Agreed, I know quite a few people who have kept themselves and their kids in Milwaukee, and their children are very bright, well-cultured kids.

they are lots of great schools in mps if you know how to enroll in them. if anyone needs help, let me know. I know kids who have recently graduated from MPS schools that have gone to Harvard and other Ivy League schools...it is possible at the right school.

I'm currently not familiar at all with the MPS system, but would like to take an active role in volunteering for it when I move down there. Just out of curiosity, which schools are you referring to?

well, for high schools: http://www.onmilwaukee.com/family/articles/highschoolrank.html

and there are tons of elementary and middle schools.

well, for high schools: http://www.onmilwaukee.com/family/articles/highschoolrank.html

and there are tons of elementary and middle schools.

I always found some of these rankings misleading. The simple fact is, every state is still allowed to set their own benchmarks, every district is able to structure their schools in most any way they want, and every school can change basic curriculum to suit the rankings.

The fact is, in the context of school choice, every major city should have an uber-school or two. Sure, Rufus King is great, but it requires a special test and can only accomodate a fraction of the students. A more true measurement is the school district as a whole, to which MPS along with its totally disfunctional charter system is a failure.

The schools that deserve the most credit, in my opinion, are the ones in that can take a true cross-section, minus a few wealthy students, while including special education students, yet still score highly.

It's not about what you do for the 5% of kids who are going to succeed in any situation. It's about what you do for the 95% who are going to absorb the environmental factors and feed back into your community.

I always thought if you wanted to judge a school by how well it prepares schools for college, tie the scoring to how many if it's students graduate college. I can't tell you how many kids in college had nice test scores from high school but couldn't write an essay or think critically to save their lives. For the 60-70% of students who don't attend college, we need to make sure these high schools are preparing them to find a trade, manage a budget, and have the skills to succeed.

If you go to the Milwaukee Public Schools website, you can find "school report cards" posted for each MPS school and each MPS-sponsored charter school in the city.

MPS does not rank its schools. However, they have a approach to evaluation called "value added" where they assess how much gain in test scores happen at each school. This is a good way, I think, to get at what NeuBrew is talking about. The most impressive schools are the ones that bring in a bunch of kids with low scores and get them to a place where those same kids, in a few years, have high scores.

Of course, if you're a middle class family and want to live in the city, then a school like Rufus King, that takes kids from solid educational backgrounds and gets them into college, is a perfectly suitable option for you.

I find this website: www.greatschools.net to be very useful.

From JSOnline:

THURSDAY, Oct. 18, 2007, 12:09 p.m.
By Rick Romell

UPDATE: Ald. D'Amato slams Jazwiec
John Jazwiec, chief executive officer of RedPrarie Corp. apparently has withdrawn his complaint about a home invasion last month.

"I have been informed by detectives investigating allegations made by John Jazwiec that Milwaukee police have been contacted by Mr. Jazwiec's attorneys and they have informed us Mr. Jazwiec no longer wishes to pursue the matter originally reported to police regarding an alleged home invasion," Milwaukee Police Department spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz said in an e-mail sent to area media.

Jazwiec's action drew sharp criticism from Ald. Michael D'Amato, who has questioned whether Jazwiec was telling the truth about his home being invaded.

Jazwiec has claimed he had been robbed by a shotgun-wielding intruder who invaded his family's million-dollar east side home in the 3000 block of N. Marietta on Sept. 25.

But after being held "hostage" with his wife and two daughters for an hour, Jazwiec didn't call police. Instead, he moved quickly to use the incident as a springboard to voice concerns about Milwaukee crime and officials' ability to address it.

The morning after the incident, Jazwiec called the office of Mayor Tom Barrett to air his complaints. He also had an assistant contact a reporter to schedule an interview.

It wasn't until a week after the original incident, and after a police detective had contacted him, that Jazwiec said he wanted police to investigate.

Jazwiec could not be reached this morning. His wife, Julia, interviewed briefly outside the couple's home, said, "I don't have a comment and neither does John."

D'Amato, who represents the area where the Jazwiecs live, questioned Jazwiec's truthfulness again today and said he should should pay for police costs involved in the incident.

"This morning, Mr. Jazwiec's attorneys contacted the Milwaukee Police Department indicating that he wanted them to stop pursuing this case," D'Amato said in a statement. "Mr. Jazwiec reminds me of a spoiled little boy who throws a tantrum trashing his parents' home in order to get attention, then just wants it all to go away when his father comes home. If only life were that easy.

"In fact, Mr. Jazwiec's actions have unnecessarily besmirched the reputation of one of Milwaukee's finest and safest neighborhoods. Many residents have genuine concerns about crime in their neighborhood that seem to have taken a back seat to Mr. Jazwiec's sensational claims. They deserve not only an apology, but also the truth about exactly what happened that night at Mr. Jazwiec's home, if anything.

"I plan on meeting with both the MPD and the city attorney to request that they assess Mr. Jazwiec for the total police costs incurred during this episode....Police pursuing sensational claims about incidents that may have never occurred reduces their ability to follow-up on real crime. I believe it is unfair that the taxpayers of the city of Milwaukee carry the burden of the cost of the investigation of these spurious claims."




I knew that lying liar was full of it!

From JSOnline:



I knew that lying liar was full of it!

You just hate businesses. Stop being so communist.












;)

The board of directors should really look at the mental stability of this guy...

Hehe, wow, D'Amato really goes after him in that statement!

Well here's a case where D'Amato is right on. Look if what Jazwiec says is true, then it's horrible and the police should of been called and found the person. But Jazwiec's actions appear as grandstanding and well sure don't look truthful when you send an email complaining about taxes instead of calling the cops.

Is it possible RedPraire has trouble attracting talent not because of "high" taxes but because the CEO appears well a bit out there?

PS I'm in IT and would never work for this guy.

Good grief... I know it would be great to land a significant new office tenant downtown, but at what cost would it be to the city to house RedPrarie? I can only imagine the demands this lunatic would ask of the city.

In the Journal Sentinel's (http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=676110)article on the "The Edge" project today, they mentioned some other small developments in the area, here's a excerpt:


The latest plans include Riverboat Landing, with 67 condos and 8,200 square feet of commercial space, in the 2000 block of N. Commerce St., just downriver from the Humboldt Ave. bridge. Developer Jim Metz said he's sold 16 units and needs to sell 14 additional condos to obtain a construction loan. He hopes to begin construction by spring on the project, which received zoning approval in February.

Also, Brewery Works, which owns the nearby Schlitz Park business park, plans to begin construction by the end of the year on a 45,000-square-foot retail center at the northeast corner of E. Pleasant and N. Commerce streets, said Sam Denny, executive vice president.

That development will be anchored by a 12,000-square-foot specialty grocery store operated by John Nehring and Anne Finch-Nehring, who also run V. Richards Market, G. Groppi Food Market and other upscale food stores. The couple hopes to have the store open by late 2008, Finch-Nehring said.

That project, announced in 2005, recently received design approval from the Department of City Development, Denny said.

Nice, I've been wondering what has been taking so long on that Pleasant/Commerce grocer. With Brewer's Hill and North End, they will do well.

From Eppstein Uhen
http://www.eppsteinuhen.com/data/portfolio/rcs13.jpg

Now that's an odd looking building!

From Eppstein Uhen
http://www.eppsteinuhen.com/data/portfolio/rcs13.jpg

Pretty damn ugly...who the hell is designing this, anyway? If this is the actual rendering, it should fit in real well with the surrounding Third Ward architecture :ohno: Looks like a damn warehouse.

Pretty damn ugly...who the hell is designing this, anyway? If this is the actual rendering, it should fit in real well with the surrounding Third Ward architecture :ohno: Looks like a damn warehouse.

Eppstein Uhen are the architects, they've done a lot of quality projects. I don't get it either.

Sweet god I love it.

I am also a Tetris addict...

That building is effing fantastic.

Not a fan of that building at all. It screams oldschool Amtrak building to me... ie "Wow, this looks great!" while in 20 years or so, we'll be petitioning to tear it down. Even the two people in the picture are staring at it wondering wtf its supposed to be.

Is this the plot of land that was originally supposed to get a 18-19 story building?

Ok, so having done Architecture school, I know you use cardboard for models, but I don't see why you have to do so in a computer generated one. Perhaps the Renaissance Club Sport is trying to make a statement on homelessness in Milwaukee...

to me that looks like some of the 60/70's stuff that was built on college campuses that we wish were now torn down. that first floor pedestrian environment is atrocious. short, squaty, recessed and dark. i would guess that the third ward architectural review board won't let this happen.

The building is completely hideous!

What in the world is Milwaukee doing to itself...

From the equally ugly buildings proposed from around the freaking courthouse to this "thing" in the Third Ward. This city is losing all class.

The building is completely hideous!

What in the world is Milwaukee doing to itself...

From the equally ugly buildings proposed from around the freaking courthouse to this "thing" in the Third Ward. This city is losing all class.


A.) The buildings around the courthouse were just part of a design competition, not actual plans. It was akin to sketches on a whiteboard.

B.) The style of the building is different, but I wouldn't describe it as 'classless'. Variety and contrast make the historical buildings look that much better in my mind.

That building is hideous. I am so shocked by the design I am speechless

That building is effing fantastic.

Well, like art in general, architecture is in the mind of the beholder. But, dear Lord, I'm just wondering what got into the minds of the architects at E-U when they sat down to put this one together. I hope the review board for the Third Ward sends this atrocity back to the drawing board -- IMMEDIATELY! I'd rather nothing be built than this proletariet-looking fortress. The first version of this building looked halfway decent. And, is it just the goofy, boxy-looking rendering, or does it appear as though the height of this project continues to shrink?

From Eppstein Uhen...


Wow, worst building in a long time.

Yea if you are familar at all with the Third Ward there's no way they will let that building get built in their neighborhood. Further yes I belive this design is shorter because there are height limits in the third ward plan which is fine.

brew> Not sure what these designs have to do with "class", I'd rather guess it was an architect trying to come up with something new... that apparently we all don't like

What is it?

On one hand, I like it a lot more than the revivalist stuff that was shown earlier for that proposal, and still, I have a rare affection for all things brutalist.

But really, it doesn't do that much. I like that they went with the exposed concrete grid like warehouses, but at the same time they filled in way too much surface area with just plain concrete;it's got to be a cave inside. I'm hoping it undergoes just a few revisions. it could be alright with some adjustments.

The building is completely hideous!

What in the world is Milwaukee doing to itself...

From the equally ugly buildings proposed from around the freaking courthouse to this "thing" in the Third Ward. This city is losing all class.

Milwaukee isn't doing anything to itself... yet. These are proposals, and even the courthouse things weren't proposals, but brainstorming sessions. There's no way these get built. Take a deep breath.

To me the most importantly thing is how a building addresses the street and more specifically the pedestrian. And I'm just not sure the massing and style encourage activation.

I can think of one word that appropriately sums up my thoughts on that design.

Ewwwwww.... Gross!

Alright, that was two. I think in a classic "shoot the messenger" kind of way we should have Eastsider BANNED just for being the one who spotted and shared the design with us first. (just kidding of course! :baeh3:)

I'd have to agree with the comments comparing this design to that of university architecture from the 60's-70's. Here's hoping you guys are right about the design not gaining approval!

Eppstein Uhen are the architects, they've done a lot of quality projects. I don't get it either.

Like the new UWM dorms by North & Humboldt? :lol:

At least in the rendering it was brick with a white siding, and now its brick with GREY?! It looks like ass and I see it on a daily basis.


The redesign for the Marriot Clubsport is.... different. Not awful, but too much blank wall. Lets see some more windows at the very least.

JS: Hotel Developers Hope for Spring Start (http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=677437)
Developers seeking to build a luxury Kimpton Hotel in downtown Milwaukee expect to begin construction by spring.

The panel OK'd six-month option purchase extensions for two other parcels:


The block bordered by N. Broadway, N. Milwaukee St., N. Water St., E. Lyon St. and E. Ogden Ave., where Chicago-based RSC & Associates Inc. plans to develop entertainment-oriented retail, including a possible movie theater, along with apartments. RSC owner Rich Curto said his firm will be creating more detailed plans to attract prospective retail tenants.

Curto's firm is scheduled to purchase an adjacent county-owned parcel, bordered by N. Milwaukee, N. Jefferson and E. Lyon streets and E. Ogden Ave., for $2.73 million by Nov. 30. RSC plans to build two hotels totaling 224 rooms, 105 apartments and about 6,900 square feet of retail space on that block. The project would include a 122-room Hyatt Place boutique hotel and a 102-room Hyatt Summerfield Suites extended-stay hotel.

A small parcel just north of E. Knapp St. and west of N. Water St., which MLG Development Inc. plans to combine with a privately owned parcel overlooking the Milwaukee River. MLG Development hopes to develop an office building that would be anchored by software-maker RedPrairie Corp., which would move its headquarters from an office park in the Town of Brookfield.

Bruce Westling, broker for MLG, said negotiations with RedPrairie are continuing.

Is that Red Prairie building the one at the "end" of Water on parcel whatsis that was about 25 stories that everyone was so hot about last Spring?

Is that Red Prairie building the one at the "end" of Water on parcel whatsis that was about 25 stories that everyone was so hot about last Spring?

Yes, although Red Prairie has not officially signed any agreement with the developer to be a tenant. MLG and Eppstein Uhen are partners in the project.

Yes, although Red Prairie has not officially signed any agreement with the developer to be a tenant. MLG and Eppstein Uhen are partners in the project.

Red Prairie has called a news conference to notify local media that MLG and Eppstein executives have broken into their offices and demanded they become tenants. They claimed desperation due to the socialist regime of Wisconsin and it's oppresive rule.

Has RedPrairie called the police about this break in?

LOL, nice NewBrew!

Has RedPrairie called the police about this break in?
Unh uh.

But they are threatening to move to a state less friendly toward the A.I.A.

LOL

May God help that CEO.

I've read that RedPrarie will be asking the city for financial assistance in the form of its own dedicated 200-strong Police Force for the parcel of land that the building will rest on.

I have a leaked rendering of the new RedPrarie building. The Block 12 design everybody loved has been scrapped.

http://www.castlemania.han.ks.ua/Beaumaris%20Fortress,%20Beaumaris,%20Wales.jpg

Obviously the Milwaukee River will be redirected to encircle the entire building.

Now THAT is humorous. And rather ugly...

I like it.. there is something classic and timeless about it.

This is actually a pretty good idea.


TUESDAY, Oct. 23, 2007, 5:07 p.m.
By Steve Schultze

Proposal: Sell parts of O'Donnell Park
Wanna buy a park, or at least part of one?

You just might get your chance, if Milwaukee County Supervisor Paul Cesarz gets his way. He's suggesting the county drum up some cash to help pay for ongoing parks operations by selling parts of O'Donnell Park on the lakefront - the parking ramp that it's built on, as well as the pavilion building housing the Betty Brinn Children's Museum and Coast restaurant.

The park itself - the grass and benches on top of the O'Donnell Park ramp - would remain in county hands, under Cesarz's plan, which has the support of at least two other supervisors. County Executive Scott Walker said he's interested, at least in selling or issuing a long-term lease for operation of the ramp.

"I would still keep the park, but I think we could get a good deal for the parking," Walker said in an e-mail message. Cesarz and Walker drew a distinction between the open-air park area atop the ramp and the rest of the structure. The entire development, however, has been known as O'Donnell Park since its creation.

The structure is worth an estimated $48 million, money Cesarz says he'd sock away in a special trust fund, with the yearly interest earnings going to help to pay for park operations.

The money could also help support local cultural venues the county supports, such as Milwaukee Public Museum, Charles Allis Art Museum and the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Cesarz said.

Selling the ramp and park structures would be a way to boost parks funding to a higher level and reverse the steady decline in public support for parks, he said. The portion of the parks budget paid by property taxes has shrunk from $31 million in 1986 to $22 million this year.

Jim Goulee, president of park advocacy group the Park People, said he likes the idea of having interest from an endowment help pay for parks. But he's leery of selling off any part of O'Donnell - or any other - park, Goulee said

It seems logical in this particular situation because of where O'Donnell Park is and what it contains. However, I would hate for it to become precedent to start privatizing parks whenever we need money. The park system is one of the best things about Milwaukee.

Walker has some decent ideas though about adding leasing opportunities for coffee shops and restaurants. He just gets a little looney when he talks about things like a waterpark at the zoo. Ummm, the zoo's fine sir. In fact, the zoo is great.

The important thing to note is the parks won't be touched at all.. In this situation it is just the parking garage below the park part.

my question after reading that article, is how much revenue is the County currently getting from that ramp? i'm all for something like this, as it would put the ramp on the tax rolls and raise some upfront capital...however, it should be noted that those benefits would be offset by the loss of some parking revenue. the major benefit is that this money could be earmarked solely for parks, whereas the parking revenue probably just goes into a general fund.

also, does the County have any outstanding debt on this ramp that they would have to pay off if sold?

my question after reading that article, is how much revenue is the County currently getting from that ramp? i'm all for something like this, as it would put the ramp on the tax rolls and raise some upfront capital...however, it should be noted that those benefits would be offset by the loss of some parking revenue. the major benefit is that this money could be earmarked solely for parks, whereas the parking revenue probably just goes into a general fund.


The parking ramp brings in about $1.6 million per year to the County. The restaurant/catering business brings in about $160,000 per year to the County.

There is more information in the full Journal Sentinel article: Sale of park property urged - Plan targets O'Donnell Park as cash source (http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=678160)

"Walker said he had been approached last summer by a downtown developer interested in buying or leasing the O'Donnell Park ramp, but didn't have time to work up a proposal to include in his 2008 budget. He declined to name the developer." Did I read this part right? Walker didn't have time? Too busy cutting services I guess.

The article says 1.6 million in revenue for the garage, it doesn't say profit and at 21 years it may have debt as well. If they can sell the garage put the money into trust so it can support the parks that is one benefit. The second is putting it on the tax roles, so it can generate money for the city. The third could be who is the "developer" who wants the garage... depending on what their purpose is for acquiring the garage that could be very beneficial as well.

And if we get to keep the park portion it sounds like a pretty good idea.

Quick question. I'm heading down to Chicago tomorrow, but plan on stopping in Milwaukee, then taking the train down. Any thoughts on where the best place to park would be? Thanks much.

Quick question. I'm heading down to Chicago tomorrow, but plan on stopping in Milwaukee, then taking the train down. Any thoughts on where the best place to park would be? Thanks much.

www.parkmilwaukee.com

Enjoy your trip and remember to snap some photos of the interior of the train station. I was last in there in August and they've completed alot since then.

^^ Thanks for the resource. I'll try to remember to take a few photos and post them.

Tragic news everyone:

Embattled Jazwiec out as RedPrairie CEO
RedPrairie Corp. will announce that Chief Executive Officer John Jazwiec, under scrutiny over his report of a home invasion that some have questioned, has resigned, a source familiar with the pending announcement said today.

Jazwiec was not available for for comment.

Jazwiec stirred controversy early this month with his account of being robbed in his home by an armed intruder who, he said, held him and his family hostage for about an hour while Jazwiec tried to calm him and at one point gave him a beer.

The story touched off fear in Jazwiec's well-to-do neighborhood near Lake Park, but also raised red flags. Chief among them was that Jazwiec didn't call police.

Instead, the outspoken executive - who previously had generated heat with his blunt criticisms of Milwaukee and Wisconsin as places to run a growing technology business - called the office of Mayor Tom Barrett the next day to complain about crime. Jazwiec also had an assistant call a reporter to set up an interview.

It wasn't until the following week that Jazwiec said he wanted police to investigate, and that happened only when a detective called him as he was leaving town on a business trip.

Then, when he returned from the trip, Jazwiec told police through an attorney that he no longer wanted to pursue the investigation of the home incident, according to police. Detectives, however, have continued to probe the matter.

The police department and - more pointedly - Ald. Michael D'Amato have raised questions about Jazwiec's account. D'Amato called the businessman's story "spurious" and said he had "unnecessarily besmirched the reputation of one of Milwaukee's finest and safest neighborhoods."

Jazwiec, in his desire to drop the investigation, "reminds me of a spoiled little boy who throws a tantrum trashing his parents' home in order to get attention, then just wants it all to go away when his father comes home."

Jazwiec's buzz-saw style ripped through RedPrairie, the area's business community and, ultimately, his own life.

Hired in January 2002, he shook up what then was called McHugh Software International - sacking managers, instituting a hard-nosed corporate culture and leading an acquisition drive.

Out went the McHugh Software name; in came "RedPrairie," with its techy sound suggesting an on-fire Midwestern kin to California's Silcon Valley.

Jazwiec shed the title of chief executive officer and became "company results leader." Employees became "customer advocates."

That the new CEO was different was clear from the start. On his second or third day on the job, he startled colleagues by playing the stereo so loudly in his office that it literally shook the walls, a former executive said.

"He was literally blasting hard-rock-type music," the executive said. "I mean, I can't tell you how loud it was."

Operating at high volume, though, seems to have been sewn into Jazwiec's approach.

"He's got no mute," another former colleague said in an interview last fall. "Basically, he is a brilliant guy with no mute....What he thinks, he tells you."

That tendency emerged most notably last year, when Jazwiec blasted Milwaukee as a parochial, crime-ridden city in a high-tax "welfare state" - neither of them attractive to the sort of executives and tech workers a company like RedPrairie needs.

He hinted strongly that RedPrairie and the 200 jobs at its Town of Brookfield headquarters would be leaving Wisconsin.

Jazwiec's critique resonated with some and drew retorts from others, including those who suspected he was trying to extract government aid by threatening to move. He denied that, but a downtown Milwaukee parcel remained on RedPrairie's list of possible new headquarters sites.

^^

Good riddance. Hopefully the new RedPrairie CEO will be more apt to work with MLG on locating to the proposed Water Street tower. I also hope Jazwiec gets the Hell outta town (after doing time or paying a fine for filing a false report of course).

Is it me or is this project (Staybridge Hotel) taking forever to rise above ground? I don't recall another project that started so long ago and still has no upward movement. I think the Park Lafayette project started around the same time and they had to dig a big hole first and now are working on the second story. Who knows the mechanics of this construction or possible complexity compared to other projects of equal size?

Is it me or is this project (Staybridge Hotel) taking forever to rise above ground? I don't recall another project that started so long ago and still has no upward movement. I think the Park Lafayette project started around the same time and they had to dig a big hole first and now are working on the second story. Who knows the mechanics of this construction or possible complexity compared to other projects of equal size?

Downtown project will use new precast system

By Andrew Weiland email , of SBT

Published July 20, 2007

A 14-story mixed-use building under construction at the southeast corner of Juneau Avenue and Water Street in downtown Milwaukee will be one of the first high-rise buildings to use a new precast truss building system. The system shortens construction time considerably and allows for more flexibility in the use of the interior space in the building. It also improves soundproofing and fire protection for the building.

The system, called the ER Post Structural System, was developed and patented by Minneapolis-based Ericksen Roed & Associates. For the Milwaukee project, the system is being manufactured by Waukesha-based Spancrete Group Inc. Specific building applications are custom-designed and produced by Spancrete through a marketing agreement with Ericksen Roed.

The developer for the Milwaukee project is Fort Myers, Fla.-based Development Opportunity Corp. (DOC), which is building the $20 million, structure. The building will have a 128-room Staybridge Suites hotel, 31 condos and 14,000 square feet of retail space. DOC hired Park Ridge, Ill.-based Economou Partners, a design build firm, as architect and general contractor for the project.

“This will be one of the tallest buildings with this type of design,” said Paul Grimes, director of design for Economou Partners. “This truss system is fairly new, especially in a high rise building like this. There are only one or two other high rise buildings that have used it.”

The construction project began in May, and so far, crews on the site have been focused on drilling holes for large caissons. The building will sit on 45 to 46 caissons, Grimes said.

“It’s a lengthy process, because most of the caissons are five to six feet in diameter and we have to drill down about 100 feet,” he said. “There’s a layer of hardpan about 58 to 75 feet down that we have to drill through that is pretty hard.”

After the caissons are in place, construction of the building structure will begin in mid-September.

“That will go fast,” Grimes said. “One of the advantages of building a precast building is the erection time is half.”

It will take less than 100 days to put up the entire precast structure, Grimes said.

Once part of the precast structure is in place, crews will start to install the glass windows. The building will feature floor-to-ceiling windows.

“The glass people will follow right behind,” Grimes said. “The glass and precast will be going up simultaneously.”

The precast structure will provide clear spans of 75 feet, higher ceilings and more flexibility in designing the space inside. The system provides column-free spans, which is what allows for the increased construction flexibility. The new truss system has unlimited floor layout possibilities and is intended for use in multi-family housing, office space and hotels.

In addition, the structure can handle heavier loads, which allows for the 10-foot ceilings that will be a feature in the building.

“That gives it a really open space feel,” Grimes said.

Work on the precast structure began in November, before the design of the building was finalized, Grimes said, which sped up the process of preparing the structure for the building.

“Once I had a conceptual design, I went to Spancrete and they did it as a design-build,” Grime said.

The construction project is expected to be complete next summer.

So far, three of the 31 condominiums have been sold, said Lisa Aldrich, real estate broker for DOC Realty LLC and general manager for the Staybridge Suites and DOC Hospitality Milwaukee LLC.

The price for the condos ranges between $234,000 and $2.3 million. The largest unit is a two-story, 3,600-square-foot penthouse that will have a 2,400-square-foot, private, rooftop park with views of the downtown skyline.

The smallest unit will have 757 square feet of space.

The project is the first that Economou Partners has done in Milwaukee. The firm has done projects throughout the United States and handles all of the projects for DOC. It previously was just a design firm, but added construction to its service portfolio last year.

“It gives us more control over the design and over costs and speeds up the construction time for our clients,” Grimes said.

They Staybridge will start going up in the next week or so. The just put a giant crane on the site. Based on the system that they are using, expect it to go up pretty fast.

I forgot to post these back in August... they're construction update photos for City Green:

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/5530/citygreen1dc1.jpg

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/4052/citygreen2bm5.jpg

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/3994/citygreen3tq3.jpg

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/624/citygreen4de8.jpg

Thanks for the quick replys. Have to keep an eye on this "ER Post Structural System" method. That was a great article and I missed it earlier. Thanks for posting. I made a point to drive by the site this morning and in fact did see that big crane on site you mentioned. It has not been raised yet and is not a fixed crane but one on wheels. Looks like one similar to thoses used at Miller Park.

City Green has taken forever but the quality seems second to none.

Good stuff, Mark.

Has anyone else noticed the plans for the Blue Ribbon Lofts at the Pabst? Seems like a really interesting design. It looks like they will be retaining the original brick facade, and then building another internal wall system. Not sure how well this will work, but it should be more energy efficient for each unit. I'm just wondering what the experience of having an internal balcony system would be like for atmosphere and noise. Am I interpreting these mockups correctly?

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/2487/brlin1.gif
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/8723/brl2qg1.gif

"The Madison development firm that specializes in affordable housing plans to build a 95-unit, multifamily development targeting low- to moderate-income entrepreneurs and artists in its life-work loft development called Blue Ribbon Lofts. "

"Of the 95 units at the Blue Ribbon Lofts, 26 will be market-rate apartments. The remaining units are for income-qualified people with monthly rents starting at $553. These are people who earn 50 percent of the Milwaukee County median income. "

Has anyone else noticed the plans for the Blue Ribbon Lofts at the Pabst? Seems like a really interesting design. It looks like they will be retaining the original brick facade, and then building another internal wall system. Not sure how well this will work, but it should be more energy efficient for each unit. I'm just wondering what the experience of having an internal balcony system would be like for atmosphere and noise. Am I interpreting these mockups correctly?

It will be interesting when people try to use their barbecue grills on their balconies! I think it would be more useful to have each individual balcony walled off for more efficient use of floorspace and privacy. The cut portions of the slabs not only look like a hazard but take away space that residents could use for placing plants.

Little update on the Ruvin project. It took a couple steps forward this week. First by apparently signing some tenants as the bizjournal reported. And secondly today the Public Works Committee approved a resolution authorizing the city to lease part of its parking garage at 4th and highland to Ruvin to supply the parking required for the Sidney Hih project. So in fact the city gets new revenue, doesn't have to utilize a TIF and the Sidney Hih project moves forward. seems pretty good to me.

Enjoy your trip and remember to snap some photos of the interior of the train station. I was last in there in August and they've completed alot since then.

http://www.uwgb.edu/moored/train.jpg
Looked pretty nice.

Has anyone else noticed the plans for the Blue Ribbon Lofts at the Pabst? Seems like a really interesting design. It looks like they will be retaining the original brick facade, and then building another internal wall system. Not sure how well this will work, but it should be more energy efficient for each unit. I'm just wondering what the experience of having an internal balcony system would be like for atmosphere and noise.

Looking over the Blue Ribbon Lofts blueprints (http://www.bpiinc.com/planroom/viewImages.asp?job_id=521), it would appear that the double wall/balcony idea in those conceptual renderings from earlier on in the design process have been eliminated.

Catalyst
http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/bym/img/oct07/complex_103107_big.jpg

A $120 million entertainment, hotel and housing development near downtown Milwaukee's Midwest Airlines Center could be under construction by spring, the project's developer said Tuesday.

The proposed Wisconsin Ave. complex is expected to include restaurants, nightclubs and other entertainment-oriented businesses along with a hotel, condominiums and upscale apartments.

Afshin Ghazi said six restaurants, nightclubs and other entertainment-oriented businesses have made tentative commitments to lease around 150,000 square feet at Catalyst, the 31-story project planned for the 400 block of W. Wisconsin Ave.

In addition, Catalyst would have around 200 condominiums and upscale apartments, he said. Ghazi called those plans manageable, despite a national slowdown in the housing market.

Journal Sentinel Link (http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=680674)

BEAUTIFUL!
Looks like Ghazi is making this thing happen!! :banana:
But, it appears to be no taller than the Hilton...even at 31 stories?
It would be a tremendous boost for the area. Hopefully, pre-sales on the
condos is great, causing Ghazi to add a couple more floors. Too bad there
isn't a need for office space to be included. Ghazi is putting up a building
in Charlotte with similar hotel/condo numbers, but also 320,000 sq. ft. of
office space...and the net result is a 53-story tower.

That's the difference in height between the Charlotte's and Milwaukee's of the world.
While things are going pretty well here, Charlotte is a boom town with taller and taller
projects going up. Nonetheless, it's a good-looking development. Let's just keep our
fingers crossed that it isn't downsized at some point. (Boy, is that a half-empty way
of looking at this, huh?)

Glad to see something finally happening with this parcel! Althought I preferred the original design this is pretty decent and will be great for the area!

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/bym/img/oct07/ghazi2_103107_big.jpg

It's certainly better than that little 6 story hotel that was proposed several years ago!

It's certainly better than that little 6 story hotel that was proposed several years ago!

Absolutely! This makes a pretty nice statement across the street from the convention center. I'd really like to see this taller building rise at least a 100 feet or so above the Hilton to give the skyline a little diversity there. Otherfwise, it appears as if they are roughly the same height. And from a distance, this new building may not be as impactful. It appears that the parking garage is figured into the 31 stories, and those floors don't add up to the same height that liveable floors do. As a result, this 31-story building is more like a 28-story job.

I agree that I liked the original design better -- more striking. Although, the original rendering didn't allow any "air," and it pretty much swallowwed up the Hilton. The new design seems to be very considerate of the Hilton's east side face. Hope this rendering is somewhat misleading, and that the "Catalyst" ultimately elevates above the roofline of the Hilton -- for variety-sake, anyway.

Looking over the Blue Ribbon Lofts blueprints (http://www.bpiinc.com/planroom/viewImages.asp?job_id=521), it would appear that the double wall/balcony idea in those conceptual renderings from earlier on in the design process have been eliminated.

Thanks Markitect. It seems like a wise idea to use the whole space and not create a second wall. Either way, I think this development will bring a good mix into that part of the city. These units will actually be affordable for lower income and young professionals. I'm just still curious how they'll feel living next to a jail.

Also, great news on the Ghazi. That parcel really needed to be developed and this should tie well between the mall and the Hilton and Conference center. I'm wondering how many visitors will come away with that 4-6 block area as their impression of Milwaukee.

It should be noted that even if this is shorter than the hilton, this would still be the tallest building built west of the river since....the hilton....which I believe was built in the 20's.

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/bym/img/oct07/complex_103107_big.jpg

I'll echo what everyone else said so far and say that it's great to see this project moving forward finally, let's hope this momentum keeps up. From this view especially, it reminds me quite a bit of Tabor Center in downtown Denver.

sky> It is true that Uptown Charlotte is going through a boom but Charlotte is a great example of why tall buildings do not guarentee a good city. Just about every historic structure has been demolished, the city is oriented around the car and not the person, and so on. That said I was just out there a couple of weeks ago and here are pictures of their ongoing development: http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/sets/72157602812543065/ including EpiCentre

It should be noted that even if this is shorter than the hilton, this would still be the tallest building built west of the river since....the hilton....which I believe was built in the 20's.

Well, the Wisconsin Tower at 6th and Wisconsin is taller and was built in 1930. You were close.

Clearly this Ghazi development would be huge for Downtown Milwaukee. While I personally would probably not spend a great deal of time at places like the Fox Sports Grill or an upscale steak joint, there are plenty of people who would. The addition of the hotel rooms and nightlife/retail would help Milwaukee's convention business for sure.

I am cautiously optomistic. At this point Mr. Ghazi has yet to sign a single
lease. At this point he has "committments," from potential tenants, nothing more.

But, the fact that this proposal went quiet for some time, and has since re-emerged with specific potential tenants is very encouraging. I am also encouraged that a national "out of town" developer is apparently moving forward aggressively on a development of this scale in Milwaukee.

It should be noted that even if this is shorter than the hilton, this would still be the tallest building built west of the river since....the hilton....which I believe was built in the 20's.
Um, ok, and if or when the Modern gets built, I'm sure it will take that distinction away.

If I had to chose which project I would want the most to be built, I would have to pick this Ghazi over the Modern. Mainly because of the location and because the Ghazi project offers entertainment venues. It's an all around better project.

It should be noted that even if this is shorter than the hilton, this would still be the tallest building built west of the river since....the hilton....which I believe was built in the 20's.

Maybe looks are decieving. there is a bit of an incline in downtown Milwaukee and when looked at a different angle it might appear shorter than it really is. And who knows they could always increase the height from what it appears in the picture shown.

Maybe looks are decieving. there is a bit of an incline in downtown Milwaukee and when looked at a different angle it might appear shorter than it really is. And who knows they could always increase the height from what it appears in the picture shown.

well the incline is what makes the Wisconsin Tower look taller than it is. It is really only 21 floors: http://www.wisconsintower.com/floor_plans

even if moderne gets built to the height that that they have reported (which is 30 stories: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=676809) you can't argue that this is a significantly tall building for westown...since nothing has been built probably over 15 stories over there in decades.

well the incline is what makes the Wisconsin Tower look taller than it is. It is really only 21 floors: http://www.wisconsintower.com/floor_plans

even if moderne gets built to the height that that they have reported (which is 30 stories: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=676809) you can't argue that this is a significantly tall building for westown...since nothing has been built probably over 15 stories over there in decades.

I almost forgot about the Hyatt built in 1980 which is also higher than the Hilton. While the Wisconsin Tower only has 21 floors, the building height is a few feet taller than the Hilton. There are good resources (http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?cityID=77) out there to check the info.

No matter what the circumstance - I'll give my seal of approval :lol: to the development. We need entertainment venues. We need hip restaurants. We need a better identity. This project gives us all of that and much, much more.

Two thumbs up!

Glad to see the Ghazi project finally taking some steps forward. I was a little worried, but feeling better now. I agree i like the original design, but this is better than the 6 stories. And i wish we had the economic power like Charlotte to build a 53 story building... dang...

Wow, this is the first project I've seen on here that wasn't immediately ripped to shreds by forumers. That's a great sign. Let's get it built.

Great to come back from vacation and see this progress. While I'm not a big chain-restaurant patron, I do indeed hit them occasionally. Regardless, this will DEFINITELY draw people in. Its proximity to Grand Ave, Midwest Express Center, and sporting venues will be insane for bringing people in. The labeling of this as a "catalyst" is an under statement!

EDIT - LOL its actually called "Catalyst". I love it lol.

...i wish we had the economic power like Charlotte to build a 53 story building... dang...

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I'm glad that Milwaukee isn't building those 50 story silver bullets of egotism. It wouldn't really fit the city very well. Right now, the city is doing a tremendous job of working within the framework of Milwaukee and making sure everything fits together in a master plan.

There are plenty of cities out there with shiny buildings you can see from the freeway and once you get to the city there is nothing there - no character. I really don't want to see Milwaukee become that place. Let's build smart, sustainable, and interesting architecture that adds character.

I know we've covered this before, but Charlotte is an empty suit.

There are plenty of cities out there with shiny buildings you can see from the freeway and once you get to the city there is nothing there - no character. I really don't want to see Milwaukee become that place. Let's build smart, sustainable, and interesting architecture that adds character.

I know we've covered this before, but Charlotte is an empty suit.

Like Houston. Completely dull.

neubrew> agreed. One thing were are doing well is not to demolition everything to build new. yes some demoloition is occurring where appropriate (the north end) but its not everywhere like in a charlotte.

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I'm glad that Milwaukee isn't building those 50 story silver bullets of egotism. It wouldn't really fit the city very well. Right now, the city is doing a tremendous job of working within the framework of Milwaukee and making sure everything fits together in a master plan.

There are plenty of cities out there with shiny buildings you can see from the freeway and once you get to the city there is nothing there - no character. I really don't want to see Milwaukee become that place. Let's build smart, sustainable, and interesting architecture that adds character.

I know we've covered this before, but Charlotte is an empty suit.

Well, for an "empty suit," Charlotte's economy is kicking some serious ass, my friend. Don't kid yourself, Milwaukee's civic leaders wish they could be doing half what cities like Charlotte are doing...GROWING! I agree that a city can become too planned and sterile, and that doesn't necessarily equate to a vibrant city. I like what my hometown is doing thesse days, but I wouldn't confuse it with being part of a "master plan" as you say. It seems most projects and proposals are occuring despite the attempts at "planning" that we've seen recently.

No, I'd take some taller buildings just fine, thank you. Within some planned spaces, of course.

Well, for an "empty suit," Charlotte's economy is kicking some serious ass, my friend. Don't kid yourself, Milwaukee's civic leaders wish they could be doing half what cities like Charlotte are doing...GROWING! I agree that a city can become too planned and sterile, and that doesn't necessarily equate to a vibrant city. I like what my hometown is doing thesse days, but I wouldn't confuse it with being part of a "master plan" as you say. It seems most projects and proposals are occuring despite the attempts at "planning" that we've seen recently.

No, I'd take some taller buildings just fine, thank you. Within some planned spaces, of course.

What are you referring to when you say "the attempts at planning"?

I'm having a convention in Milwaukee in 2010 at the Hilton. I really hope the catalyst is complete by that time... it will have a very strong impact on the way our members view Milwaukee.

Well, for an "empty suit," Charlotte's economy is kicking some serious ass, my friend. Don't kid yourself, Milwaukee's civic leaders wish they could be doing half what cities like Charlotte are doing...GROWING! I agree that a city can become too planned and sterile, and that doesn't necessarily equate to a vibrant city. I like what my hometown is doing thesse days, but I wouldn't confuse it with being part of a "master plan" as you say. It seems most projects and proposals are occuring despite the attempts at "planning" that we've seen recently.

No, I'd take some taller buildings just fine, thank you. Within some planned spaces, of course.

Well, I guess I'm not really touching on economic growth specifically Skyking. Charlotte has, no doubt, grown quickly with their banking industry and it looks nice in pictures.

What I'm getting at is the soul and character of the city and its architecture. From what I see, Milwaukee decided in the 90s that it wanted to remake itself under a new urbanism banner and most of the things they envisioned are now bearing fruit.

Imagine we were debating the future of Milwaukee in 1989 and I told you that by 2010 the city would have completely transformed it's warehouse district into a upper-end condo district with a vibrant community. The gold coast would have built a handful of new skyscrapers filled with million dollar residences. The Menomonee Valley would have been totally remade from a wasteland to a park system and new center of jobs. That a stub freeway would have been demolished making way for over a billion dollars in new development. That the old Pabst brewery would be totally refurbished, a Harley museum created, a world-class conference center added, and our hotel space more than doubled. Not to mention that a world-class architect would build a soaring art museum on the lakefront and we'd have a beautiful new baseball stadium. All of this while adding countless bike and walking trails, a public/private Riverwalk system, and preserved the historical appeal of the city.

Milwaukee is doing more than fine.

I agree that a city can become too planned and sterile, and that doesn't necessarily equate to a vibrant city. I like what my hometown is doing thesse days, but I wouldn't confuse it with being part of a "master plan" as you say. It seems most projects and proposals are occuring despite the attempts at "planning" that we've seen recently.



Houston didn't become the poster child for sterile pseudo-urban wasteland because of planning. Quite the opposite (and is now planning and trying to undo the damage), and Milwaukee's successful image makeover is almost entirely the result of a very deliberate, concerted set of planning initiatives begun by John Norqist. Milwaukee is now competing by the only successful means at its disposal, and doing so pretty magnificently.

Thought you guys might like a couple of these.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2258/1835697469_e1de213eb9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/1835697469/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2022/1836536476_b66df6de12_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/1836536476/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2299/1836503240_e7046f8a51_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davereid/1836503240/)

^^ That is going to be a beautiful new addition for Milwaukee.

Regarding Milwaukee's relative growth to other cities, we are doing extremely well in the midwest. We are tied with Kansas City and Detroit for having the most # of highrises currently under construction (outside Chicago) and there appears to be no cooldown in site. I'm very excited to be moving down there hopefully in a couple months and getting to witness it all firsthand.

The tinkertoys are at work. This looks like a giant erector set.

Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp. (New York City), the new owners of the Shops of Grand Avenue, said they will announce renovation plans for the mall in the first quarter of 2008.

BIZ Journal (http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2007/11/05/story2.html)

Wasn't the last owner going to do that, too? And what happened to the "high-end retail" that was supposed to come to the corner of 2nd and Wisconsin when that bank building was remodeled? I think the mall needs to spread out into the city more to be successful. A good start would be for the city to use eminent domain against Wisconsin Energy Corp. to get the theatre and grass lots on N. Second across from the mall remodeled. They should work their way south, too, opening the mall up to Michigan and doing something with the empty lots between Michigan and Clybourn.

Wasn't the last owner going to do that, too? And what happened to the "high-end retail" that was supposed to come to the corner of 2nd and Wisconsin when that bank building was remodeled? I think the mall needs to spread out into the city more to be successful. A good start would be for the city to use eminent domain against Wisconsin Energy Corp. to get the theatre and grass lots on N. Second across from the mall remodeled. They should work their way south, too, opening the mall up to Michigan and doing something with the empty lots between Michigan and Clybourn.

Yes. That would be good, aggressive action to finally add that neccessary spark to Wisconsin Avenue just west of the river.

The Grand Theater is practically the definition of a blighting influence. It has been sitting there empty with its corporate owners sitting on it twiddling their thumbs for too long.

I am sure that WE Energies has been waiting for just the right anchor tenant to come along to move renovations of the Grand Theater forward. It's time to stop waiting and start aggressively courting tenants. This is getting ridiculous.

Wasn't the last owner going to do that, too? And what happened to the "high-end retail" that was supposed to come to the corner of 2nd and Wisconsin when that bank building was remodeled? I think the mall needs to spread out into the city more to be successful. A good start would be for the city to use eminent domain against Wisconsin Energy Corp. to get the theatre and grass lots on N. Second across from the mall remodeled. They should work their way south, too, opening the mall up to Michigan and doing something with the empty lots between Michigan and Clybourn.

The bank building isn't part of the Grand Avenue redevelopment. The owners only said the plan was for high end European retail, they were never in serious conversations with anyone. The lots between Michigan and Clybourn are currently for sale and have been since last winter and the owners are looking for redevelopment opportunities.

The movie theatre will probably never open again given the small number of screens.. and it sounds like there is a good chance a movie theatre will be part of the Ghazi final proposal.... or a development in the Park East area. A better use would have been if the Orchestra had moved there a few years back.

It will be interesting to see what the owners of the grand ave have planned.

Also interested in what Johnny Mo has planned for his building. That is a big blight on the area as well in it's current state.

MONDAY, Nov. 5, 2007, 10:57 a.m.
By Tom Daykin

Health care provider to move downtown
A fast-growing health care provider will move its headquarters from Mequon to downtown Milwaukee, marking one of the largest suburb-to-downtown office migrations in recent years.

Infinity HealthCare has leased 62,610 square feet on three floors at Chase Tower, 111 E. Wisconsin Ave., according to an announcement today by the building's owner, an investment fund operated by Toronto-based Brookfield Asset Management.

Infinity has around 150 employees at its headquarters, at 1035 W. Glen Oaks Lane, said Gregory Cierlik, the firm's chief operating officer. It provides emergency medicine, diagnostic imaging, occupational health, medical information systems, medical billing and other services to hospitals.


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


This is good news for downtown and might lead to the tower above the Chase parking garage getting built

Can anyone post the fulltext of the biztimes article? I'd love to see the whole thing... Unless its illegal, of course... Then just PM it to me! lol, i kid...

Wasn't the last owner going to do that, too? And what happened to the "high-end retail" that was supposed to come to the corner of 2nd and Wisconsin when that bank building was remodeled? I think the mall needs to spread out into the city more to be successful. A good start would be for the city to use eminent domain against Wisconsin Energy Corp. to get the theatre and grass lots on N. Second across from the mall remodeled. They should work their way south, too, opening the mall up to Michigan and doing something with the empty lots between Michigan and Clybourn.

The Grand Theater is not owned by WE Energies, it is owned by Marcus Corp...the state's largest theater operator who have shamefully let it sit vacant for so long.

The Grand Theater is not owned by WE Energies, it is owned by Marcus Corp...the state's largest theater operator who have shamefully let it sit vacant for so long.

Yeah, instead of shamelessly tearing it down.

This is an old topic that's been back-and-forthed without resolution. The theater is either an irreplaceable relic, mothballed until a viable user can be recruited, or it's a blight that ought to make way for new development. Take your pick.

I'm in the preserve and protect camp. (They just don't build 'em like this anymore, and we don't have a bunch more to save instead. Haven't we learned our lesson about what assets these treasures eventually become? Patience, patience.)

Others are not.

If you have a new solution, speak now, or forever....
....at least until next time.

looksee> I think MilwaukeeD's point is that Marcus corp (a theater company) owns the theater but keeps it closed. It is Marcus corp that should re-open the theater or sell it... But yes I'm with you that it should not be torn down. You can never replace the value of older buildings.

It closed for lack of business. If you know someone who'll make a go of it, introduce them to the owners. I have no doubt that for the right price Marcus would lease or sell it.
It's holding on to the place because it sees future value and/or as a tax write off. There may also be some kind of sentimental attachment or hope that keeps them from bulldozing the place. Perhaps in a strictly business sense it should have met the same fate as the Alhambra, Palace, Strand, Telenews, Wisconsin, and Towne.

http://www.themakingofmilwaukee.com/data/photo/00493.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/looksee/wisave.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/g3/35/522935/2/67156901.tIiKf1wv.jpg

http://k53.pbase.com/g3/35/522935/2/67146140.wglrYLuz.jpg

It closed for lack of business. If you know someone who'll make a go of it, introduce them to the owners. I have no doubt that for the right price Marcus would lease or sell it.
It's holding on to the place because it sees future value and/or as a tax write off. There may also be some kind of sentimental attachment or hope that keeps them from bulldozing the place. Perhaps in a strictly business sense it should have met the same fate as the Alhambra, Palace, Strand, Telenews, Wisconsin, and Towne.

or they are holding onto it because they don't want any competition for the eventual downtown cinema they build that they have been talking about for years but have never really done anything about...

from my understanding, they have had a couple offers and have said "no".

or they are holding onto it because they don't want any competition for the eventual downtown cinema they build that they have been talking about for years but have never really done anything about...

from my understanding, they have had a couple offers and have said "no".

Yes. Of course.
They would choose to not turn a profit on the Grand all the while they bide their time until they can build their new downtown multiplex. And clearly a reopened Grand can be so successful as to pose a threat to such an enterprise that it must remain off the market. And no one else had dare better get the jump on Marcus by opening a competing multiplex all this time they have their heads up their butts. Makes you wonder why they don't shutter their downtown hotels too. That would really guarantee them a monopoly and shut out the competition. Or something.

The Grand Theater is not owned by WE Energies, it is owned by Marcus Corp...the state's largest theater operator who have shamefully let it sit vacant for so long.

Ok, thought it was part of the same acquisition as the land to the north along Wells, which I was under the impression was owned by Wisconsin Energy. The city should hold the owners more publicly accountable no matter if they are the biggest theatre chain in town. The property is a blighting influence and should be used. The best way for that to happen might be for the city (or county) to take ownership of it in order to restore it. The Pabst Theatre is only around today because of public ownership, along with most of Milwaukee's other cultural centres. There are plenty of possible uses for the space, too. There are many small non-commercial theatre companies in Milwaukee that need performance space as well as musical groups that could use it. The theatre could also be used as a film centre, performing a different function than Milwaukee's current commercial cinemas do.

The best way for that to happen might be for the city (or county) to take ownership of it in order to restore it. The Pabst Theatre is only around today because of public ownership, along with most of milwaukee's other cultural centres.

The public institutions you speak of (including the Marcus Center and Marcus Ampitheater) were built by public funds or voluntary private donations, they were not seized private property. The fact that you can conceive of other uses for someone else's building doesn't give government the right take it over.
The Grand/Warner theater was privately built, is privately owned, presumably pays its taxes, is structurally sound, and is not a locus of illegal or seriously destructive activity. If ever there was a compelling need to save it from destruction, just compensation would have to be given to its owners, if a legal means were available to prevent them from exercising the usual rights of any other property owner. Milwaukee governments are burdened with many very serious fiscal obligations. Consider where your desires in these matters would rank among them.

The public institutions you speak of (including the Marcus Center and Marcus Ampitheater) were built by public funds or voluntary private donations, they were not seized private property. The fact that you can conceive of other uses for someone else's building doesn't give government the right take it over.
The Grand/Warner theater was privately built, is privately owned, presumably pays its taxes, is structurally sound, and is not a locus of illegal or seriously destructive activity. If ever there was a compelling need to save it from destruction, just compensation would have to be given to its owners, if a legal means were available to prevent them from exercising the usual rights of any other property owner. Milwaukee governments are burdened with many very serious fiscal obligations. Consider where your desires in these matters would rank among them.

Well said. Once the Ghazi is in place and the Grand Avenue done with it's renovations, someone will do something with the property. Sometimes we just need patience.

The public institutions you speak of (including the Marcus Center and Marcus Ampitheater) were built by public funds or voluntary private donations, they were not seized private property. The fact that you can conceive of other uses for someone else's building doesn't give government the right take it over.
The Grand/Warner theater was privately built, is privately owned, presumably pays its taxes, is structurally sound, and is not a locus of illegal or seriously destructive activity. If ever there was a compelling need to save it from destruction, just compensation would have to be given to its owners, if a legal means were available to prevent them from exercising the usual rights of any other property owner. Milwaukee governments are burdened with many very serious fiscal obligations. Consider where your desires in these matters would rank among them.

The Pabst Theatre was bought out of private hands by the city expressedly for the purpose of preserving it as a historical landmark. That was then carried out using a combination of public and donated funds, and then, some years later the theatre was bought by a private foundation.

I wish to see my property taxes spent wisely, and removing a major blighting influence from the main street of the city would be considered a wise use in my book. The amount of return that could be gained from the increase in property value and demand on the west side of downtown due to the renovation of several central blighting influences would more than pay for the cost of the project. The cultural value that the building could potentially have to the city is also worth an amount of public funds, in my opinion.

Well said. Once the Ghazi is in place and the Grand Avenue done with it's renovations, someone will do something with the property. Sometimes we just need patience.

Not necessarily. There is little that private developers could use a crumbling old one screen movie theatre for. If there's no real use for it on the private market, then it will either just sit there or be destroyed in favour of something else. Both of which aren't exactly the best of options.

There are many small non-commercial theatre companies in Milwaukee that need performance space as well as musical groups that could use it......I wish to see my property taxes spent wisely, ...The amount of return that could be gained from the increase in property value and demand on the west side of downtown due to the renovation of several central blighting influences would more than pay for the cost of the project. The cultural value that the building could potentially have to the city is also worth an amount of public funds, in my opinion....There is little that private developers could use a crumbling old one screen movie theatre for.

Firstly, it's not really in that bad shape inside, from what I've read, so market forces or private largesse may someday bring it back to life, as occasionally happens.

The notion that a grand 2400 seat auditorium should be publicly subsidized as an amateur performance space is very generous indeed, especially in a community struggling for the means to finance its schools and parks.

Stimulating demand west of the river is what the convention center and Grand Avenue are all about. The outcomes don't always go as planned. Sometimes the magic works, as with the Riverwalk, and, hopefully, the Park-east and Pabst City developments, and sometimes you just have to wait and see, as with West Wisconsin Ave.

I, along with you no doubt, wish many good things for Milwaukee. I don't see the Grand as that threadbare suit that should have been long ago donated to charity, but as a long unused but still beautiful Tuxedo, just waiting for the time when it can be brought out again for your children's weddings and special occasions.

http://www.drwill.com/IMAGES/stooges5.jpg

well, marcus could at least turn the lights on or something to make it look a little more attractive.

This may not be development news, but it does show how someone can get connected to our awesome city. :)

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
Mason, family embrace Milwaukee again
by Truman Reed / special to Bucks.com

Desmond Mason returns to Milwaukee after playing here from 2003-05. (Getty)
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November 5, 2007

MILWAUKEE -- Dating back to his days as a walking mailman, my father-in-law has dabbled in amateur weather forecasting with some uncanny accuracy. Elementary school teachers in his area heard of this prowess and used to invite him in to talk to their students. He always captivated his audience.

Each year, using an unorthodox system based on his observations of nature -- there's something in there about hearing the frogs yell -- he predicts such things as the Milwaukee area's first frost, first measurable snowfall, the number of below-zero days and the amount of "sweepers and shovelers" for a given winter.

Given his prognostications for this year's first measurable snow, Nov. 10, this weekend may very well complete the homecoming of the Milwaukee Bucks' Desmond Mason.

On July 23, the Bucks signed the 30-year-old swingman to multiyear contract, reuniting him with a community that embraced him and his family during his first membership on the team spanning 2003-05.

Mason, his wife, Andrea, and their daughter, Jada, made a painful departure from Milwaukee on Oct. 26, 2005, when No. 24 was traded from the Bucks to New Orleans/Oklahoma City along with Milwaukee's 2006 first-round draft pick and cash considerations in exchange for center Jamaal Magloire.

Once the reunion took place and Mason and his familiar grin were gracing the Bucks training center again, he was asked to disclose some of the things he missed most during his years away from Milwaukee.

"People may say I'm crazy, but the winter," he said. "I miss snow. I haven't seen a lot of snow in my lifetime. When I first came here (on Feb. 20, 2003, along with Gary Payton in a trade that sent Ray Allen, Kevin Ollie, Ronald Murray and a conditional first-round pick to the Seattle SuperSonics), on the first night, it was snowing sideways. It was crazy! For me, that was enjoyable."

The native of Waxahachie, Texas became a natural fit in Milwaukee in more ways than one, though.

Throughout his first stint with the Bucks, Mason and his wife were extremely active benefactors in the community.

They partnered with the St. Michael Hospital Community Foundation Peace Program to educate school children on the importance of peace and managing conflict in a non-violent manner.

Desmond was an avid participant in the National Basketball Association's Read to Achieve initiative, in which the Bucks partner with Sam's Hope and Northwestern Mutual Foundation on literacy projects for local children.

Mason, an avid artist and a studio art major at Oklahoma State University, hosted art shows in 2004 at the Bresler Eitel Art Gallery and in 2005 at the Pabst Theater. Portions of all proceeds benefited the St. Michael Hospital Foundation.

He conducted a door-to-door Hurricane Katrina relief project in late summer of 2005 in Milwaukee's North Shore neighborhoods. He collected truckloads of clothing, food, infant formula and diapers, which were distributed to the Katrina-ravaged region.

A childhood burn victim, he made an inspirational guest appearance at the Wisconsin Fire Safety Alliance's annual summer camp for burn-injured youth, addressing children ages 7 to 17.

Bucks fans throughout the area were devastated to learn that Mason had been traded two years ago, and not just because they would miss his on-court intensity and his electrifying slam dunks.

"It was tough when I left," Mason said. "I got a lot of phone calls and a lot of e-mails. I got just as many when I came back.

"We didn't want to leave, and what was done was done, but it was so sweet to come back, and it was great to hear from so many people and know that they still care about us and they're happy to see us back."

Mason made it clear that he missed much more than the Milwaukee snow during his winters in New Orleans and Oklahoma City.

"I really missed the people, the community as a whole," he said. "This is a blue-collar community where people respect you off of how hard you work, and I like that.

"I like how family-oriented it is. I like the brats ... all of those things that are Milwaukee."

General Manager Larry Harris and Head Coach Larry Krystkowiak both expressed excitement at having Mason back in the Bucks fold.

"We're happy to welcome Desmond back to Milwaukee," Harris said "He was a fan favorite during his first stay, and we know our fans are going to love having him back on the team. Adding him to our roster boosts our athleticism, defense and veteran leadership. And in addition to his basketball abilities, we look forward to what he will bring back to the Milwaukee community."

"I've heard nothing but positive things about 'Des' and what he did for this franchise and community the last time he was here," Krystkowiak said. "We're bringing back a terrific athlete who will immediately improve our defense and overall intensity. But more than that, he wants to be in Milwaukee and he wants to play for the Bucks. I'm excited for the opportunity to work with him."

Michael Redd, one of Mason's closest friends on the team during his original tenure with the Bucks, welcomed him back with open arms.

"More than anything, it's having a friend back," Redd said. "In my career, I've taken two blows -- when Ray Allen got traded, and when 'Des' got traded. It's hard to say good-bye to friends like that. I'm glad to see him back.

"We all know what he brings to the table. He's going to penetrate, he's going to fly, he's going to dunk. We need that kind of high-flying excitement to get our fans into the game. He brings that element to our team ... and his defensive intensity, too. I love him, man."

Mason and Redd were quite a duo during their last season together, averaging better than 40 points per game between them. Now Bucks fans can see them back in business again.

And maybe even catch a glimpse of them shoveling snow together!

This is good- for a change.

Census boosts count
Estimate for city's population up 30,000
By BILL GLAUBER
bglauber@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Nov. 6, 2007
We're No. 22.

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Buy a link hereMilwaukee's population was boosted by nearly 30,000 residents this week - courtesy of a revised U.S. Census Bureau estimate - pushing the city's overall population to 602,782 people.

The revision vaults Milwaukee from 25th place to 22nd among America's largest cities, leaping past Washington, Seattle and Boston.

Now, it's only an estimate - and one from 2006, for that matter - but this is big stuff for a city that has struggled against a decades-long population decline.

It's as if the census statisticians discovered the entire population of West Bend had suddenly moved into Milwaukee.

"What this shows is there is really a renaissance going on in Milwaukee and people are coming here," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. "I think it is part of the energy that we have in the city right now, the positive energy."

Beyond the psychic boost the numbers may yield - the new number suggests Milwaukee has gained 5,808 people since the 2000 census - they also help the city in other ways. Census estimates are used in some cases to apportion federal dollars, and they are also looked at closely by private industry.

"Not only does the number show that the trend of Milwaukee's decline has stopped but that Milwaukee is actually growing," Barrett said. "If you go back to 2000, we're larger now than in 2000. That is important. And obviously by painting this accurate picture, it can help us with our fair share of federal aid."

For several years, Barrett said he has been "agitated" by census figures that showed the city losing residents.

"I've always harped on the undercount, and people's eyes start glazing over," he said.

This year, Barrett assembled a team - which included Sharon Robinson, who directs the Department of Administration - to put together a challenge to the original 2006 estimate of 573,358. The team focused on housing, a key component in how the Census Bureau estimates population.

In their challenge, city officials claimed the Census Bureau underestimated the number of housing units added through new construction, including warehouse conversions to condominiums.

They said the Census Bureau also overestimated the number of housing demolitions, buttressing the case with data from Milwaukee Water Works and We Energies, as well as an analysis of building permits and demolitions.

This week, a letter arrived at City Hall from the Census Bureau to confirm the revised population estimate.

Greg Harper, a demographer with the Census Bureau, said the revised estimates for the city should be reflected in the 2007 population estimate for Milwaukee County, which will be released next year. Milwaukee County had an estimated population of 915,097 in 2006.

As for Milwaukee holding its spot as the 22nd-largest city in the country, well, it could be a nail biter.

Boston, with an estimated population of 590,763, has also filed a challenge.

^^ w00t!


...no seriously that's great to see.

That's outstanding news, the best in a long time.

Agreed, I think anyone living in the area is not seeing a declining population. If anything there has been a continuous building boom in the city.

http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/milwtalksdamato.html?13205

he talks about making farwell a two way street,
i think its a good idea personally,
i hate one way streets, especially big wide ones,
small ones i understand,

well, marcus could at least turn the lights on or something to make it look a little more attractive.

Speaking of lights, I still cringe at the fact that the Milwaukee Center isn't lit up at night. Sunday I drove back from Minneapolis - a city with a far better, more compact skyline - and I yearned to see a bright skyline when Milwaukee came over the horizon. On the contrary, when I drove back in along I-94, I could barely make out one of our tallest buildings. Ridiculous.

That population boost, by the way, is freaking awesome.

http://onmilwaukee.com/politics/articles/milwtalksdamato.html?13205

he talks about making farwell a two way street,
i think its a good idea personally,
i hate one way streets, especially big wide ones,
small ones i understand,

Two-way traffic on Farwell and Prospect is an idiotic idea. They were made one-way for good reason. Not only would that entirely screw up one of the city's busiest bus routes (the 30), it would get rid of a fair amount of parking, undo the beautiful bike lanes that currently exist and cause serious traffic issues across the entire East Side. D'Amato wants light rail on the East Side but proposes the conversion of the only streets that could house it. It doesn't make any sense.

Well he proposed this idea years ago... though clearly if a streetcar line was running on these roads or planned too then that would be another story.

That said I'm not sure why it would hurt the bike lanes or parking at all. Right now Farwell acts like a freeway through the city which is terrible for business and pedestrians. And yea the idea is in fact to slow the traffic down so yes that would be good.

Well he proposed this idea years ago... though clearly if a streetcar line was running on these roads or planned too then that would be another story.

That said I'm not sure why it would hurt the bike lanes or parking at all. Right now Farwell acts like a freeway through the city which is terrible for business and pedestrians. And yea the idea is in fact to slow the traffic down so yes that would be good.

To accomodate the traffic that currently uses the street, it would have to remove one of the parking lanes. There wouldn't be room for both parking, bike lanes, and two way traffic. A line has been planned for those roads- the Milwaukee Connector. Even if it just ends up as a BRT line, it will need a dedicated lane for part of the way, especially if Farwell is turned two-way, as traffic would increase.

Without removing the parking lane or bike lanes you would have the same number of cars (or less as people find different routes - which is what always happens when capacity is decreased) with less lanes... it would slow them down... which is the point of the idea. And if you made both streets two-ways you would have exactly the same amount of lanes in both directions. My point about D'Amato is that he has had this idea for years now... it's older than the connector plan.

That said if we were to truly be doing BRT with a true dedicated lane for the bus then leaving it one-way is probably best. Though I don't believe the current COMET plan actually calls for truly dedicated lanes on Farwell or Prospect.

Ok, thought it was part of the same acquisition as the land to the north along Wells, which I was under the impression was owned by Wisconsin Energy.

We Energies doesn't own any land on Wells Street behind the Grand Theatre, either.

We Energies doesn't own any land on Wells Street behind the Grand Theatre, either.

m-k, WISPARK had swapped that land with Towne for the building at 2nd/Wisconsin that was recently renovated. Towne then sold that land to Progeny, a company out of southern california, who now own it. That is probably how you got confused.

WOO HOO, population gain in milwaukee! Its been awhile since those two words were used together hehe. glad to be back over 600,000! And yes i agree, its always nice to see a skyline from the road, it sucks that we can't even pick out buildings at night.

Wasn't the last owner going to do that, too? And what happened to the "high-end retail" that was supposed to come to the corner of 2nd and Wisconsin when that bank building was remodeled? I think the mall needs to spread out into the city more to be successful. A good start would be for the city to use eminent domain against Wisconsin Energy Corp. to get the theatre and grass lots on N. Second across from the mall remodeled. They should work their way south, too, opening the mall up to Michigan and doing something with the empty lots between Michigan and Clybourn.

WISPARK (We Energies development group) is actively seeking developers for their property between Michigan and Clybourn. The L-shaped lot is between 2nd and Plankinton: 200 Block Property (http://www.wispark.com/urban/200BlockProperty.pdf). WISPARK is also marketing the remaining office space in the Matthews Building (building immediately west of the main entrance anchored by OfficeMax). WISPARK does not own any other land or property surrounding the Shops of Grand Avenue other than their corporate offices on Everett and the parking structure south of the Catalyst (Ghazi) project.

m-k, WISPARK had swapped that land with Towne for the building at 2nd/Wisconsin that was recently renovated. Towne then sold that land to Progeny, a company out of southern california, who now own it. That is probably how you got confused.

Yes, the grass lots (735-749 N. 2nd) and surface lots (215 W. Wells and 746 N. Old World Third) were acquired by FB Properties (Towne Realty and other partners) from WISPARK. The adjacent parking lot (738-744 N. Old World Third - next to Martini Mike's) were leased to FB Properties from the Milwaukee Redevelopment Authority in 2005. The city has since reclaimed the 738-744 lot.

The original plan was to develop a hotel or office building on the site. I remember another idea (I believe from the Redevelopment Authority) to build townhouse-style condos or apartments along Wells. Obviously neither proposal got off the ground.

Do you, or anyone else, know of any plans Progeny is considering?

Anyone know the status of this proposed development....The design was real cool - hugging the street and river with parking in the middle....I have seen many articles over the past two years about an impending grounbreaking but, each time, the dates come and go with no progress on the site...Anyone knows what gives????

m-k, WISPARK had swapped that land with Towne for the building at 2nd/Wisconsin that was recently renovated. Towne then sold that land to Progeny, a company out of southern california, who now own it. That is probably how you got confused.

Fair enough, I had never heard about the swap.

Without removing the parking lane or bike lanes you would have the same number of cars (or less as people find different routes - which is what always happens when capacity is decreased) with less lanes... it would slow them down... which is the point of the idea. And if you made both streets two-ways you would have exactly the same amount of lanes in both directions. My point about D'Amato is that he has had this idea for years now... it's older than the connector plan.

That said if we were to truly be doing BRT with a true dedicated lane for the bus then leaving it one-way is probably best. Though I don't believe the current COMET plan actually calls for truly dedicated lanes on Farwell or Prospect.

Right, but people would then move to other nearby streets, Oakland and Lincoln Memorial, for example, which would cause prblems as both already have fairly heavy traffic. The remaining traffic would be more likely to take Farwell than Prospect, which would lead to one street having a much higher level of traffic than the other.

There are better ways to slow traffic down than just making streets two way. The idea is to create a steady stream of slower traffic, not jams. Doing things like bulb outs along both streets, and having better delineated crosswalks would be more successful than just making it two way. As far as a BRT goes, it would be nearly impossible to do a BRT without dedicated lanes if the street is turned two way, as that would slow bus service to a point where it would no longer be BRT.

I don't believe that "having better delineated crosswalks " does much of anything to improve the pedestrian experience or slow traffic. (try crossing wisconsin along the riverwalk). Bulb outs on the street will help but again not to the level of two-ways, maybe with additionally signaled intersections that would slow traffic enough... but Farwell acts like a freeway now and that hurts development/business along it.

"As far as a BRT goes, it would be nearly impossible to do a BRT without dedicated lanes if the street is turned two way, as that would slow bus service to a point where it would no longer be BRT." Yea I was agreeing with that... my point here again is to my knowledge the cities plan doesn't include dedicated lanes.

Clearly were aren't going to agree on this one...

Anyone know the status of this proposed development....The design was real cool - hugging the street and river with parking in the middle....I have seen many articles over the past two years about an impending grounbreaking but, each time, the dates come and go with no progress on the site...Anyone knows what gives????

The latest impending groundbreaking for the Pleasant Street Market has been reported to be "by the end of the year" according to this article (http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=676110) from the Journal Sentinel.

This past summer the proposal was going through design reviews and working out sewer/water easements with the City.

Another historic building at the former Pabst brewery is being sold. An investors group named BC Pabst Holdings is planning to buy "Building 14" (the former Pabst research lab) and plan to rehabilitate its three floors into offices and the penthouse into a conference room. They plan to apply for historic tax credits to help pay for the rehab work. According to the group, there are already three interested possible tenants, undisclosed so far, all of which come from the Milwaukee area.

BC Pabst Holdings consists of Matt Chmura, his brother Mark Chmura (formerly of the Green Bay Packers), and Sonny Bando (son of former Milwaukee Brewers player/manager Sal Bando). The group also already owns two other historic buildings in Downtown Milwaukee--the Germania Building and the Iron Block.

Brewery Project Press Release: Local Firm to Buy Historic Research Building at Old Pabst Brewery (http://www.dailyreporter.com/pdf/pabst-110707.pdf) (PDF file)

Journal Sentinel: Investors buying old Pabst building - Complex's exposure to I-43 hailed as draw for prospective tenants (http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=683823)

Business Journal: Local investors purchase former Pabst lab (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2007/11/05/daily26.html?jst=b_ln_hl)

Daily Reporter: Fourth Pabst Brewery building sold (http://www.dailyreporter.com/item.cfm?recid=20047068&snippet=f)

I was near the old Pfister and Vogel tannery today, and it's nearly gone. It's a spectacular sight, and I wish I had had my camera with me today. Does anyone happen to have any photos of the demolition?

I thought the most interesting part was the effort to get area boomers to stay and retire in the city instead of southern states:

In Milwaukee County, the number of young professional and empty nester households with household incomes of more than $100,000 will increase during the next five years from 24,154 to 35,745, said Tony Smith, the practice leader of Chicago-based S.B. Friedman & Company, which did a detailed analysis of the downtown Milwaukee real estate market earlier this year.

There is a real potential there to re-invent the downtown area as friendly for retirees. I think solid and safe public transit would be a huge factor.

I've moved a few posts re: Catalyst and North End to their respective threads. Obviously, if a project has a dedicated thread, there is no need to post about it in this thread.

-Thanks

Without removing the parking lane or bike lanes you would have the same number of cars (or less as people find different routes - which is what always happens when capacity is decreased) with less lanes... it would slow them down... which is the point of the idea. And if you made both streets two-ways you would have exactly the same amount of lanes in both directions. My point about D'Amato is that he has had this idea for years now... it's older than the connector plan.


Unfortunately, both streets function as STH32 and as a National Highway System route. If they were changed to 2-way streets, then one of the roads would lose the status as a state trunk highway and the associated state/federal funding for future road work. Not to mention that STHs and NHSs need to meet very strict criteria as to what can be done with them. D'Amato is notorious for not understanding the full negative implications of his bright ideas.

I was near the old Pfister and Vogel tannery today, and it's nearly gone. It's a spectacular sight, and I wish I had had my camera with me today. Does anyone happen to have any photos of the demolition?

I have one from last week and a couple from two weeks ago, I'll scrounge them up.

I have one from last week and a couple from two weeks ago, I'll scrounge them up.

That would be great, thanks.

Im new to this skyscrapercity thing....saw all these posts and wanted to be part of it! Anyway, i live in brewers hill and can see the demolition from my balcony and it looks like its almost complete. Can't wait to see the north end become a reality. Its about time.

This is interesting:


Bray is catalyst in the valley
By Elizabeth Hockerman , of SBT

Published November 9, 2007


When Laura Bray took over as executive director of Menomonee Valley Partners Inc. (MVP) in 2004, five years of work to revitalize the valley was just starting to come to fruition and the public was finally able to envision what the valley could offer once its redevelopment was complete.

“The activity has reinforced itself and generated a lot of forward momentum,” said Mick Hatch, a partner in the real estate practice of Milwaukee-based Foley & Lardner LLP and president of the board for MVP. “I think everybody now is a believer in the valley, where seven or eight years ago you could not even get there.”

Hatch was one of the founders of MVP, a public-private partnership established in 1999 to redevelop the once-blighted valley in an economical and environmentally sustainable manner.

Although demolition, road construction, funding and some projects were underway when Bray left the Milwaukee Department of City Development to take the reins at MVP, Bray has been credited with changing the face of the valley.

“(Laura) has lots of energy and enthusiasm, which has become infectious,” Hatch said. “She is able to keep a huge group of people, you might call them stakeholders, involved in and excited about the valley.”

In addition to more than 20 board members, MVP works with hundreds of volunteers and businesses located in and around the valley, Hatch said.

“She works with the city, the county and the state,” Hatch said. “She has even gone to Washington several times and helped us obtain federal funding for the valley.”

For her work in her quasi-public office, Bray is the recipient of the 2007 Robert B. Bell Sr. Best Public Partner Award. The award is given annually by the Robert B. Bell Sr. Real Estate Chair at Marquette University and Small Business Times to a person in the public sector who is an advocate for commercial real estate development in southeastern Wisconsin.

From 1998 to the beginning of 2007, about $149 million of public infrastructure investments and $541 million in private investments have gone into the valley and its business improvement district, excluding Miller Park, Bray said. The public investments include the $50 million Sixth Street bridge and the $52 million extension of Canal Street. Both projects improved access to the valley.

When it was established in 1999, Menomonee Valley Partners was charged with developing a 140-acre area at the west end of the valley, known as the Menomonee Valley Industrial Center (MVIC). From the beginning, 50 percent of that land was dedicated to trails, parks, open space, storm water treatment and remaining interior roads. That left 60 acres available for manufacturing companies to purchase.

The MVIC has attracted several businesses, and MVP recently announced that only 38 acres remain available for sale there.

“Part of my job is to educate and work with (the property owners), because not only are we saving the businesses money, but we are setting them up to get the biggest bang for their commercial real estate (dollar), from tax base, to the number of jobs at a site, to building capacity being better here than anywhere in southeastern Wisconsin,” Bray said.

Highlights of development that have occurred in the valley in recent years included: the Potawatomi Bingo Casino, which is building a $240 million, 500,000-square-foot expansion; the $95 million, 130,000-square-foot Harley-Davidson Museum that is under construction; the new, 21,600-square-foot Badger Railing Inc. facility; Caleffi North America Inc., which moved from Franklin to a new 35,000-square-foot facility in the valley; Taylor Dynamometer Inc., which plans to move from New Berlin to a new 43,350-square-foot production plant that is under construction in the valley; Palermo Villa Inc.’s new 135,000-square-foot production plant and Proven Direct Inc.’s plans to move from Menomonee Falls to occupy part of a 144,000-square-foot building being developed by Ziegler-Bence in the valley.

In addition, Wauwatosa-based Derse Inc., recently announced that it plans to move to a 160,000-square-foot building that will be built in the MVIC.

One of the current focuses for MVP is fundraising for the redevelopment of the Airline Yards, which consists of property south of the river near the railroad tracks. Once completed, people will be able to go there to take advantage of a park made with earthen mounds recycled from debris from the Marquette Interchange reconstruction. The park also will include river access and the Hank Aaron State Trail. The project will cost an estimated $50 million, Bray said. MVP has already raised $40 million with city, state and federal investments. A capital campaign is a strong possibility to raise the remaining $10 million, she said.

Meanwhile, MVP is also working hard to sell off the remaining 38 acres in the MVIC to industrial and manufacturing companies who have a certain number of employees, pay a certain hourly wage and will serve as a catalytic addition to the current businesses in the valley, Bray said.

“This is critical land and it makes a better place for employers to attract new employees in the labor market,” Bray said. “Now is the time to develop in the valley.”

Previous winners of the Robert B. Bell Sr. Best Public Partner Award have included: John Antaramian, former mayor of Kenosha; Gordon Kacala, executive director of the Racine County Economic Development Corp. (RCEDC); Richard Maslowski, Glendale’s city administrator; and West Milwaukee Village President Ronald Hayward and Village Administrator Tim Freitag.

The award is named after the late Robert B. Bell Sr., who was a significant developer of commercial real estate in northern Illinois. His son, Peter Bell, is developing the Pabst Farms project in Oconomowoc.

Im new to this skyscrapercity thing....saw all these posts and wanted to be part of it! Anyway, i live in brewers hill and can see the demolition from my balcony and it looks like its almost complete. Can't wait to see the north end become a reality. Its about time.

Hey cityboy, welcome to the forum!

Welcome cityboy!!

Yes, I agree. Welcome onboard the forums, cityboy!

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/nov07/amtrak_111207_big.jpg

Whitney Gould

At night, when its prismatic glass face and bold, diagonal beams are awash with light, you have to pinch yourself: Can this possibly be Milwaukee's old Amtrak station?

Well, yes and no. The bones of the 1965 station are still there. But the railroad depot, now the "Milwaukee Intermodal Station," has had a $16.9 million makeover so breathtaking that passengers who knew this only as a decrepit eyesore must wonder if they're really in Milwaukee.

JSonline: From the bones of a mid-century dud, a gleaming gem arises (http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=684930)

Well, yes and no. The bones of the 1965 station are still there. But the railroad depot, now the "Milwaukee Intermodal Station," has had a $16.9 million makeover so breathtaking that passengers who knew this only as a decrepit eyesore must wonder if they're really in Milwaukee.

Her prose is astoundingly sad. I liked the mid-century modern lines of the old station. Granted it doesn't work too well for modern purposes but it doesn't deserve the trash heap that she would place it on. I even have a soft place in my heart for the former DDR Palace of the Republic.

She is a hater. :(

At night, when its prismatic glass face and bold, diagonal beams are awash with light, you have to pinch yourself: Can this possibly be Milwaukee's old Amtrak station?

Well, yes and no. The bones of the 1965 station are still there. But the railroad depot, now the "Milwaukee Intermodal Station," has had a $16.9 million makeover so breathtaking that passengers who knew this only as a decrepit eyesore must wonder if they're really in Milwaukee.

I think the train shed in back, which the state neglected to remodel will remind them of the fact that they're still in Milwaukee. Who in their right mind decides to remodel a train station but forgets about the platforms? The article says that there wasn't enough money to remodel the platforms, but, as a former regular rail commuter, I should think that would be the most important part.

Who in their right mind decides to remodel a train station but forgets about the platforms?

Chicago.

Union's platforms and whole underground facility are just a terrible hellhole.

Ogilvie is nice though.

I think the train shed in back, which the state neglected to remodel will remind them of the fact that they're still in Milwaukee. Who in their right mind decides to remodel a train station but forgets about the platforms? The article says that there wasn't enough money to remodel the platforms, but, as a former regular rail commuter, I should think that would be the most important part.

They did not forget or neglect to remodel the train shed and platforms. They are part of Phase II for the Intermodal Station project, which will be completed in a couple of years. WisDOT has been working on plans for the new shed/platforms, and is also waiting to hear back from the Feds about how they should be upgraded for ADA compliance.

Her prose is astoundingly sad. I liked the mid-century modern lines of the old station. Granted it doesn't work too well for modern purposes but it doesn't deserve the trash heap that she would place it on. I even have a soft place in my heart for the former DDR Palace of the Republic.

She is a hater. :(

More power to you, but the station before being remodeled was UUUGLY!

They did not forget or neglect to remodel the train shed and platforms. They are part of Phase II for the Intermodal Station project, which will be completed in a couple of years. WisDOT has been working on plans for the new shed/platforms, and is also waiting to hear back from the Feds about how they should be upgraded for ADA compliance.

My point is that platform areas should come first and the be followed up by a waiting room renovation. How could it possibly matter if they are ADA compliant when Amtrak trains are not designed to be handicapped accessiable? There is no way that platforms could change that.

My point is that platform areas should come first and the be followed up by a waiting room renovation. How could it possibly matter if they are ADA compliant when Amtrak trains are not designed to be handicapped accessiable? There is no way that platforms could change that.

Amtrak trains are handicapped accessible. Changing the design of the platforms would change how they are accessible and ADA-compliant. Going from low-level platforms with lifts to reach the floor level of railcars (which is what is done now) to high-level platforms for easy roll-on accessibility is one possibility. That is a challenging issue, however, since different trains using the station have railcars with different floor levels. Then there is the issue of how to go about cross-platform circulation (new ADA-compliant ramps/tunnels or an over-the-track skywalk/elevators, for example). But the platform renovation project is waiting for the Feds on some direction regarding those issues.

Full Story: Central city housing development to Move Forward (http://www.biztimes.com/news/2007/11/9/central-city-housing-development-ready-to-move-forward)
Small Business Times

http://www.biztimes.com/nf/uploads/Image/11.9.07issue/bbiz/legacy.jpg

The Legacy, a new housing development of 51 new single-family homes and at least 48 condominium town homes on vacant lots between North 21st and 24th streets, West Brown Street and West Garfield Avenue in Milwaukee’s central city, will start taking shape in the coming months.

The project is a partnership between Wauwatosa-based Irgens Development Partners LLC, Milwaukee-based Williams Development Corp. and Legacy Redevelopment Corp., which does business as Legacy Development Partners.

Amtrak trains are handicapped accessible. Changing the design of the platforms would change how they are accessible and ADA-compliant. Going from low-level platforms with lifts to reach the floor level of railcars (which is what is done now) to high-level platforms for easy roll-on accessibility is one possibility. That is a challenging issue, however, since different trains using the station have railcars with different floor levels. Then there is the issue of how to go about cross-platform circulation (new ADA-compliant ramps/tunnels or an over-the-track skywalk/elevators, for example). But the platform renovation project is waiting for the Feds on some direction regarding those issues.

They're seriously considering high platforms? That would be a great asset if we ever get commuter rail. Here's to hoping...

Full Story: Central city housing development to Move Forward (http://www.biztimes.com/news/2007/11/9/central-city-housing-development-ready-to-move-forward)
Small Business Times
http://www.biztimes.com/nf/uploads/Image/11.9.07issue/bbiz/legacy.jpg



Why do these renderings look nothing alike? Here's hoping they're not on the same block. Sign me up for #1 though, #2 looks like the Menards plans for build your own house.

Thanks Paule, djcody, and brewcityfan for your warm welcome to the forum. I've always been a freak about development in this city and it looks like i found the right place to be. I was an intern under Norquist and there was no turning back! Anyway, just wondering if anyone knows what Ben Ashkenazy plans on doing with the grand ave. now that Ghazi is doing Catalyst next door? I heard plans of major retail new to the area...but still all the silence. Imho The Grand needs a major overhaul. This would include some destination retail and/or entertainment. But can downtown support it?:D

Thanks Paule, djcody, and brewcityfan for your warm welcome to the forum. I've always been a freak about development in this city and it looks like i found the right place to be. I was an intern under Norquist and there was no turning back! Anyway, just wondering if anyone knows what Ben Ashkenazy plans on doing with the grand ave. now that Ghazi is doing Catalyst next door? I heard plans of major retail new to the area...but still all the silence. Imho The Grand needs a major overhaul. This would include some destination retail and/or entertainment. But can downtown support it?:D

We've talked at length about the Grand Avenue renovation. It might be slightly annoying but if you page back a bit - not sure how far - you'll find all kinds of renderings and speculations about what's going to happen there. As far as your question of whether downtown can support it? The answer is yes.

Can anyone with a subscription to biztimes at least provide a synopsis as to what was discussed in their recent article on Grand Ave?

Can anyone with a subscription to biztimes at least provide a synopsis as to what was discussed in their recent article on Grand Ave?

The recent article in the Business Journal (from last week or the week before?) did not really say anything new about the Grand Avenue plans. The majority of the article was actually a rundown of the other malls around the country that they own.

Ahh, good to know. Thanks!

Why do these renderings look nothing alike? Here's hoping they're not on the same block. Sign me up for #1 though, #2 looks like the Menards plans for build your own house.

:lol: I was thinking the same exact thing! I don't know if we can trust Menards for quality homes...

I caught a piece of a show on the History Channel and they were talking about a redevelopment of a Pabst brewery area. I assume this is in Milwaukee, since that is where Pabst started. The project seemed huge; several buildings will undergo renovations, from brewery buildings to churches and other stuff.

Can anyone tell me about this? Are there any renderings? Can someone show me on a map where this is going on (never been anywhere in Wisconsin, don't know what is what in Milwaukee)?

http://www.thebrewerymke.com/index.htm

We've talked at length about the Grand Avenue renovation. It might be slightly annoying but if you page back a bit - not sure how far - you'll find all kinds of renderings and speculations about what's going to happen there. As far as your question of whether downtown can support it? The answer is yes.
__________________
Thanks Mark.. I think downtown can support it as well. There's such a hole in the downtown retail landscape.

#2 looks like the Menards plans for build your own house.

Haha, nice. I agree!

Just to add a little perspective on the Ghazi proposal, just remember what was planned for the site just a year or so ago.


------

This is a preliminary rendering of the current Sheraton proposal, looking at the corner of N. 4th Street and W. Wisconsin Avenue.
http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/apr04/sherbig041104.jpg

Just to add a little perspective on the Ghazi proposal, just remember what was planned for the site just a year or so ago.


------

This is a preliminary rendering of the current Sheraton proposal, looking at the corner of N. 4th Street and W. Wisconsin Avenue.
http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/apr04/sherbig041104.jpg
I haven't posted in a while. But, I must say that that Sheraton proposal is HIDEOUS!!! I've seen better parking garages than that! What a shame!

Yeah.. thank God that didn't get built

I haven't posted in a while. But, I must say that that Sheraton proposal is HIDEOUS!!! I've seen better parking garages than that! What a shame!


uhhh...you do know that's not getting built, right?

Just to add a little perspective on the Ghazi proposal, just remember what was planned for the site just a year or so ago.


------

This is a preliminary rendering of the current Sheraton proposal, looking at the corner of N. 4th Street and W. Wisconsin Avenue.
http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/apr04/sherbig041104.jpg


Wow. Our city really missed out on a golden opportunity when that building never got off the ground. I mean, 50 years from now our city's future movers and shakers will dig up this design, and wisftully shake their heads wondering what could have been, had this glorious gem of a building been built. O the wasted potential! THIS CITY NEEDS TO GET ON THE BALL NOW OR WITHER AWAY.

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/nov07/goulcol_111907_big.jpg
Retiring, not tiring of quality design
Posted: Nov. 18, 2007
Whitney Gould

By the time you read this I will have retired.

The word sticks in my throat. I have never been accused of being a retiring person, and I don't plan to start acting like one now. But as I told my editors, I don't want to be coming to work until I'm as old as Andy Rooney.

Since this is my last regular column for the Journal Sentinel (I hope to contribute occasional pieces later on, as the spirit moves me), please indulge me in some parting thoughts:

Full Story: Journal Sentinel (http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=687550)

^^ That's sad news... I look forward to her column more than any other.

Just to add a little perspective on the Ghazi proposal, just remember what was planned for the site just a year or so ago.


------

This is a preliminary rendering of the current Sheraton proposal, looking at the corner of N. 4th Street and W. Wisconsin Avenue.
http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/apr04/sherbig041104.jpg

My monitor screen just cracked thanks to that image!

Wow. Our city really missed out on a golden opportunity when that building never got off the ground. I mean, 50 years from now our city's future movers and shakers will dig up this design, and wisftully shake their heads wondering what could have been, had this glorious gem of a building been built. O the wasted potential! THIS CITY NEEDS TO GET ON THE BALL NOW OR WITHER AWAY.


What a beautiful lament.

uhhh...you do know that's not getting built, right?
I do now! :)

I know Gould gets alot of grief around here, but I will miss her column as well.

Here's hoping they find a good replacement.

I know Gould gets alot of grief around here, but I will miss her column as well.

Here's hoping they find a good replacement.

I don't really like her; I thought many of her columns were snobby. But I always did read them. Hopefully they continue with a similar column.

I think Milwaukee was lucky to have a full time architecture critic, abrasive as she was. She single-handedly stopped a blatant ripoff of the Calatrava from manifesting itself as Pier Wisconsin/Discovery World. I will miss her words, to be sure.

I don't really like her; I thought many of her columns were snobby. But I always did read them. Hopefully they continue with a similar column.

People often take intelligent people as being snobby.

^^
Very true indeed.

Whitney Gould may have been extremely critical of those projects with a less than inspiring design, however her voice was a necessary influence and often effective in retooling some projects or eliminating potential disasters from ever becoming a reality. Her insight was particularly useful in making Milwaukee reach higher and do better than what has been done in the past and I applaud her efforts and her role in our community.

:cheers: to Ms. Gould

People often take intelligent people as being snobby.

I actually almost always agreed with Gould, and enjoyed her columns very much. That said, I can also see how she'd come across as a bit snobbish, it's a fair enough point.

Beyond that, and I'm not sure you were trying to insult Kramerica, but for what it's worth, I've known him for 24 years now, and it would not surprise me at all if he's the most intelligent forumer on this thread. Certainly, any opinions he'd have of Gould are not because her views are above him.

Has anyone heard any updates about The Moderne? Weren't they supposed to break ground in November?

Has anyone heard any updates about The Moderne? Weren't they supposed to break ground in November?

The Moderne's developer has said they need to pre-sell 30-50% of the units before they can get a construction loan. A sales center was put up on the site a few months back, and there is a website for the Moderne (http://www.themoderne.net/) online, but it is only partially completed.

The North End---Finalized!

http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=1&date=11/21/2007&id=32107

Mandel to start construction on North End


Mandel Group Inc. announced today that it has completed its financing for the first phase of The North End, a $185 million residential development along the Milwaukee River, in the Park East area.

Construction will begin immediately upon completion of demolition work at the site, south of E. Pleasant St. and just west of N. Water St. Demolition began in July, and should be finished by the end of December.

Financing for The North End's first phase was provided by Johnson Bank and M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank. The project is being built on an 8.5-acre site of the former Pfister & Vogel tannery, which closed in 2000.

The development's initial phase will have 83 apartments and 15,000 square feet of neighborhood retail space. Initial interest in the project has been high, with over 300 inquiries received on Mandel Group's Web site, according to the firm's statement.

Future portions of The North End's first phase, scheduled to begin in the spring, include 142 condominiums and a public square at the corner of N. Water and E. Pleasant Streets.

The entire North End development is planned to include 500 housing units and over 25,000 square feet of retail space, to be constructed over five to seven years.

It will be among the largest developments in the 64-acre Park East redevelopment area, which runs along downtown's northern edge. The Park East area includes privately owned vacant lots, as well as 16 acres, owned by Milwaukee County, that were made available for development when the Park East Freeway stub was razed.

The City of Milwaukee is providing $8.4 million for the project, mainly to build a riverwalk and other public improvements. That money will be repaid through The North End's property taxes.

It's a little strange walking past the north end right now as all the buildings are gone just piles of debris now...

A couple shots of the in-fill along the river (w/ hospital construction in background):
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/5691/riverpx5.jpg

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/6007/river2wl6.jpg

^^
Nice pictures i.a.h. Thank you.

I can't believe no one has posted this yet!!!

http://www.biztimes.com/news/2007/11/23/st-johns-plans-20-story-senior-apartment-tower

^^ Just what we need. More slow drivers.. :P

ok I kid. Good news!

Thanks Warder, I had not seen this rendering before. I like the looks and tie-in to existing structure. From the lake, there are a number of projects that will expand the skyline considerably north of downtown. Milwaukee is truly building it's own Gold Coast that will rival any city.

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

^^ Between that, the Breakwater and Park Lafayette, this view will improve quite a bit:

And it's already awesome!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2384/2062637832_5392182936_o.jpg

hydrogen, when did you take those pictures? i was just there friday afternoon.

Don't forget Columbia St. Mary's, which, while not as tall as those, will certainly be visible from the lakefront. And there are several other towers in the works for prospect that just haven't made major announcements yet.

They mention that the main entrance to St. John's will be facing the lake. I hope that doesn't mean this building will completely turn it's back to prospect and have an uninviting west face at street level.

http://www.hsidevelopment.com/images/bg_bcv4.jpg
City Approves Sale of Valley Land to HSI (http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=20&date=11/21/2007&id=32126)

The Milwaukee Common Council approved an agreement to sell 8.1 acres of land in the Menomonee Valley to HSI Development Partners LLC for construction of an office and light-manufacturing facility, the company said today.

HSI will begin construction in early 2008 on a $10 million, 160,000-square-foot facility that will be leased to Derse Inc., a Wauwatosa company that makes high-tech, large-scale exhibition booths.

The proposed building's design, created by Eppstein Uhen Architects, incorporates precast concrete and glass materials. Derse will move into its new headquarters by as early as summer 2008.

They mention that the main entrance to St. John's will be facing the lake. I hope that doesn't mean this building will completely turn it's back to prospect and have an uninviting west face at street level.

I think the building will look nice all the way around. The rendering posted on the previous page is seen from the lake though. The "addition" will be built on the parking lot to the south of the existing structure, about 100 yards south of the intersection of Prospect and Kane.

hydrogen, when did you take those pictures? i was just there friday afternoon.

Friday afternoon.

I can't believe no one has posted this yet!!!

http://www.biztimes.com/news/2007/11/23/st-johns-plans-20-story-senior-apartment-tower

From the article...

The new apartments will require entrance fees ranging from $270,000 to almost $500,000, with monthly fees ranging from $3,000 to $4,400 for single residents. “Signature” apartments will have entrance fees of about $600,000, Eilers said.
Maybe I'm dumb, but can someone explain this to me because this can't be right the way I'm understanding it. They are going to charge a one time fee of anywhere from $270,000 to $600,000, then after that the people must pay anywhere from $3,000 to $4,400 a month in monthly fees/rent? Are these guys smoking crack!?!?

They are going to charge a one time fee of anywhere from $270,000 to $600,000, then after that the people must pay anywhere from $3,000 to $4,400 a month in monthly fees/rent? Are these guys smoking crack!?!?

It's a retirement community targeted toward wealthy seniors, and they have assisted living and nursing care, plus a bunch of other amenities, plus utilities. That's what the monthly fees are for.

Did anyone catch that the new Amtrak station officially opened today?

I was there yesterday. It is really nice. I'm glad to see that all the buses that used the old station are there now. I don't understand why Badger isn't though.

I hope the city rebuilds 5th St. ASAP. The three block walk to the Midwest center is not pleasant.

I had a chance to do some exploring for the first time in many months. I discovered that there is a section of riverwalk on the Menominee right across from the post office. It also bends around into the canal right across from the H-D museum. I had no idea it was there. I was walking around First Place and found a tunnel (well lit and fairly clean, but tagged by gangpunks and it needs sweeping). It comes out next to Downtown Mini Warehouse, which I stored my stuff in for a while after I moved from Milwaukee 25 years ago. Go across 1st into the lane and go all the way back. There is a little park and then the canal. I think it's all part of the MMSD office.

I first discovered Milwaukee when I started at Marquette in 1978. The changes since then are so unbelievable! I am really proud of Milwaukee for getting so much wonderful stuff accomplished. Just driving around it seems like another city.

I think the Christmas lights are cool, too.

I think the Christmas lights are cool, too.

The new blue lights on Wisconsin Ave. are really nice, I'm glad they upgraded them. Does anyone have a picture?

I am loving the Christmas lights this year, especially on the east side of the River. The display in Cathedral Square is especially sublime.

The lights along Wisconsin Avenue are the best I've seen yet. The lights in Pere Marquette park, however, need some upgrading.

It's a retirement community targeted toward wealthy seniors, and they have assisted living and nursing care, plus a bunch of other amenities, plus utilities. That's what the monthly fees are for.

Well then I'm just ignorant on how expensive it will be. I hope I die before I get old!

I was there yesterday. It is really nice. I'm glad to see that all the buses that used the old station are there now. I don't understand why Badger isn't though.

I hope the city rebuilds 5th St. ASAP. The three block walk to the Midwest center is not pleasant.

I had a chance to do some exploring for the first time in many months. I discovered that there is a section of riverwalk on the Menominee right across from the post office. It also bends around into the canal right across from the H-D museum. I had no idea it was there. I was walking around First Place and found a tunnel (well lit and fairly clean, but tagged by gangpunks and it needs sweeping). It comes out next to Downtown Mini Warehouse, which I stored my stuff in for a while after I moved from Milwaukee 25 years ago. Go across 1st into the lane and go all the way back. There is a little park and then the canal. I think it's all part of the MMSD office.

I first discovered Milwaukee when I started at Marquette in 1978. The changes since then are so unbelievable! I am really proud of Milwaukee for getting so much wonderful stuff accomplished. Just driving around it seems like another city.

I think the Christmas lights are cool, too.
And it's not that Milwaukee has been working hard at improving itself from 1978 to now. During both the 70s and much of the 80s it seemed that nothing was being done. If you ask me, it wasn't till the 90s when citizens in Milwaukee became determined to not let their city die. It was during the 90s when the city really began to change for the good!

I am loving the Christmas lights this year, especially on the east side of the River. The display in Cathedral Square is especially sublime.

The lights along Wisconsin Avenue are the best I've seen yet. The lights in Pere Marquette park, however, need some upgrading.
I'd like to make a request for some pics of the christmas lights, please!

Eriol> Yup that's MMSDs complex there, a good spot to take photos of HD and oddly I see people fishing there all the time too.

Three new hotels proposed near airport: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=690192

Paule, I completely agree with you with regard to Milwaukee really turning the corner in the 90s through today. In fact, the city, surrounding community, even the state seems to push harder every day to turn Milwaukee into what it can and should be. It's quite an exciting time to live here.

About the Christmas lights... they're FAR better than what we used to have. I cringe at the thought of those bulky, clumsy, fake pine branches draping across Wisconsin Avenue with thirty 80s-style Christmas lights working 24% of the time. I swear they hauled that crap out of some grandma's basement in South Milwaukee every year. Now we've got sleek blue and silver LED rings over fancy-pants stars and matching wreaths on all the light poles. It's definitely a significant upgrade.

Paule, I completely agree with you with regard to Milwaukee really turning the corner in the 90s through today. In fact, the city, surrounding community, even the state seems to push harder every day to turn Milwaukee into what it can and should be. It's quite an exciting time to live here.
That's because people in the rest of the state realise that where Milwaukee goes, the rest of the state follows. Madison is growing fast in both numbers and influence (nationally), but it's still an island all to itself. And that isn't just a Wisconsin thing because there aren't too many places in the Midwest where you will find another city like Madison. The rest of the state knows that. And they also know that Milwaukee is more a city that we connect with, we're not white collar, we're blue collar like Milwaukeeans are.

Also, with all the new developments in and around the downtown area, the future looks most promising for the city. It's actually very exciting to see the city growing and improving the way that it has. A decade from now, after all the improvements, Milwaukee is going to be different, there is going to be more people living downtown, shopping downtown, and finding things to do downtown. God I wish I lived in Milwaukee!


About the Christmas lights... they're FAR better than what we used to have. I cringe at the thought of those bulky, clumsy, fake pine branches draping across Wisconsin Avenue with thirty 80s-style Christmas lights working 24% of the time. I swear they hauled that crap out of some grandma's basement in South Milwaukee every year. Now we've got sleek blue and silver LED rings over fancy-pants stars and matching wreaths on all the light poles. It's definitely a significant upgrade.
Does that mean you will post a few pics here!?!? You, Mark, are the one who would give us the best quality...

Three new hotels proposed near airport: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=690192

You know, it seems like forever that we have heard how Milwaukee doesn't have enough hotel rooms and that it lags behind others cities, and how this effects what kind of conventions the city will attract. I have to say, that if all these hotel proposals go through and get built, not just these 3 by the airport but the ones on the whole milwaukee area, that Milwaukee should be right up to where they should be concerning available hotel rooms.

I'm not sure about all the proposals, but does anyone have a current count on rooms that are proposed and or being built?

This is your best summary of the hotel proposals...this is just downtown though. This is slightly dated, but the best available: http://www.mkedcd.org/news/2007/HVSMarketStudyProposedFullServiceHotels060607.pdf

Does that mean you will post a few pics here!?!? You, Mark, are the one who would give us the best quality...

I was going to take some photographs last night but didn't get around to it. Hopefully I'll get out tonight but it sounds like the weather is gonna be junk. I'll get around to it one of these days... we still have a few weeks until Christmas!

Parking deal clears hurdle for Park East developers

Ruvin Development Inc., Gatehouse Capital Corp. and Hicks Holdings cleared a major hurdle for their two proposed Park East corridor projects by reaching a parking deal with the city that was approved last week by the Milwaukee Common Council.

The city will provide the development group with spaces in the parking garage at North Fourth Street and Highland Avenue, which was built in 1987 to provide parking for the Bradley Center and the surrounding area.

The 980-space parking garage has been underutilized since it was built, said Dorinda Floyd, the administrative services director for the Department of Public Works. The garage is only about 43-percent occupied during the day, and an average of only 415 spaces are used during special events at the Bradley Center.

"Our goal is to fill the structure," Floyd said. "We felt we had the capacity to meet the developers' needs."

In the parking structure, the developers will lease a mix of spaces for daytime users, spaces for people who need to use them 24 hours a day and spaces for hotel guests.

The developers need the spaces for $206 million in projects they are planning in the Park East corridor. In the vacant 300 block of West McKinley Avenue, the developers plan to build a 180-room Kimpton Hotel, 72 luxury condominiums, street level retail space, a spa, a health club, a night club, a restaurant and a 327-space parking structure.

In the 1200 block of North Old World Third Street, currently used as a parking lot, they plan to build a 160-room Aloft Hotel by W, 13 condominiums, parking for the condominiums, banquet space and street level retail space.

The project also includes the acquisition and renovation of the Riverfront Plaza building, at 1110 N. Old World Third St., totaling $12 million over a five-year period to accommodate a new restaurant (Kincaid's Fish, Chop and Steak House, which will open in early March) plus updates to common areas, lobbies, restrooms and the building's exterior.

The parking deal with the city will provide spaces for the two new developments and Kincaid's said Rob Ruvin, the owner of Ruvin Development.

"It really benefits all three developments," he said.

Construction for the Aloft building is expected to break ground this winter and construction for the Sydney Hih block, which includes the Kimpton hotel, should break ground in the spring or summer, he said.

The developers are still in negotiations with city officials about tax incremental financing (TIF) assistance Ruvin said. Site conditions including underground freeway foundations and underground utilities make development of the site more complex and costly, which necessitates TIF assistance, he said.

"Any developer that builds on the site would be facing the same thing," Ruvin said.

In addition, Ruvin said the former Gipfel Brewery building will not be part of the Sydney Hih block project and instead will be moved to a parking lot between Vecchio Bar & Grille, 1137 N. Old World Third St., and Asian Mart, 1125 N. Old World Third St. The Gipfel Brewery will be redeveloped into a restaurant, bar or other retail use Ruvin said

That is fantastic news, the Ruvin development could be a great centerpiece for that area. Also, glad to see the Gipfel is being saved, even if they have to move it again.

also it seems that the gipfel building will be more appropriately in place on third street
with other old buildings
hard to imagine that some developers do have a soul!

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/3268/img8974jh9.jpg

Great shot, Mark. I really like the blue stars they have hanging over the middle of the intersections this year. They're sublime.

Nice job, Mark. These lights look much better than those plastic candles which were straight out of the 70s. (Or do they still have those?)

Nice job, Mark. These lights look much better than those plastic candles which were straight out of the 70s. (Or do they still have those?)

Thanks! And no, the plastic candles have gone the way of the dinosaur along with all the other disgusting crap we used to "proudly" display over Wisconsin Avenue.

http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=1&date=11/29/2007&id=32416

Office, condo project planned downtown
A local business operator plans to build an eight-story office, condominium and retail building on a downtown lot overlooking the Milwaukee River.

Russell Davis, who operates Vecchio Bar and Grill, Lakefront Palm Garden and Riverwalk Boat Tours, has proposed the development for a city-owned lot at 1027 N. Edison St. The building would be just south of the Highland Ave. foot bridge.

The building would contain a restaurant on the first floor, a banquet hall on the second floor, offices on the third floor, and residential condos on floors four through eight, according to plans filed with the Department of City Development. The project also would have one level of underground parking.

Davis wants to buy the 19,985-square-foot lot for $540,000. The Common Council's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee will consider that request at its Tuesday meeting.

http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=1&date=11/29/2007&id=32416

That's actually a great location, that footbridge gets a ton of traffic.

I hope the plan goes through.

Isn't that the location of the former Ovation Plaza proposal?

Isn't that the location of the former Ovation Plaza proposal?

The site was being considered for the River Tower high-rise proposal a few years back. That fell through because it could not obtain financing. After that, developers behind the Ovation Plaza proposal considered using the site in combination with the warehouse building next door and the Marcus Center Garage site across the street, but that was dropped early on (afterwards various OP proposals scaled back to only using the garage site, until the proposal was dropped all together earlier this year; the Marcus Center has since issued a new request for proposals on the garage site).

More info, with rendering, available here: http://legistar.milwaukee.gov/attachments/234bdb33-6e02-4a65-a992-dabab6ef45e8.doc

http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=1&date=11/29/2007&id=32416

Yawn. This may be big news in Sheboygan, but it's just another undersized proposal that lessens the chances of other, more significant deals from happening. Yes, it represents development, but very minimalistic and short-sighted. I hope it does not go through.

Yawn. This may be big news in Sheboygan, but it's just another undersized proposal that lessens the chances of other, more significant deals from happening. Yes, it represents development, but very minimalistic and short-sighted. I hope it does not go through.

That parcel would never see a highrise anyhow. Its a side street with a bunch of residential over along the river. The renderings posted above actually make it look like a nice project.

Any high-rise on that site would need significant underground parking. Doing that right next to a river is pretty expensive. No this won't be a landmark building, but it is good, feasible, infill that will further activate the river.

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/9455/edisongreen01es5.jpg

^ This preliminary sketch of the Edison Green proposal shows several nice aspects of the design. The RiverWalk would be extended along the site, linking up to the pedestrian bridge and plaza. The restaurant's dining deck overlooks the river and new boat docks (which no doubt would be used by the boats the developer already owns for his river tour business), and they are accessible via ramp and mechanical lift. There are some nice sustainable design features incorporated into the building as well: lots of glass to maximize natural daylighting, photovoltaic panels and small wind turbines to generate electricity, green roofs to deal with runoff and insulation, and rain gardens to handle runoff.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/milwunseen/clip_image002.gif

I like this proposal a lot. What makes a great city are numerous high quality infill projects like this one. It will enliven the whole section of Riverwalk near the Highland Avenue footbridge. I can picture Bucks fans crossing the footbridge after a game and going to eat and drink at this eatery at the river's edge. After eating and imbibing there they could take a water taxi to any of the numerous restaurants or watering holes up and down the River. It's not a big "look at me" kind of building. But it's of good quality.

I agree, just because its only 8 stories doesn't make it bad. Nice design. Was just over the bridge for the bucks game after eating at the Water Street Brewery. Lots of action in that area and it helped the bucks downed the mavericks what a game!

I like it, great infill!

Have there been any renderings released for the Aloft building?

There are bigger gaps in this city that need to be filled... but I really like that this high quality looking building is filling in this lot. I can recall several scenarios similar to this:

It's River Splash and I have some friends from out of town with me. We decide to go from Water Street to Old World Third or vise versa. We leave water and go to highland and approach the pedestrian bridge. Suddenly people feel like they're out of the way, out of the party, off the beaten path almost... thus this means a good time to mess with another passing group, pee on that warehouse (Because after all, you're not in very public area... right??), or other such not so good things. Then we continue on across the bridge and we're on highland again... except on this side with the buildings and restaurant there it seems like we're back in the mix.

If this new building was there, it would take that whole weird perception out of that little walk whether it's Riversplash or some random Tuesday night.

Plus it's a nice looking building too. :)

I sure wish there was some way to force the River Walk norht past those townhouses. it seems to me that the state law about waterways and lake beds ought to be in play here. Meaning the owners can't prevent the city from using that bank for whatever they want.

skyking> Actually I would say smaller infill projects like this actually make the likelyhood of large projects more likely. Currently within the downtown area there is so much vacant land available that the demand to go up isn't that strong but as small projects fillup lots the demand to go up should become more likely.

What makes a great city are numerous high quality infill projects like this one.

I couldn't agree more. I'd rather see the Park East area entirely built out than have a couple of glassy 600-foot buildings be constructed. Filling in the urban fabric of downtown with projects like this one is far more important.

Speaking of the riverwalk, I think it would be nice to have it extend all the way to the new UWM Dorms on the west side of the river. Think of the exposure that freshmen would get to a downtown lifestyle by having that kind of amenity available. I am sure that it would also create a greater demand for downtown living in future years when they students begin to earn money.

ps. check out the new terrain view on google maps.

Speaking of the riverwalk, I think it would be nice to have it extend all the way to the new UWM Dorms on the west side of the river. Think of the exposure that freshmen would get to a downtown lifestyle by having that kind of amenity available. I am sure that it would also create a greater demand for downtown living in future years when they students begin to earn money.

ps. check out the new terrain view on google maps.

I was under the impression that the RiverWalk will eventually extend to North Avenue so I guess you'll get your wish.

skyking> Actually I would say smaller infill projects like this actually make the likelyhood of large projects more likely. Currently within the downtown area there is so much vacant land available that the demand to go up isn't that strong but as small projects fillup lots the demand to go up should become more likely.

Good point. And, I will admit, I like the look of this first rendering. Also, I was never suggesting that a high rise should go on that spot - this kind of development works nicely with that space. My original (and on-going) point is that there are so many of the smaller proposals out there, and there is just so much demand for office, retail and residential space that the larger, spectacular, bring-attention-to-the-city type of developments have a tougher time getting off the ground. I like fill-in projects, too. But, I guess I'm just one of those who likes a more dynamic-looking skyline. Others, not so much.

I was under the impression that the RiverWalk will eventually extend to North Avenue so I guess you'll get your wish.

That's the plan, yes. The missing links in the RiverWalk will be completed as new developments are built along both sides of the river. They will link up with the riverside trails north of North Avenue along the more natural, wilderness-y riverbanks.

aWell I think theres a second part to my point in that as more projects get built that will actually influence demand for larger projects as you begin to create a critical mass of population. And you create a more desirable location...

I sure wish there was some way to force the River Walk norht past those townhouses. it seems to me that the state law about waterways and lake beds ought to be in play here. Meaning the owners can't prevent the city from using that bank for whatever they want.

I agree it would be nice, and I believe the City could undertake that. If I recall correctly, a stretch of West N. Riverwalk Way, between Kilbourn Ave. and Wells St. was installed inspite of the wishes of one or two property owners. The Riverwalk in front of buildings in the Beer Line B neighborhood could serve as local examples as to how the condos on N. Edison could relate to the Riverwalk. Developments in the area of the Marine Terminal Loft building could serve as examples as to how the Edison Street properites could maintain private access to their boat slips.

Aside from the two obvious constraints: cost to the City, and owner opposition, what are the constraints for something like that actually happening?