Feature
What’s The Cost of Parking in Downtown Milwaukee?
What's the cost of parking in downtown Milwaukee? It might just be more than the cost of plugging the meter. The low cost of parking in Milwaukee might actually be preventing new development from happening downtown.
Jul 24th, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
Zoning Committee Approves 52-Unit Assisted Living Facility
Resolution 080422 proposed the building of an 52-unit assisted living facility at 2195 W. State St. which will serve elderly low income individuals. This project faced some opposition at City Plan Commission and the same resident appeared before this committee. An additional neighbor spoke in opposition and both residents’ argument revolved around saving one tree and preserving “historic” green space. Alderman Bob Bauman responding to this criticism by explaining that “frankly i thought this was a very positive development” and went on to make it very clear that the hill is not recognized as “historic”. It should also be pointed out that this green space is in private hands and that the current zoning regulations would stop the owner from removing the trees. Despite the neighbors’ complaints this resolution was approved and will go before the Common Council.Resolution 080195 is another resolution of interest because it proposed a variety of changes to City of Milwaukee storm water management regulations. The overriding theme of this resolution was to discourage the construction of non-permeable surfaces. These non-permeable surfaces increase the water flow into the sewer system and increase water pollution by reducing rain water’s ability to enter the ground soil for natural filtration. This resolution encourages this reduction by allowing for narrower streets and reconfigured streets that include more permeable features. Additionally it updates parking requirements to encourage less non-permeable surfaces from being developed. This resolution was approved and will go before the Common Council.
Jul 23rd, 2008 by Dave Reid
27-Story Tower on Prospect Faces Opposition – But Why?
This plan would add $60 million to the City of Milwaukee's tax base, enhance the skyline, bring new residents to the city and save the Goll Mansion.
Jul 18th, 2008 by Dave Reid
$20 Vehicle Registration Fee or $2500 Assessment?
Call it what you want, a new tax, a pothole fee, or a wheel tax but the intention is to rebuild our streets in a timely manner. Of course there are cries of "tax hell", that property taxes are too high, and that this will cause people and business to leave the City of Milwaukee.
Jul 17th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Public Works Committee Approves Vehicle Registration Fee
The meeting began with public hearings regarding assessable road improvements and lead into Alderman Robert Bauman‘s opening discussion of resolution 080034, the proposed municipal vehicle registration fee. This resolution would change the assessable portion of road improvement costs from 60%, which on average is an assessment of $2500 to the abutting property owner, to 0% being assessed to the property owner by shifting these costs onto a $20 municipal vehicle registration fee. Additionally assessment rates for alley improvements would drop from 90% to 60% and for sidewalks it would drop from 70% to 50%. This proposed resolution came about in response to property owners regularly voting to delete road projects due to high assessment costs. The postponing or deletion of road repair projects has lead to crumbling streets, a proliferation of potholes and higher reconstruction costs in the future. The Committee voted to approve this resolution with Alderman Joe Dudzik opposing the measure and it will move forward to the Finance and Personnel Committee.Resolution 080304 is an agreement between the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Discovery World and Summerfest with the intention of improving access to Discovery World and Summerfest. The plan includes the widening of North Harbor Dr., new sidewalks, new landscaping and various pedestrian improvements. This resolution passed with little discussion and will now go before the full Common Council.Alderman Bauman continued his efforts of improving the pedestrian experience in the City of Milwaukee by bring resolution 050096 forward. The resolution would repaint West State St. and West Wells St. reducing traffic lanes down to one in each direction which would help to slow traffic, improve the streets walkability, and make driving conditions less of a hazard during winter months. At the Department of Public Works request he had held off on this resolution until the near completion of the Marquette Interchange project. This resolution passed and will now go before the full Common Council.
Jul 16th, 2008 by Dave Reid
City Plan Commission Approves 52-unit Residential Care Complex
Resolution 080422 would advance the development known as Kilbourn Square. This project is proposing the development of a 52-unit residential care complex to be located at 2195 W. State St. that would house adults 55 and older. This resolution stood out primarily because it showed the difficulties of developing property in the City of Milwaukee. Although the developer presented a project that respected the historical nature of the site and had worked with the City of Milwaukee to put together a logical infill development it still faced a hurdle. This hurdle wasn’t due to zoning or regulations but a neighboring citizen wishing to maintain the status quo. This resident complained about, the loss of two trees and green space, and the potential of more traffic. The commission heard these issues but voted to approve the resolution despite the concerns. This resolution will now go before the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee.Another item of note was resolution 080262 which vacated land along South Alexander St. and West Nicholas St. between South 5th St. and South 6th St. to the neighboring property owner. This was done to allow for construction of a retaining wall to built on the property in support of The Iron Horse Hotel project. This resolution was approved and will now go before the Public Works Committee.
Jul 15th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Senator Kohl Earmarks $1.5 Million for the Milwaukee Intermodal Station
The second phase of the Milwaukee Intermodal Station's re-development received a boost recently, when Senator Kohl included $1.5 million for the Milwaukee Intermodal Station in an appropriations bill funding the Department of Transportation in 2009.
Jul 14th, 2008 by Dave Reid
The Harley-Davidson Museum Celebrates an American Icon
Today's opening of the Harley-Davidson Museum is a truly great day for the City of Milwaukee. The $75 million, 130,000 square foot complex, which was designed by James Biber of Pentagram Architects, celebrates the 105 year history of Harley-Davidson. The complex references both Milwaukee's industrial past and Harley-Davidson's motorcycle style by mixing modern elements and simple lines with an exposed I-Beam skeleton.
Jul 12th, 2008 by Dave Reid
The Economic Value of Immigration
Often times when discussing the economic value of immigration, people consider the impact of having immigrants accept low wages for jobs “ordinary” Americans wish not to do. But what about the dream jobs we all wish for? I’m not talking about professional basketball player and former Milwaukee Buck Yi Jianlian (nor Australian Andrew Bogut). I’m talking about CEOs of growing and profitable companies. CEOs of technology companies.
Jul 12th, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
The Game and The Players
Understanding the discussion around Milwaukee transit requires an understanding of who has the keys to unlock the federal funds to improve and expand the existing system. We need to lay some groundwork before any discussion on the actual proposals can start.
Jul 7th, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
The Ghazi Company’s EpiCentre Project Involved in Legal Fight
The Ghazi Company's proposed Catalyst project in downtown Milwaukee has been one of the most talked about projects in recent years but issues with The Ghazi Company's EpiCentre project in Charlotte have raised new concerns over the fate of Catalyst.
Jul 7th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Common Council Votes Away Its Dark Shadow?
As few resolutions were returned to committee and only minimal discussions occurred on any individual resolution the highlight of this fairly mundane Common Council meeting was the passing of resolution 080042. This resolution brought forward by Alderman Terry Witkowski will cut off funding of an Alderperson’s transportation allowance if they have a month’s worth of unexcused absences at committee meetings. Alderman Witkowski pointed out that “recent events have cast a dark shadow on the council”, referring to former Alderman Michael McGee‘s legal issues, and clearly the intent of this bill was to rid the Common Council of this “dark shadow”. Unfortunately as Alderwoman Milele Coggs and other member’s attempted to point out this resolution will be more symbolic than effective as former Alderman McGee had been excused properly during his absence. This resolution passed the full Common Council on a narrow vote of 9 to 6.
Jul 2nd, 2008 by Dave Reid
