Real Estate
MORE Hurdles Proposed for Development Projects within Milwaukee
In what appears to be a rush to significantly alter development efforts within the City of Milwaukee, Alderman Hamilton is proposing additional requirements for development projects that accept more than $1 million in Tax Incremental Financing.
Mar 1st, 2009 by Dave Reid
City Continues Environmental Cleanup Efforts
Even during this economic downturn the City of Milwaukee continues its efforts to cleanup environmentally contaminated sites within the city and prepare them for redevelopment. Superficially, this file would give blight designation to six city owned lots, in the Riverworks area, which will allow the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee to obtain EPA funds to conduct remediation efforts. Once completed it would be the goal to put these lots out for possible redevelopment. This file was approved and will now go before the full Common Council. File number 081419 proposed that the often delayed and long awaited missing link in the Beerline section of Riverwalk to be funded through the Department of Public Works and reimbursed by the property owner. The construction of this link, that abuts the Brewers Point Apartments, would be carried out by Titan Builders for $250,000 and should begin construction this spring with the intent of being completed within the year. This file was approved and will now go before the full Common Council.
Feb 24th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Neighborhood Group Pushes Chapter 17
Although only a few development projects were on this commission meeting’s agenda the most insightful item was the presentation of the UWM Neighborhood Plan by the Universities Neighborhoods Association (UNA). Jeffrey Jordan presented the groups findings and laid out a few neighborhood issues. The group wants UWM to acknowledge that the “sudden growth of the university” has lead to problems such as overcrowding of the neighborhood. He also stated their desire to see the implementation of Chapter 17 which would penalizes students at UWM for off campus problems. Additionally, UNA wants future dorms to be planned with the neighbors and clearly doesn’t want to see dorms built at the Columbia Hospital site. Alderman Nik Kovac spoke about UWM”s master planning program and stated that UWM’s plan to expand in Wauwatosa was a “terrible idea”. This update showed the ongoing difficulty of relations on the East Side between UWM and the neighborhood and also highlighted the City of Milwaukee’s efforts to encourage UWM to expand in downtown Milwaukee.
Feb 20th, 2009 by Dave Reid
More “Great” Reasons for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to Expand in Wauwatosa
I recently gave up and said, "fine, let the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee expand in Wauwatosa."
Feb 19th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Historic Preservation is a Good Thing
Historic preservation is a good thing, when for example it is used to restore City Hall or re-purpose the Grain Exchange because it adds value to Milwaukee.
Feb 9th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Who Lives in Milwaukee’s Condos?
The UWM Center for Urban Initiatives and Research (CUIR) undertook the first comprehensive study on Milwaukee's "condo boom" to understand who was actually living in the condos stretching from the northern part of Walker's Point up to North Avenue on the East Side.
Feb 5th, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
Committee Welcomes New Commissioner
Martin Collins‘ retirement left the Department of Neighborhood Services with a significant leadership gap. Art Dahlberg, from Richmond, VA has been tabbed as the person to replace Mr. Collins as the Commissioner of Neighborhood Services and clearly the committee was cautiously optimistic. He expressed his understanding of the position he’s walking into saying that “I recognize I’m filling some very big shoes here”. Alderman Bob Bauman asked about his philosophy regarding the demolishing of older housing stock and if he felt this was a good or bad choice. Mr. Dahlberg indicated that it was to be used as a last resort saying “it is not a broad solution, it is a fine tool that we have to use”. The committee approved his appointment and it will now go before the full Common Council. Another item of note was the potential city land sale of 3427-3429 West Villard Avenue. This land sale would allow the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation to move forward on a four-story mixed use development that would include the Villard Library moving in to the first floor of the new building. In addition to the library the upper floors would include 47 affordable housing units targeted at “grandfamilies”. The project will be developed by Gorman & Company utilizing low-income housing tax credits and new market tax credits. This item was approved and will now go before the full Common Council.
Feb 4th, 2009 by Dave Reid
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
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
What is the Problem in the Park East?
Changes proposed to lure developers to Park East lots.
Jan 19th, 2009 by Dave Reid
