Bay View

Historic Preservation, Miller Park Sales Tax, The War on Bob Donovan, and More

Welcome to the sixth installment of Eyes on Milwaukee. This week I take an initial look at Alderman Witkowski's attempt to redefine Milwaukee's historic preservation ordinance, the Miller Park sales tax's sunset, the ugly turn Juarez versus Donovan has taken, and more.

Dimitrijevic, Buresh duke it out in 4th Supervisory District

Newcomer Bill Buresh vs. Sup. Marina Dimitrijevic. “He’s a fake Democrat,” she says. She’s in the “pocket of some special interest groups,” Buresh responds.

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.

Introducing the Bayshore – Airport Express Bus Service

Due in large part to a reduction in state aid starting in 2012, the Milwaukee County Transit System had planned for a massive reduction in service. Thanks to some last minute creative planning by those at MCTS, the vast majority of those cuts are on track to be avoided thanks to the use of CMAQ funds. The CMAQ funds, allocated out of a competitive bidding process, will provide funding to institute "express service" for two years along a number of key corridors which will replace segments of a number of routes. A public meeting, hosted by Supervisors Marina Dimitrijevic, Jason Haas, and Patricia Jursik, on the proposed Bayshore - Airport Express service was recently held to present the service to the community and answer any questions on the upcoming questions.

Apartment Proposal on Kinnickinnic is Recommended for Approval by City Plan Commission

HKS Holdings LLC. proposal for a $12 million mixed-use apartment building in Bay View was recommend for approval at the December 6th, 2010 City Plan Commission meeting.

$12 Million Mixed-Use Building Proposed in Bay View

HKS Holdings, LLC is proposing a $12 million 5-story mixed-use building, which would be located on the southeast corner of Kinnickinnic Ave. and Conway St. in Bay View.

Alterra opts for new construction in Bay View project (Renderings)

Alterra Coffee Roasters Inc. recently dropped plans to retrofit the Maritime Bank building, located between Kinnickinnic Ave. and Howell Ave., in Bay View, opting for new construction.

Shelby Keefe

The Milwaukee-based painter's work graces the poster for this year's Lakefront Festival of Arts, happening at the MAM this weekend.

Alterra Going International

Alterra Coffee, through a partnership with Mars Drinks, will now be available worldwide for the Mars FLAVIA single-serve system.

Ban Sticker Advertisements on Cars

Undoubtedly if you've walked around the East Side of Milwaukee for an extended period of time you've encountered a "Part Time Cash" sticker on the window of a car, or laying next to the curb. And therein lies the problem.

Tony Zielinski to Run for Lieutenant Governor

Milwaukee Alderman Tony Zielinski will announce his candidacy for the position of Lieutenant Governor on Friday.

$100 Million Worth of Development Approved by the Common Council

The $11 million Hide House project was the most hotly debated development project at the July 28th meeting of the Common Council, though the most significant action in terms of dollars was the approval of the Rivianna.

Historic Preservation Commission Delays Hide House Project With Quick Adjournment

The development team of General Capital Group and Joseph Development was before the Historic Preservation Commission to request a certificate of appropriateness which would allow them to demolish a portion of the Hide House complex, a former tannery at 2625 S. Greeley St. in Bay View.

The Abuse of Historic Preservation

Saving and restoring historic buildings is vital to any city.

South Shore Listening Session Recap

Following the veto of Milwaukee County transit sales tax by Governor Doyle, Representative Christine Sinicki, Senate Jeff Plale, and Representative Jon Richards held a listening session at the South Shore Park Pavilion.

Growth is Good. Let’s Keep it Going

Good news. The City of Milwaukee has been growing over the past decade, albeit slowly, but this recent trend is better than the decades long slide from a high point of 741,324 in 1960 to a recent low below 596,974 in 2000. Since 2000 Milwaukee has seen a small, but significant increase to 604,477 residents. Yes, a growth rate of just 1.3%, but it is a start.

Expect The Hoan Bridge Debate To Heat Up

Like the temperature outside, the Hoan Bridge reconstruction debate will heat up over the next few weeks. Alderman Robert Bauman, who represents downtown Milwaukee and the north end of the bridge, recently issued a press release that details how the city will likely position itself on the issue with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).

Traditional Neighborhood Development Partners Solar Village Renderings

Traditional Neighborhood Development Partners was one of the seven firms that submitted a proposal for Bay View's Solar Village project.

Apparently, My Mom Isn’t Welcome in Bay View

Recently I moved my mother from a single family home into a low-income subsidized senior housing development.

You’ll Never Drive Drunk If…

St. Patrick's Day is always one of my favorite days of the year, though often the day after is one of my least favorite, because everybody comes out and has a good time.

Biking Santas Invade Milwaukee

Meghan Arnold, one of the many biking santas you may have been lucky to see in downtown on Saturday, has an excellent write-up of the event complete with photos.  The story comes complete with details of a rendevous with the police and enough mentions of Diablos Rojos restaurants to make Mike Eitel blush.  Oh, and there is plenty of discussion of Lakefront Brewery beer.

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.

One Way to Replace The Hoan Bridge and Build a Better Milwaukee

The replacement of the Hoan Bridge and its associated freeway ramps with a grade level route offers many opportunities but will also require the rerouting of a portion of the 40,000 motorists that travel over the Hoan Bridge each day.

Zoning Committee Approves Multiple Land Sales

Resolution 080271 would authorize the land sale of nineteen City of Milwaukee (RACM) properties to create three mixed-use developments within the Haymarket Square neighborhood. These three development would consist of the Sixth Street Market, Vineyard Place, and Walnut Hill.

Zoning Committee Halts Empowerment Village

Although, this Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee meeting had a light schedule it did have one item of significance. Resolution 071292 and resolution 071181 made up the proposal for the re-zoning and sale of the city owned land located at the intersection of South Fifth Court and West Rosedale Avenue. This project which is better known as Empowerment Village pitted members in support of affordable housing versus environmental groups over a piece of city owned land. The environmental groups challenged the city’s right to sell the land and argued that during the Southeast Side Planning process this land had always been planned as a green space that would include a bike trail along the Kinnickinnic River. Alderman Michael Murphy pointed out that “we have to balance the needs”. But despite his words and Cardinal Capital‘s efforts to work with the environmental groups to alleviate their concerns by decreasing the size of the building, by paying for the bike trail to be built and by putting a conservation easement in place to protect much of the land as open space a compromise couldn’t be found. The committee voted to place on file these resolutions essentially denying this project from moving forward. The site location is pictured below via Google Maps Street View. View Larger Map

Status of Kinnickinnic River Dredging

Abandoned Wreck Originally uploaded by Retinal Fetish Previously, I had mentioned that a Kinnickinnic River Trail is in the works that would link up areas south and west of the Port of Milwaukee that don’t have good non-car access to downtown and the rest of urban Milwaukee. A key part of making that trail more attractive is the dredging of the Kinnickinnic River which would make it cleaner and more appealing for fish and trail-users alike. The dredging will ultimately help encourage development along the river corridor and hopefully a Riverwalk extension to the area. The deal currently is contingent on the EPA chipping in roughly $2 million from its Great Lakes Legacy Act program to cover the costs of expanding the Army Corps of Engineers’ disposal facility next to the ferry terminal. The Port of Milwaukee is set to pick up the remaining 35 percent of the costs to expand the facility. If the EPA doesn’t pick up the expansion costs, the deal is supposedly dead in the water. My bets are on it happening, one way or another. I’m looking forward to a cleaner Kinnickinnic already.

City Plan Commission Approves Empowerment Village

One item of note was the request for a changing in zoning from Industrial Heavy and Park to General Planned Development that had been held at the last City Plan Commission meeting. The approval of this resolution would be next step in allowing the Empowerment Village low income housing project to be built on a city owned lot near the Kinnickinnic River. It was held because local environmental groups had planned on utilizing the property for expanded green space and argued that the City of Milwaukee should work with the developer to find another vacant lot. After further review the Department of City Development (DCD) determined this was the best available city lot in that part of the city, that there significant time sensitive need for this type of housing project, and therefore recommended approval. Despite the recommendation Alderman Tony Zielinski continued his opposition to this project saying “the point is there are other options and I hope we don’t act on this”. The Commission took the advice of DCD and approved the resolution send it on the the Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee. The site location is pictured below via Google Maps Street View. View Larger Map

New Orleans

The Simpsons’ producers apologize to the citizens of New Orleans.

Broadband News – Thanks for Nothing

Access to the Wi-Fi zones requires a $19.95 per month membership in SBC DSL.

Changes at the Election Commission

Art Dealer in Jail

Don’t bother calling Kennedy Fine Arts in Northbrook, Illinois. Don’t even try to leave a message, because the voice mailbox is full. Of course, it is easy to see why – James F. Kennedy, the art dealer, has been sitting in the Milwaukee County jail without bail since May 7th, and it looks like he’ll be there at least until a hearing date on May 18th, according to a jail spokesperson. (According to the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, Kennedy’s offense occurred May 10th.) He is charged with a felony under statute 976.03(13), “extradition – arrest prior to requisition.” Milwaukeeworld.com told you two weeks ago that an individual was trying to peddle fake Picassos in the Milwaukee area. Although Kennedy is held on an unrelated out-of-state warrant, he is the fellow who was trying to pass off the fakes in our community. Apparently police did not have enough evidence to charge him with a crime in the matter – mere possession of fake artwork is not a crime, and there was insufficient evidence he had tried to sell the works, they say – Kennedy’s van was seized along with some 300 works of art that were allegedly fakes. He was arrested on Milwaukee Street, and is from Northbrook, Illinois. It is doubtful that Kennedy was the author of the fakes, and it is likely that he is a player in a much larger art fraud ring. So, just to remind you once again, if you have purchased any “Picasso” drawings in the last couple of weeks, contact a reputable art dealer or law enforcement authorities. Kennedy was born on May 17, 1957, so it looks like he will be spending his birthday in jail. Concordia Gets Bush President George W. Bush visited the Ozaukee County megalopolis of Mequon Thursday to deliver the commencement address at Concordia University at the Lutheran school’s very secure lakeside campus. Milwaukeeworld correspondent Patrick C. Horne, a Mequon resident, was at the intersection of Port Washington Road and Highland Road where Bush supporters and detractors hoped the presidential motorcade would pass. Of course, it didn’t, since the president’s motorcade traveled along Lake Shore Drive, far removed from the supporters, detractors, and reality. “We’ve got protestors on one side and the republicans on the other side,” Horne said via cellular telephone while awaiting the motorcade’s non-arrival. “We’ve got TV people on the other side, we’ve got Secret Service, we’ve got Germantown, Milwaukee, Ozaukee County, all sorts of people, all sorts of squads, all sorts of everything. Now, the mystery is which way he’s going to come in. I hope they take our President on LSD.” [Editor’s note: LSD is Mequon slang for Lakeshore Drive.] According to Horne, there was a good deal of “ranting and raving back and forth” between the President’s supporters and detractors. “’Give him four more years.’ ‘No, give him five more months,’” they chanted, he said. “Lot of Republicans,” Horne said. “’Oh! I forgot my flag!’ ‘Oh! Don’t they have anything better to do […]

Lame Duck Ruffles Feathers

Breier stuck on thorny hotel plan.

Is the Plankinton Exit Worth $60 Million?

Some months ago the state Department of Transportation announced a plan for rebuilding the mammoth Marquette Interchange that did not include any exits or entrances at Plankinton Avenue

That’s Incredible – Why Marilyn’s Story Can’t Be Believed

I don't claim to know who's right in the vicious dispute between Marilyn Figueroa and John Norquist.