte, Molly Cool's, Bootleggers, Milwaukee Brat House, Suite. All new businesses that opened since the spring of 2008, and all businesses that appear to be thriving.
Jun 12th, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
City to Use Eminent Domain?
This meeting had a couple of topics of particular interest, the use of eminent domain, and TIF policy.
Jun 11th, 2009 by Dave Reid
UPAF, My Ride, and Sunday Streets for Milwaukee?
This past weekend I took part in the United Performing Arts Fund’s 29th annual Miller Lite Ride for the Arts, it was great to see thousands of people show up bright and early to take part in the ride. This event brought together two goals, supporting the arts and promoting more bike riding, that fit perfectly with the creation of a vibrant city. The day of the ride was cold, and it rained part of the way through, but the experience of seeing so much of Milwaukee at a pace where you can actually take it in got me thinking.
Jun 9th, 2009 by Dave Reid
