Amen, Paule. Rest in peace, Candace. Milwaukee's future depends on a lot more than a booming Third Ward or gleaming lakefront. The Holy Redeemer/Bishop Daniels story offers a glimmer of hope.

Amen, sideliner. This city is not a complete success until this shit in the inner city ends. Sure, its great for the yuppies, college kids, etc...but something has to be done about the ghetto. Cmon, 20 people raping and sexual assulting a young girl and a Special Olympics athlete murdered for nothing in the same day? I know that stuff like this happens all over the U.S...but people in these neighborhoods have to wake the fuck up. I still hear too much shit about "the police" and "there are no jobs" and the "school system". Those are excuses. Look at these third world nations that have real bad police officers, no jobs at all, and if there are schools--they are in some mud hut---yet they dont have the same level of hate and violence as our inner cities. This "ghetto" culture is ruining our cities and there is no one to blame but the black community here. They put up with this shit. Can anyone tell me why these people down there get up in arms when a white police officer shoots some black criminal....but you dont see people to the same extent marching for peace? There are a few people who are vocal about it, but most just allow it to go on and dont say anything. They tolerate the criminality and they are to be blamed for this.

Not to mention all these single mother households. These bastards need to start taking better care of their kids and the mothers instead of producing 8 kids they cant possibly afford taking care of. Like I said, its a screwed up culture and the only people to change it are black people here. I dont think the government can or should have to do something about it. What can they do about people abandoning their kids, not graduating high school, voluntarily doing drugs and commiting crimes, etc?

Cluster of public places transforms lakefront
Discovery World museum fills out 'cultural corridor'
By TOM HELD
theld@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Sept. 9, 2006
Daniel Steininger figures his grandfather, Daniel Hoan, Milwaukee's mayor from 1916 to 1940, would be thrilled today at the view of the lakefront from atop the bridge that carries his name.

And 20 years ago, he would have been appalled.

That's Steininger's assessment of the transformation of the landscape extending north from the Port of Milwaukee, a transformation nearly complete today with the opening of the new education center, Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin.

The remaining piece, Lakeshore State Park, will open in spring.

Sweeping buildings and public spaces have replaced the parking lots, dingy buildings and aging boatyard that attracted few people to the area known as Municipal Pier.

The collection of institutions and entertainment spaces - the Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World, the state park, Betty Brinn Children's Museum in O'Donnell Park and the Summerfest grounds - could be called, with only a bit of hyperbole, the city's "cultural corridor." ..... rest of the intresting article and photos (http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=494036)

You beat me to it! ^^

Great read. The lakefront is truly something to be proud of. I cannot wait till Lakeshore State Park is completed. I still think it would be cool to see boats that would transport visitors from Pier Wisconsin/Milwaukee Art Museum to Summerfest/Lakeshore St. Park to the Harley Davidson Museum/Third Ward/Downtown.

also, the price to get into Pier Wisconsin is ridiculous. $17 a ticket? This thing better blow me away for those kinds of prices.

Heres a video i found that gives a pretty detailed site plan and sales pitch its 13 minutes long tho. click here (http://www.pabstproject.com/movie2.html)

Amen, sideliner. This city is not a complete success until this shit in the inner city ends. Sure, its great for the yuppies, college kids, etc...but something has to be done about the ghetto. Cmon, 20 people raping and sexual assulting a young girl and a Special Olympics athlete murdered for nothing in the same day? I know that stuff like this happens all over the U.S...but people in these neighborhoods have to wake the fuck up. I still hear too much shit about "the police" and "there are no jobs" and the "school system". Those are excuses. Look at these third world nations that have real bad police officers, no jobs at all, and if there are schools--they are in some mud hut---yet they dont have the same level of hate and violence as our inner cities. This "ghetto" culture is ruining our cities and there is no one to blame but the black community here. They put up with this shit. Can anyone tell me why these people down there get up in arms when a white police officer shoots some black criminal....but you dont see people to the same extent marching for peace? There are a few people who are vocal about it, but most just allow it to go on and dont say anything. They tolerate the criminality and they are to be blamed for this.

Not to mention all these single mother households. These bastards need to start taking better care of their kids and the mothers instead of producing 8 kids they cant possibly afford taking care of. Like I said, its a screwed up culture and the only people to change it are black people here. I dont think the government can or should have to do something about it. What can they do about people abandoning their kids, not graduating high school, voluntarily doing drugs and commiting crimes, etc?


You can't just blame the people in the inner city. That's a cop out, it is all of our responsibility to make the city safer and create serious employment opportunities. Until everyone takes responsibility for this and acts like it is happening in their neighborhood or to their family, little is going to change. That's the problem though, no one REALLY cares enough to do anything about it...it's "those" people and "their" problem...or they just don't know what they can do to help.

There are a lot of socio-economic factors that are at play here. There are also many fantastic people in the inner city that are trying to stop this. As bad as the inner city is, it is still filled with more good people than bad.

So how close is LPT to actually happening?

So how close is LPT to actually happening?

Needs more anchor tenants, needs city approvals, needs financing...it's still a ways off yet if it's ever going to become a reality.

Cluster of public places transforms lakefront
Discovery World museum fills out 'cultural corridor'
By TOM HELD
theld@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Sept. 9, 2006

I'm sorry but I think this picture is post-worthy:

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/sep06/discovery090906.jpg

also, the price to get into Pier Wisconsin is ridiculous. $17 a ticket? This thing better blow me away for those kinds of prices.

You'd better hold off on visiting for a while. It will take several months before all of the exhibits are installed and opened.

also, the price to get into Pier Wisconsin is ridiculous. $17 a ticket? This thing better blow me away for those kinds of prices.

That's actually not that bad. An all-access pass to the Shedd is $23.

I was under the impression(please correct me if I'm wrong) that Pier WI would be able to dock cruise ships, in some form or fashion. Mind you, I'm far from a sailor , but looking at that pic posted by Eastsider***

***okay, I just reviewed the pic again, and now I think I see my error. What I was getting at, was the little "gap" between the breakwaters for the state park and PW and how I thought it seemed just a bit small for a cruise ship.

It seems that that might be a dock of sorts on PW's breakwater? Could someone confirm this, I haven't been to the lakefront in months.

***okay, I just reviewed the pic again, and now I think I see my error. What I was getting at, was the little "gap" between the breakwaters for the state park and PW and how I thought it seemed just a bit small for a cruise ship.

It seems that that might be a dock of sorts on PW's breakwater? Could someone confirm this, I haven't been to the lakefront in months.

The cruise ships will dock on the outer side of the Pier Wisconsin breakwater--that's what the small rectangular piece sticking out of the breakwater is. There is a small road on the breakwater itself, so that certain vehicles will be able to access the ships (hotel vans, etc.).

There are slips for smaller pleasure boaters inside the little basin, right along side the Discovery World building.

You can't just blame the people in the inner city. That's a cop out, it is all of our responsibility to make the city safer and create serious employment opportunities. Until everyone takes responsibility for this and acts like it is happening in their neighborhood or to their family, little is going to change. That's the problem though, no one REALLY cares enough to do anything about it...it's "those" people and "their" problem...or they just don't know what they can do to help.

There are a lot of socio-economic factors that are at play here. There are also many fantastic people in the inner city that are trying to stop this. As bad as the inner city is, it is still filled with more good people than bad.

I disagree. Its not my responsibility, nor my families...nor is it any of yours. Yes, that sounds bad-but its the truth. What are we supposed to do about it? Change must come from within and its just not happening. These people have to make those important descions not to do drugs, not to commit crimes, to go to school, and to handle their family situations better. The government or outsiders cannot change whats happening here.

And I also disagree about the economic factors there. Sure, there are no jobs. Then again, who really should hire some of these people who dont graduate high school or have a criminal record? This isnt Milwaukee circa 1950, its 2006 and a h.s. diploma is necessary. The fact remains is that we have one of the lowest black graduation rates in Milwaukee. We also have I believe the highest black teenage pregancy rate. Until the first one goes up and the second goes way down--I dont see an end to the problems. And Ive said this before, but if these people would simply get married instead of have children all over the inner city with different mothers--the poverty issue would probally go down along with crime. There needs to be more dual income homes. There more of those, the less we have to pay to fund the bullshit down there and also the higher the chance the parents will have to time to spend with their own kids.

You'd better hold off on visiting for a while. It will take several months before all of the exhibits are installed and opened.

Yeah, I read that in the article--so maybe Ill just go to Indian Summer instead. :)
Or better yet, Indian Casino.




That's actually not that bad. An all-access pass to the Shedd is $23.

Really? Then again, Ive never paid to get in. Mom and dad always funded the field trips back then. Plus, the Aqaurium down there is huge and world class.

You know whats really ridicolous? Parking at Comiskey. 18 dollars? Jesus. We (me and BrewCrew..another forumer on this site) went down to Chicago last night, got in at around 7:30. See the lights on at U.S. Celluar and assume the game just started. So we go and park, later find out the game started at 6 and its completely sold out. Buy some tickets from a scalper on the cheap...getting completely scammed and turned away. After that, just drove through the hood and to Gary, later Michigan--getting back to Milwaukee by 3. By the way, does anyone know what age you have to be to gamble in Indiana? I wanted to go to the Horseshoe or the Trump Casino?

I disagree. Its not my responsibility, nor my families...nor is it any of yours. Yes, that sounds bad-but its the truth. What are we supposed to do about it? Change must come from within and its just not happening. These people have to make those important descions not to do drugs, not to commit crimes, to go to school, and to handle their family situations better. The government or outsiders cannot change whats happening here.

Surely you can understand that it is difficult for a kid that grows up surrounded by drugs, violence and people with minimal education to know what is the right thing for them to do with their life. I think it is most definitely our responsibility to show them that they have other (and better) options and that they can in fact make different choices than their parents or friends have. Otherwise it is just a continuous cycle. This can be accomplished through the government (better schools, job training), non-profits (YMCA, Boys/Girls Club) and private sector (job creation/location). I'm not saying that people still don't have to make important and smart choices about their life, but to say it is not our responsibility to help them is ridiculous and a cop out.

Surely you can understand that it is difficult for a kid that grows up surrounded by drugs, violence and people with minimal education to know what is the right thing for them to do with their life. I think it is most definitely our responsibility to show them that they have other (and better) options and that they can in fact make different choices than their parents or friends have. Otherwise it is just a continuous cycle. This can be accomplished through the government (better schools, job training), non-profits (YMCA, Boys/Girls Club) and private sector (job creation/location). I'm not saying that people still don't have to make important and smart choices about their life, but to say it is not our responsibility to help them is ridiculous and a cop out.

There has been things to show these kids that life isnt limited to the ghetto culture for awile. Its up to the parents and the black community to steer them in the right direction in my opinon--not outsiders like us. The government and police are not able to do anything either--what can they do?

There has been things to show these kids that life isnt limited to the ghetto culture for awile. Its up to the parents and the black community to steer them in the right direction in my opinon--not outsiders like us. The government and police are not able to do anything either--what can they do?

But what about the kids with awful parents? It's not realistic to think that they will somehow magically turn themselves around and set good examples for their kids. So, if the parents aren't good role models, it is our responsibility to make sure that kid has good role models, whether it be a teacher, neighbor, mentor, coach, etc. You can't give up on the kids and just say it is their parents responsibility because it might be too late to get those parents on the right track. It would certainly help if the parents were better, but there are plenty of things everyone else can be doing. It wasn't the kid's choice to be born into a single-parent household in a neighborhood with drug trafficking and gunfire.

Sorry, this isn't really Milwaukee Development news, but I agree with previous posters, Redd included, that this problem needs to be solved for Milwaukee to become a truly great City. I just see it as a problem and responsibilty of everyone who lives in the greater Milwaukee metro.

But what about the kids with awful parents? It's not realistic to think that they will somehow magically turn themselves around and set good examples for their kids. So, if the parents aren't good role models, it is our responsibility to make sure that kid has good role models, whether it be a teacher, neighbor, mentor, coach, etc. You can't give up on the kids and just say it is their parents responsibility because it might be too late to get those parents on the right track. It would certainly help if the parents were better, but there are plenty of things everyone else can be doing. It wasn't the kid's choice to be born into a single-parent household in a neighborhood with drug trafficking and gunfire.

Sorry, this isn't really Milwaukee Development news, but I agree with previous posters, Redd included, that this problem needs to be solved for Milwaukee to become a truly great City. I just see it as a problem and responsibilty of everyone who lives in the greater Milwaukee metro.

However, what should we do about it? We can say that we should set a good example and everything...but I dont think it matters if you are an outsider. Its one thing if you are living in these bad neighborhoods...but that doesnt seem to be happening to a great enough effect. There are mentors, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, YMCA, schools, urban sports leauges, and a wealth of other stuff, but these are not as effective as a commited mother or father. And there arent enough of these people to handle every child in the inner city--especially when you have more of these kids having more kids.

However, what do you do about stopping these bad mothers and fathers from having kids? You cant. Its going to be a cycle of poverty and violence until these people there wake up and make it stop. Its extremely difficult to do this if you are a single mother in the inner city. And even if you are receiving child support--that money does replace another parental figure.

THURSDAY, Sept. 7, 2006, 11:44 a.m.
By Tom Daykin
Historic buildings sold

Three of Milwaukee's best-known historic buildings have been sold to an out-of-state investors group.

The Mitchell Building, Mackie Building and Loyalty Building, which are clustered near one another on downtown's east side, were sold to a group formed by Stonewater Partners, which has offices in Los Angeles and New York.

Stonewater's owners include David Stade, who grew up in Stevens Point and earned his master's degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998.

The Mitchell, Mackie and Loyalty buildings are long-term investments, Stade said today. He said there are no plans to make any major changes at the buildings, which Stade said "are in pretty good shape."

The Business Journal of Milwaukee - September 8, 2006
by Pete Millard

The rebuilding of the downtown Milwaukee Amtrak station will spur development of retail, residential and office space that eventually could add $230 million in property value to the area near the terminal in downtown Milwaukee.

A dozen buildings and vacant lots along St. Paul Avenue are expected to be developed after the $15.8 million renovation and expansion of the Amtrak property, 433 W. St. Paul Ave. Amtrak station construction started in July and is scheduled for completion by fall of 2007.

Full Article (http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2006/09/11/story1.html?i=55413&b=1157947200^1343049)

^^
not once did they metion metra. Wouldn't downtown's metra stop be at the train station? That's far more important than where the taxis will go.

not once did they metion metra. Wouldn't downtown's metra stop be at the train station? That's far more important than where the taxis will go.

This article seems to focus only on the future of transportation operations that currently exist at or near the station (Amtrak, MCTS, Greyhound, taxis, limos).

However, one should not be so quick to dismiss even the smallest references to things like taxi and limo service...as they too are modes of transportation that are obviously relevant in an article about an intermodal transportation hub.

As for the Metra extension...to date, it still only exists as a proposal, which may be why it wasn't mentioned in this particular article (though last week's Business Journal did feature an article all about the Metra proposal). The Metra proposal has not yet been given a green light...as planners and politicians have to figure out exatcly how much it would cost, and how it would be paid for before any "go/no-go" decisions are made. If a decision is made to go ahead with the extension, then Metra commuter trains would indeed be stopping at the Downtown station--that's already been planned.

By TOM DAYKIN
Posted: Sept. 12, 2006

A local developer plans to build 12 condominiums on Milwaukee's east side, where he says demand is shifting from larger, more expensive units to condos that are more affordable to younger professionals.

Aaron Hootkin said Tuesday he plans to begin construction by spring on the three-story building at 1668-1672 N. Jackson St., just south of E. Brady St. The condos will range from around 1,350 to 1,550 square feet, with prices of around $275,000 to $325,000, he said.

Full Article: Journal Sentinel (http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=496241)

^When did 300k become 'affordable'?

^When did 300k become 'affordable'?

No kidding, right?! All the condos that are going up for the rich have units in that price range.. minus of course Kilbourn Tower and University Club Tower. Park Lafayette, the Sterling, 601 Lofts, RR, First Place... they've all got that price range!

Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeediculous.

Hey, my husband and I were driving around the other day and saw some cool looking condos/apts on the NE corner of Brady and Marshall. I was so intrigued and am very curious to know if anyone knows what they are!

Other firms enter Wi-Fi negotiations
Deal to build citywide network has been held up
By LARRY SANDLER
lsandler@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Sept. 13, 2006
A pair of major national companies are now in the running to build a wireless Internet network in Milwaukee, city officials say.

Milwaukee-based Midwest Fiber Networks also is still seeking to establish Wi-Fi service. But authorities opened the field to other players after becoming impatient with delays in the start of work.

Discussions are now under way with EarthLink Inc. and Cellnet, both based in Atlanta, as well as with Midwest Fiber, Eileen Force, spokeswoman for Mayor Tom Barrett, said this week.

EarthLink is one of the nation's largest Internet service providers, a publicly traded $1.3 billion corporation with more than 5 million subscribers. It is building Wi-Fi networks in Philadelphia, New Orleans, and the California cities of Anaheim and Milpitas, and it is involved in Wi-Fi plans in San Francisco and Pasadena, Calif.

Cellnet, a privately held corporation with more than $150 million in annual sales, is building its first Wi-Fi network in Madison. The company is involved in various utility businesses, including supplying wireless meter-reading technology to We Energies.

EarthLink spokesman Jerry Grasso declined to comment. Louis Kek, Cellnet's chief information officer, confirmed his company's interest but said Cellnet has had only preliminary talks with city officials.

In January, the Common Council gave its approval for Midwest Fiber to develop a $20 million wireless Internet system at the company's expense. At that time, city officials expected service in the Marquette University area by early summer and citywide by mid-2007.

But legal issues have delayed signing of a formal contract between the city and Midwest Fiber. And until that contract is signed, the clock doesn't start ticking on either the four-month deadline for near west side service or the 18-month deadline for citywide service. At this point, those timetables would push west side service back to early 2007 and citywide service to early 2008.

Midwest Fiber's deal with the city was never exclusive. But until last week, the contract would have prevented other companies from using city property to build their Wi-Fi networks in any neighborhood until Midwest Fiber had finished its network in that neighborhood. Dropping that provision was the key to bringing EarthLink and Cellnet into the talks, said Aldermen Michael Murphy and Jim Bohl.

But the change also "has a significant impact on our business model," said Donna Raffaelli-Meyer, a Midwest Fiber partner. Although Midwest Fiber is still interested in building a Wi-Fi system, it is now evaluating the challenges it would face in meeting the city's timetable while working out possible conflicts from overlapping signals and bandwidths, Raffaelli-Meyer said.

Barrett and the aldermen all indicated they supported Midwest Fiber but didn't want to wait any longer.

"They are a good company and we still hope to work with them," Force said of Midwest Fiber. "But the mayor wants a contract signed and a start-up to occur in this calendar year, and if EarthLink or Cellnet or another company wants to make this investment in Milwaukee at no cost to the taxpayers, Mayor Barrett welcomes that."

Murphy added, "EarthLink admittedly has some deep financial pockets, deeper than Midwest Fiber. I was hoping for Midwest Fiber, because they are a local company, but for a variety of reasons, they haven't been able to get this done."

And Bohl said he was "absolutely in favor of more competition going forward."

The kinds of problems encountered by Midwest Fiber are not unusual in building Wi-Fi systems, Force and Raffaelli-Meyer noted. Among the hurdles was City Comptroller W. Martin "Wally" Morics' insistence that a larger company provide financial guarantees the system would be finished if Midwest Fiber couldn't complete it.

Hey, my husband and I were driving around the other day and saw some cool looking condos/apts on the NE corner of Brady and Marshall. I was so intrigued and am very curious to know if anyone knows what they are!

I believe I saw one of them one of them (2 bedrooms) going for $399k.

Actually, $394k. (http://www.shorewest.com/vp/ListingServlet?SITE=SHOREW&ScreenID=LISTING_DETAIL_P&cd_MLS=637568)

There was a crane on Michigan St today, where Lake Point Tower would be built. I don't want anyone to jump to conclusions, but does anyone know what be might going there. I assume it was probably just there for some kind of normal maintanence work, but I did not have enough time to look and see what was going.

THANK YOU!!! :)

There was a crane on Michigan St today, where Lake Point Tower would be built. I don't want anyone to jump to conclusions, but does anyone know what be might going there. I assume it was probably just there for some kind of normal maintanence work, but I did not have enough time to look and see what was going.

I saw it too.. looks like they are starting preliminary work on something..

I drove past the potential site of LPT and I saw a substantial crane being put together (or taken apart?) on Michigan Street right next to the parking structure. I also saw a pile of twenty foot long metal tubes piled on the sidewalk. Whatever it is they're doing down there it must either be just starting or wrapping up.

I'm forced to conclude that they are doing some kind of work on the parking structure. Whether this is in "preperation" for something or not remains to be seen.

The Business Journal of Milwaukee - September 15, 2006
by Pete Millard

Leaders of Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin want to acquire the adjoining Pieces of Eight restaurant on prime lakefront land to link the new attraction and the Milwaukee Art Museum.

The Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin board is exploring options to acquire the Pieces of Eight property, 550 N. Harbor Drive. The restaurant leases the site, just north of the $63 million Discovery World, from the city of Milwaukee. Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin held its grand opening Sept. 9 and 10.

Specialty Restaurants Corp., an Anaheim, Calif., restaurant chain that owns Pieces of Eight, successfully fought a city eviction several years ago. Its current lease with the Port of Milwaukee runs through 2017.

Article continued... (http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2006/09/18/story3.html?i=56133&b=1158552000^1346428)

City OKs loan to fund cleanup
$1.1 million from EPA will go to Park East housing, retail project

By TOM DAYKIN
tdaykin@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Sept. 21, 2006

A $175 million housing and retail development that's planned for Milwaukee's Park East
The Redevelopment Authority on Thursday approved the loan for The North End, a project that plans to eventually create 395 condos, 88 apartments and 20,000 to 25,000 square feet of street-level retail space. The development is planned for 8 acres overlooking the Milwaukee River, on the former Pfister & Vogel tannery site.

Mandel Group Inc., the developer, plans to begin demolishing the tannery buildings before the end of the year, said Dave Pavela, chief financial officer.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=502099

Mitchell airport ranked 5th-best in U.S.
Readers of Conde Nast Traveler have ranked Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport as best in the nation in the categories of ease of connections, safety/security and customs/baggage. Mitchell had the most first-place rankings in individual categories and finished fifth overall among U.S. airports. The annual travel awards appear in the magazine's October issue.

Advertisement

Mitchell has spent $50 million in recent years on expansion and renovation of all three concourses. In 2005, 7.3 million passengers used the airport, where 12 airlines offer non-stop and direct flights to more than 90 cities in the U.S. Mitchell is the 50th-largest airport in the country and the 34th-largest in terms of destinations served.

Um, there's gotta be an official statement or something from someone if that crane is for LPT. I hope it is, but i guess all we can do is wait and see.

Congrats on Milwaukee's Mitchell airport!

Um, there's gotta be an official statement or something from someone if that crane is for LPT. I hope it is, but i guess all we can do is wait and see.

Congrats on Milwaukee's Mitchell airport!

Im not living in milwaukee anymore, but it almost seems that they are tearing down the parking structure to get measurements and whatever they do beforehand so that they don't promise all these tenants space and find out the land is unsuitable. I have no idea...I think this plan may open up, but i don't know if they would just jump right on it...who knows?

I don't know if you guys have heard (local.live.com) , but Milwaukee has been included on bird's eye coverage at live local. Check it out, it's amazing.

Wow! That site is terrific. Better than google earth by far. And the clarity when getting close in is amazing. Thanks. My house looks hot from the air.

Have you guys seen this? I found it on the DCD website. I don't know about the building's status but let's hope it gets built. Look at the link:
MOD Lofts (PDF) (http://www.mkedcd.org/MODLofts.pdf)

I believe the DCD and the local Alderman are backing this proposal, so I assume it will happen.

There is mounting local oppostion though. Some question the market for higher-end apartments in Bay View and are concerned with what will happen if that market doesn't materialize - will they then be used for subsidized housing?

I think it is a positive step for that section of Bay View. It is being built on a city-owned parking lot - parking spots are included in the proposal along with some retail space. It should be a boost to local business on KK as well...

Thanks fiddler for the link. It's one of my favorite sites now.

Thanks fiddler for the link. It's one of my favorite sites now.
Yep, Thanks Fiddler!

Wi-Fi deal swings back to local firm
Barrett signs agreement for $20 million system
By LARRY SANDLER
lsandler@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Sept. 27, 2006
After months of negotiation and repeated city threats to bring in other wireless Internet companies, Milwaukee's citywide Wi-Fi system will be built by the same local start-up business that first proposed it: Midwest Fiber Networks Inc.

Mayor Tom Barrett said he signed a contract Wednesday to allow Midwest Fiber to use city facilities to build a privately funded $20 million Wi-Fi system, starting with the area near Marquette University.

By next week, Midwest Fiber will have crews on the streets of the city's near west side, mapping out sites to mount antennas and working out engineering details for the first phase of the system, said Donna Raffaelli-Meyer, a Midwest Fiber partner. Within the next few weeks, the company will start announcing which Internet service providers will be available through the system, she said.

The contract sets a mid-January deadline for service in the area bounded by I-43, U.S. Highway 41 and W. Canal and W. Vliet streets. Raffaelli-Meyer and Randy Gschwind, the city's chief information officer, said service could be switched on earlier, but that's not certain.

Citywide service is to be completed within 18 months, or in early 2008. Midwest Fiber will draw up a schedule of which neighborhoods would get service in which order. But more densely populated neighborhoods are likely to offer the best market opportunities, and the mayor doesn't want the central city to be last, Gschwind said.

If Midwest Fiber falls behind on its schedule, other companies would be allowed to use city facilities, such as streetlight poles, to build competing Wi-Fi networks in the same neighborhoods, Barrett said. Otherwise, competitors could still come into a neighborhood, but would have to wait until Midwest Fiber's network was in place there, he said.

60 Web sites
The contract calls for 60 Web sites, run by government entities or non-profit agencies, to be available free. Users would have to pay a monthly fee to visit other sites. Raffaelli-Meyer said rates would be announced soon.

Midwest Fiber and its contractors expect to hire 10 to 25 people to help build the system, Raffaelli-Meyer said.

In addition to the city's streetlights, many of the system's 2,500 to 3,000 antennas will be placed on We Energies poles, Gschwind said. The antennas will be connected to fiber-optic cable in city-owned conduits under the streets, he said.

The deal has taken far longer than expected. The Common Council approved the plan in January, with the expectation that the near west side would have service by late spring or early summer. But a variety of legal issues delayed the contract signing, to the frustration of the mayor and aldermen.

Barrett said that was the cost of trying something new.

"This has never been done before," Barrett said. "When you're the first one out of the gate, it's difficult."

Although city officials talked with EarthLink Inc. and Cellnet, both based in Atlanta, Barrett said he had always hoped to finish the deal with Midwest Fiber, because it's locally owned.

One of the hurdles to clear was a federal tax rule that limits private use of facilities built with tax-exempt bonds, Gschwind said. That required engineers to figure out how to ensure that the Wi-Fi antennas occupied less than 2.5% of each streetlight pole, he said.

Another issue was City Comptroller W. Martin "Wally" Morics' insistence that a larger company provide financial guarantees that the system would be completed if Midwest Fiber couldn't complete it. Gschwind said the city received those guarantees from TCF Bank and from Cisco Systems Inc., which also will provide hardware. Raffaelli-Meyer declined to confirm that, and a Cisco spokesman did not return a call late Wednesday.

"There have been so many setbacks and so many delays that I'm just really pleased to have this signed," Raffaelli-Meyer said.

The Ruvin plan won.


Luxury hotel for Park East area approved
A proposal for a luxury hotel, condominiums, offices and retail space in downtown Milwaukee's Park East area won approval today from the County Board, which voted to sell a county-owned site for the development.

The board voted 16-3 to sell the parcel, bordered by N. Old World 3rd and N. 4th streets and W. Juneau and W. McKinley avenues, to a group led by Ruvin Development Inc. and Dallas-based Gatehouse Capital Corp. Their plan calls for a 175-room hotel, 70 condos, 55,000 square feet of offices, 31,000 square feet of retail space and a 330-car parking structure.

In making that decision, the board rejected a rival proposal, from Rana Enterprises. Rana proposed a 202-room hotel, a gas station/convenience store, 14,000 square feet of offices, 9,000 square feet of additional retail space and a 400-car parking structure.

Robert Ruvin, Ruvin Development president, said the development firm plans to begin site preparation work within 90 days. He said he expects to begin construction on the new building within a year. It will take 18 months to 24 months to complete the project once construction begins, Ruvin said.

The three supervisors who voted against selling the land to Ruvin and Gatehouse were Toni Clark, Elizabeth Coggs-Jones and James White.

Today's vote came two months after the proposals were initially presented to the board's Committee on Economic and Community Development. The committee, at a special meeting before the board meeting, recommended approval for the Rana proposal. That occurred two weeks after the committee declined to make a decision on recommending a proposal.

County development officials said Ruvin's proposal would generate annual property taxes of just more than $2 million, compared with roughly $626,000 that Rana's development would generate each year.

Ruvin would create 500 construction jobs, while Rana would create 131 to 154 construction jobs, according to the developers. Ruvin offered to buy the parcel for $2.9 million, compared with $2.8 million offered by Rana.

Also, Rana Enterprises President C.A. Rana said he would guarantee a $500,000 payment to a county fund to help develop affordable housing in Milwaukee. He had previously guaranteed a $150,000 payment for that effort.

Meanwhile, Ruvin officials emphasized their partnership with Gatehouse, which has developed luxury hotels in Los Angeles, San Diego and Dallas. Ruvin's projects include the $35 million conversion of the 169-unit Blatz Apartments, 270 E. Highland Ave., into condos.

Rana is known for operating Milwaukee-area gas stations and convenience stores. Also, Rana once worked for a firm that has developed mid-price hotels in Canada.

oops, Neubrew beat me to it.

good news though.

great news about the Ruvin Development. And ModLofts sounds really cool.

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/sep06/ruvin_hotel.jpg

just so you don't have to rewind. well, its on the front page of jsonline.com :cheers:

Yeah!!!

I believe the board also aproved part one of this development on the Park East:

js article
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=506163
company site:
http://www.rscrealestate.com/mixedUse_parkeast.html

I'm so happy they chose Ruvin's design. It's very forward thinking and will provide a great centerpiece for Park East. Way to go Milwaukee.

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/photographer/17/1794_large.jpg

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/photographer/17/1792_large.jpg

Please don't jump on me, but I really don't like this proposal. Sure, it's "bold," and Milwaukee needs bold, but perhaps too bold. Remember, this was "bold" in 1970...

http://www.raisethehammer.org/images/brutalism_01.jpg

I don't this thing has staying power. Hell, I just don't like it. It looks rather ugly. Let the bombs fly...

edit: double post

^ I agree. It certainly is iconic, innovative, etc. It's also ugly. And that's being said before acknowledging that renderings flatter buildings...

Besides, when developers only release night renderings, its because they realize their building looks like crap in the day. I can't imagine that those windows would look anything but bad during daylight. Oh well, at least it injects some 'vertical' into the PE corridor. Better big and ugly than short and ugly...

-----==--=--==-----

Anyway, Does anyone have any more information on these proposals: Rana Tower by Rana Enterprises. [Source 1 (http://ranaenterprisesgroup.com/content/view/24/83/), 2 (http://ranaenterprisesgroup.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=42&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=43)]

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/7707/rana20tower20webpage20postergt4.jpg
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/9701/ranatower2200607251106694074vd7.png
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/5236/ranatower3200607251208112329rr2.png
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/7531/ranatower4200607251801907312it7.png
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/6405/ranatower5200607251990000451qg5.png
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/1719/ranatower6200607251258562273qz9.png
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/6126/ranatower7200607251877117778qv8.png
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/9445/ranatower8200607251636246692wi1.png

Some news about this proposal (http://ranaenterprisesgroup.com/content/blogsection/2/123/):
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/5703/bizjournaldn3.jpgStarwood eyes downtown Milwaukee (http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2006/08/14/story1.html?page=1)

Hotel chain negotiating for a Westin or W Hotel
The Business Journal of Milwaukee - August 11, 2006 by Pete Millard

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. is negotiating with several Milwaukee real estate developers to locate a Westin, Sheraton or W Hotel in downtown Milwaukee.

In recent months, Starwood representatives have talked with Rana Enterprises, Milwaukee, and JBK Properties Inc., Milwaukee, about their separate proposals for mixed-used developments in downtown Milwaukee.

"Asif Rana, president of Rana Enterprises, who once worked as a hotel developer for American Heritage Group, Montreal, said his firm has been in contact with Starwood and Marriott Corp. about his project."

---==---

And Rana Residential Suites by Rana Enterprises. [Source 1 (http://ranaenterprisesgroup.com/content/view/32/111/)]

http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/8382/ranaresidentialsuites0200607281953919668th9.png
http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/713/ranaresidentialsuites1200607281697153530or2.png
http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/4639/ranaresidentialsuites2200607281698576119ol6.png
http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/3968/ranaresidentialsuites2200607281698576119rd4.png
http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/7200/ranaresidentialsuites4200607281736115576no0.png

Cheers,
Jai

I don't think this has been posted yet:

Barrett: Zilber TIF at Pabst site could be $23 million
The Business Journal of Milwaukee - September 29, 2006
by Mark Kass

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has included $13 million in tax incremental financing in his proposed 2007 budget to help push the redevelopment of the former Pabst Brewing Co. complex in downtown Milwaukee.

In all, Barrett said, Milwaukee developer Joe Zilber, who is undertaking the project, is seeking about $23 million in tax incremental financing to help pay for streets, environmental cleanup and other infrastructure. However, Barrett said the city funds would be spent only as Zilber spends his own money on the project. In a TIF, the city borrows to pay for public infrastructure and the funds are repaid through the increased property taxes the project generates.

Zilber's investment group, Brewery Project L.L.C., bought the 21-acre site in August from Juneau Avenue Partners L.L.C., an investors' group led by Wispark L.L.C., the development subsidiary of Wisconsin Energy Corp. Wispark had proposed a $300 million project on the site in 2005, but its request for a $39 million TIF was rejected by the Milwaukee Common Council.

Zilber intends to sell large parts of the Pabst site to other developers and develop some of the parcel himself. He wants to redevelop the site for housing, offices, retail and other uses.

Barrett said he supports the proposal and hopes aldermen will approve the TIF request by the end of 2006.

"I would really like to see this get going," he said.

Michael Mervis, Zilber's assistant, said Zilber's representatives are "very close to resolving outstanding issues" with the city.

"We are guardedly optimistic that everything will be in place in the next week or two," he said.

Barrett has allocated $74.4 million for TIF districts in his proposed 2007 budget, a $12.2 million increase from 2006. Other projects expected to request TIF funding include The North End mixed-use development at the former Pfister & Vogel tannery.

Jai, I think that Rana tower proposal was the other proposal besides the Ruvin design, the one that was not chosen (Rana being the one not chosen).

As for the other Rana proposal (Rana Residential Suites), i havent seen it before. Perhaps its another version of the same proposal or a different one, im not sure. They appear to have alot of the same features.

Allthough upon second glance, I see that the street corner is clearly not the same, so who knows. I do like that Rana Residential Suite proposal, especially the inset waves of glass.

Well, my question is, is there any current examples of this type (ruvin's) of architecture that we could compare? There's got to be something out there that uses slate or this design. If anyone who's more informed than me can think of one, let us know. I still think ruvin was the better choice though.

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with those who don't like the Ruvin design. I like it a lot. I think the most interesting and visually stimulating effect of the design is how the windows get larger as you move up the building. The result is almost like an Alka Seltzer in a glass clear glass of water, an apperance of the building's facade "dissolving." I think this effect will be most pronounced at night, but will still come through during the day.

I like how the design has this "dissolving" effect, but the building doesn't clunk you over the head with what the design is "trying to do." It's subtle, but totally different than anything seen in Milwaukee (or really anywhere else) before.

I love how the design incorporates the Sydney HiH building and the old Gipfel brewery, encasing these old structures into a new transulcent shell. This will make the street frontage of the project a really visually interesting experience, and, again, unlike anything seen in Wisconsin thus far. It pays homage to what went before, but unlike the Overture Center in Madison, the older facades don't feel tacked on.

I think this design is bold, but, unlike what was considered "bold" in the 1970s, this design is bold, while still conveying a subtle presence that fits in with its surroundings.

double

Please don't jump on me, but I really don't like this proposal. Sure, it's "bold," and Milwaukee needs bold, but perhaps too bold. Remember, this was "bold" in 1970...

http://www.raisethehammer.org/images/brutalism_01.jpg

I don't this thing has staying power. Hell, I just don't like it. It looks rather ugly. Let the bombs fly...

i dont understand the hate on brutalism.
its got good representatives and bad. this one is not so great.
1970 was a great time for architecture, too much maligned,
easy target. you have to try new stuff by default as time does not allow us to the same with building stuff.

But it reminds me of Blade Runner and 1984, and yes i do like the post office, it could be retrofitted to be cooler and user friendly but generally would be a great film shoot if you need to pretend you are in soviet union or some totalitarium state,

Besides, when developers only release night renderings, its because they realize their building looks like crap in the day. I can't imagine that those windows would look anything but bad during daylight.

The developers didn't realease "only night renderings."
There were a whole slew of renderings for this proposal released, covering different angles, depicting nighttime and daytime views.

Anyway, Does anyone have any more information on these proposals: Rana Tower by Rana Enterprises. [Source 1 (http://ranaenterprisesgroup.com/content/view/24/83/), 2 (http://ranaenterprisesgroup.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=42&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=43)]


The so-called "Rana Tower" was the proposal competing against the Ruvin proposal. They were competing to win the rights to develop the same plot of land.

And Rana Residential Suites by Rana Enterprises. [Source 1 (http://ranaenterprisesgroup.com/content/view/32/111/)]


The "Rana Residential Suites" is a proposal being considered for a different plot of land in the Park East area. It is at the northwest corner of 6th and McKinley...a vacant garage owned by the Journal Sentinel, once used for its delivery trucks. Rana's proposal for that site is up against about five others. The Journal will select which developer they will sell to; an announcement will be made once a decision is made.

i was driving downtown today and i didnt really notice the crane at the university club tower, any idea on how close it is to being completed?

Yup they started brining the crane done, this past weekend. And I noticed today work on the remaining exposed section on the north west side. I thought completion was slated for fall 06.

Yup they started brining the crane done, this past weekend. And I noticed today work on the remaining exposed section on the north west side. I thought completion was slated for fall 06.

Are we not in Fall '06?

Well yes it is Fall 06 but well they're almost done.

It's good news, wouldn't it be amazing if the Park East corridor became
fertile ground for architectural experimentation much like Columbus, Indiana.
It's a vast improvement over that useless freeway corridor.

The Ruvin proposal is better because it's taller?
The building does seem like it's post-dated to become an anachronism
sooner than you can shake a stick at a brutalist building. There is at least
one building on Earth that looks like this already, I will try to hunt it
down. It's about half the height of the tallest in the Ruvin proposal.

You will find the existing structure when you go through the older postings in the Milwaukee development news.

It's good news, wouldn't it be amazing if the Park East corridor became
fertile ground for architectural experimentation much like Columbus, Indiana.

The Ruvin proposal is better because it's taller?
The building does seem like it's post-dated to become an anachronism
sooner than you can shake a stick a brutalist building. There is at least
one building on Earth that looks like this already, I will try to hunt it
down. It's about half the height of the tallest in the Ruvin proposal.

You will find the existing structure when you go through the older postings in the Milwaukee development news.

I tend to agree with you. The mockups make it look like the 70s transported. My guess is though that it goes through some tweaks and once it's actually built it will look modern.

I suppose I just appreciate the fact that they are trying something new... not playing it safe. It's the spirit of the project and the historical revival that make it so appealling.

5-year rise exceeds those of state, suburbs

By MICHELE DERUS and MIKE JOHNSON
mderus@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Oct. 2, 2006

Milwaukee home values moved from bargain center to boomtown this millennium, almost matching the nation's 32% price run-up since 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today.

Its mid-decade American Community Survey shows the U.S. median home value rising from an inflation-adjusted $126,733 to $167,500 from 2000 to 2005.

In Milwaukee, home values climbed from a median $79,600 in 2000 - that's $90,232 in 2005 dollars - to $119,000 last year, a 31.9% increase that outpaced the percentage gains in surrounding suburbs and most of Wisconsin.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=507415

5-year rise exceeds those of state, suburbs

By MICHELE DERUS and MIKE JOHNSON
mderus@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Oct. 2, 2006

Milwaukee home values moved from bargain center to boomtown this millennium, almost matching the nation's 32% price run-up since 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today.

Its mid-decade American Community Survey shows the U.S. median home value rising from an inflation-adjusted $126,733 to $167,500 from 2000 to 2005.

In Milwaukee, home values climbed from a median $79,600 in 2000 - that's $90,232 in 2005 dollars - to $119,000 last year, a 31.9% increase that outpaced the percentage gains in surrounding suburbs and most of Wisconsin.

There is at least
one building on Earth that looks like this already, I will try to hunt it
down. It's about half the height of the tallest in the Ruvin proposal.

You will find the existing structure when you go through the older postings in the Milwaukee development news.

Are you talking about this??

Hmm... that Sidney Hih proposal looks remarkably similar to this building being constructed in Melbourne by ARM:

http://img306.imageshack.us/img306/1492/fromcentralpierlarge7uq.jpg

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/1509/latrobetowardsharbourlarge1qh.jpg

Has anyone heard when work will begin on the Erie St. Plaza.

And a proposed development for Holton & Brown
no renderings yet

The proposed building is a multi-use building composed of street level retail, 3 floors of apartments and a top floor of condominiums, which have been set back. Although the building height at its tallest is approximately 55 feet, the geometry of the building varies in height. Interior parking is provided for the residents, and screened parking is provided for the retail employees at the alley. The building materials consist of masonry, wood, metal panel and glass. The site is zoned as NS2. Other design specifications are as follows:

Square Footage:

Ground Floor
Parking 16,723
Condo Parking 3,500
Shared Services/Amenities 4,352
Retail 9,730

Apartment Floor (2-4) 14,340
Condo Floor (5) 19,372

Unit Mix:

45 Apartments on 3 floors, each with nine one-bedrooms apartments, one one bedroom+den apartment, and five two bedroom apartments.

8 Condominiums on 1 floor: (4) 1 bedrooms, (1) 1 bedroom + den, (1) 2 bedroom and (2) 2 bedrooms + den

53 Total Units

heres an interesting website for arquitectura - inc. the firm that has been working with Rana in thier Proposals. http://www.arquitectura-inc.com
There are some cool designs of buildings here, under the projects page. I was unsure if any of the other designs they have are being built or are already built. They also have a rendering of the design they entered in the pier wisconsin contest.

heres an interesting website for arquitectura - inc. the firm that has been working with Rana in thier Proposals. http://www.arquitectura-inc.com
There are some cool designs of buildings here, under the projects page. I was unsure if any of the other designs they have are being built or are already built. They also have a rendering of the design they entered in the pier wisconsin contest.
Nice Website. The Website has a link to the Rana Residentail Suites proposal or "vision" under their Project/Multi-Family Webpage. It gives a tiny bit more info than what I've seen before.

I was browsing the Mandel site when I ran across this. Am I the only one that didn't know about it?

Erie Street in Third Ward

Renderings
http://www.mandelgroup.com/data/condos/pic1_lg.jpg
http://www.mandelgroup.com/data/condos/pic2_lg.jpg

That Mandel proposal for Erie Street is for the site right next to their recently-completed Marine Terminal Lofts. Renderings and a model were on display at the Downtown Housing Expo last month.

Here's a couple pics of the UCT that I think are real good and should be shared.

They're from Flickr and if you like these you need to also check out the guy's Madison and Chicago albums, especially his WI Capitol building pics!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kharkovyy/

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/paule17/Aerails/261101139_03b375297e_o.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/paule17/Aerails/263425017_b240d9792e_b.jpg

I'm really surprised no one posted th is yet. This is great news for one of the city's bleakest areas.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=510217

City launches north side housing project

A major central-city housing project was launched Thursday that will add 70 or more single-family homes to a vacant stretch of land that had been set aside for the never-built Park West freeway.

The $16.5 million Legacy Redevelopment Project, to be built on 75 parcels bound by W. North Ave. to the north, N. 17th St. to the east, W. Brown St. to the south and N. 24th St. to the west, will be a mixed-income community.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Common Council President Willie Hines held a document-signing ceremony Thursday at the site, where they also announced the city's creation of a $3.25 million tax incremental financing district to assist with the new neighborhood's infrastructure improvements.

Construction is expected to begin in spring.

----------

70 houses is a pretty good number. I as happy for this project as I am for any downtown.

i was just wondering if anyone has any info on the ghazi project for 4th & wisconsin I havent heard anything in a while. ???

i was just wondering if anyone has any info on the ghazi project for 4th & wisconsin I havent heard anything in a while. ???

The website hasn't been updated at all since the project was announced and there haven't been any recent new articles. I have emailed the company a few times a few months back seeing if I could get a response about the project but haven't heard anything.

Thought I'd let people know that I met with the director of sales and marketing for Park Lafayette yesterday. They've got 85% of their units reserved so far and are hoping to move them to contract by the end of the month.

I'll have full technical data updated on emporis within the week along with the first round of construction photos. You'll probably also be interested to see photos of their unit model and photos of a scale model of the two towers... I'll post those here later tonight.

That Mandel proposal for Erie Street is for the site right next to their recently-completed Marine Terminal Lofts. Renderings and a model were on display at the Downtown Housing Expo last month.

Thanks for the information Markitect. Was there any other interesting projects at the expo that haven't been shared here?

i dig that Mandel proposal. These river condos are really looking cool.

btw, Markitect....is there anything going on regarding those twin tower things on the Southside of the river there? Somebody posted renderings at one time and I cant find them to refresh everyone though.

I'm really surprised no one posted th is yet. This is great news for one of the city's bleakest areas.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=510217

City launches north side housing project

A major central-city housing project was launched Thursday that will add 70 or more single-family homes to a vacant stretch of land that had been set aside for the never-built Park West freeway.

The $16.5 million Legacy Redevelopment Project, to be built on 75 parcels bound by W. North Ave. to the north, N. 17th St. to the east, W. Brown St. to the south and N. 24th St. to the west, will be a mixed-income community.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Common Council President Willie Hines held a document-signing ceremony Thursday at the site, where they also announced the city's creation of a $3.25 million tax incremental financing district to assist with the new neighborhood's infrastructure improvements.

Construction is expected to begin in spring.

----------

70 houses is a pretty good number. I as happy for this project as I am for any downtown.

It's about time.

Thanks for the information Markitect. Was there any other interesting projects at the expo that haven't been shared here?

Don't think I've seen it mentioned here, but there was a 10-12 story proposal on the south side of North Ave., opposite the UWM dorms that are currently under construction.

Don't think I've seen it mentioned here, but there was a 10-12 story proposal on the south side of North Ave., opposite the UWM dorms that are currently under construction.

Phase III of Mandel's RiverCrest project.

I went on Mandel's website but failed to find a rendering of the 10-12 story tower. Is there one? :)

what is going up at north and fond du lac?
the foundation is poured whatever it is. and across the street three buidings are for sale. I really like this part of the city.
north ave is looking better all the time, I absolutely love this street
they are finishing up that other cool new building just east of 35th.
its funny how good this ghetto looks, its almost ghetto lite.

i hate getting to tosa by highway so i like to take north or capitol to roosevelt.
milwaukee is definitely a surprise for someone who grew up in chicago and never REALLY explored it til i was in my thirties,

im in wausau for three months now which is also pretty cool

what is going up at north and fond du lac?
the foundation is poured whatever it is. and across the street three buidings are for sale. I really like this part of the city.
north ave is looking better all the time, I absolutely love this street
they are finishing up that other cool new building just east of 35th.
its funny how good this ghetto looks, its almost ghetto lite.

i hate getting to tosa by highway so i like to take north or capitol to roosevelt.
milwaukee is definitely a surprise for someone who grew up in chicago and never REALLY explored it til i was in my thirties,

im in wausau for three months now which is also pretty cool


I don't know what that is, but that part of the city has somuch potential its sick.

I went on Mandel's website but failed to find a rendering of the 10-12 story tower. Is there one? :)

The renderings for the future RiverCrest phase aren't online yet...but the style is sort of North End-ish.

I noticed tonight that the Rana Tower Hotel proposal is listed on the Emporis Website even though their proposal lost out in the Milwaukee County Board vote. Is this an indication that the Rana Tower Hotel proposal has another plot of land already picked out as a backup Park East location?

The Rana Residential Suites proposal is also listed on Emporis. Hmmm?

And the winning Ruvin proposal is listed on the Emporis Website.

I noticed tonight that the Rana Tower Hotel proposal is listed on the Emporis Website even though their proposal lost out in the Milwaukee County Board vote. Is this an indication that the Rana Tower Hotel proposal has another plot of land already picked out as a backup Park East location?

Emporis is wrong. That is actually a listing for the proposal Rana just lost out on, not a "back up" one.

Proposing it for a different site in the Park East corridor would certainly have a different design, since the remainder of the sites are completely different shapes and sizes than the one they lost out on.

The Rana Residential Suites proposal is also listed on Emporis. Hmmm?

It is listed because it an active proposal on the table, along with a handful of others, all vying for the same site, as mentioned earlier.

Emporis is wrong. That is actually a listing for the proposal Rana just lost out on, not a "back up" one.
Proposing it for a different site in the Park East corridor would certainly have a different design, since the remainder of the sites are completely different shapes and sizes than the one they lost out on.
It is listed because it an active proposal on the table, along with a handful of others, all vying for the same site, as mentioned earlier.
Yeah, Emporis still has the Broadway Tower and the Ovation Plaza still listed as active proposals even after all this time has gone by. Maybe they still are active proposals, but their lack of progress signifies a VERY slow office market in downtown Milwaukee. Too bad Manpower didn't select either the Broadway, Ovation, or even the LPT as a new headquarters building.

That Broadway-Wisconsin proposal has been dead for a while. So dead, that there had been another, different, slightly shorter proposal for the site made much later by different developers. Neither one was able to attract much attention for office tenants. The fact that the site sits within a historic district means the existing 1870s-era buildings that stand on the site have some protection from being demolished. There are better places along the Avenue for new development that don't sacrifice great old buildings.

The other proposals competing against the "Rana Residential Suites" are not listed on Emporis because none of them have received any media attention to date.

That Broadway-Wisconsin proposal has been dead for a while. So dead, that there had been another, different, slightly shorter proposal for the site made much later by different developers. Neither one was able to attract much attention for office tenants. The fact that the site sits within a historic district means the existing 1870s-era buildings that stand on the site have some protection from being demolished. There are better places along the Avenue for new development that don't sacrifice great old buildings.

The other proposals competing against the "Rana Residential Suites" are not listed on Emporis because none of them have received any media attention to date.

Damn it! I love that proposal. And I don't think those buildings historical gems. They're drab and ugly, and not worth saving, imho.

And I don't think those buildings historical gems. They're drab and ugly, and not worth saving, imho.

This very same thing has been said about countless older buildings all across the city...and then many of those buildings were painstakingly, lovingly, beautifully restored and now add value to the city. Many of those that have been restored aren't even in historic districts (meaning they lacked some of the protection in place for those that are in such districts), and their owned descided of their own volition to save them, to rehabilitate them, rather than demolishing them becuase they were run down.

Milwaukee is admired around the country, even aro9und the world, because of its rather strong penchant for historic preservation rather than knock-down, throw-away urbanism.

As for the particular buildings at Wisconsin and Broadway, they are significant because they date back to the 1860s-70s, putting them among some of the oldest buildings in Downtown. They are spectacular examples of 19th century Commercial Italianate style, with distinctive narrow arched windows and hand-carved wooden cornices, much of which is relatively still in tact--with the exception of the street level storefronts that were modernized during the mid-20th century. Aside from its architectural significance, the building is also notable for the fact that it was built by Josiah Noonan, who figured prominently in the pioneer era of Milwaukee and Madison.

Thought I would toss this one in for a peak. Took the shot on Tuesday.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a232/boatnurd/DSC01846.jpg

Beautiful photo, Boatnurd!

I agree, beautiful picture.

Thats too bad that the Wisconsin-Broadway Tower is dead, that was a good looking proposal. And of course we'll settle for a much shorter proposal couple years down the road.

Great shot Boatnurd!

Milwaukee commercial real estate development firm Colliers Barry considers the construction of a 100K-sq.-ft. headquarters building in Park East corridor. Interesting image provided in 10/13/2006 paper version of Small Business Times. Read here, but no pix: http://www.biztimes.com/news/2006/10/12/colliers-barry-plans-new-headquarters

Congrats to Milwaukee (and Madison, for that matter) for each getting a restaurant in the top 50 of Gormet Magazine's "Best Restaurants of 2006." Sanford (Milwaukee) and L'Etoile (Madison) got the #41 and #48 spots, respectively. No small feat considering nearly all of the other restaurants came from the coasts or Chicago.

It should be noted that Milwaukee restaranteer Joe Bartolotta also had a restaurant in the top 50. He co-owns "Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare" in Las Vegas, which was #21.

http://www.epicurious.com/gourmet/features/top_50_2006

Pabst owner to ask city for $28.6 million
Developer plans housing, hotel, offices
By TOM DAYKIN
tdaykin@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Oct. 16, 2006
The new owner of downtown Milwaukee's former Pabst brewery site wants $28.6 million in city financial assistance to help redevelop the buildings into housing, a hotel, offices and other uses, city officials said Monday.

The proposal, from real estate investor Joseph Zilber, would use $15 million to $16 million to pay for demolishing some of the former Pabst buildings and for environmental cleanup, said Joel Brennan, of the Department of City Development.

Another $11 million would pay for new streets, sewers, water mains and other public improvements within the 21-acre site, said Brennan, Redevelopment Authority assistant executive director. The remaining funds would pay for a job training program connected to the project and other costs, he said.

The city would borrow the $28.6 million, and the interest would be an additional $12 million, Brennan said.

That $40.6 million debt would be paid off by the development's property taxes within an estimated 20 to 22 years, he said.

In return, Zilber and other developers would transform the Pabst site, largely vacant since the brewery closed in 1996, into a development with an estimated value of $115 million to $120 million, Brennan said.

That value could climb as high as $175 million to $200 million, said Michael Mervis, Zilber's assistant. The amount is difficult to estimate because the site would be developed in stages over several years.

Zilber, chairman of Zilber Ltd., intends to sell large portions of the Pabst site to various developers, and may develop some properties on his own. Zilber has created conceptual plans to redevelop the site.

Some specific uses have surfaced publicly.

Madison-based Gorman & Co. plans to develop 90 loft-style apartments within the former Pabst keg house, and Johnson Controls Inc. is considering a corporate training center that would be built in conjunction with a hotel.

Also, real estate investor Jim Haertel wants to create a brew pub, inn and beer museum within the former Blue Ribbon Hall, offices and gift shop, 901-917 W. Juneau Ave.

The Redevelopment Authority will consider the financing plan at its Thursday meeting. It also requires Common Council approval.

Zilber would begin demolition and environmental cleanup work as soon as city officials approve the financing plan, Mervis said. The first stage of that work would take about a year to complete, he said.

Brennan said the financing plan would be structured so the city's initial payments would total $13.45 million - equivalent to what Zilber paid for the Pabst site and its associated assets. No additional city funds would be spent until the development's value reached at least $55 million, Brennan said. That would help ensure that the city's money would be repaid, he said.

Zilber bought the Pabst properties in August for $7.6 million. Zilber paid an additional $5.85 million for engineering, environmental and architectural work done by the brewery's previous owner, led by Wispark LLC, the development subsidiary of Wisconsin Energy Corp.

Wispark and its partners bought the Pabst complex in 2002 for $10.3 million and spent millions of additional dollars in an attempt to create PabstCity, an entertainment-oriented development.

Wispark dropped plans for PabstCity last year after the Common Council rejected a proposal to provide $41 million in city financing for the $317 million development. PabstCity would have included entertainment venues, nightclubs, restaurants, shops, housing and offices.

The new financing plan appears more "digestible" than the PabstCity proposal, said Common Council President Willie Hines.

Mayor Tom Barrett said the proposal would help revive the Pabst site in a way that protects taxpayers, and also provides additional opportunities through the proposed job training fund.




Indoor team may come to town
By DON WALKER
dwalker@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Oct. 16, 2006
Milwaukee appears to be on the verge of bringing back professional indoor football.

The National Indoor Football League is expected to announce early next month that Milwaukee will field a team. The team, as yet unnamed, would play at the U.S. Cellular Arena beginning next March.

League President Carolyn Shiver said Monday that the announcement was part of a larger move by the league to expand to 50 cities by next spring. The league's season runs from March to July.

A spokesman for the Wisconsin Center District, which owns and operates the U.S. Cellular Arena, declined comment.

Shiver said league franchises were jointly owned by the league and local investors. She declined to name the two local investors.

Milwaukee last had indoor football in 2001, when the Milwaukee Mustangs of the Arena Football League played at the Bradley Center. After that season, Bradley Center officials told the team to leave for a year while the arena was being remodeled. The remodeling never happened, and the Mustangs never returned.

While the NIFL appears poised to come to Milwaukee first, efforts are still under way to land an AFL franchise here. Evan Zeppos, a spokesman for the Bradley Center, said Monday that Bradley Center officials were in what he termed "serious and positive" discussions with former Green Bay Packers linebacker Brian Noble and the league to secure a Milwaukee franchise.

Noble, president of the Green Bay Blizzard af2 franchise, said he was trying to put together an investment group for a Milwaukee franchise.

The National Indoor Football League is not as well known as the Arena Football League or af2. The league has been in existence for seven years, and fields teams in smaller towns all across the country. The league is based in Lafayette, La.

Players are paid about $200 a week.

Hopefully this Pabst plan gets the go-ahead... if the city council rejects two plans in a row, it will definately discourage future developers from saving this decaying site...

Haha. Indoor football is cool shit. I think the Pabst proposal will go through too.

Regarding the AFL, Brian Noble seems to have done a pretty good job as GM of the AF2 team up here in Green Bay. He tried to coach the team for a year, which didn't go well, but he had the ability to recognize that head coach wasn't the role for him. As GM he's both helped the team turn into a winner on the field, but also, and more importantly, into a solid family attraction for the community. My guess is that the AFL leadership would feel confident working with him on a Milwaukee franchise.

Special Use/ Dim Var.
Dismissal U.S. Bank National Association
Corporate Real Estate Dept.; Property Owner 815 E. Michigan St.

Request to construct a mixed-use(residential, commercial, office) high-rise building, (41 to 45 stories) with a helicopter landing facility on site, that is over the maximum allowed floor area ratio permitted by code

Looks like it might actually get built

Special Use/ Dim Var.
Dismissal U.S. Bank National Association
Corporate Real Estate Dept.; Property Owner 815 E. Michigan St.

Request to construct a mixed-use(residential, commercial, office) high-rise building, (41 to 45 stories) with a helicopter landing facility on site, that is over the maximum allowed floor area ratio permitted by code

Looks like it might actually get built

Didn't they take this before BOZA like six months ago?

Didn't they take this before BOZA like six months ago?

It was listed on the agenda earlier this year, but wasn't supposed to be. Developers/architects asked that it be withdrawn.

Note that whatever dimensional variance or special use for which they were making an appeal is being dismissed...hench the "dismissal" notation under the Case Type on the BOZA agenda.

Based on looking at the recent rendeirngs for Lake Pointe Tower that were posted a few weeks ago, it doesn't look like the design has a heliport anymore, so that may be the reason for the dismissal.

Markitect --

Any idea whats going on with the construction near the site?

Midwest Airlines Center upgrade touted again
Milwaukee is losing business to cities with bigger facilities, officials say
By DON WALKER
dwalker@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Oct. 18, 2006
With Milwaukee's convention business in a holding pattern, the chairman of the Wisconsin Center District said Wednesday that it's time to revive the idea of expanding the Midwest Airlines Center.

Franklyn Gimbel said the region's ability to attract what he called a "gangbuster" convention was diminished compared with recent years because of the lack of hotel rooms in the area and the size of the convention center.

The center was last expanded at the end of 1999, when the building's exhibit hall was increased to 189,000 square feet. When the center first opened in 1998, its supporters said it would put Milwaukee in the big leagues.

But despite the upgrade, other cities began more aggressive expansion plans, leaving Milwaukee with one of the smaller convention centers, in terms of space, among similar-sized cities. Those cities include Indianapolis, Kansas City, Mo., and St. Louis.

Worse, the convention industry nationwide was hurt by the terrorist attacks in 2001, and cities began to compete against each other for business. That, in turn, forced convention officials here to focus their attention on landing smaller corporate and group gatherings.

Planners say there are no immediate signs of a large convention being booked for Milwaukee in the next couple of years. In the meantime, the city is losing business to other cities, including Chicago, according to Doug Neilson, president and CEO of VISIT Milwaukee, the city's convention and visitors bureau.

That's why Gimbel is thinking expansion, an idea he has supported for years.

"Expansion is something we have to revisit with some level of greater intensity than we have had in the past," Gimbel said. "To expand, we are going to need some help out of Madison. That means the state Legislature is going to have to visit whether or not they want to give us increased taxing authority."

District gets four taxes
The district collects four taxes: a City of Milwaukee room tax of 7%, Milwaukee County room tax (2%), Milwaukee County food and beverage tax (0.25%), and a Milwaukee County car-rental tax (3%).

An expanded convention center as well as the addition of more hotel rooms, Gimbel said, would produce more visitors to Milwaukee and provide jobs in the community.

A task force consisting of elected officials, hotel representatives and convention and visitors staff has been meeting for more than a year on ways to increase convention and visitor business to the city. The task force is also charged with determining the feasibility of expanding the convention center as a means of attracting larger and more lucrative convention business, Gimbel said.

A consultant is expected to be hired to analyze the city's convention business.

Gimbel made his comments after Wisconsin Center District board members approved a balanced 2007 budget that projects a net loss of $7.2 million after depreciation and interest accrued on district bonds. This year, the district projects a net loss of $6.5 million.

The new budget expects operating income of $12 million in 2007, with expenses set at $7.2 million.

Debt service this year is expected to total $12.5 million, and will grow to $12.7 million in 2007.

Less revenue expected
As evidence of the lackluster convention business, the district expects that revenue from event room fees, equipment rental and labor and show reimbursement will total $5.5 million in 2007, just slightly above the 2006 projection of $5.4 million.

The district's capital expenditures budget is also modest. In 2007, the district expects to spend only $663,000 on capital budget items, including much-needed carpeting for the convention center. That is $1.2 million less than the board had recommended in 2004 that it spend under the terms of a long-term capital requirements program.

"Certain capital projects that have been deferred will definitely need to be addressed as soon as possible," states the district's executive summary. "This will put additional pressure on funds in future years."

The district anticipates having a cash reserve of $2 million on hand on Jan. 1, 2007.

The district is also contracted to pay VISIT Milwaukee a total of $4.4 million next year for national marketing. To help make that payment, district officials said they will have to divert as much as $600,000 from the operations budget.

The 2007 budget also assumes that tax collections will total $16.5 million in 2007, a sizable increase from initial projections this year.

It was the payment to VISIT Milwaukee that drew the sharpest questioning on Wednesday. Board members questioned whether VISIT Milwaukee adequately accounted for its own administrative costs and expenses linked to assisting members of the organization. Neilson said he would provide better numbers at the board's next meeting.

I guess I'd like to see a listing of specific conferences that we were finalists or semi-finalists for that were turned down due to square footage. It seems to me that the MAC is plenty big enough for the majority of conferences. Our main issue was hotel space and industry draw. We are solving the first issue by adding hundreds of hotel rooms in the downtown area.

The second is more complicated. The City of Milwaukee needs to market itself as a desirable place to conduct business and visit. Right now, if I'm Joe Planner in New York, the city of Milwaukee is not on my radar. My participants would not see it as a desirable place to attend a conference. This is more due incorrect perceptions of Milwaukee as a dirty manufacuring town stuck in the 50s. Totally untrue, and they need to get the message out that Milwaukee is a clean, accesible, fun city with character that is on the upswing.

But A. (upgrading square footage) is much simpler than B. (improving image), so they opt for A. It doesn't mean it's the correct route.

It was idiotic, IDIOTIC not to build the Midwest Center to completion in the first place. Of course it will eventually be enlarged to its intended size, but at many times the original cost, to say nothing of the lost revenues of missing conventions in the interim. Good lessons were learned from the experience with its white elephant predecessor, but penny-wise-pound-foolishness (and probably a festering pile of petty personal politics) still undoes the project.

The second is more complicated. The City of Milwaukee needs to market itself as a desirable place to conduct business and visit. Right now, if I'm Joe Planner in New York, the city of Milwaukee is not on my radar. My participants would not see it as a desirable place to attend a conference. This is more due incorrect perceptions of Milwaukee as a dirty manufacuring town stuck in the 50s. Totally untrue, and they need to get the message out that Milwaukee is a clean, accesible, fun city with character that is on the upswing. You say you'd like to see a list of conference's that were turned down due to square footage issues. May I ask for the information you used to determine that people turn down Milwaukee for the specific reason you stated and that I bolded?

It has been proven time and time again that when most people around the country think of Milwaukee, the first thing that comes in their heads is Laverne and Shirley, factories/manufacturing, and beer.

What will be helping Milwaukee change that image soon is the fact that Summerfest plans on expanding their advertising campaigns around the country with hopes of luring more tourists to the festival.

Also, NeuBrew is correct with all the additional hotel rooms that are currently being built or are proposed to be built in the near future. That only helps Milwaukee and its metro area. I'm just hoping Milwaukee lands that Renassiance Hotel that was planned in the Third Ward, that will be an excellent hotel addition to the city.

what kind of marketing is summerfest going to be doing? I have long wanted them to have a more national presence, as I agree, it is something that Milwaukee really could (and should) be known for around the country.

It has been proven time and time again that when most people around the country think of Milwaukee, the first thing that comes in their heads is Laverne and Shirley, factories/manufacturing, and beer.
Laverne and Shirley, Ugh!!! That's why I hate Garry Marshall, the producer and director of that stupid show. But the thing that really ticks me off is when media publications, whether local or national, do an article about Milwaukee, they always seem to make reference to that stupid show. Ugh!!! No wonder Milwaukee can't seem to shake it's "hicksville" image in the minds of ignorantly uninformed.

As far as the Midwest Airlines Center is concerned, that venue is just like a number of other venues in the Milwaukee area that are either under utilized, revenue deficient, poorly managed, or already outdated. For example, the Milwaukee Mile, the US Cellular Area, the Bradley Center, the Petitt National Ice Center, the Mitchell Park Domes, the Milwaukee Public Museum and so on, all seem to have issues that need to be addressed in one way or another.

And to my way of thinking, you wouldn't need to increase the rate of the room, food and beverage, and car rental taxes if the additional hotel rooms that are proposed to be built bring in additional tax and business revenues.

Ruvin Development - 175 rooms
Staybridge Suites - 120 rooms
Renaissance ClubSport - 150 rooms
RSC & Associates - 280 rooms
Ghazi Company - 150 rooms
Lake Pointe Tower - ??? rooms

With all these additional hotel rooms, I think it would be easier for the Midwest Airlines Center to attract larger conventions, if they expanded it as well by another 100,000 square feet.

I know we all have ants in our pants in regards to wanting the LPT being built like yesterday. But from my interpretation of Markitect's recent posts about LPT, we all need to take a deep breath and realize it's a long way from being a reality. No anchor tenant, no LPT. On the other hand, if Robert W. Baird is looking to expand their global marketing and business, what better way to enhance their global image than to have their corporate headquarters in the new LPT.

Pabst financing wins preliminary approval
City panel recommends $28.7 million plan to Common Council
By TOM DAYKIN
tdaykin@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Oct. 19, 2006

The redevelopment of the former Pabst brewery would receive nearly $29 million in city financial assistance under a plan that received preliminary approval Thursday.
Advertisement

The Redevelopment Authority voted 5-1 to recommend approval to the Common Council. The only vote opposing the plan was from Ald. Willie Wade, who declined to comment on his decision.

Under the proposal, from real estate investor Joseph Zilber, the city would borrow $28.7 million.

About $15 million would pay for demolishing some of the former Pabst buildings and for environmental cleanup, with an additional $11 million paying for new streets, sewers, water mains and other public improvements. The remaining funds would pay for other costs.

Those city funds, along with $12.5 million in interest charges, would help transform the 21-acre site on downtown's northwestern edge into housing, offices, a hotel and other uses. The brewery has been largely vacant since it closed in 1996.

The $41.2 million debt would be paid off by the development's property taxes within an estimated 21 years, said James Scherer, of the Department of City Development.

Estimates of the Pabst development's value range from $125 million to $225 million. The amount is difficult to estimate because the site would be developed in stages over several years.

Zilber, chairman of Zilber Ltd., intends to sell large portions of the Pabst site to various developers and may develop some properties on his own.

Possible uses for the site include Madison-based Gorman & Co.'s plans to develop 90 loft-style apartments within the former Pabst keg house, overlooking W. McKinley Blvd.

Also, Johnson Controls Inc. plans to develop a corporate training center within the former bottling house, north of W. Highland Ave. and west of N. 9th St., said Michael Mervis, Zilber's assistant.

Meanwhile, real estate investor Jim Haertel wants to create a brew pub within the former Blue Ribbon Hall, offices and gift shop, 901-917 W. Juneau Ave.

Zilber would begin demolition and environmental cleanup work as soon as city officials approve the financing plan, Mervis said. The first stage of that work would take about a year to complete.

Zilber bought the Pabst properties in August for $7.6 million. Zilber paid an additional $5.85 million for engineering, environmental and architectural work done by the brewery's previous owner, led by Wispark LLC, the development subsidiary of Wisconsin Energy Corp.

Wispark dropped plans for its development project, PabstCity, after the Common Council last year rejected a proposal to provide $41 million in city financing for the $317 million development. PabstCity would have included entertainment venues, nightclubs, restaurants, shops, housing and offices.

Zilber's plans drew support Thursday from some of PabstCity's opponents, including Sandy Folaron, preservationist, business operator and former mayoral candidate.

"Developing it into a neighborhood is such a great idea," Folaron said.

The authority also voted to recommend approval on financing assistance for two other developments:

%u2022 A plan to build 30 homes and provide grants to repair existing houses in the Metcalfe Park neighborhood would receive just under $1.5 million. Along with interest charges, the city's commitment would total $2.04 million. That amount would be repaid by 2018.

The city cash would help fund a $5.5 million effort by Gorman and the Milwaukee Urban League to build the houses and then lease them to moderate-income families in an area bordered by W. Meinecke Ave., W. Center St., N. 27th St. and N. 39th St.

The houses, with two to four bedrooms, would be leased to families that qualify for below-market rents, ranging from $675 to $825 a month. Fifteen years after the homes begin renting, they would be available for purchase by their tenants at discounted prices.

That "rent-to-own" tactic has been used in Cleveland to improve home ownership opportunities for lower-income people. This marks the first time it's been tried in Milwaukee.

"In order to have successful home ownership, I think you need to try several different methods," said Ralph Hollmon, Milwaukee Urban League president.

The development would complement 80 apartments for the elderly that were developed by Gorman in the league's former offices, 2800 W. Wright St.

%u2022 The city would provide $4 million for a new riverwalk, street repairs and other public improvements near First Place on the River, a 154-unit condominium project. It's being created through the remodeling and expansion of the former Terminal Storage Co. building. The development, at 106 W. Seeboth St., overlooks the confluence of the Milwaukee and Menomonee rivers.

The project's $6.7 million costs, which include interest charges, would be repaid by 2016, said Allison Rozek of the Department of City Development. The funds would be paid off by property taxes generated by First Place on the River, a $75 million project.

The 12-story First Place is about half completed, and 65% of its condos have been sold, developer Scott Fergus said.

I thought they had found like one or two very possible anchor tenants already... I must be off a little

I thought they had found like one or two very possible anchor tenants already... I must be off a littleMaybe they did find a couple tenants already, I'm not sure. I thought they may have nailed down a hotel tenant, but are trying to get a large office tenant signed up?

I believe they have one tenant and the hotel secured.. Just waiting on another major tenant. Baird was listed as the most likely possibility but they were supposed to announce their decision by the end of last month. Another tenant that is looking is Cramer Krasselt ad agency who is looking for more office space.

Yes, Baird was definitely on the list of most-likely tenants for the LPT, as well as the possible first Westin Hotel in Milwaukee. Starwood Hotels has been looking for a decent spot for a downtown hotel for some time. Also US Bank wanted to possibly expand operations to the LPT.

Sorry to change subject but the Journal Sentinel had a great shot of the new Manpower HQ being built north of the Park East.

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/524/manpowerpq9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I know we all have ants in our pants in regards to wanting the LPT being built like yesterday. But from my interpretation of Markitect's recent posts about LPT, we all need to take a deep breath and realize it's a long way from being a reality. No anchor tenant, no LPT. On the other hand, if Robert W. Baird is looking to expand their global marketing and business, what better way to enhance their global image than to have their corporate headquarters in the new LPT.

Lake Point Tower does have two potential tenants already--one small one (some offices for US Bank), and sizeable one (Westin Hotel). But the project needs a major office tenant yet, without which, it won't get built. We'll know more once Baird (which currently has its offices in the US Bank Center) announces it's "to move, or not to move?" decision. If Baird turns it down, then some other firm will have to come in. We'll all have to wait and see how it pans out.


In the meantime, developers are doing some site investigations, which is what the construction work is going on out on the sidewalk in front of the site. They're driving test pilings and erecting test beams to see how the structural stability of the ground is in the area. When they have those answers, the proposed building's structural system can be properly designed, and they can better determine possible construction costs, types of materials, and so forth, which in turn affects rents, project financing, returns on investments, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Too bad Manpower didn't choose to be a tenant of the LPT or even Ovation Plaza, or build something better and taller than four stories where they're currently building.

Will those ground stability tests ultimately determine the height of the LPT? Dumb question, I know.

I must admit four stories for a downtown building is a bit depressing but I guess its better than having that rather than an empty parcel of land doing nothing.

They need the ground stability tests to see whether or not they can even plop a 42/43 story building in that spot to begin with. From what I know *correct me if I'm wrong* downtown Milwaukee, or at least the east side of the river, is built on mostly swampy land that *if not tested properly* can cause buildings to sink slightly.

It has been proven time and time again that when most people around the country think of Milwaukee, the first thing that comes in their heads is Laverne and Shirley, factories/manufacturing, and beer.
I'm not saying that isn't the case but saying that is different than saying it's a dirty old town stuck in the 50's.

I haven't been all around the country but places I have been to I never got the idea that people had such a low and terrible opinion of Milwaukee. The thing that hurts Milwaukee the most is that people have no opinion of the city because they don't know about it all that much. In my opinion it doesn't have much to do with what most Milwaukeeans think everybody in the nation thinks of their city.

i don't see what the excitement over lake pointe tower is. what's the major benefit to the city? unless we are bringing a new tenant downtown or a current downtown tenant is expanding its downtown presence, we are just spending a lot of money on a semi-attractive building in a sub-par location from a catalytic standpoint. Can someone please build the arguement why a tower there would be better for the city than one at Ovation, 4th/Wisc, next to the Milwaukee Athletic Club...or any of the other proposals?

i don't see what the excitement over lake pointe tower is.
The buzz factor?

They need the ground stability tests to see whether or not they can even plop a 42/43 story building in that spot to begin with. From what I know *correct me if I'm wrong* downtown Milwaukee, or at least the east side of the river, is built on mostly swampy land that *if not tested properly* can cause buildings to sink slightly.

Just about everything Downtown south of Wisconsin Avenue between about 5th and Cass Streets was once a marsh. Ditto for the Water Street corridor running northward to about Humboldt. The Third Ward was all marsh; it even had a couple of islands. Most of Walker's Point east of 2nd Street going all the way south to about Beecher was also marsh. And the Menomonee Valley was one big marsh as well.


Obviously it isn't impossible to build on filled-in marshland, but it does introduce certain physical and monetary challenges that need to be overcome in order to do so.

Originally Posted by MilwaukeeD
"i don't see what the excitement over lake pointe tower is..."

this is a skyscraper website, its a potential skyscraper.

Originally Posted by MilwaukeeD
"i don't see what the excitement over lake pointe tower is..."

this is a skyscraper website, its a potential skyscraper.

What skyscraper website? What is the potential skyscraper? No links? Questions, questions. Are there any answers?

What skyscraper website? What is the potential skyscraper? No links? Questions, questions. Are there any answers?

huh?

:llama:

i was answering the question why most people on the forum are spending time discussing and getting excited about lake point tower. Because its a potential skyscraper, and thats what we like to talk about on this website. I guess i could have been more clear.

i was answering the question why most people on the forum are spending time discussing and getting excited about lake point tower. Because its a potential skyscraper, and thats what we like to talk about on this website. I guess i could have been more clear.

Thanks, I drew a blank. I should have looked further back in the thread to see what you were talking about.

What's New in shops and services
By Nicole Adrian
Staff Writer
Posted: Oct. 19, 2006
wauwatosanow.com

Construction has begun on Research Park hotel
The beginning stages of construction have begun on the Milwaukee County Research Park hotel, going up on the southeast corner of Watertown Plank and Mayfair roads.

Bill Drew, executive director for the Research Park, said he expects it will take about a year to build the 200-room Crowne Plaza hotel. Drew said he believes the hotel will be open in the spring of 2008.

"They've been in doing site prep work," Drew said. "They're really working hard to get their footings in before it freezes, which will give them a chance to work through the winter."

Currently, construction crews are digging the base for the hotel, putting in sewers and moving a lot of dirt around, Drew said.

Russ Kaloti, of Kaloti Enterprises in New Berlin, is developing the $30 million project. M.A. Mortenson Co. is building the hotel.

The Wauwatosa Crowne Plaza will be a full-service hotel, Drew said, with a restaurant, banquet service, meeting rooms, a ballroom that will hold about 400 people and a swimming pool.

"Just the normal types of things you'd see at a hotel," Drew said. "It's a prototype for their new hotel construction."

Drew said the hotel will likely serve people at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital and the Research Park.

"But given the location and the type of hotel, my projection is it will serve this whole area," he said. "It's located closely to the facilities we have here, but it will serve this whole part of the county and the eastern part of Waukesha County. It will be the obviously the newest, and I think probably the best facility, for meetings and travelers."

Talks and plans for the hotel go back about two and a half years, Drew said.

"It's been a long process to get to this point, working with the mayor and players for the city, our board and the planner," he said. "We had been talking about this for a long, long time."

"These things are not easy to fund," he added. "Russ Kaloti really deserves a lot of credit for persevering."

Drew said there will be a formal groundbreaking ceremony at the end of October, and the hotel construction will formally begin afterward.

It's inevitable that something will get built at the Lake Pointe Tower site. Whether or not it's a 42 story depends on whether Baird or some other major office tenant signs on. We'll have to wait and see.

But you also have to consider that any news is better than no news. Im glad that developers are even looking into milwaukee like this. Also, the fact that the media has talked about this makes it even better. Its not a completely unatainable thing that our city cannot reach.

Does anyone have the original released rendering for LPT so we could compare the two?