Candidates cut ties to exec after change in plan to house sex offenders
Milwaukee Ald. Terry Witkowski and his opponent are staying as far away as possible from the health care executive who wants to bring a couple of sex offenders to a facility in their district. But that wasn’t the case a month ago. On Oct. 28, Karl Rajani — president of Matt Talbot Recovery Service — helped host a fundraiser for Witkowski at Rookie’s Sports Bar on the city’s south side. Rajani gave the veteran alderman the maximum donation of $397. Witkowski said this week that he returned the contribution on Sunday. “I’m not about to sell my reputation for any campaign donation,” Witkowski said, adding that he doesn’t take money from people trying to do business with the city. Witkowski emphasized that he didn’t organize the fundraiser — that was done by PR maven Carl Mueller— and that Rajani had previously assured the alderman that no sex offenders would be placed at his new community-based residential facility at 429 W. Uncas Ave. Last week, officials confirmed Milwaukee County is moving two individuals on the state’s sexual offender registry to Rajani’s facility, prompting community concern. Rajani has said the sex offenders are not inmates but chronically mentally ill patients being transferred from the Mental Health Complex to the community-based setting for treatment. Witkowski’s political foe, Christopher Wiken, said this week that he believes the alderman is raising objections now only because of the uproar. “I can’t believe Terry Witkowski didn’t know about it,” Wiken said, pointing to the Oct. 28 fundraiser as proof of Rajani and Witkowski’s close association. But emails provided to the Journal Sentinel show Wiken was himself lobbying Rajani for support late last month. “My fundraising has been outpacing (Witkowski’s) almost 2-1 and my donations largely come from within the district whereas his doesn’t,” Wiken wrote to Rajani on Oct. 30. Wiken added, “I’d like an opportunity to at least talk with you about the race and my positions.” In an interview, Wiken said he had no idea when he sent those emails and that Rajani had co-hosted a fundraiser for Witkowski two days earlier. He said he made the contact to Rajani at the urging of the businessman’s lobbyist, Joe Rice. Wiken said he also knew nothing of the plans to move two sex offenders to Rajani’s facility. He and Rajani never met. As for the leaked emails, Wiken suggested there was a reason someone is making them public. “Rajani and Witkowski have been caught red-handed, and they’re trying to deflect blame somewhere else,” Wiken said. Last week, Wiken retained an attorney, former Milwaukee Municipal Judge David Halbrooks, to begin exploring a possible lawsuit to bar the sex offenders from being placed in the district. Halbrooks filed a petition last week asking the city to initiate litigation. One of the leaked emails shows Rajani believes Wiken is taking this step because Rajani refused to give him campaign money. “Mr. Wiken has been asking to meet with me for assistance with his campaign for alderman, including obviously fundraising. […]
Nov 26th, 2015 by Dave Reid
Mitchell International offers free parking to promote holiday shopping inside terminal
General Mitchell International Airport is promoting itself as a holiday shopping destination with a free parking offer. Visitors who spend at least $10 on dining or shopping inside the airport’s Concession Mall — outside of security, because you still can’t get through security without a boarding pass — can get a voucher for up to four hours of free parking in the hourly section of the garage. “While the southeastern portion of Milwaukee County lacks a shopping mall, Mitchell Airport is a great alternative for holiday shoppers. The Park-Shop-Dine Holiday Sale allows shoppers to find unique gifts at prices that are sometimes lower than what you’ll find at other local stores,” County Executive Chris Abele said. Stores located in the Concession Mall include Brooks Brothers, House of Harley-Davidson, PGA Tour Shop and Renaissance Books. The offer will go through Jan. 3. Parking is one of the top revenue sources for the airport, which is operated by Milwaukee County.
Nov 25th, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
We Energies unveils completed natural-gas project at Valley Power Plant
The second unit of We Energies’ Valley Power Plant in Milwaukee’s Menomonee River valley began operations Nov. 16 with natural gas fuel and the company Tuesday hosted a media tour to mark the completion of the conversion project from coal fuel. Executives with We Energies, which is owned by Milwaukee-based WEC Energy Group (NYSE: WEC) said they embarked on the $65 million project in anticipation of future air quality regulations that would require additional environmental controls at the plant.
Nov 25th, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
Abele buys second Moderne condo for $700,000
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele has purchased a second condominium at downtown’s Moderne high-rise, this one for $700,000. Abele bought the 29th floor unit from Milwaukee Moderne Residences LLC, according to state real estate records posted Tuesday. It’s on the same floor as a condo Abele bought in March for $2.1 million. Milwaukee Moderne is led by Rick Barrett, who developed the building, 1141 N. Old World Third St. The County Board in December 2014 approved Abele’s recommendation to grant a purchase option for the underused Downtown Transit Center site to Barrett’s firm, Barrett Visionary Development LLC. Barrett plans to develop the Couture apartment high-rise at that site. The firm hopes to complete its purchase of the transit center by the end of this year, and begin demolishing it in early 2016. Abele’s communications director said this spring that the county’s corporation counsel said there was no conflict of interest for Abele to buy Moderne condos from Barrett. The 30-story Moderne, which has 203 apartments, has now sold 13 of its 16 condos.
Nov 24th, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
Bauman opposes Bucks plan to raze parking garage before new one is built
The Milwaukee Bucks want to demolish a city-owned parking garage on N. 4th St. before opening a new one that would serve the team’s future arena — an eight-month gap that is bringing opposition from one Common Council member. That planned construction schedule would leave Bucks fans, downtown employees and others who use the 1,000-space parking structure, at N. 4th St. and W. Highland Ave., with “literally nowhere to go,” said Ald. Robert Bauman, whose district includes downtown. Bauman spoke at Monday’s Plan Commission hearing on the proposal for general zoning approval for the new arena, its parking structure, an entertainment center and other nearby commercial developments planned by the basketball team and its affiliated development group, Head of the Herd LLC. The commission voted 5-0 to approve the general zoning proposal, which also needs council approval. The general plan is for conceptual uses, covering such aspects as building height ranges. A more detailed plan, coming in early 2016, would need separate council approval before construction begins next spring. The plan to demolish the parking structure before the new one is completed is “ludicrous,” Bauman said. He said the council could vote against transferring the parking structure to the Bucks. The council and Mayor Tom Barrett in September approved a $47 million city spending plan for the new arena, part of a $250 million public financing package for the $500 million project. That city plan includes $35 million for a new 1,243-space parking structure, to be built north of W. Juneau Ave. and east of N. 6th St., in the Park East strip. The N. 4th St. parking structure is to be given to Head of the Herd, which would demolish it and replace it with a privately financed entertainment center with restaurants and taverns. The Bucks want to begin demolishing the parking structure before the new one opens so the arena and entertainment center, known as the “live block,” can open at the same time, said Peter Feigin, Bucks president. The teams plans to have those facilities ready for the 2018-’19 National Basketball Association season. Bauman said he would oppose zoning approval if that demolition is allowed before the new parking structure opens. “Frankly, that was never part of the debate up until this point,” he said. Bauman and some Plan Commission members questioned why the Bucks couldn’t delay opening the live block, which would include a public plaza, until after the arena opens. Greg Uhen, one of the project’s architects, said waiting until the new parking structure and arena were completed before demolishing the old parking structure would delay opening the live block for about a year. He said razing the parking structure after the arena was completed would create an inconvenient and possibly unsafe condition for people attending arena events. Feigin said delaying the live block’s construction also would bring a delay in new revenue that project would generate, including property tax revenue for the city.
Nov 23rd, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
Valley industrial buildings find new life as … industrial buildings
While a lot of Milwaukee’s older industrial buildings are being redeveloped as apartments, offices and retail space, Steve Looft has another idea. Looft plans to convert three older, long-vacant Menomonee Valley industrial buildings into updated industrial space. He and his investors are launching the project after securing Third Space Brewing LLC, a start-up craft brewery, as a tenant. And Looft is in discussions with other prospective tenants that reflect a similar mind-set for the neighboring buildings on W. St. Paul Ave., near the 16th St. viaduct. “It’s going to be the small, upstart manufacturers,” Looft said. “A microbrewery, a guy welding new equipment. They don’t need 100,000 square feet.” Also, like Third Space Brewing, their younger owners don’t want to be too far from the “cool areas” such as Walker’s Point, he said. The buildings, vacant for several years, will become what Looft calls “an entrepreneurial industrial park.” Third Space Brewing plans to open in June in a one-story, 12,000-square-foot building at 1505 W. St. Paul Ave. Third Space is led by Kevin Wright, a Thiensville native who worked six years as a brewer at Hangar 24 Craft Brewery in Redlands, Calif. Third Space Brewing, owned by Wright and investors group ATG/AB, is financing its $1.58 million start-up with equity funds, a primary loan from First Bank Financial Centre and a $150,000 loan from nonprofit lender Milwaukee Economic Development Corp. Also, Looft’s development group Cream City LLC, is using equity, a primary loan from BMO Harris Bank and a $325,000 MEDC loan to help pay for buying and renovating the future brewery, a $1.18 million project. Cream City’s other owners are Rick Read, Cindy Read, Dan Read and Don Read. The Read family owns Readco, a holding company for a metal fabrication and manufacturing firm that bought the buildings in the mid-1980s after the original owner, fabricator Geuder Paeschke & Frey Co., went out of business. Along with the future brewery, Cream City also plans to redevelop a three-story, 13,000-square-foot building just to the south which shares the 1505 W. St. Paul Ave. address, and a one-story, 30,000-square-foot building at 1601 W. St. Paul Ave. The three buildings are on parcels that total around 2 acres. Readco also owns a four-story, 62,000-square-foot building, at 324 N. 15th St., that could eventually become part of Cream City’s redevelopment plans, Looft said. That historic building, constructed in 1890, also was used by Geuder Paeschke & Frey. The company wasfounded in 1880, and was known for producing the first licensed character lunch box — featuring Mickey Mouse — in 1935. Another metal stamping company, General Press & Fabricating Co., now operates just across the street, at 1500 W. St. Paul Ave. Wright considered locations in Bay View, Walker’s Point and Riverwest for Third Space Brewing before deciding to lease the St. Paul Ave. building. It provides enough room for his production equipment at an affordable rent, he said, while its Menomonee Valley location is close to downtown and its nearby neighborhoods which help […]
Nov 23rd, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
City moves to demolish downtown Renaissance Book Shop building
The Renaissance Book Shop building in downtown Milwaukee is likely headed for demolition. An inspection of the property at 834 N. Plankinton Ave. found a “damaged and deteriorated building with sections of the building in a state of collapse or very near collapse,” a raze order issued Friday by the City of Milwaukee said. The building is now “unfit for human habitation, further occupancy or use and is unreasonable to repair,” according to the order, which was issued by the city’s Department of Neighborhood Services. “There’s been significant sinking and shifting of walls and support beams,” said Kail Decker, assistant city attorney. “The building is full of different books, periodicals and papers.” The city took the bookstore’s owner, Robert John, to court this year to force him to restore the building or pay for its demolition. Then, after getting a warrant that allowed officials to inspect the property last month, city officials issued the order Friday to raze and remove the building. “The city is not looking to front any money for him,” Decker said. “It would be him fronting the money for the costs.” Decker said he didn’t know how many thousands of books remain in the four-story building, but said the top three levels are packed. He added that many of the books are wet and mold-damaged, and some have fallen into the middle of the aisles as bookshelves appear to have toppled. “There are a lot of moisture issues in the building that are causing the floors to warp,” Decker said. Bookstore closed John has owned the decaying building since the 1970s. He also operates a used book shop at Mitchell International Airport. “We are reviewing the order and considering our options since the city filed the lawsuit,” said John’s attorney, David Halbrooks. The city has battled with John for years over the condition of the property, and closed the bookstore in 2011 after an engineer’s inspection found structural problems with the historic building, which was built in 1900. The city gained access to the building for an inspection last month after obtaining a warrant, Decker said. Ron Roberts, manager of the condemnation and commercial division of the Department of Neighborhood Services, could not be reached for comment Monday. Due to the condition of the building, it’s likely that it will have to be demolished, Decker said. The order said the conditions requiring the building to be razed include a number of problems, including defective areas of the foundation walls, foundation, beams and columns, roof covering, gutters, stairs, ceiling and floor coverings. Repair ‘unreasonable’ It also said that, because the cost to fix the property would be so high, such repairs are “presumed unreasonable,” and the building is a public nuisance. The city assesses the property at $352,000 for tax purposes. “The city respects the historical nature of the building,” Decker said. “It’s hard to see a historic building go down like this, but neglect has put it in this condition.”
Nov 23rd, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
MPS alternative high school principal is under investigation
Derrick “Baba” Rogers has earned plaudits and media attention over the years for his leadership in running Transition High School, an alternative school in Milwaukee Public Schools. Rogers has been credited with bringing innovative programs to the school, leading to high attendance marks at the facility. The school is open to Milwaukee students who are returning to the district after being away for incarceration, expulsion or other issues. But now Rogers finds himself in deep water. Officials confirmed last week that MPS officials have kicked Rogers out of the school and have contacted the Milwaukee Police Department. Rogers is paid about $115,000 annually. “There is an investigation underway at the school by MPD and MPS. The principal has been removed,” said Denise Callaway, executive director of communications for MPS. “I cannot comment further because this is a personnel matter and the investigation is ongoing.” A spokesman for Milwaukee police said late Friday that he was not familiar with the case. One source close to the matter said the allegations involve — among other things — missing money, improper expenditures and false education records. It has also been alleged that some employees were allowed to work with students from home. Several teachers at the school have been interviewed by investigators. The source said teachers have been told this is a criminal probe. “This has a lot of people shaken up,” the source said. The source said Rogers has not yet been fired, but that may be because of the lengthy process required to terminate an MPS employee. Asked to discuss some of the allegations, Callaway declined. Rogers did not return calls. The Milwaukee Community Journal reported Rogers was hired by MPS in 1988, and he spent much of his career developing programs for at-risk kids — mainly African-American boys. He has led Transition High School since it opened in 2007. The school was an initiative of MPS’s Department of School Innovation. Rogers expanded the curriculum, which was initially focused on online learning and hands-on learning, to include a heavy emphasis on African-American history and culture. This also includes what he calls “restoration of consciousness,” a program he invented to help these troubled youngsters understand what went wrong in their lives. “Our belief is the youth of African descent, who meet the criteria to enroll in THS, have had what should have been a healthy and wholistic ‘educational’ journey interrupted and insidiously sidetracked by a process of ‘schooling’ that has lulled them to sleep and led them to the brink of self-destruction,” Rogers told the Milwaukee Community Journal. Along with being an MPS principal, Rogers runs a nonprofit called Xodus Education Services and is the pastor of Compassion Ministries. No she didn’t Local attorney Verona Swanigan said she was encouraged to run for Milwaukee County district attorney by African-American trailblazer Vel Phillips. “She looked at me and asked me to run,” Swanigan told the Journal Sentinel of Phillips. Swanigan is taking on Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm in the 2016 Democratic primary. […]
Nov 22nd, 2015 by Dave Reid
Vel Phillips denies encouraging local lawyer to run for Milwaukee County DA
Local attorney Verona Swanigan said she was encouraged to run for Milwaukee County district attorney by African-American trailblazer Vel Phillips. “She looked at me and asked me to run,” Swanigan told the Journal Sentinel of Phillips. Swanigan is taking on Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm in the 2016 Democratic primary. But Phillips said nothing could be further from the truth. Phillips said she never encouraged Swanigan to vie for Chisholm’s post. “As a matter of fact, I discouraged her (from running),” said Phillips, the city’s first female and black Common Council member. Phillips, 91, said she met Swanigan in the late spring when the lawyer and a mutual friend visited Phillips. Phillips said the mutual friend explained that Swanigan was running to be the county’s top county prosecutor. “I said, ‘I hope you have money, friends and time,'” Phillips said she told Swanigan. “Because (Chisholm) has been DA for quite a while. He’s not going to be easy to dislodge.” Phillips said that was the only time she met Swanigan. At no point in the conversation did Phillips endorse Swanigan, she noted. “I would never endorse someone I just met,” said Phillips, the first black and the first woman elected secretary of state in Wisconsin. “I didn’t endorse her because I didn’t know her.” Phillips added, “It’s very annoying.” Swanigan, 38, sent an email to the Journal Sentinel last week seeking to clarify that she is not saying Phillips has endorsed her. “I have not published an endorsement list on any website, and therefore your assertions are horribly false and without permission to make,” she wrote. Swanigan faces an uphill battle against Chisholm. Last year, Swanigan admitted in a sworn affidavit that she bungled a federal case because she was “significantly physically and mentally impaired.” Swanigan has said she has since received treatment at the Mayo Clinic and is now healthy. She has said she will provide “clearance from my doctor” to any voter concerned about her health.
Nov 22nd, 2015 by Dave Reid
Milwaukee Admirals meet with likely new landlord on Panther Arena move
The top brass of the Milwaukee Admirals introduced themselves Friday to their likely new landlord at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena but said after the meeting they are not ready to discuss details of lease negotiations
Nov 20th, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
After Kroger takes over Roundy’s, Bob Mariano’s options include $10.8M golden parachute
Assuming Kroger Inc. completes its acquisition of the Roundy’s Inc. grocery chain, but Roundy’s chief executive officer, president and chairman Bob Marianodoesn’t stay on as planned, he will have a lucrative golden parachute in the bag. Regulatory filings associated with the merger released Thursday show Mariano stands to land a nearly $10.8 million severance package, assuming he either ends his employment for good reason or is let go by Kroger without cause on the day the merger closes. That isn’t likely to happen, of course, since both Roundy’s and Kroger have said Mariano will remain with the company as head of its local Roundy’s division after the merger.
Nov 20th, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
Could Marcus Center become downtown’s orphan venue?
The state law that helps finance the new Milwaukee Bucks arena also calls for transferring ownership of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts to the public agency that will own the arena and other downtown venues. However, that group, the Wisconsin Center District, is not eager to adopt the performing arts center — which needs annual public subsidies. That conflict went public Friday at a district board meeting. Board members expressed concerns about adding the Marcus Center to the district’s lineup of venues, which include the Wisconsin Center convention hall, the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and the Milwaukee Theatre. “I question whether we want to rush into another performing venue,” said board member Joel Brennan. “I think we ought to go slowly.” “Marcus Center has been there,” said James Kaminski. “It’s been running itself. Let it keep going.” The state law, passed this summer with bipartisan support and signed by Gov. Scott Walker, says the center district will own the new $500 million arena and lease it to the Bucks. Those lease negotiations are continuing. The law includes a provision which required Milwaukee County to transfer the Marcus Center “as soon as practicable” to the Wisconsin Center District. The Marcus Center must be “unencumbered,” legal jargon that can be interpreted as having no debt, the law says. It also says the property transfer may occur without the County Board’s approval. As a result, some County Board members have questioned why the county should continue financial support of the Marcus Center, said Brennan, who also is a Marcus Center board member. Within the new 2016 county budget, the board approved County Executive Chris Abele‘s proposal to spend $900,000 in operating subsidies for the Marcus Center. But those funds will be provided only for as long as the performing arts center remains owned by the county, Brennan said. Also, the board removed Abele’s proposal to provide $3.4 million to do work on a long-term upgrade of the center’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. That money was instead shifted to the Milwaukee County Historical Society. “Now, Marcus Center is not going to fall apart without that money this year,” said Brennan, chief executive officer of Discovery World. However, he added, county supervisors are wondering why the county should pay for long-term improvements if the Marcus Center is going to be owned by the Wisconsin Center District. Brennan said the center district board should consider a resolution making it clear that there is no immediate date for changing the Marcus Center’s ownership. He said that could be delayed until the new arena is completed. The Bucks say the arena will be built before the 2018-’19 National Basketball Association season. Other board members raised similar concerns. “We have our plate pretty full right now,” said Ald. Michael Murphy. He said the “unencumbered” term needs a clear definition from the center district’s attorneys. Murphy, Common Council president, and state Rep. Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) both questioned whether the center district should subsidize the Marcus Center, which […]
Nov 20th, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
