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Committee Approves Travel Spending
Committee approves funding for travel to National League of Cities’ Board of Directors and International Council events.
Dec 8th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Development Committee Hears Southeast Side Area Plan
The Southeast Side Area Comprehensive Plan was presented for approval by the Department of City Development. It included site specific recommendations for each district based on smart growth principals such as promoting dense mixed use projects that preserve the unique character and qualities of the neighborhood. District plans were laid out for the Port of Milwaukee District, Kinnickinnic River District, Bay View District, South of Morgan, General Mitchell International Airport, Airport Gateway Area and the Airport Neighborhoods.
Oct 22nd, 2008 by Dave Reid
Zoning Committee Corrects TID #68
With the days short agenda, the item that stood out was resolution 080541. This resolution dealt with correcting an error within Tax Incremental District (“TID”) #68 (Fifth Ward – First Place). In 2007 the First Place on the River condominium development was assessed at $50 million which although it wasn’t challenged by property owner appears to of been set too high In 2008 it was re-assessed at $24 million because the project was still not completed. This change impacted the tax increment that TID #68 was to be able to collect. The resolution removes the property and re-adds it to the TID at the correct level, resetting the baseline value of the TID allowing it to begin generating increment. This change will still allow the TID to be repaid by 2029 which is within its legal lifetime. This item was approved and will now go before the full Common Council.
Sep 8th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Committee Cuts Off Funding to West End Dev Corp
At the June 23rd, 2008 meeting of the Community & Economic Development Committee Alderman Bob Bauman brought forward resolution 080293 which cut off funding to the West End Development Corporation. This was done because of the groups inability to complete the redevelopment of WestPointe Commons despite nearly 7 years of efforts. Following that resolution the West End Development Corporation board voted to dissolve the corporation ending their efforts. Due to the dissolving of their efforts resolution 080447 was brought forward to reallocate the Community Block Grant Development (“CBGD”) funds that had been allocated to West End Development Corporation to other organizations. This resolution was approved by the committee and will go before the full Common Council.Resolution 080408 approved the Funding Allocation Plan for 2009. This plan allocates the Community Block Grant Development (“CBDG”) funds to various efforts which benefit low income citizens, by addressing urgent needs with the intent to prevent or eliminate blight. Alderman Joe Davis made a series of amendments adjusting the allocation levels. The amendment that stood out resulted in the creation of an entitlement allocation for Housing – Graffiti Abatement in the amount of $90,000. Funding of graffiti abatement programs has in this past year run out prior to the summer months and this new allocation appears to be a response to that funding shortage. This resolution and its amendments was approved by the committee and will go before the full Common Council.
Jul 21st, 2008 by Dave Reid
The Technologies
It's absolutely critical to understand the different transit technologies available if one is to understand and evaluate the merits of the various transit proposals for Milwaukee. Technologies include Bus-Rapid Transit (BRT), Express Bus Transit, Electric-Guided Bus, Standard Bus, Street Car, Light Rail and Heavy Rail. This article examines the technologies, largely with regard to how they would be implemented here in Milwaukee.
Jul 14th, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
Zoning Committee Considers Additional Aloft TIF Funds
Resolution 071392 was likely to be very controversial given its intent to authorize additional funding for Tax Incremental District No. 48 (Park East) which would support the development of a Riverwalk section along the proposed Aloft site. Resolutions related to TIF financing often spark vigorous debate on how the funding should be allocated, what additionally requirements will be asked of the developer, and does this project truly require assistance. This resolution was no different as members of the Good Jobs and Livable Neighborhoods Coalition were present and looking to push this development project to be required to pay prevailing wages and additional requirements similar to the community benefits agreements they have pushed in the past. The debate will wait until next month as this item was held to allow Committee members time to obtain additional information about the proposal. Another contentious resolution, 070548, proposed allowing electronic changeable billboards to change advertisements every eight seconds. Alderman Bob Bauman and Alderman Michael Murphy expressed concerns over the possibility of driver distraction and light pollution that this change may cause. Although no citizens appeared to speak in opposition to this resolution Murphy pointed out “the media has for whatever reason doesn’t cover city government like they used to” indicating that with wider coverage he felt citizens would be opposed to this resolution. In the end it passed on a narrow three to two vote with both Bauman and Murphy opposing the resolution.
Mar 16th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Downer Avenue Redevelopment Heard at Committee
Resolution 071339 consolidated property at 2040 W. Wisconsin Ave. and 2027 W. Wells St. into one parcel to allow for the expansion of 2040 Lofts. The expansion of 2040 Lofts shows that there is a continuing demand for student housing in downtown Milwaukee and that developers are stepping in to fill this need. Substitute resolution 071408 approved a Riverwalk Development Agreement for construction along the Brewers Point Apartments. Allison Rozek from the Department of City Development pointed out that this particular portion of the Riverwalk has become known as the “the missing link” as its development has become stalled for years. With recent litigation behind the city and this new agreement in place it appears “the missing link” may be built in the near future. The resolution known Downer Avenue Redevelopment Phase II approved a change in zoning from General Planned Development to Detailed Planned Development which further specifies the project. The hotel and condominium buildings received little to no opposition during this hearing and despite the controversy over this project only three members of the public appeared to testify. Their concerns focused around the addition and renovation of the Mulkhern building. Specifically, where the trash would be picked up and that there would no longer have parking available for them on the second floor. Architect Matt Rinka made a comment about the poor condition of Mulkhern building, explaining that his engineers told him that “if this was not historic they would have recommended tearing it down”. With this building’s apparent poor condition its clear this building is need of redevelopment and that with a new structure around the corner those concerns should for the most part be alleviated.
Feb 21st, 2008 by Dave Reid
Committee Appoints Whitney Gould to Planning Commission
Approving Whitney Gould‘s appointment to the City Plan Commission was the highlight of this meeting. The Committee made it clear that in her former position as the Journal Sentinel’s architecture writer she played an important role in improving Milwaukee’s urban environment and hoped she would bring her enthusiasm and knowledge to the Commission. The Committee also approved resolution 071307 which if approved by the full Common Council will allocate $1.4 Million dollars from the Housing Trust Fund to support five affordable housing projects. One example of these projects is the St. Catherine’s Residence at 1018 E. Knapp Street. It will receive $264,000 to build affordable housing for low-income women and it is already under construction. Alderman Michael Murphy pointed out that this $1.4 million will generate $26 million worth of development and went on to say that these projects do two things “one economic development and… two do the right thing”. The Northwest Side Area Comprehensive Plan was presented again as it had been held before to allow the Department of City Development to address issues that the committee felt the plan didn’t incorporate. Specifically items were added to insure existing rail corridors are reserved for future mass transit options and encouraged creating transit oriented development projects along those rail lines if they are ever converted to passenger service. Other areas of that plan that were improved included refinements of the 76th and Good Hope project, additional recommendations for the vacant transit hub at 76th and Mill, and addressed the potential reuse of Timmerman Airport if it were to be closed. One setback for the project was Alderman Jim Bohl‘s push to remove DCD’s suggested language regarding cul-de-sacs and their desire to better connect streets. This prompted Alderman Mike D’Amato to take a light hearted shot at Bohl by saying, “we hope you haven’t eliminated all the sidewalks from the Northwest side”. Additionally two closed sessions were held to discuss strategy with the City’s lawyers regarding the court case Dawn McCarthy vs. the City of Milwaukee. This case involves the City’s handling of the development of a City owned surface parking lot on Downer Ave. Despite the courts apparent concern the judge hasn’t stopped construction and development continues at a brisk pace.
Jan 31st, 2008 by Dave Reid
The Future of the Milwaukee Coast Guard Station
DSC00669 Originally uploaded by benditlikebecker13 The Daily Reporter has an article that takes a look at the recent events surrounding the proposed demolition of the Milwaukee Coast Guard Station near McKinley Pier. It’s sad to see a landmark go, but the building is reportedly past the state of cost-effective repair. Most importantly, it’s essential that what replaces it encourages the embracing of the lakefront. The planned pavilion seems to largely accomplish this goal. I think there is a still a market for a commercial development, even with the nearby Alterra. One that both embraces the lake and the nearby Lincoln Memorial Drive. Most of the development on the lake is auto-dependent, and it would be nice to see pedestrian-centric development where the old station was, especially with the nearby Brady St pedestrian ramp. You may ask why I’m so in favor of development with a planned park already on the drawing board, but I honestly think we have plenty of open space on our lakefront already. We need something to draw people to that open space outside of holiday weekends, and environmentally-responsible development would help achieve this. Alterra is a great start, but it needs to be paired with something else. Barnes & Noble with an all glass lake facing side? A clothing store? Parks are only useful if there are people there to use them, and all too often I think our Lake Michigan coastline is underutilized. We want people to have a reason to walk and enjoy the lake, not to drive by it at 45 miles an hour.
Jan 30th, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
A Word of Warning About Skybus
I had previously hyped up the new low-cost airline Skybus since they started offering service out of Milwaukee. Turns out everything isn’t perfect in Skybus land (or airbus). Consumerist.com brings us a consumer horror story about Skybus.
Jan 25th, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
RSC & Associates development moves ahead without TIF
Over the last year a debate raged over the question of “to TIF or not to TIF?” RSC & Associates not only requested city financing but demanded publicly that their Park East Square project required $9.5 million of TIF assistance to be economically feasible. $6.8 million of this city subsidy would of been to build a parking structure believed to be required to support a retail tenant mix including McDonald’s, Subway, PotBelly’s, Noodles & Company and Qdoba. The City’s position was that TIF assistance was not required as this project wasn’t likely to act as a catalyst spurring other development within the city and that the City had already spent millions preparing the Park East land. Additionally a market study conducted by SB Friedman reinforced DCD’s position that within the Park East corridor subsidizing of business would likely lead to a shuffling of business around downtown and not new growth. Clearly RSC & Associates lost the debate with the City regarding TIF assistance and has finally moved forward with a new plan. The new plan and purchase agreement with the County for the 2.1-acre site requires the project to break ground in the next 90 days and will include two hotels, a retail component, 100 apartments and five town homes. It is unfortunate RSC & Associates didn’t stick with their original plan as it didn’t require TIF assistance and would be close to completion by now but it is positive to see the Park East moving forward with another development. Articles Sale of Park East site fulfills county Christmas wishes Milwaukee County closes on sale of Park East lands Milwaukee County closes on sale of Park East parcel Park East project gets tentative start time Momentum suddenly builds in the Park East RSC & Associates to fund own economic analysis City balks at cash for Park East project The Park East Runaround GJLN: City Committee Votes to Compel Project Feasibility Study Developing the Park East Land Chicago group to win bid for Park East parcel
Dec 28th, 2007 by Dave Reid
Merry Christmas Milwaukeeans
Milwaukee County (and the City of Milwaukee) got what it wanted for Christmas with the official sale of the first plot of land in the Park East neighborhood. Did you?
Dec 25th, 2007 by Jeramey Jannene
