Feature
The Federal Gas Tax: 98% versus the 2%
Recently, multiple attempts to cut or eliminate bicycle and pedestrian funding from the federal transportation budget have been proposed under the premise that these funds are needed to rebuild America's infrastructure. So far all of these measures have failed, but do they even address the problem?
Nov 3rd, 2011 by Dave Reid
Introducing the Bayshore – Airport Express Bus Service
Due in large part to a reduction in state aid starting in 2012, the Milwaukee County Transit System had planned for a massive reduction in service. Thanks to some last minute creative planning by those at MCTS, the vast majority of those cuts are on track to be avoided thanks to the use of CMAQ funds. The CMAQ funds, allocated out of a competitive bidding process, will provide funding to institute "express service" for two years along a number of key corridors which will replace segments of a number of routes. A public meeting, hosted by Supervisors Marina Dimitrijevic, Jason Haas, and Patricia Jursik, on the proposed Bayshore - Airport Express service was recently held to present the service to the community and answer any questions on the upcoming questions.
Oct 27th, 2011 by Jeramey Jannene
The Big Roads
The Big Roads, by Earl Swift, tells the story of America's highways. The book begins by exploring the era when a highway was merely a dirt road, and ends with a look at the lasting impact of the Interstate Highway System.
Oct 24th, 2011 by Jeramey Jannene
Toll Roads for Wisconsin!
Traditionally, in Wisconsin toll roads are opposed by the right, because freeways are free, from the left because tolls are an attack on the middle class, and often by new urbanists, because freeways promote sprawl.
Oct 19th, 2011 by Dave Reid
“This is not a cab town” – Cabs in Milwaukee
It has been said that Milwaukee "is not a cab town," and it's true many Milwaukeeans don't utilize taxicab services.
Oct 5th, 2011 by Dave Reid
Introducing Urban Milwaukee Book Club
Do you like cities? Can you read a book in a month? If you can answer yes to both questions, you should join us for the first meeting of the Urban Milwaukee Book Club. The first book up is Ed Glaeser's Triumph of the City.
Oct 3rd, 2011 by Jeramey Jannene
A Spectacular Green Neighborhood is Brewing in Milwaukee
Milwaukee’s newest trendy neighborhood is likely to become one of its best, and almost certainly its greenest.
Sep 30th, 2011 by Kaid Benfield
The Battle for Gotham
Roberta Brandes Gratz, one of Planetizen's Top 100 Urban Thinkers, explores what makes New York City work in her book The Battle for Gotham New York in the Shadow of Robert Moses and Jane Jacobs. With a title like you would assume the book dealt heavily with details of how Jacobs and Moses operated and their battles over urban renewal, but you would be wrong if you did.
Sep 26th, 2011 by Jeramey Jannene
HMI Doors Open 2011 Recommendations
Imagine this for a moment -- you’re a kid in a candy store, and as things go, this candy store is opening for the first time ever and only for one weekend. Oh gosh. You’ve dreamed of this cornucopia of confections so many times before, you know every name and shiny wrapper in the store... but your eyes are bigger than your stomach. How can you pick just a choice few, knowing your slight allowance won’t let you have all that you want? It’s the best and worst kind of agony.
Sep 21st, 2011 by Adam Carr
Carmageddon!
It has been more than a week since Wells Street was converted to two-ways, and it has indeed been Carmaggedon. Drivers have been confused by the unusual street configuration. Two-ways, really? The fear generated by being able to turn right and go East on to Wells St. has caused mass hysteria causing more than a few people to quickly park in available parking spots.
Sep 19th, 2011 by Dave Reid
The Agile City
The Agile City by James S. Russell is an easy to read, pro-city book. Feeling much like a Richard Florida book at points, the author highlights examples of cities getting things right in regard to building wealth and dealing with the effects (and causes) of climate change. It is neither a book about green washing, nor is it filled with pie-in-the-sky "green" plans for how to remake the way we live. The book focuses on practical objectives to build wealth and well-being through cities.
Sep 16th, 2011 by Jeramey Jannene
Mixed-Use East Library Proposals Meet the Neighbors
Wednesday night, Alderman Nik Kovac held a public meeting to allow feedback to be voiced regarding the three proposed alternatives for the redevelopment of the one-story East Library into a mixed-use facility. The meeting was a follow-up to a meeting last November discussing the potential of issuing a request-for-proposal (RFP) for the redevelopment of the East Library site. Attendees at the meeting were provided with an update on the process and allowed to ask questions about the process and proposals. The predictable East Side public meeting questions were aired, but which, if any, of the proposals will be selected?
Sep 15th, 2011 by Jeramey Jannene
