Related Articles - Page 17
How a Streetcar Spurs Development
In cities like Kansas City, Cincinnati and Tucson, the creation of an urban streetcar has triggered development.
Nov 3rd, 2013 by Angie Schmitt
Critics Say WEPCO Proposal Would Over-Charge Customers
Valley plant conversion to gas will mostly serve businesses yet 90% of cost is charged to residential customers, they charge.
Oct 21st, 2013 by Gretchen Schuldt
How Legislators Grab Big Pensions
A move into higher-paying state jobs greatly increases their pensions.
Oct 14th, 2013 by Steven Walters
Journal Sentinel Story Doesn’t Hold Water
Story slams Milwaukee water utility though it’s actually cheaper than others in the region.
Mar 26th, 2013 by Bruce Murphy
Three predictions for three projects in 2012
We kickoff 2012 with three predictions about how three projects, which have the potential to change Milwaukee's landscape, will unfold in 2012. The projects? The reconfiguration of the Lake Interchange, the Milwaukee Streetcar, and Kohl's potential re-location to downtown Milwaukee.
Jan 4th, 2012 by Dave Reid
A Year in Review
As the US economy continued it slow recovery from the Great Recession, Milwaukee was left with a couple of failed development projects to complete or redefine, a changing real estate market, the opportunity to make small infrastructure changes, and questions about the future of transit.
Dec 15th, 2011 by Dave Reid
Public Works Committee Approves New Berlin Water Deal
This meeting’s highlights included the proposed water sale to New Berlin and the reappointment of Jeff Mantes to the Commissioner the Department of Public Works.The water sale involved two separate resolutions. Resolution 080012 would handle the actual water sale and resolution 080011 will enact an intergovernmental agreement contingent on the water sale. Water sales are regulated by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (“PSC“) which sets the wholesale price of water and oversees water contracts. Because of this any additional constraints beyond the sales agreement had to handled in an intergovernmental agreement. This intergovernmental agreement included a non-compete clause between the cities as well as a one time $1.5 million payment to the City of Milwaukee from New Berlin to offset some of the potential economic impact associated with this transaction. Further as this agreement proposes the sale of water outside of the Great Lakes Basin it follows the requirements set for within the Great Lakes Compact.New Berlin is seeking to obtain the additional water source to support the middle third of the city, to large extent because of high levels of the radium existing in their water and the depletion of their aquifer. During the discussion it was brought up, that if New Berlin isn’t able to purchase water from the City of Milwaukee that New Berlin may spend $4 million on an upgrade to their facilities or pursue purchasing water from Oak Creek. Both of these options were potentially more expensive for New Berlin than purchasing from the City of Milwaukee but Jack F. Chiovatero, the Mayor of New Berlin, indicated the pressing need by stating that “I wouldn’t be sitting in front off you if I didn’t have the radium issue”.Alderman Robert Bauman repeatedly made the point that New Berlin fails to meet the City of Milwaukee’s guidelines for water sales. These guidelines are based on access to mass transit and affordable housing within the community wishing to purchase water. Further he pointed out that this resolution does not reflect the original authorization to negotiate as passed by the Common Council in December 2007. In addition to Alderman Bauman’s vocal opposition various organizations such as the Good Jobs & Livable Neighborhoods Coalition, the Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council, and the ACLU spoke out in opposition to the water sale. This opposition stems from the idea that sending water to sprawling communities without adequate housing or transit options makes access to the new jobs, that this transaction will support, near impossble for low-income residents of Milwaukee to access. In addition to those concerns Bill Holahan, the Chairman of the UWM Department of Economics stated that “over the next 20 years the expansion out there will swamp the $1.5 million” and that “economic value of the water is probably not reflected in the $1.5 million”. Despite these issues and concerns the resolution was approved and sent to a special meeting of the Finance & Personnel Committee held prior to July 30th’s Common Council Meeting.The other contentious item was the […]
Jul 30th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Ameritech Catches Political Fire From Competitors
Open up this month's Ameritech bill and you may find a surprise.
Sep 28th, 2001 by Bruce Murphy
