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Milwaukee Development News

211K views 2K replies 86 participants last post by  Markitect 
#1 ·
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#7 ·
Please. Thats just shows the strong Milwaukee crowd represented here, and in turn, results in a lot of posts not necessarily containing new information, but containing opinions about current developments. This presents the opportunity to participate in a wide array of discussions. I like visiting SSC and consistently seeing this thread on the top. If anything, we should be proud its frequented as often as is. The Milwaukee threads are hardly full of mindless chatter. Almost every post is relevant to the thread topic, these first few obviously not included. :)
 
#9 ·
Thanks, hydrogen, for starting the thread with my picture. I feel honored. I got the first post without posting! Haha...

Anyway, I was at Pier Wisconsin last night and took a rather stupid video of fish swimming around in the tunnel aquarium. Thought I'd post it for those who haven't been there yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSCAUEvHtNQ

By the way, hydrogen, are you a phish fan by chance?
 
#12 ·
What is the state of Pier Wisconsin these days? My wife and I went, very excitedly, a few weekends after it opened. We were very disappointed with its present state. The exhibits were scarce, and unlabeled. You basically had no idea what you were looking at. Nothing to "learn" basically. The aquariums looked awesome, but again, no plaques or anything. The petting tank was murky and uneventful. It has tons of promise, but we thought they definitely rushed the opening. We're curious as to when we should give it another shot.
 
#11 ·
The Milwaukee section of this forum is a lot of "chatter," and some gossip. But right now in Milwaukee there is a lot to chatter and gossip about. We have a whole series of major developments in the pipeline, that, when taken together, have the potential to transform this city. Already the developments that have been completed in the last five years have changed Milwaukee. Those of who love this city and are passionate about it (and I'm glad to see I'm far from the only one) want to talk about what's happening in our city.

Go down the list and you'll see that while Milwaukee isn't poised to build a 90 story tower any time soon, we have whole swaths of redevelopment are giving the city a whole new character: what's happening in the Park East corridor alone could keep an entire thread busy for years. Throw in Commerce Street, Walkers Point (I refuse to call it "The Fifth Ward"), redevelopment in the Meno. Valley, the Pabst project, the great potential that will be realized around the redeveloped train station, continued development on the East Side, Bay View, Riverwest, etc. and I think it's no surprise that us Milwaukee forumers post a lot.

But it's not a completely rosy scenario. Our city faces huge challenges ... our economy has shifted from manufacturing to service economy, but the economy has left half the city behind. Schools continue to stagnate. Crime is on the rise. Huge swaths of the city are mired in hopelessness and despair. One thing I love about Milwaukee is that we can be boosterish about our city while still confronting these issues rather than downplaying them or sweeping them under the rug. That's another reason the Milwaukee threads are so active. We talk almost as much about the negative as we do the positive.
 
#13 ·
I couldn't agree with you more. Actually, a lot of the forums have that "chatter" and gossip about new developments. I was impressed when I was reading the Indianapolis forum last night - they're practically having a similar panic attack like we just had when Midwest was/is threatened by an AirTran takeover - but for them its their new convention center hotel. And they're actually writing letters to the mayor!!

Chatter and gossip among like-minded people bring forth new ideas and unity among the forums many threads, which I personally like.
 
#19 ·
Luxury hotel called boost for downtown

San Francisco-based chain to use Sydney Hih site
By TOM DAYKIN
tdaykin@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Dec. 20, 2006
Kimpton Hotels, known for its luxury boutique hotels in Chicago, New York and other cities, will operate a new hotel planned for Milwaukee's Park East area - which could greatly elevate the downtown hospitality market.

Kimpton was named operator for a 180-room hotel planned as part of a $104 million mixed-use development. That project, which includes condominiums, offices and shops, will be developed on the mostly vacant block bordered by N. Old World 3rd and N. 4th streets, and W. Juneau and W. McKinley avenues.

The hotel will incorporate the Sydney Hih building, which is located on the site, and the former Gipfel brewery, which local developer Robert Ruvin plans to move to the block and renovate.

Ruvin and Dallas-based Gatehouse Capital Corp. plan to begin construction on the mixed-use development by late 2007. The County Board agreed in September to sell the parcel to Ruvin and Gatehouse, which have since been conducting soil tests and lining up financing for the project.

Open by 2009
San Francisco-based Kimpton, which operates 43 hotels, plans to have the Milwaukee hotel open by late 2009, said Jim Alderman, senior vice president for acquisitions and development.

Alderman said Wednesday that the hotel, which is yet unnamed, will carry all of the Kimpton hallmarks: luxurious furnishings, an "intense" level of customer service and rates that occupy the upper end of the market. He said the average daily rate will likely be over $180.

Kimpton's hotels include three Chicago properties: Hotel Monaco, Hotel Burnham and Hotel Allegro. Alderman said Kimpton is expanding rapidly because of heavy demand from its customers who travel extensively, especially for business.

"We now are starting to extend our reach a little beyond the core cities," Alderman said.

San Francisco-based Kimpton has 10 hotels under construction, and 15 more projects - including the Milwaukee property - in the development pipeline.

High-end niche
Milwaukee, Alderman said, has plenty of hotel rooms but "not a lot of high-end boutique" rooms. He said Kimpton will fill that niche, and said other high-end operators are considering the downtown market.

Plans by Manpower Inc. to move its global headquarters from Glendale to downtown is among the positive developments that are drawing attention from high-end hotel operators, Alderman said. He also praised the downtown night life, and compared its restaurants and clubs to those in Chicago and Dallas.

"I was actually shocked to see how lively your night scene is in Milwaukee," Alderman said. "It's all building up to having a hotel match up with them."

Kimpton's commitment to the project "brings a whole new dynamic to downtown Milwaukee," said Greg Hanis, a hotel industry consultant based in Pewaukee.

"Wow! That's stunning," Hanis said upon hearing the news.

Kimpton is well known for running high-end hotels, said Hanis, who operates Hospitality Marketers Inc. He said a Kimpton in downtown Milwaukee would be "a leap" above the current high-end operators, which include the Pfister Hotel, Hotel Metro and Hyatt Regency Milwaukee.

Hanis said the Kimpton will market itself to corporate travelers drawn by such companies as Manpower, Rockwell Inc. and Harley-Davidson Inc. He said local businesses looking to impress clients will pay for their rooms at the Kimpton property.

20-story development
The hotel will be the centerpiece of the 20-story Ruvin/Gatehouse development. Gatehouse has developed other high-end hotels, including a Joule Hotel in Dallas that is operated by Kimpton.

"Kimpton is the first brand of many to be revealed for this project," said Marty Collins, Gatehouse chief executive officer, in a statement. Other brands, he said, will be tied to the project's ground-floor retail, restaurant, bar, fitness center and a "rooftop entertainment venue."

Kimpton's hotels tend to have different names in different cities. In New York, its properties include the Muse Hotel, and in Boston, it operates the Nine Zero Hotel.

Might the Milwaukee hotel by named for the Sydney Hih Building, or the former Gipfel brewery?

"We're not sure," Ruvin said. "But we promise it will be interesting."

Other projects
The Ruvin/Gatehouse project's preliminary plans include 70 condos, 55,000 square feet of offices and a 330-car parking structure.

It is among several big developments moving forward in the 64-acre Park East area, which includes 16 acres made available after the former Park East Freeway was razed.

The Common Council last week approved city financial assistance for The North End, a $175 million project with nearly 500 housing units planned for the site of the former Pfister & Vogel tannery, which will be demolished.

The council also approved funding for the planned $205 million transformation of the former Pabst brewery into housing, offices and shops. The Pabst site is technically outside the Park East area. But the redevelopment area's western border abuts the Pabst property.

Other projects include Park East Square, a plan for hotels, apartments and stores on two empty blocks bordered by N. Jefferson St., N. Broadway, E. Lyon St. and E. Ogden Ave.

From the Dec. 21, 2006 editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
#21 · (Edited)
Its a great hotel chain and I have been hoping for one of their hotels here.. now if only we could get a W hotel :)

In other news...

Sales tax proposed for train line
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=544511

Poll about possible usage of the communter rail line: http://www2.jsonline.com/news/newspoll.asp?poll=6813
Right now 45% say they would "NEVER" use the rail line. Can't say I am suprised although it is unfortunate. Does anyone know what public perception of Minneapolis' rail system was before it was completed?


Weekend visitors could be a boost for Milwaukee
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=544497
 
#23 ·
Navy warship will be commissioned here

THURSDAY, Dec. 21, 2006, 11:45 a.m.
By Katherine M. Skiba

Washington - Milwaukee has beaten out Chicago and been named the host city for the commissioning of a new Navy warship next year.



Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter announced the Navy's decision today.

The commissioning of the Freedom likely will be next summer, a Navy official said.

It will be a major event since the ship is first in its class and is expected to draw top officials from the Department of Defense and the Navy. Events are expected to run several days.

The $300 million, high-tech vessel is being built at the Marinette Marine Corp. in Marinette, Wis.

"After a thorough analysis of the many factors involved in selecting a site, Secretary Winter decided to have Freedom commissioned in Milwaukee," said Lt. Cmdr. John T. Schofield, a spokesman for Winter.

"Freedom is being built in Wisconsin, and it is appropriate to commission the ship in that great state."

Officials including Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and County Executive Scott Walker had been lobbying Winter to stage the commissioning off Veterans Park on Lake Michigan - while Chicagoans waged a campaign of their own. A consolation prize for Chicago: It's hoped the ship can pay a visit there before leaving for its home port of San Diego.

Freedom is a littoral combat ship, or LCS. The 377-foot ship takes its name from littorals, or coastal waters, and will be deployed along coasts and in shallow seas to combat threats posed by mines, submarines and surface ships.

At the commissioning, the vessel earns the designation as a United States Ship and becomes the USS Freedom. It's then part of the Navy's fleet, which now stands at 278 ships.


*****
I think this will be GREAT for the city...can't wait for next summer so I can check this out!
 
#26 ·
#27 ·
I am excited that Ruvin landed a major hotel tenant for this spectacular project. This project would kick off the whole western edge of the Park East corridor in a big way.

I'm also happy we landed the Navy commissioning as well. I had no idea that Navy commissionings were such a big deal.
 
#28 ·
#31 ·
i just cant wait until the sydney hih is spruced up,
amazing how its languished for so long,
I really hate painted brick, I hope they spray wash that paint off,
the white and green color scheme is disgusting,

which makes me wonder what the HELL is going on with the beautiful schlitz bar building at north and humboldt.
another landlord who is failing his building, im sure he wants an exorbitant amount of rent for the retail space, yet hasnt put a dime into his building
with the same HORRIBlE white and green paint on BRICK.:eek:hno:
 
#33 ·
I don't think this project has been metioned on this board yet, so I I'll give it a plug here. Its called Convent/Convenant Hill. I can't remember the exact name, but its on Ogden between Jefferson and Milwaukee Streets. Going past the site it looks like abount an 8-10 story building from the fence billboard. It looks like a tower crane is going up there now. Its not that excting because I think it is a retirement home expansion of the current site, but new buildings are new buildings, and it is new construction. It also will add some density to the park east area by Golds PnS.

Sorry no pics or links right now, but you can't miss it when you are in the area.
 
#34 ·
usbmfa you said it best "new buildings are new buildings"!

Milwaukee's suburban mall's are disasters to drive around. WOW. I can't believe I made it alive through brookfield square<== big mess! Did anyone use Grand Ave? I wonder how that mall was doing during christmas after the big bayshore development.
 
#35 ·
Well UWMJay, I was at both Mayfair and Southridge Malls today and almost had about 5 accidents, and the pedestrians are as bad as they are in Chicago when you're trying to turn on Michigan Ave. No compliments from me other than Milwaukee area malls are starting to get nicer, more upscale stores.
 
#38 ·
Shopping/Casino

Went to Mayfair and southridge for my shopping, both were extremely busy. i was very surprised to see how busy southridge was, but i'm glad it was bustling.

On a SIDE NOTE:
I work at the "Pot" (Potawatomi Casino) and if you all haven't noticed one of the two big cranes went up this last week. The red crane which is up now is 200 ft and can lift loads of 7800 tons. The next which will go up in january will be 150 ft tall. They have been pounding pilings into the ground since sept or oct, which gets really annoying when ur trying to do paperwork. But the expansion will triple the size of the casino and put our slots at 3,000 and table games at 150-160. It will add three new resturants and underground valet parking, with a 6 story parking structure outside. There is talk of a hotel in the future, which would be a different phase of development but again its talk...
 
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