Feature
BreakWater Fiasco
A column in Milwaukee Magazine criticizing the design of Renner Architect's soon-to-be completed BreakWater Condominiums spurred a response from Renner's firm that was in very poor form.
Jan 29th, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
Green Initiatives Stalled by City Committee
In the name of cost savings two green efforts were stalled during today’s meeting of the Public Works Committee. The first item to run into issues with the committee was the Central Library’s resolution that would of allowed them to apply for a $250,000 Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District Stormwater Best Management Practices Partnership grant. This grant was to be used in conjunction with $950,000 of city funds in the construction of a green roof on the Central Library. The existing roof is in disrepair and will be in need of replacement in the near future. Although it was presented that this green roof could potentially double the lifetime of the roof, concerns were raised over the cost of construction. Additionally it was estimated that the green roof was would save $3,500 in energy costs per year. Lost on the conversation regarding the increased cost was that this grant has an education component that goes above and beyond the building of a new roof. Alderman Bob Donovan expressed his thoughts on the costs when he said “everybody likes green, well we’ve gotta have the green money”. This file was held at the call of the chair which opens up the possibility that the City of Milwaukee could miss the deadline to request the grant. The second resolution of importance that was held up proposed having the State of Wisconsin paint bike lanes on to West Forest Home Avenue between South 68th Street and South 45th Street after completing a road construction project. In reference to problems experienced with recently painted lane markings Alderman Robert Bauman complained that “what we’re painting doesn’t last even in months”. Alderman Joe Dudzik argued that if the City of Milwaukee can’t keep the roads painted properly for drivers, then the City of Milwaukee can’t add the additional burden of new markings to maintain. This file was also held to the call of the chair.
Jan 28th, 2009 by Dave Reid
East Town Shoots Itself In The Foot
We had originally speculated about the origins of the ban on carry-ins at Jazz in the Park. Our speculation was that it was really a money issue, but that we thought the East Town Association had the right to and should attempt to generate money from the event. Today we received just about all we needed to confirm our suspicions, a couple of great quotes from the Milwaukee Chief of Police Edward Flynn courtesy of the Journal Sentinel article Jazz in the Park fans have a whine and cheese party.
Jan 23rd, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
Palomar or Streetcar?
Tom Daykin did some digging and was able to uncover that the final request from Gatehouse Capital Corp. was $18 million in public money for the Palomar.
Jan 22nd, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
Committee Plans to Lobby UWM to Expand Downtown
In April 2008 Alderman D'Amato, as one of his last acts in office, brought forward a resolution that stated the City of Milwaukee's position that the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee should locate its College of Engineering and Applied Science, as well asUWM's other satellite campuses, within the City of Milwaukee.
Jan 22nd, 2009 by Dave Reid
RedPrairie to Delafield No More
Tom Daykin of the Journal Sentinel is reporting that RedPrairie is no longer moving to Delafield. The company had just recently announced that they were putting their plans on hold.
Jan 20th, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
What is the Problem in the Park East?
Changes proposed to lure developers to Park East lots.
Jan 19th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Jazz in the Park Carry-In Ban Update
The East Town Association has posted a question and answer response to their recent policy change banning carry-ins. Check it out, and let us know what you think.
Jan 17th, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
Jazz in the Park To Ban Carry-Ins
In a stunning announcement today, OMC reports that Jazz in the Park will no longer allow carry-ins of alcohol.
Jan 15th, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
The Park East Park? Absolutely Not
In response to the announcement of the failing of The Residences of Palomar, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ran an editorial talking about the idea of building a temporary park in the Park East land reclaimed from the former freeway spur. The idea is a bad one.
Jan 13th, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
Palomar Canceled?
Haven't seen any official announcement yet, but we've heard from a credible source close to the project that the The Residences at Palomar project has been canceled. We'll update this post as we learn more. At the moment, calls in to the project are going unanswered.
Jan 12th, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
WisDOT Open House on Future Parking Lots, Parks, or ?
WisDOT is taking the steps to prepare to issue an RFP for airspace leases underneath the Marquette Interchange and Interstate 794. They're looking for public input on what should be included, and this is our chance to really say we want something better underneath the freeway that separates the Third Ward and the Milwaukee Intermodal Station from the rest of downtown.
Jan 9th, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
