Would the large, open grass area adjacent to the Water Treatment plant on Lincoln Memorial Drive be a possibility? That area is devoid of life anyway and is a waste of space. Not to mention that its a two minute drive from the main UWM campus, next door to a water treatment plant, and on the lakefront---in a pretty nice spot.

Would the large, open grass area adjacent to the Water Treatment plant on Lincoln Memorial Drive be a possibility? That area is devoid of life anyway and is a waste of space. Not to mention that its a two minute drive from the main UWM campus, next door to a water treatment plant, and on the lakefront---in a pretty nice spot.

I think you just answered your own question. Since it is on the lakefront, it will have the same backlash as the pieces of eight site.

I think you just answered your own question. Since it is on the lakefront, it will have the same backlash as the pieces of eight site.

These lakefront park jihadists are holding this city back with their opposition to development there. The idea that they would rather have grassy areas that are only used when there are fireworks in lieu of a high profile school shows their madness.

Big bold alarmist headlines help sell papers.

Astute readers, however, will note the article mentions that UWM is also still looking at some other sites within the city. They will also note that by the University's own admission, that despite the high profile of the Pieces of Eight site, it really was too small for the school. That's an admission that's been repeated in a number of articles in the past week or so since the decision was made.

So UWM made the right decision by not wanting to sacrifice school space for a high profile location.

The Pieces of Eight site really wasn't all that big, and not only does that hinder the amount of stuff that can go into the building, but also limits possible future expansion if freshwater education programs, research, and development are supposed to be as big as all of the promoters say it will be. So it only makes sense to find an appropriate site for the school to handle that.

In the grand scheme of things, it is more important for the work that the school does to be the focus of high-profile attention, not the location of the school building.

That is not to say the school should have a low-quality, crappy design, or that it should be built out in the suburbs...it just means the school does not have to be in a "high-profile" spot right on the Downtown Lakefront as some people out there insist.

Some of the alternative sites right in the city that have been pitched during the last several months are great opportunities for the Freshwater School.

I realize they are still looking in the city for the school, but nothing prominent. Maybe a new building on greenfield would spruce up that area.

I hope the water council will choose something downtown, maybe even in a new highrise! The water council after all will be the entity who deals with out of town corporations and foreign dignitaries. The school should be in the city, but now will the water council stick with the school, or choose it's own location??????


As for 27th ST. Guys it would only be a few blocks why is everyone so against a new idea in the city?????

As for 27th ST. Guys it would only be a few blocks why is everyone so against a new idea in the city?????

It's not a new idea, everywhere it's been instituted it has failed to live up to expectations and in many places become a bane to the cityscape. I cannot comprehend how anyone can believe that demolishing a viable urban landscape in favour of aiding a machine go from point a to point b a little faster actually helps stabilize and improve the community.

As for 27th ST. Guys it would only be a few blocks why is everyone so against a new idea in the city?????

From a traffic engineering point of view, widening Wisconsin Avenue from the point where it narrows in front of the Central Library eastward to the lake, only a relatively few blocks really, would greatly improve automobile flow through downtown on one of its most congested thoroughfares.
Think about what a boon to downtown access that would be.
If there are any negatives to this, I can't come up with them. And neither can you, I bet.

From a traffic engineering point of view, widening Wisconsin Avenue from the point where it narrows in front of the Central Library eastward to the lake, only a relatively few blocks really, would greatly improve automobile flow through downtown on one of its most congested thoroughfares.
Think about what a boon to downtown access that would be.
If there are any negatives to this, I can't come up with them. And neither can you, I bet.

I really hope this is a poor attempt at sarcasm. Anyway, I can't see why it is a good idea to maximize traffic flow through Downtown.

From a traffic engineering point of view, widening Wisconsin Avenue from the point where it narrows in front of the Central Library eastward to the lake, only a relatively few blocks really, would greatly improve automobile flow through downtown on one of its most congested thoroughfares.
Think about what a boon to downtown access that would be.
If there are any negatives to this, I can't come up with them. And neither can you, I bet.

For argument's sake, I've always wondered what if we closed down Wisco Ave and turned it into a pedestrian mall through downtown like state st in Madison, nicolet mall in Minneapolis, or 16th st mall in Denver? Would something like that not be a boon to downtown?

For argument's sake, I've always wondered what if we closed down Wisco Ave and turned it into a pedestrian mall through downtown like state st in Madison, nicolet mall in Minneapolis, or 16th st mall in Denver? Would something like that not be a boon to downtown?

That might be a very good idea, while maintaining bus access as in Madison.

Another thought about 27th St. (this time not in the least sarcastic, poor or otherwise), drawing on what an earlier poster suggested:
Turn 27th and 26th streets into one ways, southbound and northbound, with an angled cut joining the two roads through nearly vacant land between State and Highland. This would alleviate the traffic bottleneck (if one actually exists) with very little disruption to the physically existing neighborhood fabric.
It seems like the simplest, least costly solution, (though--a dash of the sardonic here-- it probably wouldn't be visible from the Space Shuttle).

Transit malls have been failures nearly everywhere they've been tried, too. For example, Chicago did that with State St in the Loop area in the late 1970s or early 1980s and it only lasted a few years.

IMHO, the State St transit mall in Madison works only because of the fairly large captive audience that lives and regularly congregates only a few blocks away (think: "40-50K UW students").

Mike

Transit malls have been failures nearly everywhere they've been tried, too. For example, Chicago did that with State St in the Loop area in the late 1970s or early 1980s and it only lasted a few years.

IMHO, the State St transit mall in Madison works only because of the fairly large captive audience that lives and regularly congregates only a few blocks away (think: "40-50K UW students").

Mike

The failure of pedestrian malls in North American cities in the 70s and 80s can be more easily attributed to the urban decay of those cities in that time period than the actual concept of the pedestrian mall itself. Malls can be successful or unsuccessful; if the city is vibrant and people have a reason to go out somewhere and they feel safe doing it a mall will be successful. If the city is dead and dangerous, a mall will be unsuccessful. Cities like New York, Minneapolis, Portland, Denver, Boston, Miami and Madison all have very successful pedestrian malls, so I'm curious as to how you can say 'transit malls have been failures nearly everywhere they've been tried.'

For argument's sake, I've always wondered what if we closed down Wisco Ave and turned it into a pedestrian mall through downtown like state st in Madison, nicolet mall in Minneapolis, or 16th st mall in Denver? Would something like that not be a boon to downtown?

I really wish we had a ped-only street in MKE but I don't think Wis. Ave. would be the street to do it with. I've always thought something like Brady St. or another street in that area would be cool to make ped-only. What are some other streets you guys think would work well? It would have to have lots of restaurants and shops on it already, of course. Also another good location for this would be somewhere in the Third Ward. Wow I'm getting excited just talking about this.:banana:

I really wish we had a ped-only street in MKE but I don't think Wis. Ave. would be the street to do it with. I've always thought something like Brady St. or another street in that area would be cool to make ped-only. What are some other streets you guys think would work well? It would have to have lots of restaurants and shops on it already, of course. Also another good location for this would be somewhere in the Third Ward. Wow I'm getting excited just talking about this.:banana:

Brady street would be great if the area immediately surrounding it, lakefront excluded, was a bit more built-up. However I work on Brady and the walgreens parking lot would be an even greater parking horror than it already is, which is hard to imagine. If they could create a garage there that created an additional level underground, things would be grand.

And who the hell owns Lamborghini Murcielago's in this city? I saw two on the same night last week around Brady. I couldn't believe my eyes, they're half a million dollar vehicles.

Brady street would be great if the area immediately surrounding it, lakefront excluded, was a bit more built-up. However I work on Brady and the walgreens parking lot would be an even greater parking horror than it already is, which is hard to imagine. If they could create a garage there that created an additional level underground, things would be grand.

And who the hell owns Lamborghini Murcielago's in this city? I saw two on the same night last week around Brady. I couldn't believe my eyes, they're half a million dollar vehicles.

I saw a grey one on Linc Mem Dr Friday night near Bradford beach. Mark Attanassio? Prince Fielder?

@miltown Because the idea of demolishing buildings to widen a road, is just so failed 1960s urban renewal, hell it even comes with the touch of "it is ok to bulldoze the poor neighborhood" to boot, terrible.

I saw a grey one on Linc Mem Dr Friday night near Bradford beach. Mark Attanassio? Prince Fielder?

I saw a yellow one on Wisconsin Ave @ Cass on Sunday night, it looked to be a guy in his 20's, maybe 30's. I was looking more at the car, I wish I had thought to check out the plates.

@miltown Because the idea of demolishing buildings to widen a road, is just so failed 1960s urban renewal, hell it even comes with the touch of "it is ok to bulldoze the poor neighborhood" to boot, terrible.

The area involved isn't a neighborhood it is a vacant lot, and abandoned KFC, a liquor store, a gas station a few more abandoned buildings and a school ( I don't think they are going to demolish a school ) oh and a few parking lots, I invite all of you who wouldn't drive through 27th st. to at least take a google street view tour and see what you are trying to prevent from being demolished or replaced. You may also want to note that the idea of revamping 27th St. is reportedly supported by the avenues west neighborhood committee.

The area involved isn't a neighborhood it is a vacant lot, and abandoned KFC, a liquor store, a gas station a few more abandoned buildings and a school ( I don't think they are going to demolish a school ) oh and a few parking lots, I invite all of you who wouldn't drive through 27th st. to at least take a google street view tour and see what you are trying to prevent from being demolished or replaced. You may also want to note that the idea of revamping 27th St. is reportedly supported by the avenues west neighborhood committee.

This is pure ignorance. That corridor of 27th is lined with viable and occupied buildings built rather densely and at pedestrian scale. Yes there are a few vacant lots and a KFC, but to say the entire thing is 'abandoned' and 'not a neighborhood' is naive, removed and deceptive. Have you ever actually visited the street in question or are you speaking only from your vacuous internet observations?

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/6794/27st.jpg

And who the hell owns Lamborghini Murcielago's in this city? I saw two on the same night last week around Brady. I couldn't believe my eyes, they're half a million dollar vehicles.

Meh, there are plenty of people who can afford cars like that... think of all the small businesses in the city. For example, there's a guy that owns two nail salons and he makes a ton of money... has a nice house in Franklin and just randomly decided to buy the new Nissan GT-R and sank tens of thousands of dollars worth of upgrades into it.

It just takes a little entrepenuership and business savy. And usually a bit of hard work...

This is pure ignorance. That corridor of 27th is lined with viable and occupied buildings built rather densely and at pedestrian scale. Yes there are a few vacant lots and a KFC, but to say the entire thing is 'abandoned' and 'not a neighborhood' is naive, removed and deceptive. Have you ever actually visited the street in question or are you speaking only from your vacuous internet observations?


Ha funny, you conveniently avoided the area I was talking about, and yes I drive 27th St. almost every day. One of the proposals was only a couple of blocks from possibly Clybourn to just after Wisconsin!!!!!!! Not to Kilbourn, Not to Wells, just after Wisconsin. Don't get me wrong I am not a fan of destroying neighborhoods, but when there could be an improvement to a blighted area it usually results in making that neighborhood a little better. And not once did I say that the whole area was abandoned, I just think that that part of 27th street is a very important part of the city and should be improved.


Now in this color coded picture I have included, The "A" is the Abandoned KFC the yellow dot represents the large vacant lot, the light blue dot represents the liquor store / corner store, and the red dot is the gas station, further south there are a couple abandoned buildings on the east side of the street.
http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp230/stillirise/Untitled.jpg

Ha funny, you conveniently avoided the area I was talking about, and yes I drive 27th St. almost every day. One of the proposals was only a couple of blocks from possibly Clybourn to just after Wisconsin!!!!!!! Not to Kilbourn, Not to Wells, just after Wisconsin. Don't get me wrong I am not a fan of destroying neighborhoods, but when there could be an improvement to a blighted area it usually results in making that neighborhood a little better. And not once did I say that the whole area was abandoned, I just think that that part of 27th street is a very important part of the city and should be improved.

Conveniently avoided? The blocks between Wisconsin Ave. and State are just as much involved in this proposal as are the blocks between St. Paul and Wisconsin. As a matter of fact, the stretch you bring into question is actually shorter than the one I highlighted. Even analyzing the stretch you mention reveals that there are still dozens of viable, occupied commercial and residential properties along the stretch. So who here is actually conveniently avoiding something?

This is not an argument about improving a neighborhood. This is an argument about how alleged 'neighborhood improvements' do not work because of their misplaced ideas concerning execution. Slum clearance does not work. Neither do extra wide boulevards. Destroying the neighborhood to make way for beautification cannot benefit the neighborhood because it involves destroying the neighborhood. 27th should be restored and beautified, but it should be done within the current limits of the street. Why wouldn't a tasteful landscaping of the narrow street designed around pedestrian access work? Why does 'street beautification' in your terms mean 'six lane boulevard urban renewal?'

Urban renewal rightfully died in the 1980s and wise architects, planners and civic representatives (like Mayor Norquist) instituted 'New Urbanist' philosophies of human scale and pragmatic rehabilitation to much success. It seems that unfortunately we have reentered a time period in which it is acceptable to make an enormous civic imposition on the landscape without actually addressing the problems at hand, all the while creating an even greater problem for the generations that inherit this short-sightedness.

I saw a yellow one on Wisconsin Ave @ Cass on Sunday night, it looked to be a guy in his 20's, maybe 30's. I was looking more at the car, I wish I had thought to check out the plates.

The second I saw was Yellow with black trim. The first was deep deep black.


Meh, there are plenty of people who can afford cars like that... think of all the small businesses in the city. For example, there's a guy that owns two nail salons and he makes a ton of money... has a nice house in Franklin and just randomly decided to buy the new Nissan GT-R and sank tens of thousands of dollars worth of upgrades into it.

It just takes a little entrepenuership and business savy. And usually a bit of hard work...

The people who own the nail salon on Brady have multiple Lexus's and Benz's but those and a GTR even with loads of upgrades are not like Lamborghinis. Although I've seen Bentley, Rolls Royce, and many Ferrari's around here all with Wisconsin tags so I guess I shouldn't be that surprised. The luxury car dealership on Green Bay still tanked horribly. I'm waiting to see an Ariel Atom. Then I'll be satisfied.

I am not a fan of destroying neighborhoods, but when there could be an improvement to a blighted area it usually results in making that neighborhood a little better.


This ignores the painful lessons the city has learned over decades on its way to preserving that which can never be replaced.

Milwaukee already has a grand boulevard on the edge of downtown. Kilbourn Avenue, a beautifully landscaped road, runs through perhaps the city's ritziest nabe; Yet, after more than 80 years of existence, it's still bordered by a mismatched hodgepodge of clashing building types and empty lots.

What Milwaukee has done brilliantly is revitalize the preserved remnants of its older, denser urbanity, followed by filling in the blank spaces at the edges with compatibly designed new construction. Where it has failed is in wishing that if you widen a road, some kind of miracle of prosperity by destruction will occur.

I'm not trying to jump on the bandwagon about 27th street, but here's my main problems with this.

1) This wouldn't improve the immediate neighborhood and tearing down existing housing or building stock will harm opportunities for revitalization.

No one is suggesting that area is next for gentrification, but it could develop further to serve its immediate neighborhood better, tearing down one side of the street won't help that.


2)What is the problem you're trying to solve with widening 27th?

Is the area of 27th and North or Lisbon suddenly going to be prime spots for business or housing ... doubtful. If there was some talk of road improvements going down 27th street to the Tower site, I might be more inclined to listen. The entire 30th street corridor is the next Menomonie Valley, loads of potential but its obstacles are equally contamination and easy road access.


3) How will widening 27th positively impact the neighborhoods near & north of Lisbon?

Many people are without a reliable car, how will having a widened road improve their job prospects? How will a wide road lower crime or improve their quality of life or make their neighborhood more desirable? I can see how additional transit, even more bus lines or shorter headways would help, but I need some help understanding how a 6 lane boulevard would help.

I'm waiting to see an Ariel Atom. Then I'll be satisfied.

The only time I have seen one of those was in Waupaca of all places in the world. Considering how relatively cheap they are, it is suprising you don't see more of them considering their kick-assedness.

well, ariel atoms are track cars before they are road cars...

The people who own the nail salon on Brady have multiple Lexus's and Benz's but those and a GTR even with loads of upgrades are not like Lamborghinis. Although I've seen Bentley, Rolls Royce, and many Ferrari's around here all with Wisconsin tags so I guess I shouldn't be that surprised. The luxury car dealership on Green Bay still tanked horribly. I'm waiting to see an Ariel Atom. Then I'll be satisfied.

I hear ya, thats what I'm trying to show. If someone can own two nail salons and be able to drop 100k on a GT-R and upgrades then imagine what an owner of a small manufacturer or director of a marketing firm, etc could do.

there's some news on the Moderne on urbanmilwaukee.com

Art City, the blog on Art on Architecture from JSonline, released the proposals for UWM's new school on the Piece of Eight site downtown. As already noted, UWM pulled it's proposal for the site after negative community input.

Josh Ehr Architecture
Promenades and new marshland
http://media.jsonline.com/images/28007169_joshehr.jpg
http://media.jsonline.com/images/28007169_johsh%20ehr%20view%20to%20west.jpg

Dan Beyer, senior associate at Continuum Architects + Planners
"Engulfded" Glass Structure

http://media.jsonline.com/images/28007169_Dan%20Beyer.jpg

David Chmielewski
Arc shaped building positioned over the water with high sustainability expectations
http://media.jsonline.com/images/28007169_david%20chmielewski.jpg

Korb Tredo Architects
Excavate to allow Lake Michigan to seep under. Tilted Green roof.
http://media.jsonline.com/images/28007169_korbtredo(1).jpg
http://media.jsonline.com/images/28007169_siteplangood.jpg

PARC(S) EMERGENT, including Eric Vogel, Joel Agacki, Ryan O'Connor, Christianna Niemiec
Visitors Center on the water, school located on site of current transit center.
http://media.jsonline.com/images/28007169_parcsemergent.jpg

Research Design Office (REDO)/Architecture Landscape Urbanism (ALU)
Utilizes break water
http://media.jsonline.com/images/28007169_redo%20orange.jpg
http://media.jsonline.com/images/28007169_redo%20breakwater.jpg

James Dallman, La Dallman Architects
http://media.jsonline.com/images/28007169_la%20dallman%20discovery%20world%20proposal.jpg

Much more information, including full proposals and other idea from local architects: Art City (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/artcity.html)

$10 million city loan proposed for Park East high-rise
By Tom Daykin of the Journal Sentinel
Sept. 15, 2009 11:35 a.m.


The 30-story Moderne residential project planned for downtown Milwaukee would receive a $10 million loan from the City of Milwaukee under a proposal disclosed today.

The Redevelopment Authority will consider the loan at its Thursday meeting. The loan also will need Common Council approval. The high-rise is planned for the southwest corner of N. Old World Third St. and W. Juneau Ave.

The Moderne was initially proposed as a hotel and condominium development. But declining demand in those segments led developer Rick Barrett to relaunch his marketing efforts earlier this year. That latest plan called for around 33 condos and 154 apartments.

If it's built, the Moderne would be one of the biggest projects in the city's Park East redevelopment area. The development site, owned by Barrett's investment group, is just across Juneau Ave. from the Sydney Hih building and a vacant Park East lot owned by Milwaukee County.

I will try to reach Barrett and others to get more details on the project for a longer story later at JSOnline.com, and in Wednesday's Journal Sentinel.


http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/59342357.html

there's some news on the Moderne on urbanmilwaukee.com

It seems everyone picked it up pretty quickly today, (JSonline, Biz journal, Biz Times, ONmilwaukee) smart move by the developer.

Also,
Panel recommends $6.4 million for water technology park (http://www.jsonline.com/business/59364262.html)

Urban renewal rightfully died in the 1980s and wise architects, planners and civic representatives (like Mayor Norquist) instituted 'New Urbanist' philosophies of human scale and pragmatic rehabilitation to much success. It seems that unfortunately we have reentered a time period in which it is acceptable to make an enormous civic imposition on the landscape without actually addressing the problems at hand, all the while creating an even greater problem for the generations that inherit this short-sightedness.

Okay, I can see I'm not winning any arguments here. But that Neighborhood is hardly VITAL right now, like so many neighborhoods in this city, it isn't very reassuring when you go to the wendy's on 27th st. and have to order through bulletproof glass. I think you'll agree with me that something needs to be done with the area to break up the status quo????

I was just thinking that a bit of city investment might create opportunities for more outside investment in the area, after all this is a capitalist society money makes things happen. I wasn't calling for the destruction of the neighborhood because it is struggling, my argument is that with new investment come new landowners who care about their properties and want them to be vital... or at least to make a profit. There is no way you could with a straight face tell me that the 27th st area is in fine shape and should be left alone... to wither away and die.

Will a street solve the problem? NO
Will new investments solve the problem? No, but it's a start.

So in this case or in any other neighborhood. I am all for creating new ways to bring in new investors, which is one of the only ways to begin changing a neighborhood for the better.

$10 million city loan proposed for Park East high-rise
By Tom Daykin of the Journal Sentinel

Sept. 15, 2009 11:35 a.m. | The 30-story Moderne residential project planned for downtown Milwaukee would receive a $10 million loan from the City of Milwaukee under a proposal disclosed today.

The Redevelopment Authority will consider the loan at its Thursday meeting. The loan also will need Common Council approval. The high-rise is planned for the southwest corner of N. Old World Third St. and W. Juneau Ave.

The Moderne was initially proposed as a hotel and condominium development. But declining demand in those segments led developer Rick Barrett to relaunch his marketing efforts earlier this year. That latest plan called for around 33 condos and 154 apartments.

If it's built, the Moderne would be one of the biggest projects in the city's Park East redevelopment area. The development site, owned by Barrett's investment group, is just across Juneau Ave. from the Sydney Hih building and a vacant Park East lot owned by Milwaukee County.





Maybe this will get built after all?

@miltown I agree something needs to be done to improve the neighborhood, I just don't believe a 164 foot street width is the right choice....

@miltown I agree something needs to be done to improve the neighborhood, I just don't believe a 164 foot street width is the right choice....

I'm beginning to think 164ft is a bit extreme also. My new suggestion is how about a decent boulevard like Wisconsin Ave. near Marquette it's a fairly skinny boulevard but the street design and trees really make for a nice street.

I think you'll agree with me that something needs to be done with the area to break up the status quo????

my argument is that with new investment come new landowners who care about their properties and want them to be vital... or at least to make a profit. There is no way you could with a straight face tell me that the 27th st area is in fine shape and should be left alone... to wither away and die.

I am all for creating new ways to bring in new investors, which is one of the only ways to begin changing a neighborhood for the better.

I haven't the slightest doubt that the current property owners, many of whom may well be the same folks who owned the buildings before the area became derelict, would be delighted not to have to pay taxes and provide security for boarded up or nearly vacant parcels, or to see the value of their holdings increase. I think it's a near certainty that if the city's crime rate continues to decline, or even if investment opportunities become rarer in other directions from downtown, the Near West Side, once perhaps the most vital section of town (think of all the institutions that once lined West Wisconsin Avenue) will, with the assistance of visionary (or slightly crazy) urban pioneers, be perceived as an incredible, sleeping giant of urban delights--amazing houses, forgotten but still standing shopping blocks, a lost world (think Miller Valley)--a necessary gigantic missing piece of the city's puzzle.

But public works investment is not a magic wand that will bring this about. If it were, it would have been done successfully everywhere in town that's struggling.

after all this is a capitalist society money makes things happen.

That's largely true. The private market will recognize when the area becomes worth taking a gamble on, and when their efforts begin to blossom, THEN the city do its part to make the whole even greater than its parts.
I think the best government can do now is try and ensure safety, and enforce building codes so the places worth preserving are still standing when their time to reawaken comes.

Ran across some interesting renderings on Rinka Chung's (http://www.rinkachung.com/Project%20Pages/Washington%20Square/Washington%20Square.php#) website.

Washington Square Tower
35-story class A office tower
(Probably the proposal from developer Joel lee (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/04/06/story1.html))
http://www.rinkachung.com/Project%20Pages/Washington%20Square/Images/WS-2.gif

http://www.rinkachung.com/Project%20Pages/Washington%20Square/Images/WS-3.gif

http://www.rinkachung.com/Project%20Pages/Washington%20Square/Images/WS-1.gif

760 Infill
No known information
http://www.rinkachung.com/Project%20Pages/760%20Infill/Images/760%20Infill.gif

Mandel Printing
No known information
(Park East Block 6)
http://www.rinkachung.com/Project%20Pages/Mandel%20Printing/Images/Mandel-3.gif
http://www.rinkachung.com/Project%20Pages/Mandel%20Printing/Images/Mandel-1.gif
http://www.rinkachung.com/Project%20Pages/Mandel%20Printing/Images/Mandel-2.gif

that first tower looks massive. I wish that this could have been built along with Catalyst, that Chase Bank Tower, Lake Point Tower, Red Prairie, Terraces at River Bluff, Palomar, and that GE Healthcare building. With Moderne, Milwaukee would have had a pretty impressive skyline. Sigh........

Research Design Office (REDO)/Architecture Landscape Urbanism (ALU)
Utilizes break water
http://media.jsonline.com/images/28007169_redo%20orange.jpg
http://media.jsonline.com/images/28007169_redo%20breakwater.jpg

my, how cool that would have been. A bit hard for daily commute to class, but impressive nevertheless.

that first tower looks massive. I wish that this could have been built along with Catalyst, that Chase Bank Tower, Lake Point Tower, Red Prairie, Terraces at River Bluff, Palomar, and that GE Healthcare building. With Moderne, Milwaukee would have had a pretty impressive skyline. Sigh........

Yeah, but it always takes lots of proposals for one to get accepted. I'm sure it's the same way in any city. It's not like Milwaukee will never have a nice skyline because these fell through, there's just not enough demand for them at the moment. It sucks those ones won't be built, but there will always be more new proposals, which is exciting.

Ran across some interesting renderings on Rinka Chung's (http://www.rinkachung.com/Project%20Pages/Washington%20Square/Washington%20Square.php#) website.

Washington Square Tower
35-story class A office tower
(Probably the proposal from developer Joel lee (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/04/06/story1.html))
http://www.rinkachung.com/Project%20Pages/Washington%20Square/Images/WS-2.gif


Anyone have any idea how new or old this rendering is and if it is or ever was an actual proposal??

Anyone have any idea how new or old this rendering is and if it is or ever was an actual proposal??

Check out the article link above the image. It lists a couple of towers that have been proposed since Spring 2005, including:

"...Milwaukee developer Joel Lee’s plans for a building on parking lots across from The Pfister Hotel between North Jackson and Jefferson streets."

So it looks like it was a legit proposal, and it would have been introduced sometime after Spring 2005.

This may be a little off topic, but since we are talking about widing streets how about fond du lac between burleigh and 20th st?

Art City, the blog on Art on Architecture from JSonline, released the proposals for UWM's new school on the Piece of Eight site downtown. As already noted, UWM pulled it's proposal for the site after negative community input.

Josh Ehr Architecture
Promenades and new marshland
http://media.jsonline.com/images/28007169_joshehr.jpg

The algea blooms are a nice touch!:lol:

Public park planned near The North End development
By Tom Daykin of the Journal Sentinel
Sept. 16, 2009 8:00 a.m.

The city would create a public park near Mandel Group Inc.'s The North End housing development, just north of downtown, under a proposal to be considered Thursday by the Redevelopment Authority.

The authority's agenda says up to $1.7 million would be spent on the park, and on administrative costs relating to a financing plan for the Park East redevelopment area, which includes The North End site.

The first phase at The North End, which Mandel calls ONE Apartments, is between N. Water St. and the Milwaukee River, south of E. Pleasant St. The 83-unit apartment development, which includes street-level commercial space, is on the site of the former Pfister & Vogel tannery.

Mandel plans to eventually develop around 500 housing units at The North End, which is receiving $8.5 million in city financing.

Saint John's On The Lake, a senior apartment complex located at 1840 N. Prospect Ave. on Milwaukee’s east side, recently began selling tax free municipal bonds to finance its planned 21-story, 88-unit expansion project.

The bonds are available through the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority. Saint John’s hired Ziegler Wealth Management, a division of B.C. Ziegler and Company, to handle the bond sale.

“The bonds are being offered (for sale to the public), as we speak," said Saint John’s spokesman Rick Romano. "Things are moving along."

Saint John’s need to sell $83.275 million in bonds to build the building.

"Ziegler is very confident it is all going to get done in a very short period of time," Romano said.

Saint John’s executives decided to sell bonds for the project when they determined that was a better option for them than getting financing from a bank. Bank financing for major real estate developments has been extremely hard to obtain since the U.S. financial market meltdown last year.

"We found that this was the way we could do it,” Romano said. “We certainly approached banks. (But) we found that this was the way to get this project done."

Ziegler will host an event for investors that might be interested in purchasing the bonds. The event will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 2-7 p.m. at Saint John's on the Lake.

So far 75 percent of the apartment units in the planned expansion have been reserved, Romano said. That could help attract investors to the project.

Saint John’s is hoping to break ground on the project during the first half of October and complete it in 2011, Romano said.

Pewaukee-based VJS Construction Services is the general contractor for the project.

"They are prepped and ready to go as soon as we give them the green light," Romano said.

http://www.biztimes.com/realestateweekly/2009/9/16/st-johns-selling-bonds-for-tower-hopes-for-october-groundbreaking

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Sounds good except I live right next to the place.

Sounds good except I live right next to the place.

I hope you aren't losing a view, but think of your chances of hooking up with a sabertooth! lol

I hope you aren't losing a view, but think of your chances of hooking up with a sabertooth! lol

I used to live in the Edgewater on Prospect and Kane... I'm fairly certain that's the only building that would have any real view blockage and since it's a three story building, the views aren't much to speak of (and I lived on the third floor facing the lake).

I hope you aren't losing a view, but think of your chances of hooking up with a sabertooth! lol

No I won't lose my view, but I hope it doesn't get too loud.

It seems Milwaukee may be breaking ground on at least two high rises in the next two months and another one possibly early next year.

Funding for the Moderne is being voted on today (October start) and St Johns is quickly selling through their bond offering and are shooting for a November start.

Now, apparently New Land's proposed 19 story project will be seeking some funding from the city.

Downtown high-rises seek public funding

Downtown Milwaukee might soon see two new residential high-rises - with each tower seeking some financing help from City Hall, along with loans insured by the federal government.

On Thursday, the Redevelopment Authority will consider developer Rick Barrett's request for two city loans, totaling $10 million, to help finance the $55.2 million Moderne. Barrett hopes to begin construction in November on the 30-story building, which would have 14 condominiums and 203 apartments, and its own parking structure, at the southwest corner of N. Old World Third St. and W. Juneau Ave.

Also, New Land Enterprises will soon request a city guarantee for a privately financed loan, of $4 million to $7 million, on its $55 million planned high-rise. That 19-story building, with 224 apartments and a parking structure, would be at the northeast corner of E. Kilbourn Ave. and N. Van Buren St., where Edwardo's Natural Pizza once operated.

The biggest loans for each project would come from private lenders. Repayment of those loans would be insured through a program operated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Under that program, developers can obtain loans with 40-year repayment terms. In return, the developers pay interest rates that can be around a full percentage point higher than conventional bank loans, said Tim Gokhman, of New Land.

Barrett's investment group is providing $3.75 million in equity financing on the Moderne project, according to a Department of City Development feasibility study, and a proposed term sheet. Barrett would also obtain a $41.4 million loan from Horsham, Pa.-based Capmark Financial Group Inc.

To complete the financing package, Barrett is seeking from the city a "mezzanine loan" of $4 million, and another $6 million loan.

Mezzanine loans are typically provided very early in a project's construction. The proposed city mezzanine loan, with a four-year payment term, would carry high interest rates, ranging from 14% to 15%.

The $6 million city loan would be provided later during the two-year construction of the Moderne. That four-year loan would be repaid after the mezzanine loan is repaid. Its interest rate would be equal to the interest rate of the Capmark loan, which is expected to be around 6.41%.

Both city loans would be secured by a senior position on the Moderne's condos. But the city would have a subordinated position in the Moderne's apartments.

So, if Barrett had trouble repaying his loans, income from the apartments would first be used to make payments to Capmark, with the city getting any available remaining income.

http://www.jsonline.com/business/59567362.html

^^ wow thats exciting...I'm surprised to not see anything about the Transera though.

^^ wow thats exciting...I'm surprised to not see anything about the Transera though.

i though Transera had most of its funding already?

Also, New Land Enterprises will soon request a city guarantee for a privately financed loan, of $4 million to $7 million, on its $55 million planned high-rise. That 19-story building, with 224 apartments and a parking structure, would be at the northeast corner of E. Kilbourn Ave. and N. Van Buren St., where Edwardo's Natural Pizza once operated.
[/url]

Wait, which building is this? I don't remember this one.

I read that Milwaukee may get its own version of the 'housewives' show on Bravo.

It seems Milwaukee may be breaking ground on at least two high rises in the next two months and another one possibly early next year.

Funding for the Moderne is being voted on today (October start) and St Johns is quickly selling through their bond offering and are shooting for a November start.

Now, apparently New Land's proposed 19 story project will be seeking some funding from the city.

Downtown high-rises seek public funding

http://www.jsonline.com/business/59567362.html

Hopefully these will go through and we'll have some changes to the skyline in a few years!!

I read that Milwaukee may get its own version of the 'housewives' show on Bravo.

Real Housewives of Milwaukee???? Interesting.

Real Housewives of Milwaukee???? Interesting.

Yeah, we are working our way up in the world. The beer, Fonz, brats, and Harley image that we have nationally may soon be replaced by catfights and bitchy attitudes. :lol:

Yeah, but it always takes lots of proposals for one to get accepted. I'm sure it's the same way in any city. It's not like Milwaukee will never have a nice skyline because these fell through, there's just not enough demand for them at the moment. It sucks those ones won't be built, but there will always be more new proposals, which is exciting.

I look forward to it after the recession. The idea that Milwaukee had all these skyscrapers on the table at the same timeframe was exciting. Though, one can't be disappointed at the changes that occured in this city this decade.

Wait, which building is this? I don't remember this one.

I remember seeing the proposal when it was twin towers, but since haven't been able to find it. Props to whoever does.

On a side note, St. John's updated their rendering. Always a good sign I think:

Old
http://assets.bizjournals.com/story_image/253925-0-0-1.jpg

New
http://www.biztimes.com/nf/uploads/Image/RE_Weekly_09|16|09/St.-John%27s-Rendering-09_2009-Web2.jpg

That St. John's update is fantastic. So glad to see they did away with the precast panels.

I like the old one better.

Streetcar plan aimed at east side commuters

By Larry Sandler of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Sept. 18, 2009

Plans for a $64 million Milwaukee streetcar line have shifted toward a commuter-oriented route that would connect lower east side neighborhoods with downtown office buildings, veering away from a more tourist-themed loop around downtown attractions, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says.

City planners are studying three route options, all of which would run from the downtown Amtrak-Greyhound station and the Midwest Airlines Center to the intersection of E. Ogden and N. Prospect avenues, with a possible extension to E. Brady St.

In future years, the system could be extended to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Marquette University, Riverwest, Walker's Point and other neighborhoods within a few miles of the original route, depending on whether funding is available.

Barrett will unveil the route options Friday morning at a community development summit meeting on regional transportation, sponsored by the Urban Economic Development Association of Wisconsin and the Greater Milwaukee Committee. The public can review and comment on the streetcar plans at a public information session from 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Zeidler Municipal Building, 841 N. Broadway.

The streetcar plans are part of the Milwaukee Connector study, a joint transit planning effort by the city, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Center District and Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce. The study was aimed at finding ways to use $91.5 million in long-idle federal transit aid, until Congress finally settled the issue by handing $54.5 million to the city for streetcars and $36.6 million to the county for express buses.

City officials plan to use modern streetcars, a lower-cost form of the light rail operating in Seattle, Tacoma, Wash., and Portland, Ore.

The streetcars would operate in regular traffic lanes and would not take away any street parking, said downtown Ald. Bob Bauman, chairman of the Common Council's Public Works Committee. Planners are considering technology that would turn traffic signals green as streetcars approach, City Engineer Jeff Polenske said.

Barrett's initial streetcar route would have looped around downtown from the train station, leading to criticism that it would serve visitors better than residents. The new route options are focused on connecting densely populated neighborhoods with major employment centers and hotels, Barrett and Bauman said.

But the depot is still a key stop, anticipating that plans for commuter rail and high-speed rail would bring in more visitors who could use a transit link for the last leg of their trip, Bauman said. The streetcar could be operating by 2014, and rail links to Chicago would likely be beefed up if the Windy City lands the 2016 Olympics, Barrett said.

If authorities can agree on funding, the KRM Commuter Link rail line could be in place by 2015 or 2016, a timetable that might be accelerated for the Olympics, Ken Yunker, executive director of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, said Wednesday. The $206 million line would run seven round trips each weekday to connect Milwaukee, Racine and the southern suburbs to Kenosha, where passengers could transfer to the Chicago area's Metra commuter trains.

Meanwhile, Midwestern governors are pressing the federal government for $3.5 billion to start a Chicago-based high-speed rail network, including a $519 million Milwaukee-to-Madison route that would connect to Amtrak's existing Chicago-to-Milwaukee Hiawatha line. The Milwaukee-to-Madison line could start service by 2013.

For the streetcar, city officials are required to match the federal grant by paying 15% of construction costs. Barrett said that money could come from borrowing or a tax incremental financing district. Other options are under study to pay operating costs, Polenske said.

Barrett said the city would find ways to fund the streetcars without using property taxes. Although the city is facing a $90 million budget shortfall next year, Barrett and Bauman said the streetcar line was a necessary investment to keep Milwaukee economically competitive with other cities that have or are building rail lines.

"We cannot just stagnate as a community," Barrett said.


http://media.journalinteractive.com/images/STREETCAR18GG.jpg

I thought I would put a list together of all of the proposed hi-rise projects currently being planned or soon to be approved in Milwaukee with the location and floor height next to it:

St. John's on the Lake, Prospect near Kane (21)
The Moderne, 3rd and Juneau (30)
Transera, Prospect near Albion (26)
New Land Development, Van Buren and Kilbourn (19)
Rivianna, Water and Pittsburgh (18) 3 towers

Wow! That's 150 floors of space... That would be incredible in a downed economy and would add significant height to our skyline. This would be a dramatic change from all angles.

That streetcar is pretty cool.

Option 1 is obviously the best choice for a system serving existing the existing population and developed areas...Options 2 and 3 are obviously designed to spur development in those areas.

Streetcar plan aimed at east side commuters

By Larry Sandler of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Sept. 18, 2009

Plans for a $64 million Milwaukee streetcar line have shifted toward a commuter-oriented route that would connect lower east side neighborhoods with downtown office buildings, veering away from a more tourist-themed loop around downtown attractions, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says.

City planners are studying three route options, all of which would run from the downtown Amtrak-Greyhound station and the Midwest Airlines Center to the intersection of E. Ogden and N. Prospect avenues, with a possible extension to E. Brady St.

In future years, the system could be extended to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Marquette University, Riverwest, Walker's Point and other neighborhoods within a few miles of the original route, depending on whether funding is available.

Barrett will unveil the route options Friday morning at a community development summit meeting on regional transportation, sponsored by the Urban Economic Development Association of Wisconsin and the Greater Milwaukee Committee. The public can review and comment on the streetcar plans at a public information session from 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Zeidler Municipal Building, 841 N. Broadway.

The streetcar plans are part of the Milwaukee Connector study, a joint transit planning effort by the city, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Center District and Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce. The study was aimed at finding ways to use $91.5 million in long-idle federal transit aid, until Congress finally settled the issue by handing $54.5 million to the city for streetcars and $36.6 million to the county for express buses.

City officials plan to use modern streetcars, a lower-cost form of the light rail operating in Seattle, Tacoma, Wash., and Portland, Ore.

The streetcars would operate in regular traffic lanes and would not take away any street parking, said downtown Ald. Bob Bauman, chairman of the Common Council's Public Works Committee. Planners are considering technology that would turn traffic signals green as streetcars approach, City Engineer Jeff Polenske said.

Barrett's initial streetcar route would have looped around downtown from the train station, leading to criticism that it would serve visitors better than residents. The new route options are focused on connecting densely populated neighborhoods with major employment centers and hotels, Barrett and Bauman said.

But the depot is still a key stop, anticipating that plans for commuter rail and high-speed rail would bring in more visitors who could use a transit link for the last leg of their trip, Bauman said. The streetcar could be operating by 2014, and rail links to Chicago would likely be beefed up if the Windy City lands the 2016 Olympics, Barrett said.

If authorities can agree on funding, the KRM Commuter Link rail line could be in place by 2015 or 2016, a timetable that might be accelerated for the Olympics, Ken Yunker, executive director of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, said Wednesday. The $206 million line would run seven round trips each weekday to connect Milwaukee, Racine and the southern suburbs to Kenosha, where passengers could transfer to the Chicago area's Metra commuter trains.

Meanwhile, Midwestern governors are pressing the federal government for $3.5 billion to start a Chicago-based high-speed rail network, including a $519 million Milwaukee-to-Madison route that would connect to Amtrak's existing Chicago-to-Milwaukee Hiawatha line. The Milwaukee-to-Madison line could start service by 2013.

For the streetcar, city officials are required to match the federal grant by paying 15% of construction costs. Barrett said that money could come from borrowing or a tax incremental financing district. Other options are under study to pay operating costs, Polenske said.

Barrett said the city would find ways to fund the streetcars without using property taxes. Although the city is facing a $90 million budget shortfall next year, Barrett and Bauman said the streetcar line was a necessary investment to keep Milwaukee economically competitive with other cities that have or are building rail lines.

"We cannot just stagnate as a community," Barrett said.


http://media.journalinteractive.com/images/STREETCAR18GG.jpg

This is great news, I just hope it doesn't congest the East side anymore. I wish they could give the street car it's own lane. But I'll take anything at this point!

Laid down some rails from Marquette campus to the nearest stretch of bars downtown and the whole system will pay for itself in a year's time :)

Not sure how much I like it but these are Cudahy's preliminary plans he had for the Pieces of Eight site.

Cudahy’s plans for Freshwater School included three sections
The Business Journal of Milwaukee - by Wendy Strong

Michael Cudahy’s plans for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s proposed School of Freshwater Sciences included a two-story, 60,000-square-foot glass building with a new restaurant on the former Pieces of Eight site.

Cudahy planned to donate the site, which sits along Milwaukee’s lakefront north of Discovery World and south of the Milwaukee Art Museum, to UWM for its planned school. He acquired the lease on the property last month from its holder, Specialty Restaurants of Wisconsin, for $1 million.

But the university announced Sept. 4 that it was no longer interested in developing the school on the site. UWM officials said this week that one of the reasons was Cudahy’s intention to put a restaurant in the building, along with other concerns about input on the overall design.

“We’re not in the restaurant business and have no desire to be,” said Tom Luljak, UWM’s vice chancellor of university relations. “In terms of the construction, it was clear he (Michael Cudahy) wanted a restaurant.”

The plans developed for the site by an Milwaukee-area architect hired by Cudahy featured a building composed of three sections. Each wing resembled the shape of a water drop, according to designs obtained by The Business Journal.

“What we tried to do is create an identity for the freshwater school that was free flowing and very transparent,” said Jim McClintock, president of McClintock Architects Inc., Mequon, who developed the plans.

Cudahy declined to comment on the architectural plans.

Luljak said the proposed design of the building did not factor into the university’s decision to search for a new location, but he did say there was a concern that UWM’s influence in the design process could have been limited with Cudahy as the leaseholder.

Luljak said there were also concerns about not having enough space on the 1.67-acre site to house the school. In addition, some community leaders were opposed to locating the school at the high-profile site along the lakefront.

“When it became clear that the location had become divisive, we decided to look for another home for the school,” Luljak said.
Space misconception

McClintock believes there is a misconception about the amount of available space at the site. He said the building would have only occupied about half of the property, with most of the parking underground.

An underground parking structure with space for 200 vehicles, which would have connected to Discovery World, was part of the preliminary plans, according to McClintock.

“There wouldn’t have been many cars parked on ground level leaving a lot of green space for the community to enjoy,” he said.

The complex was designed to be completely open to the public, including room on the second floor where the public could have attended presentations, he said.

McClintock said about 7,000 square feet was set aside for a new restaurant that would have been located in the east wing of the building, along Lake Michigan. That area was also designed to host professional gatherings and serve as a showplace for water industry manufacturers to display their products.

A 1,000-square-foot observation deck was included in the plans, with half of the deck being enclosed for winter use.

“I think there is a need to do something about the supply of fresh water in the world and this would have been the first step to get people to work together to solve these problems,” said McClintock. “The mission is much more important than the building.”

But after UWM announced it was no longer interested in building at the lakefront site, Cudahy decided he would open a family-oriented midprice restaurant that would possibly be run by prominent Milwaukee-area restaurant operator Joe Bartolotta.

Richard Meeusen, chief executive officer of Badger Meter Inc. and co-chairman of the Milwaukee 7 Water Council, said he had not seen McClintock’s designs for the school. He said he understood UWM’s needs for a location that is not divisive for the community, but felt it was unfortunate that a restaurant will remain on the site instead of the school.

“It’s the bigger picture,” he said. “I’ll eat there, but we need an iconic facility that positions us as the Silicon Valley of water technology.”

Here's a link to a video of the plan:
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/vidavee/player.html?dockey=EDFD5BDCEA8CB6C822185F8021C70876&market=milwaukee

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp230/stillirise/1.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp230/stillirise/2.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp230/stillirise/3.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp230/stillirise/4.jpg

JSonline: New Park for Milwaukee's East Side (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/60276897.html)



Local officials and the Rotary Club of Milwaukee will announce Tuesday the creation of a new park along the Milwaukee River. The plans call for creation of Milwaukee Central Park, and within the park, the Rotary Centennial Arboretum.

The 40-acre arboretum will stretch through Riverside Park and extend from E. North to E. Locust avenues, and it will be bounded by the Milwaukee River on the west and the Oak Leaf Trail on the east.

The Rotary is donating $400,000 for the arboretum, which will be completed in 2013 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the organization. The total value of the project is $5 million.

This idea has been floating around for a few years. The use of the word new is a little misleading, it's more a proposal from a coalition of local environmental and neighborhood groups to protect the already-existent greenway and establish building guidelines for future development along the river corridor. The city also did a study.

I believe the arboretum would be new, I saw a doc about it on PBS. They were looking to represent every species of tree native to Wisconsin in it.

Example of "Viewshed" the central park would establish
http://www.protectmilwaukeeriver.org/viewshed1.jpg

I don't know know where the heck they got "40-acre arboretum" from. In the actual article on Rotary's website, it says "4.5-acre arboretum." Maybe they confused how much total land will be in this "Milwaukee Central Park" with how much will be in the arboretum. Either way, I'm for it. Wish the arboretum was bigger than 4.5 acres though.

http://www.milwaukeerotary.com/display.aspx?id=2610

I thought I would put a list together of all of the proposed hi-rise projects currently being planned or soon to be approved in Milwaukee with the location and floor height next to it:

Just for fun, I'll add some pictures.

St. John's on the Lake, Prospect near Kane (21)
http://www.biztimes.com/nf/uploads/Image/RE_Weekly_09|16|09/St.-John%27s-Rendering-09_2009-Web2.jpg

The Moderne, 3rd and Juneau (30)
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e71/kingriffleteh1st/Moderne_112607RGBlarge.jpg

Transera, Prospect near Albion (26)
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i104/gehrijac/transera1.jpg
http://www.thetransera.com/images/transera2.jpg

New Land Development, Van Buren and Kilbourn (19)

Rivianna, Water and Pittsburgh (18) 3 towers[/QUOTE]
http://urbanmilwaukee.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/rivianna1.jpg

Woot. Just needs approval from the CC.

http://www.biztimes.com/realestateweekly/2009/9/23/#redevelopment-authority-approves-loans-for-the-moderne

@perilouspete True it just needs CC approval, but that is going to be quite interesting to watch.

September 24, 2009
Marquette trustees approve first phase of new engineering facility

The Marquette University Board of Trustees Thursday approved moving ahead with the first phase of the university’s new, $100 million College of Engineering facility.

The first phase will involve construction of a five-story, 100,000 square foot building on the south side of Wisconsin Avenue between 16th and 17th Streets. Preparation of the site has already begun with soil testing and environmental demolition work on the interior of four university-owned apartment buildings. Marquette President Robert A. Wild, S.J., said the university expects to break ground for the new building in spring 2010 with initial occupancy planned for August 2011.

The structure will feature an innovative Discovery Learning Laboratory and a two-story engineering materials and structural testing laboratory, as well as other new teaching and research laboratories, common areas for students and office space.

“With $25 million cash in hand and pledges of $10 million we expect to receive over the next two years, the board expressed confidence in our ability to move forward,” Father Wild said. The university has more than $68 million of the projected $100 million cost of the total project pledged and will continue aggressive fundraising in order to complete the entire project as soon as possible, he said.

The initial structure will be linked to a future, 150,000 square foot building that will include classrooms, offices and additional laboratories.

“I’m confident that we will raise the full $100 million cost of the project – and I’m committed to doing so,” said Opus Dean Stan Jaskolski. “We need more engineers, and we need a facility where students, faculty and our industry and educational partners can come together to problem solve and design solutions. This new facility is being explicitly designed for collaboration at multiple levels. It is truly a gift to the Milwaukee region, taking advantage of our urban location and providing space for innovation and idea sharing.”

Richard J. Fotsch, a trustee and engineering alumnus who is president of the Kohler Company’s Global Power Group, said faculty expertise, the increased emphasis on hands-on learning in the engineering curriculum, regional collaborations with industry and other institutions and the college’s extensive outreach to K-12 schools and students were evidence of the changes in engineering education at Marquette that require the new facility.

Tom Ganey, the university architect, said the phased approach to construction allows the university to move forward with the funds on hand while continuing to raise funds for the balance of the project. Opus North Corporation is the Design/Build firm for the project.

Marquette this summer had more than $130 million of construction underway. The university opened a new residence hall, Rev. James J. McCabe, S.J., Hall, in August 2009; the hall was an extensive renovation of a former apartment building and retail space on the northeast corner of 17th Street and Wisconsin Avenue. A new student services/administration building at 12th Street and Wisconsin Avenue, Joseph and Vera Zilber Hall, is expected to be ready for occupancy this November. And a signature building at the southeast corner of the campus, at the corner of 11th Street and Clybourn Avenue, is the new Marquette University Law School facility; Ray and Kay Eckstein Hall will open in the summer of 2010. Other building projects include the renovation of the Varsity Theatre and extensive remodeling of classroom and laboratory space in several academic buildings.

http://www.marquette.edu/omc/newscenter/images/engineering_rendering.jpg

Also......



Summerfest looks toward an overhaul of the south end

By Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Sept. 24, 2009 4:00 p.m.

Summerfest has tabbed five design and architectural firms to apply their creative talents to 22 acres on the south end of the festival grounds, slated for a major overhaul over the next five years.

Each of the firms will be paid $10,000 to participate in an informal design competition that will result in one or more of them designing a reconstruction of the buildings, stages and amenities. The nonprofit corporation that runs Summerfest has been working to stockpile $25 million for the renovations.

Dan Minahan, chairman of the Milwaukee World Festivals Board, shared the information on the redesign progress in a looking-forward portion of a directors meeting on Thursday. Summerfest officials declined to name the five firms, pending confirmation of the individual contracts.

The timing of the next major rebuilding phase on the Henry Maier Festival Grounds remains tied to the lease extension being negotiated between Milwaukee World Festivals Inc. and the city, which owns the 75-acre lakefront property. Those negotiations, which started late in 2008, have been slowed by the city, representatives of both parties said.

The stumbling block is the city-owned parking lot immediately west of the Marcus Amphitheater, and the potential for development on that parcel, City Attorney Grant Langley said. Before moving ahead on the lease, the city officials are exploring whether laws that restrict development on land that had been part of Lake Michigan would apply to the property.

Despite that delay, Langley said he was hopeful that a deal for a lease extension could be hammered out and presented to the Common Council in October.

Summerfest's current lease is set to expire in 2020. Officials with the nonprofit corporation that owns and runs the festival are seeking to extend that time frame to protect the large-scale investment contemplated for the south portion of the park.

I hope for a year round facility to be on the vacant parking lots of the Summerfest Grounds. It would be a start.

Wisconsin Ave. police station proposed
Flynn says relocation could help revive downtown area
The Business Journal of Milwaukee - by Rich Rovito

Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn has proposed moving the 1st District police station to vacant office or retail space along West Wisconsin Avenue, ideally in the vicinity of The Shops of Grand Avenue.

Flynn said the area was once downtown Milwaukee’s premier shopping district, but in recent years has become unattractive and uninviting to residents throughout southeastern Wisconsin.


here's the rest:
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/09/28/story1.html?b=1254110400^2163271&page=1

A police station to revitalize Wisconsin Ave.???? Thoughts?

Just for fun, I'll add some pictures.

Rivianna, Water and Pittsburgh (18) 3 towers
http://urbanmilwaukee.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/rivianna1.jpg[/QUOTE]

After the Modern, which is orgasmic enough, the next thing I hope and pray that will be built in Milwaukee is this.

Wisconsin Ave. police station proposed
Flynn says relocation could help revive downtown area
The Business Journal of Milwaukee - by Rich Rovito

Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn has proposed moving the 1st District police station to vacant office or retail space along West Wisconsin Avenue, ideally in the vicinity of The Shops of Grand Avenue.

Flynn said the area was once downtown Milwaukee’s premier shopping district, but in recent years has become unattractive and uninviting to residents throughout southeastern Wisconsin.


here's the rest:
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/09/28/story1.html?b=1254110400^2163271&page=1

A police station to revitalize Wisconsin Ave.???? Thoughts?

I don't like the idea of one on Wisconsin Ave in that high profile location. It sucks now that those spaces are vacant, but they may be a coveted in the near future.

Finally some actual news. Now lets hope for the Moderne!

Saint John's completes bond sale for expansion, will break ground Oct. 15

Saint John's on the Lake, a senior apartment complex at 1840 N. Prospect Ave. on Milwaukee's east side, has successfully sold $83 million in tax free municipal bonds for its planned 21-story, 88-unit expansion project, spokesman Rick Romano told BizTimes Milwaukee today.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the project will be held on Oct. 15, Romano said, the same day that the financing package will close.
The expansion will be one of the few large commercial real estate projects in southeastern Wisconsin to achieve financing in the past year.
"We think this is a pretty extraordinary accomplishment in a tough economic climate," Romano said. "We're very excited for ourselves, but also for the community. There are going to be 150 to 200 workers on this construction project."
Pewaukee-based VJS Construction Services is the general contractor for the project.
The tax free municipal bonds were made available through the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority.
Saint John's hired Ziegler Wealth Management, a division of B.C. Ziegler and Company, to handle the bond sale.
Saint John's executives decided to sell bonds for the project when they determined that was a better option for them than obtaining financing from a bank. Bank financing for major real estate developments has been extremely difficult to obtain since the U.S. financial market meltdown last year.
So far, about 75 percent of the 88 apartment units in the planned expansion have been reserved.
Construction for the expansion project is expected to be complete in mid-2011.

http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2009/9/29/saint-johns-completes-bond-sale-for-expansion-will-break-ground-oct-15

I don't like the idea of one on Wisconsin Ave in that high profile location. It sucks now that those spaces are vacant, but they may be a coveted in the near future.

I agree, but the spaces haven't been coveted for quite some time, now. Anything that can be done to make that area more desirable, I say do it. I don't share the Chief's doom and gloom view of the area, but it couldn't hurt. Maybe since it would just be rented storefront space, they could move later if the area became in very high demand again.

I don't like the idea of one on Wisconsin Ave in that high profile location.

Not necessarily a bad idea. Here's one example of where it worked out well and coincided with a great improvement in the area:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1084/3164813298_6a6e4460ef.jpg

Putting a police station in the Shops of Grand Avenue in Milwaukee would be a good thing. This would be very similar to the police station at CNN Center in Atlanta, GA. They have their police station with access to the street and to the interior atrium. When that happened, it brought in a lot of new business. I would look at this example as being the model that the Milwaukee Police Department will use.

I agree, but the spaces haven't been coveted for quite some time, now. Anything that can be done to make that area more desirable, I say do it. I don't share the Chief's doom and gloom view of the area, but it couldn't hurt. Maybe since it would just be rented storefront space, they could move later if the area became in very high demand again.

I just can't picture any ideal spot where it would be a good thing to have a police station on Wisconsin Ave near or in the Grand Ave. It would have to be street level and require a fair share of parking for squad cars correct?

Not necessarily a bad idea. Here's one example of where it worked out well and coincided with a great improvement in the area:

yeah, thats the first thing that popped into my head when I read that article. I think a police station is required in Times Square with the number of people who are there on a daily basis and during events like New Years.

Putting a police station in the Shops of Grand Avenue in Milwaukee would be a good thing. This would be very similar to the police station at CNN Center in Atlanta, GA. They have their police station with access to the street and to the interior atrium. When that happened, it brought in a lot of new business. I would look at this example as being the model that the Milwaukee Police Department will use.

I never got the feeling that people were afraid to shop or open business downtown. Not saying that it can't help, but is that a issue like they describe in the article? The Third Ward/Eastside doesn't really have that problem, Riverwest being the exception. I know downtown has a number of bums, beggars, and some punks hanging out in that area (especially right outside the Grand Ave, waiting for the bus)---but why can't the cops at the existing station deal with them? And we all know that the only businesses that will be popping up because of a police station are doughnut shops. :)

If the station moved into the Shops on Grand space, they would use parking from their structure. As far as crime issues, that area isn't dangerous but suffers from a perception issue. Having a police station and more police incidentally in the area would rid Wisconsin Ave of that and could serve to get some retail leases signed.

If the police get a deal on the space, this could be a win-win and significantly improve the area.

HUD approves loan for downtown high rise
By Tom Daykin of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Sept. 29, 2009

The Moderne apartment high-rise proposed for downtown Milwaukee has received preliminary approval for a loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Under that program, developers with the federal guarantee can obtain private loans with 40-year repayment terms. In return, the developers pay interest rates that are higher than rates for conventional loans.

The guarantee approval means the Moderne has leaped over a big hurdle in assembling financing for the $55.2 million project, developer Rick Barrett said Tuesday.

With the guarantee, Barrett will be able to obtain a $41.4 million loan through Capmark Financial Group Inc. of Horsham, Pa., and the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, a union-backed group based in Washington, D.C. The guarantee will become final as long as Barrett continues to meet the program's terms, said Annmarie Hinkle, a local HUD official.

Barrett hopes news of the guarantee will help persuade the Common Council to approve $10 million in city loans to complete the financing package, which also includes equity financing. The council's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee will consider the proposed city loans at its Oct. 6 meeting.

Barrett wants to begin construction in November on the 30-story Moderne high-rise. It would have 203 apartments and 14 condominiums at the southwest corner of N. Old World Third St. and W. Juneau Ave. J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., Madison, would be the general contractor.

The city financing for the Moderne would include a $4 million loan, with interest rates of 14% to 15%, and a four-year payment term. Barrett also would get a $6 million loan, with a four-year term and an interest rate equal to the Capmark loan rate, or 6.4%.

Barrett said the Moderne would create $70 million in property tax base for Milwaukee, encourage more development in the Park East area, and provide over 900 union construction jobs, with over 1,000 jobs created at companies that supply materials and equipment for the project.

However, Ald. Robert Bauman, whose district includes downtown, said the loan proposal should be delayed. He said that would allow the council to consider both the Moderne loans and an expected request for city financing assistance from New Land Enterprises, which wants to build a 19-story tower, with 224 apartments, at the northeast corner of E. Kilbourn Ave. and N. Van Buren St.

Other aldermen are expected to raise questions about whether the city should make any direct loans to high-rise developers.

Von Briesen and Roper looking for new, larger headquarters (http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/6d6c0dd774/the-rachel-zoe-project-recession-fashion-tips)
The von Briesen & Roper law firm has hired Terence McMahon, of Boerke Co., to help it look for a new, larger Milwaukee headquarters. The firm, in conjunction with Boerke Co., is seeking proposals for both existing Class A buildings and proposed new office towers in Milwaukee. The firm could be an anchor tenant for a new office tower.

Historic First Wisconsin building get's a makeover (http://www.jsonline.com/business/62756427.html)
The 16-story building at 735 N. Water St., which opened in 1913 as the headquarters for First Wisconsin National Bank, will see its scaffolding, which has been up for months, disappear in October. The building has already lost its protective netting, designed to catch chunks of a decorative cornice that was falling apart until a $2.5 million repair job began last December. Building owners are also repairing the roof and taking other steps to obtain "green building" status, and Oppermann sees an opportunity to rev up the marketing campaign for new tenants.
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/746/mjscornice29nwssears1.jpg

Found a drawing for the Athletic Club Tower proposal. Really great design.

http://www.studio1032.com/images/ARCH%20MACTOWabig.jpg

http://www.studio1032.com/images/ARCHMWATbig.jpg

Studio 1032 (http://www.studio1032.com/main5.html)

I put this rendering in the thread I just made for St. Johns, but in celebration of things picking up again, here's the newest view. The reason the renderings have improved in quality is because Perkins Eastman has been added to the project (the large architectural firm that recently won awards for the new TKTS booth in Times Square).

From Lake
http://www.saintjohnsmilw.org/expansion/news/art/view2.jpg

If the station moved into the Shops on Grand space, they would use parking from their structure. As far as crime issues, that area isn't dangerous but suffers from a perception issue. Having a police station and more police incidentally in the area would rid Wisconsin Ave of that and could serve to get some retail leases signed.

If the police get a deal on the space, this could be a win-win and significantly improve the area.

Where would they move in the Grand Ave though that would be connected directly with parking? That newer building on 2nd and Wisconsin I believe?

Found a drawing for the Athletic Club Tower proposal. Really great design.


that rendering looks pretty sweet.

Not necessarily a bad idea. Here's one example of where it worked out well and coincided with a great improvement in the area:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1084/3164813298_6a6e4460ef.jpg
I don't know if it is still there or not, but a few years ago the City of Appleton Police Department opened a storefront substation in a mall (Northland Mall) on the city's northwest side.

Mike

I put this rendering in the thread I just made for St. Johns, but in celebration of things picking up again, here's the newest view. The reason the renderings have improved in quality is because Perkins Eastman has been added to the project (the large architectural firm that recently won awards for the new TKTS booth in Times Square).

From Lake
http://www.saintjohnsmilw.org/expansion/news/art/view2.jpg

That rendering depicts a residential tower with a clean elegant 2009 design
for the U.S. market but why can't we have any developers take more risks
with visual appearances, and materials used like the building oddities going up daily in Shanghai and some of the European cities?

I will look for examples if that is required.

Cheers.

That rendering depicts a residential tower with a clean elegant 2009 design
for the U.S. market but why can't we have any developers take more risks
with visual appearances, and materials used like the building oddities going up daily in Shanghai and some of the European cities?

I will look for examples if that is required.

Cheers.

Post some examples of what you'd like to see, but I'm guessing the design for this tower has to do with who is buying in to this development.

Wealthy retirees aren't exactly known for their insatiable appetite for groundbreaking architectural design...

part of it is that these designs are relatively safe. You wont be awed by what you see, but you wont want to puke. Some of the stuff in Dubai, China, and Europe might look cool now, but chances are good that they will look awful a half century from now.

Von Briesen and Roper looking for new, larger headquarters (http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/6d6c0dd774/the-rachel-zoe-project-recession-fashion-tips)
The von Briesen & Roper law firm has hired Terence McMahon, of Boerke Co., to help it look for a new, larger Milwaukee headquarters. The firm, in conjunction with Boerke Co., is seeking proposals for both existing Class A buildings and proposed new office towers in Milwaukee. The firm could be an anchor tenant for a new office tower.



The link isn't to the article??????

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/62660042.html
Here's the real link.
I hope they and some other businesses can get together and get a tower built already.



Found a drawing for the Athletic Club Tower proposal. Really great design.

http://www.studio1032.com/images/ARCH%20MACTOWabig.jpg

Studio 1032 (http://www.studio1032.com/main5.html)


Any idea how old or new these rendering are?????

Here's some of the coolest proposed development in Milwaukee, in my opinion (over $800mil worth):

http://www4.uwm.edu/master_plan/

click on the link that says "September 29 - 30 presentations available here."

The pictures of how campus looks now and how it will look in the future start at slide 24. I would've posted some of the pics on here but I don't think there's anyway to upload your own photos, since I just took screen shots of the pdf slides.

I'm honestly super excited about all of this stuff. Even though most of it won't be built until after I've graduated, it's awesome to see what their plans are and to imagine what campus will look like 10 years from now.

It looks like they're really going to try and utilize every last inch that they can at the Kenwood campus, which is definitely a good thing. I've always felt like they could always add more, even though it's only 93 acres. They are still keeping a fair amount of green space though which is cool.

The link isn't to the article??????

Hahha that's a link my friend put on my facebook because I make fun of her for liking that show. I do recommend funnyordie.com for some good videos, but definitely don't have anything to do with Milwaukee development.

Vote on Moderne Delayed (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/63530867.html)
The Common Council's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee had been set to consider the proposal at its Tuesday meeting. The delay gives the comptroller's office more time to finish a report on the loan proposal. The next committee meeting is scheduled for Oct. 27.

City Hall Project Under Budget (http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/63489847.html)
Final figures show that restoration work on Milwaukee City Hall - the biggest public works project in city history - came in under budget, officials told a Common Council committee last week.
After all bills are paid, the city will have spent about $50,000 less than its $76 million budget for refurbishing the 114-year-old Flemish Renaissance Revival building, Public Works Commissioner Jeff Mantes told the council's Public Works Committee.
Next up is a $15 million project to shore up the wooden pilings on which City Hall rests, in light of 2007 findings that the building's southeastern corner has sunk about an inch. Mantes said that work would begin next year and would last about two years.
That job could result in permanently closing the south end of N. Market St., between City Hall and the Zeidler Municipal Building, and installing a plaza there, Mantes told aldermen.
But if plans move forward for two-way traffic on E. Wells St., it would be unsafe for Market St. to intersect Wells St. so close to N. Water St., he said.

Police District 1 Move on the Table (http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/63353497.html)
The idea is far from a done deal, however.
The Police Department must be able to use the space rent-free, Flynn said. And any building identified as a possible location would have to undergo extensive modifications, which the city cannot afford unless another entity covers the costs, said Ald. Robert Bauman, who represents the area.
The alderman put the odds of the move occurring at 1-in-10.

The Milwaukee ballet recently received a $1 million grant from the Dolmen Foundation. The group has said they would like to use the grant to help their vision of creating a downtown rehearsal space.

Michael Pink, artistic director for the ballet, said he wants to create a collaborative arts building in downtown Milwaukee. He said the site was not yet chosen, and would be open to other arts group looking for space.

Quote from Vid:
"The new building would be filled with many different disciplines, music, arts, and dancing, and would bring many many people into that environment. It would be a Meca of fine arts and inspiration. Made with lots of glass so we can see in the heart of the building

He said their in talks with other groups about new space, and would like to see the new building in operation within 3-5 years.

Link to Fox 6 Video (www.fox6now.com/business/) Video titled Biz Journal 10.01.09
Journal Sentinel article on donation (http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/arts/63171812.html)

The Milwaukee ballet recently received a $1 million grant from the Dolmen Foundation. The group has said they would like to use the grant to help their vision of creating a downtown rehearsal space.

Michael Pink, artistic director for the ballet, said he wants to create a collaborative arts building in downtown Milwaukee. He said the site was not yet chosen, and would be open to other arts group looking for space.

Quote from Vid:
"The new building would be filled with many different disciplines, music, arts, and dancing, and would bring many many people into that environment. It would be a Meca of fine arts and inspiration. Made with lots of glass so we can see in the heart of the building

He said their in talks with other groups about new space, and would like to see the new building in operation within 3-5 years.

Link to Fox 6 Video (www.fox6now.com/business/) Video titled Biz Journal 10.01.09
Journal Sentinel article on donation (http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/arts/63171812.html)

I can think of two sites Downtown on Edison Street on the Milwaukee River that would be a great location for the Milwaukee Ballet. The first site would be the Rojahn and Malaney Company site at State and Edison across the street from the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts or on Edison Street between Juneau and Cherry Streets across the river from the new Aloft Hotel and Manpower. The 2nd location is much larger and its in the Park East redevelopment area. Would be a great addition to that area.

The Milwaukee ballet recently received a $1 million grant from the Dolmen Foundation. The group has said they would like to use the grant to help their vision of creating a downtown rehearsal space.

Michael Pink, artistic director for the ballet, said he wants to create a collaborative arts building in downtown Milwaukee. He said the site was not yet chosen, and would be open to other arts group looking for space.

Quote from Vid:
"The new building would be filled with many different disciplines, music, arts, and dancing, and would bring many many people into that environment. It would be a Meca of fine arts and inspiration. Made with lots of glass so we can see in the heart of the building

He said their in talks with other groups about new space, and would like to see the new building in operation within 3-5 years.

Link to Fox 6 Video (www.fox6now.com/business/) Video titled Biz Journal 10.01.09
Journal Sentinel article on donation (http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/arts/63171812.html)

That's sweet but how far is $1 mil really going to get them? I wonder if they're hinting that they would like other groups to donate to the building as well so that they are all co-owners.

I noticed that they've started preparing for construction at St. Johns. They've got a trailer up and they're ripping stuff up in the parking lot.

An interesting video from Small Business Times. Great news for the Park East.:banana:


http://www.biztimes.com/realestateweekly/2009/10/7/one-at-north-end-almost-completely-leased

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VJCkN0sQwA

Riverfront lot seeks cleanup for possible development
By Tom Daykin of the Journal Sentinel

Oct. 8, 2009 8:00 a.m. | The city Redevelopment Authority plans to clean up a riverfront parcel that would be sold to a local restaurant operator and developer.

The authority is seeking a federal grant to do an environmental cleanup on a city-owned parcel just south of the Highland Ave. footbridge, on the Milwaukee River's east bank. The 20,000-square-foot vacant lot then would be sold for $512,000 to Russell Davis, who holds a one-year purchase option for the property, at 1027 N. Edison St.

The cleanup plan won approval this week from the Common Council's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee.

Davis, who operates Vecchio Bar and Grille, Riverwalk Boat Tours and other local businesses, has plans for a building with a restaurant, banquet hall, offices and condos. The development would include underground parking, and a riverwalk.

Meanwhile, Vecchio, 1137 N. Old World Third St., is now closed for three to four weeks to remodel and create a new menu. Davis told me he wants something fresh in place when the nearby Aloft Hotel, 1230 N. Old World Third St., opens in early December.




He says eight years left, I say five!

Payne: Clock ticking on the Bradley Center
Aging facility needs numerous repairs

By Don Walker of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Oct. 7, 2009
Ulice Payne Jr. has been saying for some time that the need for capital repairs is outpacing the ability of the Bradley Center to pay for them.

During an issues forum with Marquette University Law School students this week, Payne, the departing chairman of the Bradley Center board of directors, said the arena has about eight years left.

Until now, Payne has never said exactly how long he thinks the Bradley Center can remain a useful arena for its tenants. He could be right, or a solution could be found to extend the life of the arena.

Opened in October 1988, the Bradley Center does not receive direct public-tax support. This year, however, state budget-makers, supported by Gov. Jim Doyle, approved $5 million in bonding to the Bradley Center for maintenance purposes.

Payne, who has told Doyle that he wants to step down as chairman but will serve until a replacement is found, has been saying for years that the community needs to discuss the possibility of a new arena for the Milwaukee Bucks, the Milwaukee Admirals, the Marquette University Golden Eagles and the Milwaukee Iron arena football team.

In his remarks to students Tuesday, Payne said the scoreboard at the arena is 14 years old. Payne also said that maintenance crews on average replace 1,000 ceramic tiles inside the arena. Most arenas now do not have ceramic tile.

This year, the Bradley Center produced a fact sheet detailing the other issues facing the arena. They include outdated mechanical and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment; a deteriorating roof and exterior façade; an obsolete hockey rink system; outdated event production technology; and a significant number of seats that need to be replaced or refurbished.

Park Lafayette face foreclosure Suit (http://www.jsonline.com/business/63647852.html)
http://www.onmilwaukee.com/images/articles/pa/parklafayetteblog/parklafayetteblog_fullsize_story1.jpg
Park Lafayette, the largest new condominium development in Milwaukee, is facing a $100 million foreclosure suit after being plagued with slow sales.

Point on the River hits 50% condo sales mark (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/63631057.html)
http://www.biztimes.com/nf/uploads/Image/reweekly1.20.09/thepoint.jpg
The Point on the River condominium development, which overlooks the confluence of the Milwaukee and Menomonee rivers, has sold more than 50% of its units, according to a statement from Garrison Partners Consulting, which is overseeing marketing efforts.

Public Artwork Unveiled tonight (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/artcity.html)
http://www.hankaaronstatetrail.org/images/A-Place-to-Sit.jpg
"A Place to Sit," is kathryn e. martin's first permanent, public artwork. It will be unveiled in a ceremony organized by the Friends of the Hank Aaron State Trail that begins at 4:30 p.m. today and includes a dedication at 5:30 p.m.
The high-back chairs in martin's piece are intended to honor the spirit of the people of Wisconsin's American Indian tribes and to honor their tradition of sharing the bounty of the Menomonee Valley.

River Skimmer keeps downtown waterways clear of debris (http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/63723837.html)
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/9417/mjsskimmernwsjka.jpg

The day after a storm blows through the city, the Milwaukee River looks more like the parking lot after a game at Miller Park than a scenic stream.

As the Skimmer cruises the river, crew members use nets to scoop up small items off to the side of the boat. They carefully scan the surface for dead fish and animals floating near restaurants with outdoor seating.

A metal v-shaped frame at the front of the River Skimmer opens like a gate as the boat approaches a floating mat of debris. Every piece in its path floats onto a metal conveyor belt that drops the trash onto the floor of the boat.

The Skimmer removed 788 cubic yards of trash in 2008 and 865 cubic yards in 2007, not counting the picnic tables and trees that it tows away.

"It never ceases to amaze me what comes out of the river," Cassavant said as he maneuvered the boat Wednesday toward another log.

Though they focus on removing plastic trash and tires, dead fish and animals, the crew goes out of its way to clear boating hazards, Cassavant said. Nets and ropes might damage propellers, but a log might sink any small craft that crashes into it.

In mid-September, they found a 40-foot tree floating, roots up. Most of it was submerged and unseen. The crew tied it to the boat and towed it out of harm's way, disposing of it at the Port of Milwaukee, Cassavant said.

All trees, logs, picnic tables - and even telephone poles found in the river - are towed to the Port of Milwaukee. Trash and small debris are unloaded directly into Dumpsters at a DPW property on the Kinnickinnic River.

"This year, we've been finding more debris from construction sites," he said. "And we've picked up more than the usual number of plastic barrels."

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/6163/34194847.jpg

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/6564/45646700.jpg

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/1382/19435160.jpg

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/1341/63804068.jpg

Floor Detail
Street Level: Lobby, Office, Retail, Swimming Pool, Mechanical, Parking
Floors 2-5: Residential parking and storage
Floors 5-19: Residential Units

Exterior
Primarily glass
2 types of colored precast concrete panels with reveals
2 types of brick
Integrated parking deck by using diverse materials
Canopy Entrance
Balconies stainless steel with glass, and metal framed railings with metal mesh infill

^^Ugh. If I had to choose one or the other, I would say go Moderne.

^^Ugh. If I had to choose one or the other, I would say go Moderne.

Seriously, who is their architect? That building is so incredibly boring.

Seriously, who is their architect? That building is so incredibly boring.

probally the same guy that designed "The Point on the River".

probally the same guy that designed "The Point on the River".

That was Epstein Uhen. NLE's uses Kindness architecture, formally of Workshop.

The NLE proposal has a little potential, the renders that I've seen so far are horrible. It looks like a low-quality knock off of Yankee Hill ... which isn't exactly inspiring to begin with.

Looking over some of the documents they submitted to the city, it seems like this could be better, not awe inspiring, but something that will stand the test of time well.

http://www.biztimes.com/realestateweekly/2009/9/30/

Saint John’s completes bond sale for tower, will break ground Oct. 15
Saint John’s on the Lake, a senior apartment complex at 1840 N. Prospect Ave. on Milwaukee’s east side, has successfully sold $83 million in tax free municipal bonds for its planned 21-story, 88-unit expansion project, spokesman Rick Romano told BizTimes Milwaukee.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the project will be held on Oct. 15, Romano said, the same day that the financing package will close.

“We think this is a pretty extraordinary accomplishment in a tough economic climate,” Romano said. “We’re very excited for ourselves, but also for the community. There are going to be 150 to 200 workers on this construction project.”

Pewaukee-based VJS Construction Services is the general contractor for the project.

The tax free municipal bonds were made available through the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority. Saint John’s hired Ziegler Wealth Management, a division of B.C. Ziegler and Company, to handle the bond sale.

Saint John’s executives decided to sell bonds for the project when they determined that was a better option for them than getting financing from a bank. Bank financing for major real estate developments has been extremely hard to obtain since the U.S. financial market meltdown last year.

So far about 75 percent of the 88 apartment units in the planned expansion have been reserved.

Construction for the expansion project is expected to be complete in mid-2011.

Large Asian market proposed for northwest side
By Tom Daykin of the Journal Sentinel
Oct. 14, 2009 9:00 a.m.

A large market, with separate stalls for selling Asian goods, including food items, is being proposed for Milwaukee's northwest side.

Milwaukee's Asian Markets Phongsavan is proposed by Pai Yang for 6300 N. 76th St.

Yang's plans call for the site's 14,000-square-foot building to be divided into 10-feet by 10-feet stalls that would be rented to merchants selling a variety of goods. The development also would have a new 70,000-square-foot building housing a food court and additional stalls, according to documents filed with the city Plan Commission, which reviews the proposal at its Monday meeting.

If the project is developed, it would offer up to 440 market stalls, as well as additional space for restaurants and coffee houses, according to Yang's proposal.

^cool, I live right over there as well.

Maybe I'm ignorant, but what is meant by a stall?

Maybe I'm ignorant, but what is meant by a stall?

If you've ever been to a market it's a small working and presentation area usually with product space to display products for your browsing pleasure, think of the wisconsin expo center during state fair, a lot of vendors and a lot of customers browsing. They'll probably (I hope) also have an area where you could take things you've bought inside and have ssomeone cook them up right there!!! That'd be cool.

Take the great Milwaukee Trivia Quiz! I did and scored 19 out of 25.

http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/64450417.html

Milwaukee Trivia Quiz!

Boatnurd scored 23 out of 25.... Wooooo Hoooo!

21 out of 25

I failed all the sports questions. I couldn't care less. 19 out of 25.

Clothing, gift shop plans new Brady St. building
By Tom Daykin of the Journal Sentinel
Oct. 15, 2009



Green Fields Trading Co., which operates a clothing, jewelry and gift shop at 1800 N. Farwell Ave., plans to move to a new building planned for Brady St.

Shawn Hutchens, who operates Green Fields, owns a lot at the southwest corner of Brady St. and Arlington Place. Hutchens has submitted plans to the Historic Preservation Commission for a two and one-half-story building at the lot, at 1239 E. Brady St.

The proposed building has around 1,200 square feet on each floor, said Deb Lindner, of Citywide Development LLC, which will be the general contractor. Green Fields plans to move to the building's first floor, Lindner said.

Hutchens couldn't be reached for comment. The Historic Preservation Commission will consider the plans at its Monday meeting. The design would blend with the historic nature of nearby buildings, Lindner said.

here is site of new building

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&source=hp&q=1239+e+brady+milwaukee,+wi&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=1239+E+Brady+St,+Milwaukee,+WI+53202&gl=us&ei=sTTaSqHmAZXANZKR2d0L&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CA0Q8gEwAA

^^^^^^

I like to keep track of all developments
large and SMALL,

New, expanded Glorioso Bros. grocery to open by spring 2010
By Tom Daykin of the Journal Sentinel
Oct. 7, 2009



Glorioso Brothers Co., an east side grocery known for its deli, and imported Italian foods and wines, plans to open in a larger location by spring of next year.

Michael Glorioso told me today that his family hired a consulting firm, which has been finalizing plans for the new location, and taking bids from contractors. Work should begin soon, he said.

The Gloriosos will move their store and deli, at 1018 E. Brady St., into the first floor of the former Brady Street Café building, which is just across the street, at the southeast corner of Brady and Astor streets. That will provide nearly three times as much space, with expanded deli offerings, and a larger wine and spirits department.

The current store and deli will house Glorioso Brothers' catering operation, and possibly cooking classes. The project is being financed by U.S. Bank.

Brady Street Cafe, 1696 N. Astor St., closed on May 1 after being unable to pay its bills. The business, operated by James Searles, started in 1983, and served as a neighborhood hangout. Gloriso said his family doesn't yet have plans for the building's second floor, where Searles operated a small performing arts and exhibition space for theater, dance and film.

Salvatore "Ted" Glorioso and Joseph Glorioso sued Searles in December, saying he reneged on an agreement to sell his 20,000-square-foot building for $775,000. The suit was dismissed in September after Searles sold the building to the Gloriosos.

By the way, at the northwest corner of Brady and Astor, there are plans for a Thai bistro and sushi bar, called Thai-namite.

By the way, at the northwest corner of Brady and Astor, there are plans for a Thai bistro and sushi bar, called Thai-namite.

My wife and I love Thai food, and Milwaukee is sorely lacking in good Thai options... hopefully it'll be worth the wait.

Edit- Great name though!

http://www.biztimes.com/news/2009/10/16/real-estate-options-limited-for-von-briesen-roper-hq

It isn't news that Von Briesen may want to move, but here's some interesting info:

Palec and Ullrich said there are other potential office tenants in the market, but they declined to name them.

In addition to Von Briesen, several major office tenants in downtown Milwaukee will have leases up for renewal between 2013-15 including Marcus Corp., Wells Fargo and Quarles & Brady said Inland Companies vice president Lyle Landowski. But most of them will likely renew their leases at their current locations, he said. The exception could be Von Briesen.

“I don’t think they want to stay (in the 411 Building,),” Landowski said. “They really do want to do something. I think they’re tired of playing second fiddle to Quarles & Brady. They want their own show.”

Other developers that were working on proposed office projects a few years ago that could resurface include: a development on the parking lot next to the Milwaukee Athletic Club, a development on the site of the Marcus Center parking structure, a mixed-use development that NAI MLG Commercial was working on along the Milwaukee River in the Park East corridor and an eight-story, 155,000-square-foot office building that Wangard Properties planned to build on top of a parking garage just south of the eight-story 875 East Wisconsin office building at 875 E. Wisconsin Ave.

The redevelopment of the former Pabst brewery by Zilber could also provide space for Von Briesen.

“We will be actively participating in the RFP process and we will be offering (Von Briesen) office space in historic buildings at the Pabst, in a new building at the Pabst or in a new building that would be built elsewhere downtown,” said Mervis.

The new building planned by Zilber “elsewhere downtown” has not previously been disclosed publicly. Mervis declined to provide more details about that project.

Anatomy of an Avenue: North Ave. from the lake to Pewaukee
Tuesday, 13 October 2009 - Dan Knauss

News - News

Anatomy of an Avenue, Barbara J. Miner’s photo essay on North Avenue, will premier on Friday Oct. 9 from 6-9 p.m. at the Inova/Kenilworth Gallery, 2155 N. Prospect Ave, Milwaukee.

Anatomy of an Avenue begins at the Milwaukee lakefront and ends 16 miles later as North Avenue dead-ends in the formerly rural, now ex-urban town of Pewaukee. “I chose North Avenue because it connects more neighborhoods, communities, cities and counties than any other major thoroughfare in the metropolitan area,” Miner says. “It is a microcosm of who we are as a community—both what unites us and what divides us.”

The exhibit is part of the Sixth Annual Mary L. Nohl Fellowship Exhibition, which brings together new work by seven established and emerging artists who are the 2008 Nohl Fellows. The Oct. 9 opening night includes a reception, gallery tour and talk by Inova/Kenilworth curator Nicholas Frank. The exhibit runs until Dec. 13.

On Thursday Nov. 12, as part of the exhibit, a panel discussion on North Avenue will be held from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at Inova/Kenilworth. The panel will be emceed by Joel McNally and Cassandra Cassandra, co-hosts of Morning Magazine on AM 1290 WMCS, and will include representatives from the communities along North Avenue.

The exhibition runs until Dec. 13. Inova/Kenilworth exhibits are free and open to the public. Gallery hours: Wednesday and Friday-Sunday, 12 noon- 5 pm; Thursday, 12 noon-8 pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

There's Still Time to Save the County Grounds

http://www.mkeriverkeeper.org/content/theres-still-time-save-county-grounds (thats where i found the article)


October 16, 2009

UWM master planners are re-thinking the placement of their new engineering campus. It was originally slated to go on the County Grounds in Wauwatosa, an area Milwaukee Riverkeeper has fought to protect before. To read its past history click here.(http://www.milwaukeeriverkeeper.org/content/milwaukee-county-grounds)

Due to the uproar from the community about its placement, UWM Chancellor Santiago is urging people to share their opinion about the future expansion of its campus online.

"Thank you for your strong turnout at last week’s UWM Campus Master Plan presentations. More than 350 people attended the two sessions.

It is now very important for you to provide feedback about the current status of the plan. Your insights can be shared with the consultants and planning team online at the Campus Master Plan website:

http://www.masterplan.uwm.edu/feedback/

The draft master plan has been placed on that site, along with a feedback form.

We need as many comments as possible to ensure excellence in the final product. Please share your thoughts with us by the deadline of 11:59 p.m. on November 9.

Thank you for your continuing involvement as we collectively plan for the future of UWM in this important initiative.

Sincerely,

Carlos E. Santiago
Chancellor"

Tell UWM's master planners that there are plenty of places to expand their campus that doesn't involve encrouching on our precious remaining natural areas by submitting your comments online.

MORE INFORMATION:

A recent Journal-Sentinel Op-Ed (http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/63326367.html) by UWM Urban Studies Professor Marc Levine lays out some of the problems with the campus' expansion.

More about the development and its possible merging with UWM's Freshwater Sciences building can be found on Jim Rowen's blog.

This issue is also supported by Milwaukee County First.

My wife and I love Thai food, and Milwaukee is sorely lacking in good Thai options... hopefully it'll be worth the wait.

Edit- Great name though!

Hmm, really? I mean, more is better. But with King And I, Thai Palace, Mai Thai (on Brady), EE Sane to name a few, I feel like we've got quite a few good options.

My wife and I love Thai food, and Milwaukee is sorely lacking in good Thai options... hopefully it'll be worth the wait.


I'm with you. I don't recall the name of the place, but I had one of the absolute worst restaurant meals in my life several years ago at a Thai spot on Farwell near Ogden. Everything, including the improperly prepared and soupy rice, literally reeked; maybe the cook called in, but it seemed that the operators lacked either talent or the proper training.
Not to be too negative, I have enjoyed an excellent Thai meal at another restaurant, hopefully still in business, on Oakland near Locust. But the truth is, at least comparatively from what I've experienced, the quality variability, in Asian restaurants especially in Milwaukee, is greater than elsewhere that I've lived or visited.

On the other hand, I had the sorriest chinese lunch in my life at a place in Seattle. You never know.

I'm with you. I don't recall the name of the place, but I had one of the absolute worst restaurant meals in my life several years ago at a Thai spot on Farwell near Ogden. Everything, including the improperly prepared and soupy rice, literally reeked; maybe the cook called in, but it seemed that the operators lacked either talent or the proper training.
Not to be too negative, I have enjoyed an excellent Thai meal at another restaurant, hopefully still in business, on Oakland near Locust. But the truth is, at least comparatively from what I've experienced, the quality variability, in Asian restaurants especially in Milwaukee, is greater than elsewhere that I've lived or visited.

The best Asian restaurants are all in Silver City. Thai Lotus is a good eat.

The best Asian restaurants are all in Silver City. Thai Lotus is a good eat.

I agree with you-- we really need to promote Silver City as Milwaukee's Chinatown... or Asia-town, I suppose, since it's mostly Hmong, Vietnamese and Thai immigrants in that area, not Chinese.

The Latin Quarter district has done a lot to make itself known and branded as such with signage and neighbourhood demarkations-- it would be nice to get the city to do something similar in Silver City... maybe an Asian-style archway over the streets leading in the the area...
something like this...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/34/Chinatown_Arch_Newcastle_UK.jpg/800px-Chinatown_Arch_Newcastle_UK.jpg

or maybe if that one is too costly, something like this...

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qVgnHDIZ3_w/SoGaUKOZDiI/AAAAAAAAAXo/mz9dQdO8js8/s320/Royal_Arch_Chinatown.jpg

From Silver City Business district website http://www.silvercitymainstreet.org/

Welcome to the Silver City Main Street, located along West National Avenue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from 31st Street to Miller Park Way. Known as the Inter-National district because of its diverse array of business owners, Silver City draws its name from the era of our history when workers from the industrial Menomonee Valley would spend their silver dollars at National Avenue businesses after a hard week’s work.

FUN FACTS

The Silver City Weave represents the weaving together of different nationalities in the Silver
City District. Today, business owners in the Silver City district represent heritage of German,
Hmong, Ivory Coast, Lao, Mexican, Native American, Nicaraguan, Peruvian, Polish, Puerto
Rican, Thai, and Vietnamese roots.Mission Statement:
The purpose of the Silver City Main Street is to enhance the quality of life for the citizens and businesses
of the Main Street district. Silver City Main Street works with both the public and private sectors to
restore the vitality once common in the commercial district by enhancing our community identity and heritage,
fostering a center of activity, and ensuring economic stability through concentrated efforts in
organization, promotion, design and business development.

In May 2005, Silver City Main Street developed a strategic plan with the assistance of Downtown
Professionals network. Click Here (http://www.silvercitymainstreet.org/files/SilverCity_Strategy_112305.pdf
)to view the Silver City Main Street Strategic Plan.

http://www.city-data.com/neighborhood/Silver-City-Milwaukee-WI.html

http://www.ci.mil.wi.us/ImageLibrary/User/cklose/08Expansion_of_Silver_City_TIN.rel.pdf

silver city in 2003 was expanded to the south to greenfield and to the east to 25thstreet.

ofcourse ive been there, great vietnamese restaurant by there.
cool part of town, and cool name.

thanks for the link.... I wonder if anyone has pushed for signage there to designate it as Silver City-- I think as implicitly an Asian quarter... this is something I'd love to see grow in Milwaukee.

New Land Enterprises' proposed downtown apartment high-rise took a step forward Monday, with the city Plan Commission unanimously recommending approval for the project's detailed design.

The next stop for design approval is the Oct. 27 meeting of the Common Council's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee.

But the real show at the committee meeting will be the scheduled discussion of possible city financing assistance for New Land's project and for another proposed apartment high-rise: developer Rick Barrett's Moderne project.

New Land's 19-story tower with 224 units, proposed for the northeast corner of E. Kilbourn Ave. and N. Van Buren St., is seeking a federal guarantee for a $51.8 million loan the firm would obtain through St. Louis-based Love Funding Corp.

The Love Funding loan will fall short of the $59 million to $60 million needed for the project, so New Land will seek a second loan of $3 million to $4 million from another source, said Tim Gokhman, of New Land. The firm wants the city to provide a guarantee for that second loan.

Meanwhile, the 30-story Moderne, with 203 apartments and 14 condominiums, has received preliminary approval for a federal loan guarantee, has won city design approval and is ready to begin construction immediately, Barrett said.

Moderne is getting a $41.4 million loan through Capmark Financial Group Inc. of Horsham, Pa., and the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, a union-backed group in Washington.

Barrett also is seeking city loans to help finance the $55.2 million Moderne, which would be built at the southwest corner of N. Old World Third St. and W. Juneau Ave. Barrett said Monday he is now seeking $9.3 million in city loans, down from his original request for $10 million.

The zoning committee could recommend the full council fund both projects or neither project. Some aldermen also have said one project could be favored over another.

Among those at the Plan Commission meeting to support New Land's project, known as Bookends North, were several union carpenters.


I hope they both get approved, but if it comes down to one or the other I would definitely want the Moderne

Growing power is growing green spaces

October 21, 2009


Source: Lowe’s Companies, Inc. and Growing Power, Inc.

Lowe’s Commits $141,000 Grant to Support Agricultural Training Space for Local Students; Helen Bader Foundation Gives $30,000 to Support Professional’s Time Spent Training Students

The pioneering urban “Growing Spaces” Project received a $141,000 grant from the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation, as well as $30,000 from the Helen Bader Foundation, to build an urban, agricultural training space and green garage in the Milwaukee Riverwest neighborhood. The grants will support a partnership between Growing Power, Inc., Bradley Tech Construction Academy, Inc., and the Lynde & Harry Bradley Technology & Trade School to provide educational opportunities for future green-collar workers and a community-based training site for urban sustainable agriculture.

Growing Spaces is the first project of its kind in the United States. Bradley Tech students are currently constructing a green building from start to finish made completely from green construction materials and technology. The project began in July 2009, and its construction is approximately 40 percent completed.

The Growing Spaces project will provide an intensive, year-round rooftop garden and greenhouse to serve as a community-based training site in urban sustainable agriculture. Growing Power staff provide the training for Bradley Tech students in year-round sustainable food production and will provide training opportunities for community members once the green garage is complete. The food produced by students will stay in the local area and be shared among neighbors and food pantries in the Riverwest community.

“We hope the Growing Spaces training project serves as a model to inspire our community to grow its own food,” says Growing Power CEO, Will Allen. “We can rectify existing greenhouses, rooftops, and even grow food on asphalt at a real cost much lower than what was needed to support this training program.” And, indeed Growing Power does. The Growing Spaces project is but one of Growing Power’s many community-based and urban sustainable food system projects the organization supports locally and globally. Will Allen confirms, “Working with Willie Sinclair of the Bradley Tech Construction Academy has been one of the most rewarding partnerships in my professional work experience. Willie’s construction training program has prepared hundreds of Milwaukee youth to join the building trades in Milwaukee and elsewhere over the years and demonstrates his commitment to the
Growing Spaces project.”

A press conference will be held at 11 a.m. on Oct. 21, 2009 to showcase this project’s benefits to the local community. Students will be available on-site, and media are invited to take photographs or video of the project’s progress.
The press conference will be held on the rooftop garden at:
Growing Spaces’ construction site
2231 North Booth Street
Milwaukee, WI 53212

The Growing Spaces project is preparing Bradley Tech students for green construction jobs by developing a cutting-edge training facility that will provide opportunities for students to participate in a new, green curriculum. The project positions the city of Milwaukee as an incubator for a green construction workforce and exemplifies the state of Wisconsin’s commitment to green innovation.

ABOUT GROWING POWER, INC.
Growing Power transforms communities by supporting people from diverse backgrounds and the environments in which they live through the development of Community Food Systems. These systems provide high-quality, safe, healthy, affordable food for all residents in the community. Growing Power develops Community Food Centers, as a key component of Community Food Systems, through training, active demonstration, outreach, and technical assistance.

here is the flicker photo set attached to one of the articles

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wuwm/sets/72157622508389951/show/


you can also listen to the news from the wuwm news
from this link http://www.wuwm.com/programs/news/view_news.php?articleid=5279

Renovations take Jetson apartments back to glory days
By Tom Daykin of the Journal Sentinel
Oct. 22, 2009 8:00 a.m.



When it opened in the late 1960s, the apartment building at 1601 N. Farwell Ave. was a place where Austin Powers might have felt at home.

The building had an indoor swimming pool, a rarity for Milwaukee apartments at that time, and attracted a lot of what we now call the young professionials.

Flash forward four decades, and the place was a dump: the pool closed; building code violations galore, and homeless folks living illegally in some of the apartments. The building was taken over by Madison-based AnchorBank, which filed a foreclosure suit against a developer whose plans to convert the rental units into condos failed.

Enter Mequon-based Feldman Real Estate Inc., which AnchorBank hired in 2008 to redevelop the property. The firm did a full renovation of the 65-unit building, kicked out the squatters, got the dozen or so tenants to sign leases, and gave it a new name: The Jetson on Farwell.

"Everything was redone," said Gary Feldman, president of Feldman Real Estate.

This summer, the building had an 85% occupancy rate when it was sold to Eastmore Real Estate for around $3 million, Feldman said. As a result, the Commercial Association of Realtors Wisconsin recognized broker Tom Shepherd, of Inland Cos., for the Investment Deal of the Year in its recent awards.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&source=hp&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=1601+n+farwell+milwaukee+wi&fb=1&gl=us&hnear=1601+n+farwell+milwaukee+wi&cid=0,0,17676014139990149194&ei=hRjhStneBI24MNmZwcAB&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CAwQnwIwAA

An apartment building with up to 88 units is planned for Milwaukee's east side, another indication of demand for new rentals in that area.

Wangard Partners Inc. plans to develop the apartments on land east of HighBridge condominiums, 1888 N. Water St., said Wayne Wiertzema, executive vice president.

http://www.jsonline.com/business/65381267.html

An apartment building with up to 88 units is planned for Milwaukee's east side, another indication of demand for new rentals in that area.

Wangard Partners Inc. plans to develop the apartments on land east of HighBridge condominiums, 1888 N. Water St., said Wayne Wiertzema, executive vice president.

http://www.jsonline.com/business/65381267.html
Good news!

Latitude (East Side)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2677/4046938174_ebbdbef38f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/4046938174/)

Jackson Square Apartments (Third Ward)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2643/4046180155_020e6bd425.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/4046180155/)

Corcoran Lofts (Third Ward)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/4046790418_0572c63aa5.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/4046790418/)

This isn't really development news, but it was announced back in April that Aladdin - Taste of the East (at the Public Market) would be opening up a new concept restaurant at the Intermodal Station. I just have to report that I've been there twice in the last week and it's fantastic. It's not Middle Eastern cuisine like many thought. There's Stone Creek Coffee, Breakfast food (which I took advantage of this morning on my layover), panini, bakery, and plenty of dry foods that are perfect for taking on a train or bus. Coupled with the free WiFi at the station, this is a great place to relax on a layover. Last week, while riding the Greyhound up from Chicago, I met a guy from Columbus, OH who has to travel to Northfield, MN regularly. He said he used to take the bus through Rockford, but one time this year he had to take the Milwaukee route. He was so impressed with the station and the Aladdin Deli that he's been coming through Milwaukee and patronizing the place ever since.

This is fantastic news.

This isn't really development news, but it was announced back in April that Aladdin - Taste of the East (at the Public Market) would be opening up a new concept restaurant at the Intermodal Station. I just have to report that I've been there twice in the last week and it's fantastic. It's not Middle Eastern cuisine like many thought. There's Stone Creek Coffee, Breakfast food (which I took advantage of this morning on my layover), panini, bakery, and plenty of dry foods that are perfect for taking on a train or bus. Coupled with the free WiFi at the station, this is a great place to relax on a layover. Last week, while riding the Greyhound up from Chicago, I met a guy from Columbus, OH who has to travel to Northfield, MN regularly. He said he used to take the bus through Rockford, but one time this year he had to take the Milwaukee route. He was so impressed with the station and the Aladdin Deli that he's been coming through Milwaukee and patronizing the place ever since.

This is fantastic news.

So all Milwaukee needs is a few more deli's at key nodal locations across the city, and we will take over the midwest!!!

Aldermen delay decision on Moderne Loan (http://www.jsonline.com/business/66724777.html)
A Common Council committee delayed a decision Tuesday on a proposal for the City of Milwaukee to lend $9.3 million for construction of the downtown Moderne high-rise.

Receiver appointed for trouble project (http://www.jsonline.com/business/66240647.html)
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/1069/mjsrenaissant09bizlynn1.jpg
A bank that says it's owed more than $100 million in overdue loans on Milwaukee's Park Lafayette condominium development moved closer Monday to taking control of the financially troubled property.

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Timothy Dugan agreed to Amalgamated Bank's request to appoint a receiver to operate the 281-unit Park Lafayette, at 2000-2038 N. Prospect Ave.

So apparently the main library branch downtown is replacing their old roof from 1986 with a new $1.3 million green roof. Already under construction:

Design:
http://www.mpl.org/images/green_layout_lg.jpg

http://www.mpl.org/images/green_walkway_lg.jpg

Milwaukee Public Library (http://www.mpl.org/file/green_walkway.htm)

Third Ward Melting Pot project get's $700,000 SBA Loan (http://www.biztimes.com/realestateweekly)
http://www.biztimes.com/nf/uploads/Image/reweekly10.21.09/341Milwaukee.jpg
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is guaranteeing a $700,000 loan from the Wisconsin Business Development Finance Corp. for a planned Melting Pot restaurant that would be located in the Historic Third Ward in Milwaukee.

Alterra to open cafe in Shorwood development (http://www.biztimes.com/realestateweekly)
http://www.biztimes.com/nf/uploads/Image/reweekly10.21.09/rendering.jpg
Milwaukee-based Wired Properties plans to break ground within 30 days of a 4-story, mixed use building that it plans to build at the northeast corner of Kensington Boulevard and Oakland Avenue in Shorewood, said Wired Properties owner Blair Williams.

Siegel-Gallagher is marketing their Commerce St. site with the following plan.

http://images.loopnet.com/xnet/mainsite/attachments/viewImage.aspx?FileGuid=1AF7FE03-57AC-42C0-AE8C-6A87289C6385&Extension=JPG&Width=631&Height=421

http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/D/8/8/xy_D8859A73-A7D7-4B6E-9537-CFBA5F493CD4__.bmp

link (http://www.loopnet.com/xNet/Looplink/Profile/Profile.aspx?stid=bizjournals&LID=16415281&LL=true&UOMListing=&UOMMoneyCurrency=&RentPer=PY&SearchResultID=652435172)

yeah! another chain restaurant in the city!

http://www.meltingpot.com/locations.aspx?z=&n=648197

see how many locations there are of this one. (14 in california alone)
I dont understand fondue, its really lame, stick food substances into cheese or chocolate, okay, for novelty sake, fun for one visit.

Even I am surprised at how many of these exist in the country,
didnt strike me as a pfchangs or mccormick and schmicks.

well the only way its a small business loan is because it can be franchised.

Aldermen delay decision on Moderne Loan (http://www.jsonline.com/business/66724777.html)
A Common Council committee delayed a decision Tuesday on a proposal for the City of Milwaukee to lend $9.3 million for construction of the downtown Moderne high-rise.


Yeah... this article pretty much shows us who's in Boris' pocket.

@Coldwake How so?

So apparently the main library branch downtown is replacing their old roof from 1986 with a new $1.3 million green roof. Already under construction:

Design:
http://www.mpl.org/images/green_layout_lg.jpg

http://www.mpl.org/images/green_walkway_lg.jpg

Milwaukee Public Library (http://www.mpl.org/file/green_walkway.htm)

Very cool, I like this idea!

Yeah... this article pretty much shows us who's in Boris' pocket.

Looks like they just want a few changes to the plan for loan security and local workforce preference and will likely approve it next Tuesday. Not seeing the big deal.

Everything I've read and seen shows me that Bauman is against anything that isn't being done by Newland and might have some sort of impact on it. This was just one more thing... because he and Wade both said that they wouldn't support the loans regardless.

@Coldwake A couple of things. The Moderne and the Bookends are actually different in terms of risk. In the case of The Moderne the city would actually be making loans to the tune of $9.3 million. Whereas the Bookends the city would be agreeing to a loan guarantee of $3.5 million. So right there the level of risk is different. Then in the case of the Moderne the loans would actually be on the condo component, not the apartments so there's a little more risk there as well.

That said, the committee held the Moderne until Nov 3th for a special meeting before the Common Council meeting with the intent of making some changes to the deal(boost RPP%, secure the personal guarantee, improve the default language), which if made I believe both Wade and Bauman will vote for it.

@Coldwake A couple of things. The Moderne and the Bookends are actually different in terms of risk. In the case of The Moderne the city would actually be making loans to the tune of $9.3 million. Whereas the Bookends the city would be agreeing to a loan guarantee of $3.5 million. So right there the level of risk is different. Then in the case of the Moderne the loans would actually be on the condo component, not the apartments so there's a little more risk there as well.

That said, the committee held the Moderne until Nov 3th for a special meeting before the Common Council meeting with the intent of making some changes to the deal(boost RPP%, secure the personal guarantee, improve the default language), which if made I believe both Wade and Bauman will vote for it.

I think the Moderne is an overall long term benefit for the city. The Park East section of Milwaukee is a blight on the city and without at least one or two high profile projects it will remain that way. The city might have to take some short term pain in order to secure the long term benefit of developing the Park East area. How long has it sat empty now? It seems like forever. Getting some better developments in this area might eventually persuade the city and its population to invest in a new stadium for the Bucks. I would hate to see them go.

In some side news (MBJ I think (http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/11/02/story3.html?b=1257138000^2361031)), I read an article about a Chicago Investment fund that's going to start looking at depressed commercial and condo developments in SE Wisconsin, including Milwaukee. Their fund is about $50 million the article said, which would allow them to invest in about $200 million worth of SE projects. This could be a somewhat offsetting force in the depressed Milwaukee area condo market.

I think the Moderne is an overall long term benefit for the city. The Park East section of Milwaukee is a blight on the city and without at least one or two high profile projects it will remain that way. The city might have to take some short term pain in order to secure the long term benefit of developing the Park East area.

Totally agree. The Moderne is a key element to the re-development of that area, and will encourage more high-quality buildings. After the Palomar idea fell through, this is the only high-profile project on the table right now and I believe the city needs to take the gamble if they really care about filling up the Park East with quality development as much as they say they do. I realize it's not an opportune time to invest in condos, but let's think long-term here...
At least Mayor Barrett wants to do it, which is a big plus.

@MilwaukeeMark Oh I love the design the Moderne, and think it has a chance to be a catalytic project. I just wanted to point out that the two projects do offer varying levels of risk and concerns, and so them holding the project until some details are worked out was a reasonable thing to do.

@MilwaukeeMark

And that would be MilwaukeeMike. I confuse that all the time too. ;)

I agree with you guys, that it would be nice to improve the speed of development in Park East. But I'm also curious what demand for Park East land will look like as The Brewery project progresses, and as the recession lifts.

I know the city keeps pushing the Grand as the retail destination downtown, but I wish we'd consider marketing the Park East area for that. Or use the area for some of the new UWM schools that are being developed.

It seems like a missed opportunity to not use the area for some catalytic development. I wish the City would have a design competition or something.

I agree with you guys, that it would be nice to improve the speed of development in Park East. But I'm also curious what demand for Park East land will look like as The Brewery project progresses, and as the recession lifts.

I know the city keeps pushing the Grand as the retail destination downtown, but I wish we'd consider marketing the Park East area for that. Or use the area for some of the new UWM schools that are being developed.

It seems like a missed opportunity to not use the area for some catalytic development. I wish the City would have a design competition or something.


The main problem is that the City doesn't own or control any of the Park East, the County does. Mr. Walker sure has done a great job promoting economic development as County Exec, imagine what he can do as Governor.

I think the Moderne is an overall long term benefit for the city. The Park East section of Milwaukee is a blight on the city and without at least one or two high profile projects it will remain that way.
I couldn't agree more!

The city might have to take some short term pain in order to secure the long term benefit of developing the Park East area. Which is exactly why the city council needs to ok this loan. This to me is a do or die situation. Either ok the loan for the Modern or let the Park East rot for 30 years, or more.

Interesting Idea, any thoughts???? I think this could be a good bargaining chip seeing as we are only at 1/3rd capacity.


City may offer free water to lure businesses

By John Schmid of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Nov. 2, 2009 2:10 p.m.

Milwaukee, which has a weak record in luring new industry with tax breaks or government subsidies, has a new plan up its sleeve: offer free water to new companies that create jobs.

At a time when regions from metro Atlanta to the American southwest face acute water shortages, the Milwaukee Water Works utility operates at only a third of its capacity and draws off the Great Lakes, which have a fifth of the planet's surface supply of freshwater. That means the city, which operates the utility, can add new clients at marginal additional cost.

"This is our comparative advantage," Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said Monday, commenting on the abundance of water. "We have to sell on our comparative advantage. We cannot sell our winter weather."

Civic leaders who support the idea - mainly the Milwaukee Water Council trade group - recently held discussions on the concept with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, the agency that approves water rates. And they gave it a name: WAVE districts, or "water attracting valued employers," where new businesses could be offered low-cost or free water in return for job-creating investment in economically depressed areas.

In an interview after the conference, sponsored by the Marquette University Law School, Barrett said he fully supports the concept and said it could be up and running within a year. "I don't know of a single city doing this," Barrett said. "Look at the realities of water around this country."

Milwaukee's water rates already are well below the national average, the mayor and others note. A spokeswoman for the Milwaukee Water Works said that the average American pays $500 a year for the water bill. In Milwaukee, even after a proposed water rate increase that's currently under consideration, the annual average is closer to $200, a utility official said. The utility operates only a one-third of its capacity and hasn't hit peak usage since the 1960s.

Badger Meter Inc. chief executive Richard Meeusen also touted the idea at the conference. Citing a federal court ruling that will limit Atlanta's use of its reservoir, Meeusen said that any water-intensive business near Atlanta is going to think hard about its future supplies of water.

"Their taps are going to run dry in three years. We should be running full-page ads in the Atlanta papers, 'Worried about Water?'" Meeusen said.

The conference, called "Milwaukee 2015: Water, Jobs and the Way Forward," also included speakers from industry, universities and Gov. Jim Doyle.

sounds good to me.

Coming Soon
http://www.biztimes.com/nf/uploads/Image/reweekly9.23.09/The_Moderne_Animation_09_2009_02.gif

Moderne loans win full council approval
By Tom Daykin of the Journal Sentinel
Nov. 3, 2009 8:58 a.m.

The City of Milwaukee will lend $9.3 million to help finance development of the $55.2 million Moderne apartment high-rise under a 13-2 vote this morning by the Common Council.

That decision came after the council's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee earlier today unanimously recommended approval. With the full council vote, site preparation work on the Moderne, which will take around two years to build, will begin within a month or so, developer Rick Barrett said.

Zoning committee members last week voted 5-0 to delay the matter to allow Department of City Development officials to negotiate additional measures with Barrett to reduce the risk of the loans, and strengthen hiring preference programs for city residents.

Those additional conditions were added to the loan agreement, Development Commissioner Rocky Marcoux told committee members this morning. They include a personal guarantee from Barrett and his partners, backed by a bank line of credit of up to $4.35 million.

Also, Barrett and his partners are required to spend 25% of the construction costs with disadvantaged businesses, and 30% of the project's construction work hours must go to Milwaukee residents.

The Moderne will have 203 apartments and 14 condominiums at the southwest corner of N. Old World Third St. and W. Juneau Ave.

The council's vote to approve the loans came despite a report from city Comptroller Wally Morics, which said the loans bring "significant risk" that commercial lenders are unwilling to take.

The major risk to the city would be a failure to sell the condos at an average price of $939,000, the report says. So far, four of the condos have been reserved by prospective buyers.

Supporters, including Ald. Robert Bauman, acknowledged those risks. But they also said that even if the condos have poor sales, the income from Moderne's apartments and the project's property taxes would together generate enough cash to pay back the city's loans.

Loan supporters said the Moderne would provide property taxes and jobs, a point backed by union construction workers who attended the City Hall meetings. Marcoux also said the Moderne would help encourage more development in the Park East area.

Ald. Michael Murphy said he would prefer Barrett obtain all of his financing privately. But banks have greatly cut back on lending for even viable projects, Murphy said.

"These are unprecedented times," said Murphy.

Ald. Joe Davis said he was opposing the measure because it lacked job training funds. The only other member of the council to oppose the loans was Ald. Willie Hines.

The $55.2 million Moderne is getting a $41.4 million loan through Capmark Financial Group Inc. of Horsham, Pa., and the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, as well as equity financing.

The Capmark/AFL-CIO loan is getting a federal repayment guarantee available for apartment developments. While Capmark is reorganizing its finances under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, it is the loan's proposed servicer, with the funds actually coming from the AFL-CIO.

Developer drops plans to buy Columbia Hospital Complex (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/67039472.html)

Developer Doug Weas has dropped plans to buy the Columbia Hospital complex, next to University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, that university officials hope to convert into space for student housing, and other purposes.

A difficult lending climate, and lack of a firm commitment from UWM officials to use the buildings, led Weas to drop the purchase offer, according to sources who asked not to be identified. The buildings, owned by Columbia St. Mary's Inc., will become available for development in fall 2010 after the hospital complex closes.

Weas didn't respond to requests for comment. Greg Hartzog, Columbia St. Mary's director of marketing and sales, said Weas hadn't notified hospital executives about his plans.

I really think the moderne is the beginning of milwaukee
coming out as a city or more like the beginning of the beginning
of milwaukee being what
milwaukee really is.

Milwaukee is so underrated and lesser known moreso than what
will be. Or so I like to believe as an unapologetic milwaukee booster.

I think as time goes on Chicagoans and all people in the area
and in wisconsin will see milwaukee continue to improve and will start to take notice and
milwaukee will not be the hidden gem it is now.


Even if the city lost money on its investment in the short term,
it will make it up in the long term.

Totally killer building!

The approval of the Moderne is some of the best development news in Milwaukee in the past two years. Not because it's all that massive, but because of the design, location, and willingness and foresight of the city to invest in something that will boost its image and perception. Such a win. Can't wait till it's built.

The approval of the Moderne is some of the best development news in Milwaukee in the past two years. Not because it's all that massive, but because of the design, location, and willingness and foresight of the city to invest in something that will boost its image and perception. Such a win. Can't wait till it's built.
I agree, and an interesting fact will be that it will be the tallest building on the west side of the river after completion. :)

I wonder now how the city will decide on the New Land Enterprise's tower?

@Paule I've got to think the Bookends get approval now as well (and there is possibly a third building that will come up soon!), as it has no condos and it isn't a loan (a guarantee). My guess is early next year three high-rises will be under construction in Milwaukee. The Moderne, the bookends, and St Johns.

I really don't get why Bookends is so important. It doesn't seem particularly beautiful, it wouldn't really affect the surrounding neighborhood, New Land is REALLY bad at street-level solutions (I live right next to the Sterling, so I may be a bit more bitter than most), and they've already got other, stronger, towers they're working on...namely Transera and the Downer Tower.

Has NLE given a statement regarding why they're more determined to build this tower?

@ajknee I agree I'm not much of a fan of the bookends design either, I was just giving my take on how the vote will go. Though it will impact East Town with more density so that is a positive.

As far as NLE's other projects, the Transera is a condo project as is the Downer project (lawsuit is messing up this project), and basically all condos are on hold. Hence the Bookends which is apartments, and from what NLE said at ZND the other day their apartments are doing very well.

I really don't get why Bookends is so important. It doesn't seem particularly beautiful, it wouldn't really affect the surrounding neighborhood, New Land is REALLY bad at street-level solutions (I live right next to the Sterling, so I may be a bit more bitter than most), and they've already got other, stronger, towers they're working on...namely Transera and the Downer Tower.

Has NLE given a statement regarding why they're more determined to build this tower?

Bookends are important because they complete New Land's little mini-plan for that particularly dead section of Kilbourn Ave. Kilbourn Ave. was designed during the city-beautiful movement to be a grand boulevard connecting the wealthy and urbane Yankee Hill to the new Civic Center; the Bookends are essentially completing and referencing that gesture by helping finish off the East end of the corridor.

I really don't get why Bookends is so important. It doesn't seem particularly beautiful, it wouldn't really affect the surrounding neighborhood, New Land is REALLY bad at street-level solutions (I live right next to the Sterling, so I may be a bit more bitter than most), and they've already got other, stronger, towers they're working on...namely Transera and the Downer Tower.

Has NLE given a statement regarding why they're more determined to build this tower?

yeah, whats the deal with the retail space in that building? You would think the high profile location on Farwell, near Brady St., would have been filled a long time ago.

yeah, whats the deal with the retail space in that building? You would think the high profile location on Farwell, near Brady St., would have been filled a long time ago.

If I'm not mistaken they're putting a SNAP fitness in that space, unless I'm thinking of a different building.


------

Regarding the Downer tower, what is the lawsuit about? And I noticed a quarter-block sized construction area on belleview & stowell (I think). Is this the site for that proposal or is that unrelated?

@D-res Alderman Kovac's dad is suing the city and the developer over the parking garage and a technical issue with the process. Anyhow the building at the site you saw is in limbo until this lawsuit is resolved, as the building was to in part depend on that garage.

I just thought I'd point out, that even in a credit crunch, there are four projects in Milwaukee that have been approved and are at least 19 stories tall:

Moderne (30)
Transera (26)
St. John's (21)
Rivianna (19)

That's pretty kickass.

I just thought I'd point out, that even in a credit crunch, there are four projects in Milwaukee that have been approved and are at least 19 stories tall:

Moderne (30)
Transera (26)
St. John's (21)
Rivianna (19)

That's pretty kickass.

Yeah, thats not too bad at all. Add in Bookends to it and thats a decent number of towers. We should be extremely happy with development in this city this decade.

Has Rivianna been approved?

If I'm not mistaken they're putting a SNAP fitness in that space, unless I'm thinking of a different building.


------

Regarding the Downer tower, what is the lawsuit about? And I noticed a quarter-block sized construction area on belleview & stowell (I think). Is this the site for that proposal or is that unrelated?

That seems to be common in alot of these newer developments. I can think of a few off the top of my head that had to resort to health/fitness to fill the void.

Latitude
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0282-1.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0283.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0284-1.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0286.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0288.jpg
(in the distance)
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0321.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0323.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0327-1.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0328-1.jpg

Cambridge Commons
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0290.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0296.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0301-1.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0302-1.jpg

St. John's
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0312-1.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0314-1.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0316-1.jpg

^Welcome to the forum.

Thanks EastSider!

I had been posting over at Skyscraperpage, but this forum seems to be a good deal more active.

While I realize that the Gipfel structure is quite unstable at this point, this news still makes me very sad. It's also frustrating to see some people write comments in Tom Daykin's blog, such as "that building is a piece of crap and should have been torn down years ago" and "it looks horrible... we have bigger problems than to worry about this piece of garbage." I suppose that's what I get for reading JSOnline blog comments.

http://www.jsonline.com/business/69340697.html
Closing Time for Gipfel
Historic brewery building will be razed

By Tom Daykin (tdaykin@journalsentinel.com) of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Nov. 5, 2009 10:04 p.m.

The former Gipfel brewery, Milwaukee's oldest brewery building, will be demolished under a permit issued Thursday by the city Department of Neighborhood Services.

The permit was issued to building owner Robert Ruvin after the department ordered Ruvin to raze it, said Martha Brown, deputy development commissioner. The Oct. 15 raze order says the structure is "unstable, poses a threat to the safety and welfare of the public and must be removed."

Brown said a raze order overrides the building's protection as a historically designated structure. The Historic Preservation Commission granted that designation in 1985 because of the Gipfel building's role in brewing history, and because it is a rare local example of Federal-style architecture.

The building was constructed in 1853, and served as a brewery until the early 1890s. Since then, the building has had a variety of manufacturing and storage uses.

But it gradually fell into disrepair. After a previous owner unsuccessfully sought city permission to raze it, the Gipfel building was purchased by the Bradley Center Corp. in 1999.

The brewery for most of its existence was at 423-427 W. Juneau Ave.

Ruvin and his partner, David Florsheim, moved it (http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/29388874.html) in 2007 to the nearby block, bordered by W. Juneau and W. McKinley avenues, and N. Old World 3rd and N. 4th streets, after the Bradley Center gave the building to their firm, Ruvin Development.

Ruvin and Florsheim planned to incorporate the Gipfel building and their nearby Sydney Hih building, 300-318 W. Juneau Ave., into the proposed Palomar Hotel, condos and retail development planned for the block.

But that plan was later rejected (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/32289934.html) as unfeasible by the Palomar project's lead developer, Dallas-based Gatehouse Capital Corp.

In January, Gatehouse announced it was dropping the Palomar project after selling few condos.

Ruvin and Florsheim later said they still hoped to redevelop the Sydney Hih (http://www.jsonline.com/business/45451352.html), which this summer was granted historic protection.

They said the Gipfel might be demolished if it couldn't be moved, or redeveloped.

Ruvin couldn't be reached for comment Thursday.

Brown said she didn't know when the building would be demolished, but a worker at the site said it's scheduled to occur Saturday.

Sucks, but what are they going to do with it? Can't leave it sitting there on blocks forever.

Looking at the picture of the steel bands they put on it for the move, I bet that's what pushed it over the edge. Probably the jostling of the move made the bricks separate from the mortar. If they take them off the whole thing might collapse.

They never should have moved it.

Looking at the picture of the steel bands they put on it for the move, I bet that's what pushed it over the edge. Probably the jostling of the move made the bricks separate from the mortar. If they take them off the whole thing might collapse.

They never should have moved it.

I wonder what, if anything, can be done with the bricks of the building. Maybe they can use them for some sort of public art or something in the area----as they are an interesting color.

I wonder what, if anything, can be done with the bricks of the building. Maybe they can use them for some sort of public art or something in the area----as they are an interesting color.

These bricks are in high demand as being green is all the rage. I'm more than certain everything salvageable will be reused with turned profit.

http://www.jsonline.com/business/69437022.html

Owner plans to reuse pieces of historic Gipfel brewery
By Tom Daykin of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Nov. 6, 2009

Salvageable portions of the former Gipfel brewery building, which is being razed, will be recycled, building owner Rob Ruvin said Friday.

[...]

Ruvin characterizes it as "dismantling" instead of a demolition, and said the recycled parts will be stored at the east side location of salvager Pieter Godfrey.

@UrbanSchmurban Cool you made it over here... And yes it is much more active on SSC, take a look around as there a lot of Milwaukee related threads.

Well, they wasted no time in gettin rid of the brewery. I drove by yesterday on my way back fro the grocery store, at around 1:30, and the entire thing was gone. No joke. Unless I was just totally blind, or missed it, the thing was just no longer there.

Anywho, while I am always a fan of preservation, at least of worthy projects, this thing had been given tons and tons of opportunities. Lots of people wanted to save it, no one wanted to pay for it to be saved though. While keeping it around would have been nice, leaving a rotting safety hazard lying around on blocks with no plans for it is clearly not a solution to any problems either. So while if someone had been willing to take care of it, I would have been all for it, I am not going to mourn its passing all that much either. I am happy with what our city HAS been able to preserve, like the renovations to City Hall, and the revitalization of the Pabst Brewery.

Well, they wasted no time in gettin rid of the brewery. I drove by yesterday on my way back fro the grocery store, at around 1:30, and the entire thing was gone. No joke. Unless I was just totally blind, or missed it, the thing was just no longer there.

Anywho, while I am always a fan of preservation, at least of worthy projects, this thing had been given tons and tons of opportunities. Lots of people wanted to save it, no one wanted to pay for it to be saved though. While keeping it around would have been nice, leaving a rotting safety hazard lying around on blocks with no plans for it is clearly not a solution to any problems either. So while if someone had been willing to take care of it, I would have been all for it, I am not going to mourn its passing all that much either. I am happy with what our city HAS been able to preserve, like the renovations to City Hall, and the revitalization of the Pabst Brewery.

I have to agree with this, while historic preservation should always be the first option for certain buildings, you can't win every battle. Milwaukee has had some high profile successes recently and I think we can all be proud of that.

In the beginning the Gipfel building was butchered, when it was prepaired (sic) for the move, when the first three feet of the lower part of the building was chopped off. At the time of the move, no real plan for its reuse was drawn and no was any real financing was in place to facilitate its incorporation into its new propsed new loacation. When a structuer is moved, it is most often placed upon a its new fondation at its new location. In this case, the Gipfel building was droped off at an odd angle behind the Sidney HiH complex. After the move "nothing' was done to protect the building from the weather. The entire half of the structure and many windows were left "open to the elements" and remained so since the move. This lack of stewardship is called "denolition (sic) by negelect. It appears that the role of Rob Ruvin in all of this was the accomonodate the Bradley Center in getting rid of a historic brewery building that was sitting on their land. Shame on Ruvin, shame on the Bradley Center, but most of all, shame on the City of Milwaukee for giving this fiasco it blessing and its total lack of oversite by allowing the careless move of a historic building without any guaranty, plan or funding in place, that would insure that it be preserved


Just thought you guys might find this viewpoint interesting
i dont know who brewer historian is

When the brewery was moved there was a plan for it... so the individual is mistaken.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/69626927.html

The offices of the factory front on Burleigh, and next door, a companion Cream City brick building owned by the company previously served as offices and warehouse for Elements East, a Whitefish Bay furniture store. But that business moved out this year.

Noele Stollmack, production and design director for the Florentine who lives in a condo across Burleigh from La Lune, noticed the for-rent sign, looked the place over and brought it to the attention of her bosses at the opera, who had long been looking for a permanent home for their costume and wig shops and rehearsal space.

When the brewery was moved there was a plan for it... so the individual is mistaken.

On the contrary, he is correct. There was a loose plan to relocate the Gipfel Building within the proposed Sydney Hih/Palomar development, and then later on it was mentioned they might maybe move it to another empty lot elsewhere along Old World Third Street...but there was no real concrete plan in place as to how to go about doing it or to finance it.

That's why the building sat up on blocks for over two years. There was no real plan or money.

Any developer/property owner/preservationist who knows what they're doing would have had a site nailed down, a specific plan figured out, and money in place to properly set up a relocated building before the building was even moved! They secure a new site, build a new foundation, move the building, and set it upon the new foundation...that's how to do it the right way. That never happened with the Gipfel, and it is clear that Ruvin bit off more than he could chew.

A former Menard’s store at 8365 N. 76th Street on Milwaukee’s northwest side will reopen this weekend as the Mil-Town Marketplace, described as a “shopper-tainment” experience.
The 100,000 square foot building has been divided into a multi-tenant marketplace, which its operators say will be a shopping experience unlike anything else in the Milwaukee area.
“We’re filling (the space) with a new retail concept – part 7 Mile Fair, part big box store,” said Michael Short, co-owner and operator of the market.
The Mil-Town Market will feature multiple vendors, in spaces ranging from 100 square feet to several thousand square feet. It will feature new startup businesses, small retailers and existing retail chains who wish to open a closeout or clearance location, Short said.
Vendors will sell new overstock, closeout and discontinued items, and some booths will feature rummage and gently used items. The marketplace will also feature several food vendors and live music.
When it opens this weekend, the Mil-Town Market will occupy about 22,000 square feet of the building’s space and will feature about 100 retailers. The market will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
While the Mil-Town Marketplace will open in a fraction of the available space, its operators are confident that it will expand significantly in the near future.
“We’re actively talking with several midsize stores such as clothing, electronics and mattress stores,” he said. It appears that we have tapped into something that there is an appetite for. Now it’s a matter of bringing it to life.”
The former Mendard’s store also features an 18-acre parking lot. Free parking will be available for Mil-Town Marketplace – and a portion will also be used for U-Sell Auto, the first for sale by owner auto marketplace in Wisconsin.
For a $25 fee, vehicle owners will be able to park their vehicles on the lot on Saturday and Sunday. A U-Sell Auto worker will also assist sellers with the sale process, Short said.
“This is a convenient, public spot with a lot of foot traffic volume,” he said.
The Mil-Town Market is a separate project from the Asian market that Pai Yang, Tou Vang and Thai Vang plan to establish at 6300 N. 76th St. They plan to establish the Asian marketplace in an existing 13,940-square-foot building on the 3-acre site and with a proposed new two-story, 69,888-square-foot building. That business will operate similar to a mini markets mall. Ten-foot by 10-foot stalls will be divided up in the buildings and will be leased to vendors, which will be charged a monthly fee. The existing building will have 65 stalls and the new building will have 375 stalls. The new building will also have a food court with 4 coffee houses and 8 restaurant

Pretty cool that both of these markets will be so close together. Now all Milwaukee needs is an IKEA and we'll never have to leave town to shop again! :banana:

excellent! All these new options near my house poppin' up.

just reminding you all to start going to Bucks games. Brandon Jennings is the most exciting man in Milwaukee.

just reminding you all to start going to Bucks games. Brandon Jennings is the most exciting man in Milwaukee.

Hell yeah he is....I can't wait to go watch him in person. Everyone thought Mello was gonna have the big game last night....make way for the rookie! (of the year)...

just reminding you all to start going to Bucks games. Brandon Jennings is the most exciting man in Milwaukee.

Went to the home opener against Detroit. Never heard the crowd so loud as they were in the third quarter when Bucks came back from a defecit of 15.

Hell ya! Jennings is a Fin Stud! I will be there on saturday with my date yelling my vocal cords out! This is one of the best things to happen for the Bucks in a long time. There hasnt been this much buzz i would say since the playoff runs a few years ago!:cheers:

I just googled him because I'd never even heard the name. He's only 20, and he doesn't plan on going to college. I guess he's good at playing basketball, but...

...anyway, what does this have to do with development?

I just googled him because I'd never even heard the name. He's only 20, and he doesn't plan on going to college. I guess he's good at playing basketball, but...

...anyway, what does this have to do with development?

actually, alot in my opinion. The Bucks were well on their way to becoming a dead franchise before this season. Picked dead last in the conferrence and even some talk of them moving in the future. Which didn't suprise me because I was literally laughed at for being a Bucks fan in this city. Through 6 games this early in the season, I have noticed more buzz for this team than I have in at least 5-6 years. Brandon Jennings is a big part of this (as well as the Packers sucking). The kid is putting up veteran numbers, making highlight reels, and making this team relevant (along with Bogut stepping up). I was at the game on wednesday and he dropped 32 points against a powerhouse Nuggets team and Chauncey Billups (one of the best PG's in the league) who was physically trying to intimidate him--but got blown by Jennings speed. He sealed the nailbiter game by drilling two open 3's and hitting every one of his late free throws. Like araman was saying, he pumped up the crowd to a level I haven't seen in years after single handedly torching the Pistons to put the Bucks up.

Now, what does this have to do with development? Well if Jennings can continue playing the way he is and becomes a big star---the better the chance we get a new arena. Taxpayers will be more likely to fork over the cash (as will the owner, sponsors, etc.) if we have a legit star and a good team. Who knows if Jennings can become a Lebron James or Kobe---but he can get to the level of Ray Allen, who was beloved in this town and whose departure marked the dark ages of this team. The better the Bucks do, the better downtown does as well. Bars, resturants, clubs, etc.

Now, what does this have to do with development? Well if Jennings can continue playing the way he is and becomes a big star---the better the chance we get a new arena. Taxpayers will be more likely to fork over the cash (as will the owner, sponsors, etc.) if we have a legit star and a good team. Who knows if Jennings can become a Lebron James or Kobe---but he can get to the level of Ray Allen, who was beloved in this town and whose departure marked the dark ages of this team. The better the Bucks do, the better downtown does as well. Bars, resturants, clubs, etc.

I like the way you think!!!

^^Haha so do I....bleeding heart Milwaukean! That's what I like to see!!

I like the way you think!!!

thanks!

Hopefully all goes according to plan and the Bucks fill the void of many people just getting tired of the Packers and STILL having to hear about Favre. We will desperately need a new arena soon and I think it could have a tremendous impact in downtown if they go the route of building an entertainment district with it.

Milwaukee a finalist for Spanish wind energy company

Milwaukee and one other city are in the running for a Spanish wind energy supplier as it considers its first manufacturing plant in the United States.
The name of the firm and the name of the city competing against Milwaukee haven't been disclosed, but Tim Sheehy, president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, said the company was in the alternative energy business.

the rest here; http://www.jsonline.com/business/70082892.html

Brandon Jennings... 55 points tonight! :gunz:

The Bucks really, really needed a guy like this. Hopefully he'll stay if he's for real.

Brandon Jennings... 55 points tonight! :gunz:

The Bucks really, really needed a guy like this. Hopefully he'll stay if he's for real.

Beat me to it! Awesome! Edge of the seat game.

UWM health school plans take shape
Former Pabst site key part of proposal
By Tom Daykin of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Nov. 14, 2009

The new University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Public Health - which four years ago was just an idea - is shaping up as a major development that could help attract more outside research funding for the university.

UWM's preliminary plans, to be reviewed in December by the UW System Board of Regents, calls for putting the $38.4 million school headquarters at the former Pabst brewery.

Full article: http://www.jsonline.com/business/70084407.html

I was driving through Milwaukee Friday and saw Marquette's new Law School. From what I saw it looks like an impressive structure at an advantageous location for public exposure. Does anyone have any new pictures of it?

^^You can always find updates on the University Architect's website...both a webcam (http://www.marquette.edu/architect/eckstein.shtml), and photo updates about once a month or so (http://www.marquette.edu/architect/EcksteinHall.shtml)

It will be open sometime Summer 2010

Brandon Jennings... 55 points tonight! :gunz:

The Bucks really, really needed a guy like this. Hopefully he'll stay if he's for real.

yeah, that was incredible. He is blowing up into a superstar.

I was driving through Milwaukee Friday and saw Marquette's new Law School. From what I saw it looks like an impressive structure at an advantageous location for public exposure. Does anyone have any new pictures of it?


A month or so back in this same thread!

Milwaukee to Bachowski: Piss or get off the pot!
Tuesday, 10 November 2009 - Dan Knauss



I first got to know Paul Bachowski when I learned it was a thug tenant he claimed he didn't know he had (great excuse) at 3042 N. Palmer St. who robbed some people at gunpoint outside Nessun Dorma in 2007 and others on Humboldt shortly before being caught by police. (The perp was just out of prison for armed robbery.)

Bachowski and his numerous properties (at least 42, most located in Harambee), have been a growing problem for the City and residents in Harambee, Brewers Hill, Riverwest, and Halyard Park. Bachowski's constant claims of grand and altruistic intentions have never materialized in rehabilitation or redevelopment of any scale to match the size and distressed condition of his holdings. The reactions to his latest nuisance on King Drive (including $11,000 in new fines) may mark the beginning of a much-needed effort from the community to move Bachowski toward the exit door. I know he has been advised and urged by many people (including me) in more private ways to repair his buildings or sell them to people who will do so. That has not happened, and the time has come for more aggressive motivators.

This guy just collects buildings, It can be a good thing to want to do stuff
but you can only do so much, sounds like he has too many buildings


Rave House Owner Claims No Foreknowledge Of Party
Community Calls On Paul Bachowski To Renovate Or Sell

POSTED: 6:36 pm CST November 9, 2009
UPDATED: 7:00 pm CST November 9, 2009
MILWAUKEE -- The man who owns a home where police had to break up an underage rave said he knew nothing about what was going on.

Hundreds of juveniles were at the huge party Saturday night, with only one way in and out, police said.
Investigators said that only a back entrance to the home was open, creating a major fire hazard for all the people inside.
Officers said there were a number of other issues from building code to firearms violations.
The building owner said he didn't know about any of it.

"Every door is dead bolted and secured," homeowner Paul Bachowski said.
Bachowski tried to convince Neighborhood Services he secured his building right after his stint in jail Sunday.
Police said he was arrested after an underage party was broken up there. About 300 juveniles were inside with only one door unlocked.

"If there was a problem with fire or some other problem inside where they were having the party, there's only one narrow area for everyone to exit and that's a concern," Capt. Edith Hudson said.

Neighborhood Services said there's no occupancy permit on the building, and no one should be inside.
Police said the deejay at the party was arrested for obstructing along with two security guards.
"Two of them were arrested, they were armed and they shouldn't have been," Hudson said.
Bachowski said he filed for his building licenses in April 2008, but they've been held up in the city.
He said he intended the building to be somewhat of a community center. He said his heart is in developing the Harambee neighborhood.

"I have bought properties that have been foreclosed and abandoned, gone from boarded up status to a place where families can raise their children in a safe environment," Bachowski said.

Some in the neighborhood dispute how much he's actually done.
The business district executive director said Bachowski has several properties on Martin Luther King Drive he's done nothing with.
Resident Andre Ellis said he almost partnered with Bachowski for the building in question and moved into one of his residential properties.
"I didn't know that he didn't have the occupancy license on the house when I first moved in and I had already moved my family in," Ellis said.Ellis claims that's a recurring theme with Bachowski. After the weekend incident, the business district said it's arranging a meeting to convince Bachowski to truly develop his properties or sell them to someone who will.
Bachowski said he didn't know about the rave but police said witnesses have told them otherwise.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/70236002.html


"The long-stalled Park East Square project, which Chicago developer Richard Curto wants to build on a vacant lot his firm bought from Milwaukee County, may be moving forward with the sale of a $30 million bond.

The city Redevelopment Authority is scheduled to consider the bond sale at its Thursday meeting, according to the agency's newly issued agenda."

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/70236002.html


"The long-stalled Park East Square project, which Chicago developer Richard Curto wants to build on a vacant lot his firm bought from Milwaukee County, may be moving forward with the sale of a $30 million bond.

The city Redevelopment Authority is scheduled to consider the bond sale at its Thursday meeting, according to the agency's newly issued agenda."

I wasn't really familiar with that proposal... is this the project?
http://www.rscrealestate.com/images/pageImage_parkeast.jpg

Thought I knew all the city cams, but this one's new to me: http://www.lakefrontcam.com/

Thought I knew all the city cams, but this one's new to me: http://www.lakefrontcam.com/

That one was mentioned here (or perhaps the urbmil forums) some time ago, and there was a minor attempt on the side of the posters to flame the site owner for displaying a pic of d/t Minneapolis as the headline

That one was mentioned here (or perhaps the urbmil forums) some time ago, and there was a minor attempt on the side of the posters to flame the site owner for displaying a pic of d/t Minneapolis as the headline

LOL, well now they're displaying Baltimore's skyline. :lol:

I thought it was always a picture of Baltimore.

I wasn't really familiar with that proposal... is this the project?
http://www.rscrealestate.com/images/pageImage_parkeast.jpg

No.

RSC originally had proposed a two-phase project called Park East Square...the first phase was on Block 26, the second phase on Block 22.

RSC changed the designs several times for the first phase Park East Square proposal and still eventually managed to buy the land from the County. This is the one up for consideration--it's apartments (which would be built in the short term) and two hotels (which would be built in the long term).

RSC's second phase for Park East Square--the rendering you posted--was canceled, and they lost the purchase option on the land. Another developer has proposed apartments for the site, called Eco Square at Park East. It's awaiting design finalization, approvals, funding, etc...and there hasn't been much of any news on it for the past several months.

RSC's second phase for Park East Square--the rendering you posted--was canceled, and they lost the purchase option on the land. Another developer has proposed apartments for the site, called Eco Square at Park East. It's awaiting design finalization, approvals, funding, etc...and there hasn't been much of any news on it for the past several months.

So basically what RSC is trying to get built here is the Eco Square project, which is this one right here, correct?
http://urbanmilwaukee.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/eco-square2.jpg

So basically what RSC is trying to get built here is the Eco Square project, which is this one right here, correct?


Incorrect.

Block 22 = Eco Square at Park East = purchase option available to Fair Market Development (Robert Schultz and Harry Drea) = approx 400 residential units, retail space, parking garage

Block 26 = Park East Square's revised design = owned by RSC & Associates (Richard Curto) = 121 apartments, retail space, parking garage (in the short term), plus two hotels (in the long term)

@perilouspete No RSC is a different developer and project than Eco Square.

I thought it was always a picture of Baltimore.

Ah yes, the Minneapolis skyline pic was the headline for a Madison area website. Also funny

Ah yes, the Minneapolis skyline pic was the headline for a Madison area website. Also funny

That's right - the Wisconsin State Government Accountability Board website, if I recall correctly. That one was a bit ironic...

http://www.biztimes.com/nf/uploads/Image/RE%20Weekly%2011|18|09/Corinthian-Colleges-Inc.jpg
Corinthian colleges plans downtown Milwaukee campus (http://www.biztimes.com/realestateweekly/2009/11/18/corinthian-colleges-plans-downtown-milwaukee-campus)
Biz Times

Santa Ana, Calif.-based Corinthian Colleges Inc. plans to open its first Wisconsin campus in the Park East corridor in downtown Milwaukee.

The college will lease 45,000 square feet of space in the Haymarket Square development, located northwest of North 6th Street and McKinley Avenue. The developer for Haymarket Square is McKinley Avenue LLC, which is seeking up to $11 million in low interest redevelopment revenue bonds through the city of Milwaukee’s Redevelopment Authority, which will consider the proposal on Nov. 19.

Latitude
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0370.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0371.jpg

Cambridge Commons
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0362.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0363.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0367.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0368.jpg

Third Ward

Jackson Square Apartments
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0372.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0373.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0375.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0387.jpg

Corcoran Lofts
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0376.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0377.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0379.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0380.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0382.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0383.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0385.jpg


Anyone know what's going on here? This is in Walker's Point, close to the Alterra on 1st.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0388.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0389.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0394.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0399.jpg

Tom Daykin took at look at some pretty revealing things... obviously there was some lobbying going on, and I don't think it's a stretch to think that KBS was not only "representing" New Land with perhaps a wink and a nod, but I also wonder if some of this lobby actually did have an affect on some of the people who really put the moderne through the wringer. (as I suspected and stated in this thread earlier)

There's a lot of revealing info here... I can only imagine the stuff that we don't know about.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/70390637.html

Awesome pics UrbanSchmurban, thanks!

I wouldn't be surprised by those allegations. Living in a NLE building, and having had many interactions with them, I can tell you that NLE is one shady, shady company.

Speaking of NLE, updated renderings from Kindness Architecture. More available on the development thread for it:

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/9877/bookends6d.jpg

And small design changes for Latitude:
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/2815/latitude1.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/2366/latitude2.jpg

http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/5977/latitude3.jpg

Design Update on the Market:

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/8417/asiany.jpg

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/7357/asian2k.jpg

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/3439/asian3.jpg

Anyone know what's going on here? This is in Walker's Point, close to the Alterra on 1st.


That's the South Water Works (http://www.southwaterworks.com/) development.

whats up with some of these jacked up renderings for NLE buildings? It was the same for City Green--which was like one night shot that didn't even really look like the building.

The Asian Market looks nice though.

Anyone know what's going on here? This is in Walker's Point, close to the Alterra on 1st.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0388.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0389.jpg


I think this is part of South Water Works:
http://www.southwaterworks.com/



.

Oh, EastSider beat me to it. Woops. But either way, I like that they're finally breaking ground on SWW.

nice photos-- those corcoran lofts that have been going up over the past 10 years have transformed that whole area-- it's amazing how an almost entirely new city borough has sprung up (granted it's still in the 3rd ward, but it feels almost separate when you walk through it) in just a short time. the more surface lots and brownfields that are converted into developments, the happier i am. as far as i'm concerned, surface lots should be outlawed-- or at least limited in their size.

i'm not sure how i feel about the asian market design... i like the size of it and the greenspace with the archway... and while i understand they probably have limited resources to work with, i just don't know how that siding with the cookie-cutter windows is going to look in a few years. i would have gone with a different exterior material-- if not brick then concrete perhaps? this design just looks a bit too much like a housing project-- i dunno-- i'll have to wait and see, i suppose.

@UrbanSchmurban That's the South Water Works project. They are redoing a few buildings, with apartments, office, and some retail I think...

Thanks everyone for your help on identifying that project! Looks very interesting. I'm happy to see that area developing more, especially considering the proximity of the 2nd street "complete street" project.

Corcoran Lofts

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2666/4125850625_2f1d1392a7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/4125850625/)

Jackson Square Apartments

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2502/4125829327_9a222391f4.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/4125829327/)

Alterra to open cafe in Shorwood development (http://www.biztimes.com/realestateweekly)
http://www.biztimes.com/nf/uploads/Image/reweekly10.21.09/rendering.jpg
Milwaukee-based Wired Properties plans to break ground within 30 days of a 4-story, mixed use building that it plans to build at the northeast corner of Kensington Boulevard and Oakland Avenue in Shorewood, said Wired Properties owner Blair Williams.

For those interested, I drove by this site today and the former gas station has been entirely demolished. Looks like work is on schedule.

Jackson Square Lofts
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0619.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0607.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0608.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0614.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0617.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0621.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0623.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0624.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0632.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0652.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0658.jpg

Corcoran Lofts
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0659.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0660.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0693.jpg

Neighbors and such
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0671.jpg

Cambridge Commons
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0810.jpg

(sorry for the blurriness of this image, but you can make out the light brick going up on the inside wall)
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0808.jpg

Beerline Neighborhood (sorry if these get a little repetitive)
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0806.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0805.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0748.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0794.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0750.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0752.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0760.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0761.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0764.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0788.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/phedipides/IMG_0792.jpg

This looks good.


Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 12:57pm CST
Milwaukee explores intermodal transportation
The Business Journal of Milwaukee

Milwaukee Ald. Terry Witkowski is drumming up support among several municipalities and private-sector transportation executives to invest in the creation of an intermodal hub near General Mitchell International Airport.

Witkowski, whose district includes General Mitchell, will hold a meeting at 10 a.m. Dec. 1 at the Port of Milwaukee offices to discuss transportation problems and changes needed to better serve businesses and manufacturers that are regular importers and exporters of equipment and products through the port or airport.


The meeting will also help the 50-member Airport Area Economic Development Task Force that’s been meeting for 18 months to outline an “aerotropolis” structure that will maximize airport area development and discuss strategies for drawing both national and international companies to areas near the airport.

The purpose of the meeting is to “bring people together to discuss relevant issues pertaining to the use of air, water, rail and truck transportation for Milwaukee’s business and industry,” said Witkowski.

Witkowski expects Port of Milwaukee officials, Mitchell International Airport officials, representatives from the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association, Gateway to Milwaukee officials, Milwaukee County Supervisor Christopher Larson, and representatives of private trucking and railroad companies serving metro Milwaukee to attend the meeting.


“It just makes sense to bring parties together to see if there are changes or improvements that are needed in our intermodal transportation system,” he said.

The aerotropolis concept, which is defined as an airport city at its core and is surrounded by clusters of aviation- and transportation-related enterprises, is being planned for the airports in Atlanta, Memphis and Raleigh, N.C.

thanks for the pics urbanschmurban, i love updates.

This looks good.


Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 12:57pm CST
Milwaukee explores intermodal transportation
The Business Journal of Milwaukee

Milwaukee Ald. Terry Witkowski is drumming up support among several municipalities and private-sector transportation executives to invest in the ...



I'm support this idea. It sounds great. But what's with the word aerotropolis?

Google aerotropolis, it means airport city.

Google aerotropolis, it means airport city.

All I know is that it's not in my Merriam-Webster