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Eyes on Milwaukee: MKE Brewing Co. Celebrates New Brewery
Eyes on Milwaukee

MKE Brewing Co. Celebrates New Brewery

Breaks ground on new brewery with twice the capacity and rooftop beer garden.

Friday Photos: The Hopping Brewery
Friday Photos

The Hopping Brewery

Four apartment buildings, two new breweries and a hotel coming to former Pabst brewery.

NEWaukeean of the Week: Ken Trezek
NEWaukeean of the Week

Ken Trezek

"One of Milwaukee’s best qualities is the freedom to be spontaneous."

Plenty of Horne: Historic Preservation Winners Celebrated
Plenty of Horne

Historic Preservation Winners Celebrated

And Best Place at the Pabst Brewery announces new coffee shop and bar.

Friday Photos: Hyatt Place Hotel Coming
Friday Photos

Hyatt Place Hotel Coming

Construction starts on hotel on 8th St. west of Bucks' arena.

Friday Photos: New Units in Old Pabst Buildings
Friday Photos

New Units in Old Pabst Buildings

118 new apartments. Plus, see the church-turned-brewery before it opens.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Inside the New Pabst Brewery
Eyes on Milwaukee

Inside the New Pabst Brewery

See inside the church-turned-brewery at the Pabst complex.

Bar Exam: The Most Beautiful Bar In Town?
Bar Exam

The Most Beautiful Bar In Town?

Best Place at the Pabst is one of the most enchanting saloons in the nation.

Friday Photos: Church Becoming Brewery
Friday Photos

Church Becoming Brewery

Pabst coming back to where it all began.

Now Serving: The Brewery Opens Food Court
Now Serving

The Brewery Opens Food Court

Former bottling house boasts six mini-restaurants. And Sushi Go opens Bay View place.

Friday Photos: New Apartments at The Brewery
Friday Photos

New Apartments at The Brewery

Florida developer creating 118 apartments; Pabst opening a micro-brewery.

Friday Photos: Big Changes at The Brewery
Friday Photos

Big Changes at The Brewery

Once-abandoned Pabst brewery has become active neighborhood

Eyes on Milwaukee: Why SafeNet Moved Downtown
Eyes on Milwaukee

Why SafeNet Moved Downtown

A location in The Brewery and near Bucks arena attracted consulting company.

Eyes on Milwaukee: 10 Images of a Changing City
Eyes on Milwaukee

10 Images of a Changing City

Think Milwaukee moves slowly? These dramatic interactive images will change your mind.

Eyes on Milwaukee: How Urban is Bucks New Arena?
Eyes on Milwaukee

How Urban is Bucks New Arena?

Not so much. The biggest problem with the new Bucks arena design is the ground floor.

Friday Photos: Third Ward’s New Hotel Near Completion
Friday Photos

Third Ward’s New Hotel Near Completion

Nine-floor Kimpton Hotel is designed to blend in with the area's historic buildings.

Friday Photos: 2015 in Review
Friday Photos

2015 in Review

Talk about a building boom: We covered more than 25 projects, almost all including apartments.

City Streets: Highland Was Known as “Sauerkraut Boulevard”
City Streets

Highland Was Known as “Sauerkraut Boulevard”

It was also Johnson St. and Prairie St. before its name changed.

Friday Photos: Old Bottling House Becomes Student Housing
Friday Photos

Old Bottling House Becomes Student Housing

Transformation of Building 29, a former Pabst bottling house, is well under way, as our photos show.

Plenty of Horne: Frederick Lofts Represents “Tipping Point” For City
Plenty of Horne

Frederick Lofts Represents “Tipping Point” For City

At the dedication of 100-unit market-rate apartment building at the former Pabst Brewery, mayor hopeful for continued growth of downtown housing.

Beer City: What New Beers Will Pabst Brew?
Beer City

What New Beers Will Pabst Brew?

Its new Milwaukee brewery will revive quite a number of beers.

City Streets: The History of Juneau Avenue
City Streets

The History of Juneau Avenue

Once Division and Chestnut streets, it was consolidated into a tribute to city’s founder.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Bucks Arena Winners and Losers
Eyes on Milwaukee

Bucks Arena Winners and Losers

We count 33 winners, from strip clubs to Scott Walker to the streetcar, and 12 losers, including Frank Gimbel, the Brewers and Seattle.

Eyes on Milwaukee: The Return of Pabst Brewing
Eyes on Milwaukee

The Return of Pabst Brewing

The city's famed beer maker, long absent from Milwaukee, will return to the Pabst Brewery complex.

Plats and Parcels: Bucks Arena Triggering More Downtown Deals?
Plats and Parcels

Bucks Arena Triggering More Downtown Deals?

Downtown is a "on a roll," a developer says, and momentum is building for more real estate moves.

Plenty of Horne: Celebrating the Life of Paul Jakubovich
Plenty of Horne

Celebrating the Life of Paul Jakubovich

A host of notables gathered to salute Jakubovich and the fabulous historic architecture of Milwaukee he helped protect.

Plats and Parcels: 1,449 New Apartments Coming
Plats and Parcels

1,449 New Apartments Coming

And more are on the way, all within a two-mile radius of City Hall.

Plats and Parcels: Mayor’s Design Awards
Plats and Parcels

Mayor’s Design Awards

The 2015 Mayor's Design Awards recognized projects big and small from across the city.

How to Fill Those Empty Storefronts

How to Fill Those Empty Storefronts

Inaugural event will bring national leaders to Milwaukee to discuss long-term solutions for commercial corridors with empty storefronts.

Friday Photos: The Brewery’s 100-Unit Frederick Lofts
Friday Photos

The Brewery’s 100-Unit Frederick Lofts

Photos of this major residential project, another addition to a virtual mini-city replacing the old Pabst Brewery.

Plenty of Horne: We Want a New Arena!
Plenty of Horne

We Want a New Arena!

Bradley Center rally organized by MMAC featured five speakers touting the benefits of building a taxpayer-subsidized NBA arena.

Plenty of Horne: Bucks Plan Envisions Arena Streetcar
Plenty of Horne

Bucks Plan Envisions Arena Streetcar

$1 billion plan for new arena and other development would transform Park East land and tear down Bradley Center.

Plats and Parcels: Harley Davidson Arena?
Plats and Parcels

Harley Davidson Arena?

Google shows the new NBA arena as the Harley Davidson Arena. But a Harley spokesperson says the description is "erroneous."

Friday Photos: Progress on Frederick Lofts
Friday Photos

Progress on Frederick Lofts

New building in The Brewery, named after Capt. Frederick Pabst, will feature 100 apartments plus parking.

UWM Public Health School Tackles Social Problems

UWM Public Health School Tackles Social Problems

Its new headquarters in the Brewery is a MANDI finalist and its staff and students work with city Health Department.

Plats and Parcels: New Arena Plan & Pabst Brewing Returns
Plats and Parcels

New Arena Plan & Pabst Brewing Returns

Will legislature pass new arena plan? Will city and county have to contribute? Will Pabst brew here again?

Eyes on Milwaukee: Barrett Moving Forward With Streetcar
Eyes on Milwaukee

Barrett Moving Forward With Streetcar

If Common Council approves at December 16 meeting, construction would start in late 2015, and Milwaukee would follow in footsteps of many other cities.

Eyes on Milwaukee: New Apartment Building Approved at Pabst
Eyes on Milwaukee

New Apartment Building Approved at Pabst

Florida developer willing to undertake a project that no local developers will. The result will be 118 market-rate apartments, with no city financing.

Friday Photos: Pabst Business Center Nears Completion
Friday Photos

Pabst Business Center Nears Completion

The $10 million, 73,000 square-foot office building at the Brewery will open to new tenants this year.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Finally, a New Park East Plan
Eyes on Milwaukee

Finally, a New Park East Plan

Ten years later, the city and county are finally on the same page. Is development in the area ready to "explode"?

Eyes on Milwaukee: Winners & Great Photos of 2014 Mayor’s Design Awards
Eyes on Milwaukee

Winners & Great Photos of 2014 Mayor’s Design Awards

From the new Pizza Man to Radio Milwaukee to Junior House Lofts, the winners span many styles and neighborhoods. Photo Galleries of every winning design.

Friday Photos: Digging Up Our History
Friday Photos

Digging Up Our History

Construction of Frederick Lofts has unearthed tunnels used by Pabst Brewery to keep its beer cold.

Murphy’s Law: Why UWM Matters
Murphy’s Law

Why UWM Matters

It could be the key to transforming Wisconsin’s economy, but state leaders don’t seem to realize it.

Friday Photos: The Rise of Pabst Professional Center
Friday Photos

The Rise of Pabst Professional Center

The structure of its five floors can be seen, a new building rising amid many old brewery structures.

Friday Photos: Progress on the Pabst Center
Friday Photos

Progress on the Pabst Center

Construction photos of the Pabst Business Center, the first such development in a decade.

Remembering Donna Schlieman, Historic Preservationist

Remembering Donna Schlieman, Historic Preservationist

A longtime leader with Milwaukee Preservation Alliance, who helped defeat the Pabst City proposal, died on Friday.

Plenty of Horne: Barrett’s Birthday Party
Plenty of Horne

Barrett’s Birthday Party

The mayor's celebration is 11 days late. And Lakefront Brewery shatters its record for annual barrels manufactured.

Finally, Something the Parties Agree On

Finally, Something the Parties Agree On

Republican and Democratic legislators both support tax credits to rehab old buildings, but cost could be high.

Friday Photos: First Downtown Office Building in 12 Years
Friday Photos

First Downtown Office Building in 12 Years

Work has started on the Pabst Business Center, and our photos capture the progress.

Targeting Black Infant Mortality

Targeting Black Infant Mortality

Despite disagreements, groups working on problem are making progress.

Plenty of Horne: Transit Outrage
Plenty of Horne

Transit Outrage

Alberta Darling says my way or the highway. Plus: the return of Jerry Kleczka!

Friday Photos: Milwaukee From Atop the Pabst Silos
Friday Photos

Milwaukee From Atop the Pabst Silos

A 360 degree view of the city, including the Brewery redevelopment, from high above.

Pabst Office Building Goes Moderne

Pabst Office Building Goes Moderne

Striking new design for downtown's first new office building in 10 years

Eyes on Milwaukee: A Historic Milwaukee Celebration
Eyes on Milwaukee

A Historic Milwaukee Celebration

Plus: A national green award for The Brewery; and bringing fruit trees to Walker's Point.

Best of Doors Open: Doors Open to the Best Place
Best of Doors Open

Doors Open to the Best Place

The Best Place bar and its historic Pabst Brewery structures have been popular stops for Doors Open.

A Spectacular Green Neighborhood is Brewing in Milwaukee

A Spectacular Green Neighborhood is Brewing in Milwaukee

Milwaukee’s newest trendy neighborhood is likely to become one of its best, and almost certainly its greenest.

HMI Doors Open 2011 Recommendations

HMI Doors Open 2011 Recommendations

Imagine this for a moment -- you’re a kid in a candy store, and as things go, this candy store is opening for the first time ever and only for one weekend. Oh gosh. You’ve dreamed of this cornucopia of confections so many times before, you know every name and shiny wrapper in the store... but your eyes are bigger than your stomach. How can you pick just a choice few, knowing your slight allowance won’t let you have all that you want? It’s the best and worst kind of agony.

Downtown Plan Gains Approval at Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee

Downtown Plan Gains Approval at Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee

Department of City Development staff presented the Downtown Plan Update at the September 15th 2010 Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee meeting. Similar to the City Plan Commission meeting staff presented the overall themes and the eight catalytic projects, which are geared towards increasing density and connectivity throughout downtown, whiles creating a sense of place.

It’s not that easy being green… It’s that easy saying you’re green

It’s not that easy being green… It’s that easy saying you’re green

Bein’ green might not be that easy for Kemit, but for some development projects it seems all to easy “bein’ green.”

2009 Milwaukee: A Year in Review
2009 Milwaukee

A Year in Review

It's time to look back at all the predictions we made for last year, and see how overly optimistic we were.

The Park East Disaster? No

The Park East Disaster? No

Would Milwaukee be better off with the Park East Freeway spur intact? No. Has development been slow so far? Yes. Is that a problem? Only if you have a short-term perspective on the future of Milwaukee.

Apartment Development is Strong in Milwaukee

Apartment Development is Strong in Milwaukee

Regardless of what neighborhood it is, the development of new apartments is a growing trend in Milwaukee. Currently there are two prominent projects vying for City of Milwaukee financial support in one form or another, the Bookends and The Moderne. Outside of the two proposed towers there are numerous other projects at various stages around urban Milwaukee.

Photo Gallery: Zilber Park
Photo Gallery

Zilber Park

The recently opened Zilber Park is a functional, and useful shared feature of The Brewery project. This park might not strike many people as a park in the Milwaukee sense of the word, meaning it has lots of grass and trees, but this is a creatively designed urban park that respects its location and creates an outdoor space ready for activation.

MCTS Adds New Bus Route

MCTS Adds New Bus Route

MCTS, empowered by a veto override by the Milawukee County Board in November, has added (in reality restored) a bus route to their service offerings, offering service from the Downtown Transit Center through downtown and out to 60th Street via Vliet Avenue.

Our 2009 Top Ten Lists

Our 2009 Top Ten Lists

It's time to look forward to what we can hope for and plan on in 2009.

Potential Changes to the RFP Process

Potential Changes to the RFP Process

Milwaukee should explore how land sales are managed in order to achieve the highest and best use. If Milwaukee can become better at converting land from public and vacant to private and developed it will only be a benefit to the entire city by building a better urban fabric and raising the city tax base.

Sydney Hih Nomination Held at Historic Preservation

Sydney Hih Nomination Held at Historic Preservation

This Historic Preservation Commission ("HPC") meeting included agenda items for the high profile projects, The Palomar, The Brewery and the Goll Mansion redevelopment.

Pabst Brewery Redevelopment Update

Pabst Brewery Redevelopment Update

Over the past couple of years I have followed the redevelopment of the former Pabst Brewery intently.

New Park East Request for Proposals

New Park East Request for Proposals

Milwaukee Skyline Originally uploaded by compujeramey Milwaukee County intends to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for a Park East corridor plot of land on the western end of the reclaimed land, near the former Pabst brewery. With developments finally getting off the ground on formerly RFP’ed plots on the eastern end of the corridor, and redevelopment moving full speed ahead at The Brewery it seems logical to move forward at this time and put another plot up for sale. The proposed plot is the one east of 6th Street, north of West Winnebago Street, and south of McKinley Avenue. On the flip side, Robert Ruvin had a harder time securing a loan for his development inbetween 3rd and 4th Streets after the market began to turn. Construction hasn’t even started there yet, and a demo unit is in the works to begin condo sales starting in April. Is it therefore logical to put the chance of another development on the market and potentially damage development going on on other parcels? Yes, well it would be great if the county could let every development get to 100% before triggering another I think it’s important to continue to grease the wheels for other developments to get off the ground. Plus, in all reality by the time the county put out the RFP, it’s going to be at least two years before construction even breaks ground. That will give other developments plenty of time to sell units.. The worst thing that could happen is the current credit crunch could toward around, and for the downtown area to be caught with a lack of available units and development going on. If people want to move downtown, and it appears they do, the county and city should continue to encourage developers to get projects off the ground that produce urban infill and add to the strength of downtown. They’ve done a good job of that so far, and I hope they don’t pull this sale in the event of a market downturn. I expect that further development in the corridor is only going to accelerate the pace of sales and leasing of space, and increase the amount of developers wanting to put up buildings. It’s hard to sell someone on living next to a bunch of gravel lots, but it’s going to be ease to sell them on living amongst a lot of new, pedestrian-friendly developments within walking distance of the city’s best assets.

Pabst Office Redevelopment Moves Along

Pabst Office Redevelopment Moves Along

The Pabst Brewing Complex Originally uploaded by compujeramey Jim Haertel, president of Brew City Redevelopment Group LLC, is excited to finally see his dream coming to fruition. Haertel, who I’ve mentioned before owns a group of former Pabst brewery office buildings that are part of the complex that Joseph Zilber is redeveloping. Haertel is a name many in Milwaukee may remember as one of the leaders behind the original plans to turn the brewery in PabstCity, a nightlife and entertainment district. That plan ultimately died as a result of the Common Council not giving Wispark public money to develop the area, because of concerns of its long-term viability. Haertel was promised the Blue Ribbon Hall office buildings as part of the deal with his financing partner Wispark LLC. He was given the buildings by Wispark upon their sale of the complex to Zilber and his Brewery Project LLC, and just recently in December settled a lawsuit with Wispark. Terms of the settlement weren’t released, and I haven’t heard rumor of what they might be. Development is moving at a fast pace at the complex now (pictures coming soon). Fulfilling Haertel’s dream for the site, Blue Ribbon Hall and the surrounding office buildings will turn into the Museum of Beer and Brewing and Hofbrauhaus Milwaukee. Construction will begin next year, and everything will open in February of 2010. The reason for the delay? Haertel wants to wait for construction across Juneau Avenue to finish. The buildings just across the street (former keg houses) are being removed and replaced with a parking garage (more on that later). Personally, I’m excited about the long-term prospects for this area. I really think overall there are a lot of really good things going on over at The Brewery.  Early developments such as the Hofbrauhaus are going to set a great tone for the surrounding area developments still to come.

Higher Education Expanding in Downtown Milwaukee

Higher Education Expanding in Downtown Milwaukee

Both Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have been working on multiple expansions within downtown Milwaukee. Marquette University has two major initiatives including the $100 million Discovery Learning Complex and the new Marquette University Law School. The Discovery Learning Complex will house the College of Engineering on recently acquired land at the 1600 block of West Wisconsin Avenue. This effort has received a series of large donations including $50 million from one family. Additionally Marquette University has received large gifts including $30 million from Joseph J. Zilber to support the development of the new Marquette University Law School at 13th and Clybourn. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee intends to open a new School of Public Health on land near the Brewery development. This initiative has received a $10 million gift from Joseph J. Zilber to push the project forward and insure it is developed downtown. These universities investment in downtown Milwaukee indicates a growing demand for higher education opportunities within the city. In apparent response to these expansion two new student housing developments have recently brought forward. First The Scion Group proposed and addition to 2040 Lofts that will have 100 rental units to be built on an existing surface parking lot to the north of 2040 Lofts. This project focuses on attracting Marquette students and building on the success of the existing 2040 Lofts. The second project announced by New Vision Development Co. is estimated at $75 million and it will be located at N. 6th and W. State streets. Although it will generally target MATC students, it will be open to students from Marquette University, Milwaukee School of Engineering and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as well. It is clear that as these universities continue to expand downtown they will continue to bring additional projects to downtown Milwaukee.

Affordable Housing Projects Approved

Affordable Housing Projects Approved

Multiple affordable housing projects went before the committee looking to receive approval in to apply for Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority tax credits before an upcoming deadline. One of interest due to the projects quality design was brought forward by United Methodist Children’s Services of Wisconsin. They were requesting a change in zoning to General Planned Development to allow for construction of a 24 unit four-story proposal to be located next to there existing building at 3940 W. Lisbon Ave. Volunteers of America was requesting a change in zoning to General Planned Development to allow for construction of a 65 unit building. Unfortunately this project stood out because it didn’t properly utilize a key location which concerned the committee. Alderman Mike D’Amato said that it “has to have active first floor users” because of the buildings high visibility location at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Keefe Avenue. Both of these projects as well as others were approved and will go before the Common Council. Other resolutions of note regarded the Brewery project and the reuse of the 440th site. Resolution 070932 approved the LEED checklist for the Brewery neighborhood and included the properties owned by Jim Haertel. Resolution 071238approved a reuse plan for the area vacated by the 440th that is consistent with the airport’s 1993 master plan. Alderman Bob Bauman was concerned about agreeing to this public benefits conveyance without assurances the County couldn’t then turn it over to a private purpose.

The Brewery Kickoff Video

The Brewery Kickoff Video

Old Machines Originally uploaded by compujeramey I was poking around The Brewery website after writing the last post on Mark Chmura and friends purchasing Building 14 and found that Towne Realty has released a video synopsis of the coverage surrounding the initial groundbreaking of the development. It’s a neat little video to watch about the start of the redevelopment project. NOTE: I suggest right-clicking and watching the video in full screen. The viewing size they give you is really small and has some annoying broken HTML surrounding it.

Mark Chmura and Company Buy Building at Pabst

Mark Chmura and Company Buy Building at Pabst

Pabst Brewery Originally uploaded by compujeramey Former Green Bay Packer Mark Chmura, his brother and real estate broker Matt Chmura, and, developer and son of former Milwaukee Brewer Sal Bando, Sonny Bando through their development firm BC Pabst Holdings have purchased a three-story, 28,000 square foot building at the former Pabst Brewery on the edge of the Park East neighborhood. The building previously known as Building 14 was used for Pabst research and development. Chmura and company are already lining up tenants for the office building and may open a conference center in the 1,200 square foot penthouse that has skyline views. The tenants are apparently interested in the access the building provides to traffic from Interstate 43. We at Urban Milwaukee hope someday it’ll be able to leased based on the vibrancy of the neighborhood it’s in. I was surprised to learn that not only does the sports-supported triumvirate own this building, but they also together own the Germania Building at 135 W. Wells St. and the Iron Block Building at 200 E. Wisconsin Ave in downtown Milwaukee. So much for jock stereotypes, these three appear dedicated to urban redevelopment of historic developments. I’m happy to see their on-board with the Pabst Brewery redevelopment, which is undoubtedly going to serve as a catalyst for redevelopment of the rest of the Park East neighborhood. The Small Business Times and the Journal Sentinel each have stories on the purchase. NOTE: The building purchased is pictured in the attached image. It is the short building partially cut off on the left-hand side. If you have a better image, let us know.

Michael Cudahy Proposes His Transit Solution

Michael Cudahy Proposes His Transit Solution

A Milwaukee County Transit System Bus Originally uploaded by Sebastian Joseph While County Executive Scott Walker and Mayor Tom Barrett continue to debate over the use of the $91.5 million the federal government has earmarked for transportation, entrepreneur-turned-philanthropist Michael Cudahy has proposed his own solution. Walker advocates an express-bus only approach, while Barrett advocates a system that utilizes downtown streetcars and express buses to expand the area. Cudahy advocates a plan that uses only streetcars. When it comes to quality of service and area covered, Cudahy’s proposal is the best. The first would resemble the 30 bus route, but ultimately head west towards the County Grounds (where UWM plans to build their new engineering campus) after meeting up with Marquette. The second would link the redeveloped Milwaukee Intermodal Station (formerly Amtrak) with MATC, The Brewery (Pabst Redevelopment), and head up Fond du Lac Ave to North Ave. When it comes to getting people to work from the central city and linking urban dwellers with surrounding areas, Cudahy’s plan seems the one most likely to generate long-term success. The only weakness is the apparent lack of a southern spur from downtown, but the proposed KRM solution would cover the gaps. I definitely support a sales-tax funding source as long as there is a long-term growth strategy including the addition of stops along Fond Du Lac Ave, west towards (and into) Waukesha County, and north into the northern suburbs. A light-rail streetcar system is far more marketable as a sales piece for relocating businesses and residents, and tourists coming to the city. Cudahy’s proposal best utilizes previous investments (Grand Ave Mall, Midwest Airlines Center, UWM, Marquette, County Grounds), while linking with new high-growth areas (The Brewery and Park East Neighborhood) and providing a reason for logical redevelopment of some previously less-attractive areas (Fond du Lac Avenue). Hopefully Mayor Barrett jumps on board behind the Cudahy proposal and Walker eventually comes on board.

Plenty of Horne: Wi-Fi Deal Dead
Plenty of Horne

Wi-Fi Deal Dead

"City will court other Wi-Fi providers" -- Ald. Michael J. Murphy

The Roundup: State Elections Board Responds to Complaint Against Walker
The Roundup

State Elections Board Responds to Complaint Against Walker

John Weishan and Gerry Broderick filed an official complaint today with the Wisconsin State Elections Board against Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker.

The Roundup: New Home for Lord?
The Roundup

New Home for Lord?

Lord has been looking at the old Lou Fritzel building with owner Peter J. Kondos.

The Roundup: The Jewish Judge Who’s a Quarter Irish
The Roundup

The Jewish Judge Who’s a Quarter Irish

Governor James E. Doyle told about 75 people at Mo’s Irish Pub last Friday that “there are a number of good things I can do as governor. … I get to appoint people to the bench. As a lawyer and the son of a judge, I take this seriously.” What does the governor look for in a judge? – He’s appointed about 6 of them so far –“I get a list of very – incredibly good people. I could pick them out of a hat. But I look for intelligence, fairness, and understanding of people. Also, frankly, some much needed diversity.” Doyle got diversity all right when he appointed Glenn Yamahiro as a Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge last year. Yamahiro, a former public defender, lawyer in private practice, and teacher of disturbed students, is also the first Asian-American to sit on the bar in Wisconsin. He is that, and more, the crowd, gathered for a fundraiser, was to learn. Yamahiro told the crowd that he was proud to be “the first [judicial] appointee by a democratic governor in almost 20 years.” Yamahiro is running for a full term against former Judge Robert Crawford, whose antics on the bench in the past cost him his seat to Judge Louis Butler, who was present, as were such other judges as Jean DiMotto, Ted Wedemeyer, Tom Donegan, Paul Wall and judge wannabees like Audrey Skwierawski. Attorneys including the venerable Dominic Frinzi and Mark Thomsen popped in for the gig. Yamahiro has already proven himself to be one of the more amusing speakers on the bench, and among politicians generally. “I told the governor at the time of my appointment that any opponent I would get would be buried at the election. “Now we have to come through on that promise,” he said, to the general assent of the assembled, not eager for a return of the goofy Crawford. Yamahiro rubbed it in: “If it was an election of the informed, we wouldn’t need this gathering,” he said. Do not think that Yamahiro tried to coast by solely on the merits of his wit and the novelty of his Asian background. “I am the first Asian-American judge in Wisconsin, but I did have a grandma in Iowa, born about 100 years ago. Her name was Morrissey. So I have 25 percent Irish blood, and I am happy to be in Mo’s Irish Pub with the Guinness flowing.” The crowd really liked this intercultural news, and I talked to Deja Vishny, a public defender with a really cool name – and yet another story. “I’m Glenn’s wife,” she said. The couple has one child, who attends a Jewish elementary school. “I’m Jewish,” she explained. “So is Glenn,” she added. Observations From the Governor On the Legislature You get the feeling from Governor Jim Doyle that the legislature is acting like a pesky housefly that he has to keep swatting at. The recent meetings of the august representatives of the people were characterized in this […]

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