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Markitect
Mar 31, 2004, 5:08 AM
The East Side neigborhood centered around Prospect, Farwell, and North Avenues continues to attract attention of developers and invetsors.

Developer Boris Gokhman, of New Land Enterprises, will be purchasing the Oriental Theater (art house movie theater), Landmark Lanes (bowling alley/game room/bar), and a few other retail storefronts along N. Farwell Avenue. Also included is a surface parking lot a block away on E. Kenilworth Place.

Furthermore, one of Gokhman's partners owns a pair of duplexes immediately adjacent to the parking lot, on the corner of Kenilworth and Farwell. It is speculated that the duplexes could be razed and the land combined with the parking lot next door--thus creating a larger site on which a new development could be constructed. Gorkhman has made a name for himself in Milwaukee for buying up surface parking lots and uinderutilized parcels and building wildly successful mixed-use rental/condo units on them.

In years past, Gokhman has also redeveloped the Oriental Drug Store building just up the street from the Oriental Theater.

Check out the Journal Sentinel article for more details: Parking lot may become housing, retail project - Development of parcel is called key allure of Oriental Theatre deal (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/mar04/218409.asp)


On the other side of the block, another group of investors, REvest Partners, will be purchasing Prospect Mall and a parking lot across the street. The mall (which isn't really much of a mall anyway at 42,000 square feet) currently contains a 3-screen Marcus Theater , a tattoo/body piercing shop, a used book/music store, and three bars/restaurants. Developers do not have any concrete plans for redevelopment, and may simply focus on making it a more meaningful piece of real estate along N. Prospect Avenue.

Also in the works for the neighborhood is the new Columbia/St. Mary's Hospital along North Avenue and the possible redevelopment of the Kenilworth Building, owned by UWM.

Check it out: Investors see potential in Prospect Mall purchase (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/mar04/218236.asp)

UglymanCometh
Mar 31, 2004, 6:53 PM
okay, so now Milwaukee is leaving Detroit in the dust.

Brew-Town has realized that...

Our Time is Now

Calcasieu

Markitect
Apr 1, 2004, 5:20 AM
Our time is now, indeed, SubCalc...

A new neighbohrood will soon be rising from the ground up, right in the heart of the central city. Developers have announced plans for Josey Heights--a neighbohrood of 37 single-family homes and 16 townhouse condominiums to be built on a site just northerst of Downtown (bordered by W. Lloyd, W. Brown, N. 12th and N. 14th Streets). Houses that once existed on those blocks were razed over 35 years ago to make way for a freeway that was never built; the land has remained relatively underutilized as a playfield ever since.

Furthermore, developers plan to build the neighbohrood without the aid of public grants and subsidies. The homes will be marketed toward middle-class buyers, and will range from $175,000 to $225,000. Developers are hoping to build off the momentum from other housing developments in once-distressed neighbohroods nearby that have been successful at attracting a range of income levels.

See the Journal Sentinel article for more information: Group plans to build 53 homes for downtown professionals - Josey Heights houses would be just a mile from city's center (http://www.jsonline.com/homes/build/mar04/218801.asp)

CityGawd5
Apr 1, 2004, 6:06 AM
Hm...middle class housing developments...interesting. It'll be really interesting to see what this looks like. God forbid we have Brookfield-In-Milwaukee. That would be gross. As for the Oriental block, I read that very article today in the Union while I was eating breakfast. I'm just worried that they'll close down the theater. I skimmed the article, so I may have missed it, but are there any plans to change its use?

Markitect
Apr 1, 2004, 6:19 AM
As for getting a "Brookfield-in-Milwaukee," you needn't worry. Judging on what I've seen from some of the partners involved (previous developments from them), these will be consistent with urban housing found in the city...these aren't going to be ranch houses with a garage door for a front facade or anything like that (I don't think that's even permitted in the zoning anyway). No, this will definitely be urban in nature.

Markitect
Apr 12, 2004, 9:56 PM
Preliminary/schematic design renderings for the Downtown Sheraton hotel proposal are critiqued in today's Journal Sentinel. So far, the design leaves much to be desired for such a highly visible site along W. Wisconsin Avenue, across the street from the convention center. Though, the rendering is more of a very "rough draft" than anything close to being considered the final design, accoridng to architects at Engberg Anderson Design Partnership.

Some pluses of the design include putting parking behind the building, rather than out in front; and special attention to the street level, with mixed-uses (cafe/restaurant) and large, glassy windows instread of blank walls. Though the overall composition of the design seems to be rather anonymous-looking.

It definitely will take some coaxing to get the Sheraton hotel chain to stray from its lackluster design format. With help from the project architects/developers, as well as the Department of City Development, the developers, and even soon-to-be-Mayor Barrett could convince the Sheraton owners to think a little more out-of-the-box.

Since this is still very early on in the design process, there may be room for some design leeway.

See the article for the full critique: Downtown hotel developers could be squandering a chance to shine (http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/apr04/221654.asp)

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

Here is a rendering of the previous Embassy Suites proposal (from 1999, which subsequently fell through), looking along the N. 5th Street facade.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/image/embassybig112999.jpg

Jason
Apr 13, 2004, 3:16 PM
http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/apr04/sherbig041104.jpg

A bit boring IMHO.

miltowng
Apr 14, 2004, 3:07 AM
Yeah that is an ugly building.

Markitect
Apr 14, 2004, 5:25 PM
Remember, they haven't even really started designing the building yet. This is just a very early, basic concept, which doesn't even have to be used in the final design.

Markitect
Apr 14, 2004, 7:26 PM
After nearly a year of negotiating and environmental clean-up efforts, work on the Historic Teweles Seed Tower has finally begun. The former 12-story warehouse, with its distinctive exposed concrete frame, is located in Walker's Point on S. 3rd Street. It will be converted into 115 apartment units; a two-stoy penthouse addition will be built on the roof.

Developers have laid out a variety of units (studios, one-, two-, and three-bedrooms) to target residnets with a variety of incomes. Through the use of affordable housing tax credits, many of the units will be made avaialble at below market rate rents for lower-income residents, while other units will be available at regular market rates--thereby creating a mixed-income development.

Parking will be mostly contained in the basemet and first two floors (100 spaces), plus a few outdoor spots (18 spaces). The project will also include a computer lab, community room, exercise room, and theater for residnets.

Teweles Seed Tower is the latest in a series of warehouse-to-residnetial conversions completed, in progress, or proposed in Walker's Point--spillover from similar projects across the river in the Third Ward.

Check out the Business Journal article for more (scroll all the way down, it's a two-pager): Teweles Seed project finally starts to grow - Developers start conversion into apartment complex (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/04/12/story6.html)

The Teweles Seed Building was built in 1918. It has a 12-story tower, plus a 7-story wing attached.
http://people.msoe.edu/~reyer/mke/1918bs.jpg

A rendering of the Historic Teweles Seed Tower, showing the residnetial conversion.
http://www.commonbond.org/FindHousing/property_images/TST.jpg

djcody
Apr 14, 2004, 10:37 PM
wow, i'm glad that the Teweles building is finally getting underway, i've been waiting for awhile now. Can't wait to see the final product. Also, the 99 proposal of the embassy suites i like too. Wouldn't seeing that going up. :)

Jason
Apr 15, 2004, 2:58 PM
Nice.

Markitect
Apr 23, 2004, 3:52 AM
Thanks to the help of Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan (Janesville), the Milwaukee Public Market has received a long-awaited $2.5 million federal grant. With funding falling into place, the market will likely break ground this June and be completed by June 2005.

The site is located in the Third Ward, along E. St. Paul Avenue between N. Water Street and N. Broadway. The market will feature stalls for local farmers and retailers selling fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, cheese, flowers, among other items.

See the Journal Sentinel article for more: Third Ward market gets key funding - Grant may enable project to break ground in June (http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/apr04/224222.asp)

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/jan04/marketbig011504.jpg

theodore
Apr 27, 2004, 3:14 AM
I just browsed this thread for the first time in a while, and I must say I'm quite impressed. It almost makes me want to move back.



Almost.

Markitect
May 13, 2004, 6:14 AM
A lot's been going on the past few days...

Wisconsin is expected to receive $150 million worth of federal tax credits, which will be used to help developers finance projects in low-income areas across the state. Cities in southeastern Wisconsin would likely receive a bulk of the credits, as that's where many of the poorest areas are located. Credits targeted for Milwaukee could likely go toward several major sites (Park East corridor, PabstCity, the Menomonee Valley, the Tower Automotive complex) and/or other smaller neighborhood projects.

See the Journal Sentinel article for more: State gets $150 million aimed at development in poor areas (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/may04/227401.asp)

***

Mayor Barrett officially proposed to consolidate and relocated some Department of Public Works facilities to the underutilized Tower Automotive factory complex--an idea he often mentioned during his recent campaign. The plan calls for relocating DPW's Traser Yards facility that now stands at 6th and West Canal Streets in the Menomonee Valley to make way for the proposed Harley-Davidson motorcycle museum/office complex. Also included in the site-consolidation are two Water Works facilities.

The Tower Automotive site (formerly A.O. Smith) is located on the Northwest Side, bounded by W. Capitol Drive, N. 35th, N. Hopkins, and W. Townsend Streets. Tower Automotive's operations have downsized significanly over the past few years, as the company has disconsinued or shifted production to other places (earlier this year the compnay announced it was shifting one of its last production lines to Mexico), thus most of the factory complex is sitting underutilized. Relocating some DPW facilties there would bring jobs and much-needed commerce to the depressed neighborhood, and would likely be a catalyst for new development in the area.

The Common Council is discussing the idea.

Here's an article from the Journal Sentinel: Tower site proposal would cost $24 million - Mayor seeks to move city employees to complex (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/may04/228729.asp)

And another from the Business Journal: Barrett proposes moving Traser Yards to Tower site (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/05/10/daily22.html)

***

In other news, Mayor Barrett will hold off looking into a Downtown casino--at least for the time being. Several months ago a group of politicians and business groups proposed moving the Potawotomi Bingo Casino out of the Menomonee Valley and into a site Downtown, in the Park East corridor. The Potowatomi tribe, however, was not involved with the proposal. Acting-Mayor Pratt and County Executive Scott Walker created a task force in late-March to study the feasability of the idea, which was expected to reveal its findings on May 15--but the task force has never met.

To further complicate matters, there are two active court cases challenging expanded state-tribal gaming compacts that regulate the casinos. The state Court of Appeals is expected to give its rulings on the cases this summer.

Mayor Barrett supports the idea of studying the feasability of a casino relocation, but feels it would make more sense to actually have the Potawatomi tribe involved with the relocation study (nobody's really ever asked them, it's just been non-tribal people making suggestions) and also after the court has made a ruling on the future of tirbal casinos.

Check out the Journal Sentinel article for specifics: Barrett puts downtown casino on back burner - Park East, other issues will take precedence (http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/may04/228779.asp)

***

Coincidentally, the Potawatomi tribe has just announced a $240 million expansion plan for its Milwaukee casino. The tribe will begin preliminary design work, but will hold off on construction pending the aforementioned court rulings due this summer. This will allow the tribe to get a "head start" on the expansion, should the rulings come out in their favor.

In the meantime, the tribe will be doing some minor construction work to support its current operations in the Menonomee Valley--in the form of a parking garage addition.

Read it in the Business Journal (scroll down, two-pager): Potawatomi tribe announces $240 million casino plan (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/05/10/daily33.html?page=1)

***

And still in other news, Mayor Barrett has appointed a top position in the Department of City Development--Bob Greenstreet has been selected to become City Architect/Planner. Greenstreet is currently dean at the UW-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning, and welcomes the challenge of taking on both jobs simultaneously. He's no stranger to such arrangements either (he's been dean for SARUP, acting-dean for the art school, and chairman of the City Plan Commission--all simultaneously; he's also been dean for SARUP, interim-chancellor for UWM, and chairman of the City Plan Commission--all simultaneously; and also had a lighter work load as dean for SARUP and chairman for the City Plan Commission--both simultaneoulsy...plus teaching, or at least guest-lecturing, plus being a family-man, etc). Under the new arrangement, however, he will have to step down as chairman for the City Plan Commission.

The details still have to be worked out, as far as exactly what kind of services Greenstreet will have to perform, and how the interaction between his jobs will work. They may try an arrangement where the City contracts with UWM for Greenstreet's services as architect/planner for Milwaukee--which may be the first arrangemetn of its kind, ever, anywhere.

The connection between the City and SARUP is already pretty strong. A few years ago former-Mayor Norquist taught an introductory urban planning class for a couple semesters. Former- Director of DCD Peter Park also taught several classes and studios over the past few years (he was whisked away to a top planning job in Devener a few months ago--Greenstreet will be his replacement at DCD). The school has been a "testing ground" of sorts for many projects throughout the city that have become a reality, or will become a reality (East Pointe Commons, the Park East Freeway redevelopment, the Milwaukee Public Market, the RiverWalk, to name a few).

Once the legal deatils are figured out, the appointment must be approved by the Common Council, perhaps by the end of the month.

Have a look through the Journal Sentinel article and get to know Dean Greenstreet: Barrett picks UWM's Greenstreet as city's architect - Town-gown partnership would share dean's services (http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/may04/228790.asp)

theodore
May 13, 2004, 12:42 PM
The connection between the City and SARUP is already pretty strong. A few years ago former-Mayor Norquist taught an introductory urban planning class for a couple semesters. Former- Director of DCD Peter Park also taught several classes and studios over the past few years...


Yep, I sat in on those lectures.

Markitect
May 18, 2004, 9:03 PM
According to a report released by the Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau, developing some of the surface parking lots at Miller Park could be a good way for the Brewers to increase revenue and attract possible buyers for the team, which is currently up for sale. Suggested uses include restaurants/bars, retail stores, hotels, and parking garages to replace the displaced parking spaces.

The land upon which the stadium and parking lots sit is owned by the State, which in turn is leased to an entity known as the Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District, which in turn is leased to the Brewers. Under the commercial development plan, the Brewers would receive the proceeds from the land that is subleased to developers and/or tenants.

Read more about it in the Business Journal (three-pages): Field of development?: Development in stadium lots would benefit Brewers (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/05/17/story1.html?page=1)

The Brewers should definitiely consider this option, not only for their own benefit, but for taking a more responsible approach to how their stadium and surrounding property can be developed to benefit the City as well. It makes sense to develop the parking lot areas that are close to the stadium with these complimentary uses, rather than building a retail/restaurant/shopping mall project way over on the adjacent non-stadium land on the extreme far side of the parking lots, like was proposed in various incarnations several years back (on the former Milwaukee Road Shops/Rail Yard land--where planning is well underway to redevelop for an urban industrial/office/recreational park).

***

Trader Joe's, a discount/gourmet grocery store is looking for sites in Milwaukee and Madison to build a few stores.

Also from the Business Journal: Trader Joe's seeks grocery sites in Milwaukee (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/05/17/story5.html)

***

Alderman Michael D'Amato has been appointed the new chairman for the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee, which oversees how architects, developers, planners, builders, organizations, and residents shape the city. One of the committee's biggest jobs is reviewing development proposals.

Some of the major issues D'Amato will be dealing with include the heavily-debated community benefits agreements proposed to be attached to developments in the Park East corridor (he supports the prevailing wages clause, but not the afforable housing mandate); the controversial Harley-Davidon Museum proposal (he feels there are site design issues that do not promote the highest and best use for the location); and the Granville Station/former Northridge Mall redevelopment (emphasising a need to focus attention on areas other than just Downtown and near-Downtown neighborhoods).

The Business Journal has a profile and interview wih D'Amato, outlining some of the goals he hopes to accomplish (three-pages): Norquist protégé takes helm of development panel - D'Amato chairs powerful committee facing Harley, Park East issues (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/05/17/story6.html?page=1)

***

Mayor Tom Barrett and County Executive Scott Walker will be attending the annual International Council of Shopping Centers convention to promote the Milwaukee area to national/international retailers.

More details in the Business Journal (two-pager): Barrett, Walker shop local sites to dealmakers (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/05/17/newscolumn1.html?page=1)

***

Trouble is brewing at PabstCity. Local investor/developer James Haertel has filed a lawsuit against his much larger partners, Milwaukee-based Wispark and the Cleveland-based Ferchill Group, on the basis that he has not received the ownership titles to the three buildings he was to receive under their partnetship agreement.

Under the agreement, Haertel was to receive three small buildings on the 22-acre site--the Pabst office building, gift shop, and Blue Ribbon Hall. He has plans to redevelop them into a museum of beer and brewing, a beer bed and breakfast, a Hofbrauhaus restaurant/pub, and offices. He and his crew had even uncovered old Pabst artifacts (paperwork, photos, 1940s radio show/commerical recordings, etc.) while cleaning out the old buildings. In the meantime, according to the breach-of-contract lawsuit Haertel filed, Wispark and Ferchill provided him with a set of development restrictions for the three buildings, which essentially gave them control over how they were to be redeveloped.

Negotiations between the three developers to settle the dispute during the past year have failed, which now places the entire redevelopment project in jeapordy.

See the Journal Sentinel for more: Lawsuit filed against PabstCity developers - Investor says he was pushed out of partnership plan (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/may04/230082.asp)

***

Alderman D'Amato and the aforementioned Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee have concerns about Harley-Davisdon's proposed motorcycle museum at 6th and W. Canal Streets. The committee has taken issue with the large surface parking lots proposed right at the intersection and the closing of Canal Street east of 6th.

The City's Menomonee Valley redevelopment plan, released back in 1999, calls for the intersection of 6th and Canal to be a gateway into the Valley, and encourages all four corners to be built-up in some form, not reserved for parking lots. Harley's proposal shows surface lots on two of the four courners. Certain Common Council members would like to have the site plan reconfigured/reduced to avoid having surface lots on the high-visibility corner. Harley contends the lots would also be used for staging outdoor events, so they are of benefit to the public.

The City's redevelopment plan also calls for linking the eastern end of the Valley with the Walker's Point neighborhood in the future, with a bridge on Canal Street across the South Menomonee Canal. Harley's proposal actually calls for turning Canal Street east of 6th into a private street running through the museum/office complex, thus preventing a bridge linkage from ever occurring.

The Journal Sentinel has more: Harley still can't get museum into gear - With aldermen pursuing amendments, review by zoning panel postponed (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/may04/230139.asp)

theodore
May 18, 2004, 10:29 PM
Harley does nothing but fuck shit up. First, booking Elton John for their festival headliner last summer, and now this. I'm buying a Japanese crotch-rocket in protest.

Markitect
May 26, 2004, 4:40 AM
The Common Council took action on two measures this Tuesday that shifts the proposed Harley-Davidson museum into a higher gear:

- The Council approved to spend $24 million to relocate the DPW's Traser Yards facility to a site within the Tower Automotive complex (along with two Water Works facilities). This move will open up the Traser Yards site for the proposed Harley museum at 6th and Canal Streets.

- The Council also approved selling the Traser Yards land, plus some other City-owned land across the street, to Harley-Davisdon (about 20 acres total, on all four corners of 6th and Canal Streets). The City will also provide about $7 million of tax incremental financing to help cover the cost of public improvements/infrastructure on the site.

Still, there are major concerns with the proposed site design (parking lots on all four corners, street access, zoning issues), which will need Council approval in the coming months. Resolving these urban design issues will be a key challenge for Harley, the Council, and the Department of City Development.

There are also still concerns about solidifying Harley's full dedication to the project, which is ultimately planned to include not just a museum, but office space as well.

As things stand now, the DPW is anticipated to be moved off-site by 2006; the museum is expected to be completed in 2008.

Check out the Journal Sentinel article for specifics: Harley museum is approved for Menomonee Valley (http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/may04/232105.asp)

CityGawd5
May 26, 2004, 5:25 AM
I hate D'Amato.

Markitect
May 26, 2004, 5:54 AM
I hate D'Amato.

Care to elaborate?

I agree with his stance on the Harley museum project. He's not against the museum or Harley; he's just asking for a better urban design. Being such an important figure in the city, Harley really should give some condiseration as to how its proposed museum will be placed in the city.

He's concerned about the quality of the built environment, moreso than other alderpersons in the city. He doesn't just approve projects for the sake of getting something built regardless of their design (no project should be approved in that manner); he wants to emphasize good urban design...just like Norquist did, just like Peter Park, just like Bob Greenstreet, just like what you ought to be learning at school. Nothing wrong with that.

Or is your hatred toward him based on something else?

CityGawd5
May 27, 2004, 6:45 AM
Two words: "student ghetto."

theodore
Jun 7, 2004, 5:45 PM
Apologies if this was discussed somewhere earlier in this thread, but what's going on at North and Prospect where that old Ford Dealership used to be? Maybe it's been vacant for a while, but I just noticed it for the first time yesterday when I passed through town.

Markitect
Jun 7, 2004, 9:54 PM
That particular site is going to be redeveloped with a new mixed-use building in conjunction with the forthcoming new Columbia-St. Mary's Hospital complex that will be going up across the street.

Markitect
Jun 8, 2004, 1:28 AM
Once again, many articles to share today...

First up, a really great profile of Robert Greenstreet, Dean of the School of Architecture and Urban Planning at UW-Milwaukee, whom Mayor Barret recently appointed to become City Architect/Planner (pending Common Council approval).

From today's Business Journal (a four-pager): UWM's Greenstreet brings expertise, love of city to Milwaukee's future look (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/06/07/focus2.html)

***

The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission will once again study the possbility for a regional transit authority. The intention is to create a single entity to oversee financing, operation, planning, and development of transit issues; rather than the piecemeal, individual county-by-county, city-by-city, collection of agencies that exist today. A similar proposal in 1993 was rejected by County Boards throughout the area.

See this Business Journal article for more (two-pager): Planners revive study on regional authority for transit - Milwaukee County Board requested study to relieve property tax burden (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/06/07/story6.html)

***

Along with the growing number of riverfront condominium developments in Downtown Milwaukee, there is a growing number of riverside boat slips and marinas. Several have already been built, several are planned, and several are surely yet-to-be-proposed. A few environmental advocacy groups, while not opposed to the condo developments, are emphasizing the impotance of a riverfront plan--to better coordinate public versus private river access for pedestirans and boats, and to prevent adverse environmental effects on the city's waterways.

Read more about it in the Business Journal (three-pager): On the riverfront: Boat slips multiply with new condos along Milwaukee River (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/06/07/focus1.html)

***

Over the past several years, the condo market in and around Downtown Milwaukee has been booming with new construction, rehabilitation, and conversions. Many more condos are in progress, and many more are on the way.

Is the market saturated; has it reached its peak for now? Is it time to start focusing on other types of housing/residents? How are developers and real estate people reacting? Find out in this article form the Business Journal (two-pager): Saturation in the city: Downtown condos still hot, but boom may have peaked (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/06/07/story2.html)

***

Despite those questions, plans for condo developments forge ahead, with Keybridge Development's proposal to build a 12-story condominium project in Walker's Point. The site at 106 W. Seeboth Street is prominantly located at the confluence of the Milwaukee and Menomonee Rivers, offering commanding views of Downtown, upstream a few blocks away.

The former Terminal Storage Company building now stands on the site, which will be incorporated into the overall project. Developers are planning to use the old building mainly as street-level retail space and a 263-car parking garage, while building a 5-story residnetial addition atop the northern end and a 7-story addition atop the southern end. The $60 million project, named First Place on the River (in reference to its location at the corner of Seeboth and First Streets), will have 184 units and 24 boat slips.

The previous owner of the building had plans last year for a similar rehabilitation-and-addition condo project (called Downtown Yacht Club), but recently sold his development rights to Keybridge, who made the current proposal. The Journal Sentinel ran an article about the previous proposal in April 2003. Below are two photos from that article, showing the rooftop view from the Terminal Storage building. Downtown is to the north, in the background; the Third Ward is to the east, on the right side.

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/apr03/condbig040303.jpg

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/apr03/condabig040303.jpg

See this Business Journal article for specifics (two-pager): Developer plans 12-story 3rd Ward condo (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/06/07/story1.html) (the title contains a mistake; this project is in Walker's Point, not the Third Ward)

pip
Jun 8, 2004, 3:45 AM
quote from the Milwaukee Business Journal:

From 2002 to 2005, developers have planned or constructed 2,352 condos valued at $739.4 million in four downtown-area aldermanic districts. That represents a huge increase over 2001, when 128 condo units were completed valued at $27 million.

Wow and holy shit Milwaukee!

Markitect
Jun 9, 2004, 7:53 AM
Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker has proposed demolishing the Courthouse Annex, which looms above the northbound lanes of I-43. The monolithic building holds a large parking garage, a telephone/call switching center, and some other County offices.

Walker would like the Annex demolished at state expense, since the freeway lanes and ramps which pass beneath the building are going to be rebuilt as part of the Maruqette Interchange reconstruction project. He questions whether the monolithic concrete building, which is already deteriorating, will be able to withstand the rigors and pounding of the nearby reconstruction. He says demolishing the Annex now for $22 million will prevent the building from deteriorating further. This is compared to waiting 10 years to tear it down (theoretically, when widening/rebuilding Milwaukee's aging freeway system would take place, which proposed plans, if approved, would require demolition of the Annex anyway) at a cost of $27 million; plus an extra $20 million spent over those ten years just to hold the building together that long.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is not interested in paying to tear down the Annex as part of the Marquette Interchange reconstruction project, which already has an $810 million price tag.

Read more in the Journal Sentinel article: Walker wants Courthouse Annex demolished - State should do it as part of freeway job, he says (http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jun04/234911.asp)

***

So where does all of the stuff housed in the Courthouse Annex supposed to go if it would be demolished? In a newly proposed $75 million building at the other end of the Civic Center. County officials are exploring the possibility of erecting a building at N. 6th and W. State Streets that would house a parking garare, retail shops, and County offices relocated from the Courthouse Annex, the Courthouse itself, and office space currently being rented out at Schlitz Park.

More from the Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County envisions $75 million building (http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jun04/235278.asp)

***

Newly elected Aldreman Robert Bauman, a long-time transit advocate who represents the Downtown area, wants to see Milwaukee get a light rail line.

Bauman would like to see a 5-mile, $120 million starter-light rail line linking tourist attractions throughout the Menomonee Valley, and Downtown, and the Lakefront. This is in contrast to the current "Milwaukee Connector" study, which ruled out light rail for a 14.5-mile, $300 million electric guided-bus system (patterned after such systems being used in France) that would link the Menomonee Valley, Downtown, the Near North Side, and the East Side.

Bauman says now is the right time get light rail rolling along his proposed route, since it could be built in conjunction with the upcoming Canal Street reconstruction/extention project which runs the entire length of the Menomonee Valley.

As always, issues being raised include financial feasability, political support, and public support.

See the Journal Sentinel for more details: Rail line linking valley, lakefront proposed (http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jun04/235293.asp)

Below is a map showing Alderman Bauman's proposed light rail route, and the proposed Milwaukee Connector electirc guided-bus route.
http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/jun04/connectG060804.gif

Steely Dan
Jun 9, 2004, 2:41 PM
quote from the Milwaukee Business Journal:

From 2002 to 2005, developers have planned or constructed 2,352 condos valued at $739.4 million in four downtown-area aldermanic districts. That represents a huge increase over 2001, when 128 condo units were completed valued at $27 million.

Wow and holy shit Milwaukee!

yeah, no kidding man, 2,300 is definitely an impressive number. milwaukee is on a roll.


re: light rail: while i'd love to see more rail transit additions to every city, looking at the map from markitect's post, it seems to me that the elctric guided bus system would actually do more to better serve the neighborhoods and PEOPLE of milwaukee. a light rail line connecting miller to the clalatrava with a stop off at the bingo hall would be great for tourists, but otherwise, a light rail line running in the menomonee valley might have trouble attracting daily commuters/users.

any input on this issue mark, you know craploads more about the city than i do?

Markitect
Jun 9, 2004, 9:39 PM
That was one of the criticisms brought up in the accompanying article, Steely--one with which I happen to agree.

This proposed light rail (which would be streetcar in nature) is much more "tourist-oriented" in that it really only connects touristy destination points; it doesn't serve many on-line residential areas, save for a few pockets in Downtown (most of the Downtown routing runs through retail, convention, and office areas). Alderman Bauman would like to see the light rail line run down Canal Street, through the Menomonee Valley, most of which will be redeveloped as a modern urban industrial/office park--in other words, a significant new employment center. However, the light rail line wouldn't do much in the way of getting employees to work there since it doesn't serve the places those employees live.

The proposed elecetic bus route does a much better job serving nearby residential neighbohroods, on the Near North, Near West, and East Sides; and connects them not only to Downtown, but to the Menomonee Valley as well, where that concentration of new jobs will one day get developed.

Part of the reason the City is pushing so hard to turn the Valley into a new 21st century industrial center is because of the nearby workforce. The neighborhoods to te immediate north and south of the Valley contain have the highest concentration of unemployment in the state. So the new industrial development has the potential to create many family-sustaining jobs for those people. The routes along Walnut Street and Wisconsin Avenue at least address part of the issue, connecting those residents to jobs in the Valley (in addition to the regular bus routes that already make that connection, not shown on the map).

On the other hand, I'm pretty sure Ald. Bauman's light rail proposal is a "first phase" in what would become a more comprehensive system. It certainly has potential to become the "central spine" with future lines branching off of it (up the East Side to UWM, through the Near North and Near West Sides along Walnut Street and Fond du Lac Avenue, downt to the South Side/Airport along 6th Street or I-794--which was basically a description of a much more extensive LRT proposal from the 1990s, and probably even other earlier proposals form the 80s and 70s, which really starts to look like portions of the streetcar system we already had before they were replaced with buses and freeways!).

CityGawd5
Jun 11, 2004, 6:07 AM
It'd be nice to have a transit alternative...the busses are a bit slow. Not too bad, but driving is definately faster in many cases. I definately agree that the proposed lines don't make too much sense if they aren't expanded...while it's a great idea to run a mass transit line through the Valley (which will hopefully act as a catalyst for development...I'm assuming that's the theory), if the line doesn't run through the neighborhoods that the workers live in, it won't be too successful. But hey--this has all been said already. :)

As for the Annex...is that the building with the horrendous whale mural? Raze the fucker.

UglymanCometh
Jun 11, 2004, 10:53 PM
At least you've got something proposed..... we still can't get our "regionalized bus system" off the ground.

Milwaukee continues to show me much progressive thinking.

(fill in the blank)

Calcasieu

Markitect
Jun 14, 2004, 5:47 AM
As for the Annex...is that the building with the horrendous whale mural? Raze the fucker.

That's the one. You can see where maintenance workers have chipped away at loose concrete over the years, to prevent chunks from falling onto the freeway, thus exposing some of the steel rebar in the concrete walls/pillars/ceiling.

It would be nice to see Annex demolished and a nice new building go up at 6th and State Streets.

At least you've got something proposed..... we still can't get our "regionalized bus system" off the ground.

Milwaukee continues to show me much progressive thinking.

Unfortunately the last time Milwaukee was progressive in terms of it's transit system was back when it still had a rail transit system. Since it was whittled away and ultimately scrapped in the 1950s, somebody's always been proposing a new light rail system of some kind...but that's all they've ever been, just proposals, studies, and talks. Nothing ever comes from them.

Meanwhile, our existing bus system is continually hacked away little by little, while the fares increase.

It's very frustrating, and non-progressive.

Markitect
Jun 14, 2004, 6:56 AM
The Mandel Group, developers of the 34-story University Club Tower plan to commence construction on September 27. The luxury condo high-rise has already pre-sold 36 of its 56 units--or percent of the building (many at $1.5-plus million).

See this article from the Business Journal for more on University Club Tower specifics, plus some stats on its nextdoor neighbor, Kilbourn Tower, currently under construction: University Club Tower set for September (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/06/14/story2.html)

***

If given the opportunity to build a casino Downtown, Potawatomi tribe officials have said the tribe would also continue to maintain operations at its present casino in the Menomonee Valley. All of this is assuming that the current tribal gaming compacts dispute at the State-level come out in the tribe's favor, and that the City, State, and Federal goverments would approve a Downtwon casino--all of which are major hurdles to overcome. A Downtown casino site, most notable one in the old Park East Freeway corridor, has been touted by a few local politicians, business groups, and developers of the PabstCity project (which is just up the street from the potential casino site).

Meanwhile, PabstCity developers are asking the City to establish a $75 million TIF disctirct (tax incremental financing) for thier redevelopment project at the former brewery. Under a TIF, the City borrows money to pay for public improvements (sewer lines, street reconstruction, streetscaping, environmental clean-up, etc.) in a district deemed as blighted. The borrowed money is then paid back through the increased tax revenue generated by new development within the district over a period of time.

Some alrerman are growing concerned over the amount of TIFs being established throughout the city. Mayor Barrett would like to look into the matter some more to see how much the City should be involved.

Check out the Business Journal article for more info (two-pager): Tribe would keep valley casino - If Potawatomi go downtown, would maintain existing site (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/06/14/story3.html?page=1)

***

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded a $19.5 million Hope IV grant to the Milwaukee Housing Authority. The money will be used to construct 110 new units to replace 81 existing units in the Highland Park public housing development in Milwaukee's Midtown neighborhood. A majority of new units will be replacements for existing public housing units (which are typically low-rise apartment buildings), but there are also provisions for some single-family houses to be made available as afforadble housing to lower-income families, and some market-rate single-family houses.

This is the fourth such HUD grant Milwaukee has received since 1993. Previous grants have been applied to other public housing developments across the city. They have been quite successful at revitalizing public housing--making "the projects" look and feel less like "the projects," integrating them into the surrounding neighborhoods, rather than being an isolated enclave in the middle of urban neighborhoods.

Have a look at this article from the Business Journal for details, plus a few short blurbs about a retail development in Walker's Point in a former paint factory, and an unidentified nationally-known company that is looking to establish a call center in the city (two-pager): Housing Authority receives $19.5 million grant for new housing (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/06/14/newscolumn2.html?page=1)

Markitect
Jun 17, 2004, 5:53 AM
Where a freeway once stood, development will rise--60 acres, over $250 million worth of development expected.

After a delay lasting several months, the Common Council finally approved the Park East Redevelopment Plan--a series of documents which sets the framework (master plan, zoning regulations, development code, architectural guidelines, etc.) for how the former freeway corridor and surrounding blocks will be redeveloped.

While the plan itself was ready to be approved several months ago, the delay was due to debating whether a "community benefits agreement" should be included, which would have attached additonal regulations to developments that would occur in the area (requiring developers to hire minority workers, to provide jobs at union wages for non-union workers, mandates for affordable housing), which would likely drive up the cost of developments--or discourage development in the corridor all together, as some critics claimed. CBA supporters lost out, however, when the Common Council approved the Park East Redevelopment Plan with "no strings attached," which finally sets the ball rolling for redevelopment.

Now that the Redevelopment Plan has been approved, the City can now move ahead with subdividing each block into parcels that can be purchased by developers--which means we may start to see some proposals coming in for this land. Some additional site-preparation work still must be completed in order for the land to be put up for sale, but that should be ready later in the year.

Read this article from the Journal Sentinel for more: Council OKs Park East plan without conditions - 'Community benefits' development proposal rejected by aldermen (http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jun04/237001.asp)

Also check out the Milwaukee Department of City Development's Park East webpage to get all the details about the redevelopment effort--project newsletters, freeway demolition before/after photos, public presnetation model photos, as well as the Redevelopment Plan documents themselves: Park East Redevelopment Project (http://www.mkedcd.org/parkeast)

***

Developers from Key Bridge Group are planning to construct a $25 million, 8-story,76-unit condo project very close to the Park East corridor. The project, called 601 Lofts (it's address will be 601 E. Ogden Avenue), will be built on an empty lot at the northern edge of Downtown. Developers have already started marketing the condos, and hope to start construction this November.

See the Journal Sentinel article for more: Condos planned for Park East area - Construction expected to start in November on $25 million project (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/jun04/237226.asp)

http://www.601lofts.com/images/ogden_400px.gif

Markitect
Jun 18, 2004, 3:39 AM
Big Bend Development has expressed interest in redeveloping an existing property within the Park East area. The developer is looking at a site now occupied by the Milwaukee Center for Independence--an agency that serves disabled people, which will be relocating to the West Side later this year. The Center is on E. Ogden Avenue between N. Broadway and N. Milwaukee Street. No specific plans have been made yet; several development scenarios for the site are being laid out for mixed-use development.

Check out the Journal Sentinel for additional info: Another developer looks at project for Park East area (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/jun04/237521.asp)

Markitect
Jun 21, 2004, 6:15 AM
The Park East corridor was expected to become a hot spot for development, and things are definitely heating up.

Many developers anticipated prime opportunities, so they purchased land/buildings in the blocks surrounding the Park East Freeway before it was even demolished (statring in June 2002) and before the Common Council had established development regulations/guidelines for the area (June 2004):

- The Mandel Group is moving forward with a previously-proposed $100 million plan to replace the former Pfister & Vogel tannery complex on N. Water Street with a mixed-use development that includes at least 500 condos and apartments. Demolition of the vacant tannery buildings and environmental remediation is expected to begin later this year. Mandel had already bought the site in 2001.

- Garot Hospitality Inc. is reviewing its previous plans to build a Country Inn & Suites hotel (a small one, so far, 85-to-100 rooms) on N. Old World 3rd Street, near W. Juneau Avenue. Garot had already bought the site in 2001.

- New Land Enterprises has plans for a condo conversion in an industrial building on N. ML King Drive. The plans are on hold right now, though, as New Land has it's plate full with a few development projects in progress on the East Side and elsewhere Downtown. New Land had already bought the building in 2002.

Those are in addition to the recent propsals in the last week:

- Key Bridge Group's condominium proposal, called 601 Lofts, at 601 E. Odgen Street.

- Big Bend Development's unspecified development on the site of the Milwaukee Center for Independence.

- An unspecified developer has agreed to buy a small warehouse building on N. Edison Street.

See this Journal Sentinel article for more information, which also talks a bit about how the demolition and infrastructure costs for the Park East have escalated: Pace picking up after council's vote - Unity urged in pushing Park East development (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/jun04/238119.asp)

Markitect
Jun 21, 2004, 8:24 PM
The Kenilworth Building, a large warehouse now owned by the University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee, will be redeveloped into student housing, classrooms, street-level retail, and condominiums. UWM currently uses the building mostly for storage as well as some off-campus studio/classroom space for its art school. The Kenilworth Building is located on E. Kenilworth Place, between N. Farwell and N. Prospect Avenues--about a mile south of UWM's campus.

Weas Development plans to cut the existing 5-story building in half, creating two buildings with an open garden space in between. The west building (fronting Farwell Avenue) will contain street-level retail, parking, and housing for graduate, married, and international students (including a two-story addition onto the roof). The east building (fronting Prospect Avenue) will contain street-level retail, parking, and classroom/gallery space for UWM's Peck School of the Arts. In addition, Weas plans to build 20 to 30 condominiums in a new building to be built along the bike trail at the southern edge of the site.

Weas and UWM are currently working with the City to secure all the necessary permits. The project is expected to be completed by Fall 2006.

See this Journal Sentinel article for more: State OKs overhaul of east side building (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/jun04/237129.asp)

And also this article from the Business Journal (two-pager): Weas to split Kenilworth, add condo building - UWM structure will house students, retail, parking (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/06/21/story6.html?page=1)

Below is a picture of the existing Kenilworth Building.

http://www.uwm.edu/map/images/photos/knw.jpg

theodore
Jun 25, 2004, 5:37 PM
^ That's good news, but I'll have to snap a few shots of the artwork on that building before it's cleaned up.

CityGawd5
Jun 26, 2004, 10:27 PM
Mark--how close are they going to stick to the proposal made by that SARUP student a few years ago? I've seen the model...I think it was a grad student's thesis project. Anyways, it looks really cool.

I read that article while I was at work...I tore the damn thing out of the newspaper, but you still beat me to posting it. :rolleyes:

Markitect
Jun 26, 2004, 11:30 PM
Mark--how close are they going to stick to the proposal made by that SARUP student a few years ago? I've seen the model...I think it was a grad student's thesis project. Anyways, it looks really cool.


Doing something to the Kenilworth Building has been the subject of a few SARUP projects/studios. I don't know how close this real-life plan will be to any of those, though.

CityGawd5
Jun 27, 2004, 12:53 AM
The proposal that I'm referring to actually called for the building to be split in half, which the article says will happen when they renovate. If I find a pic of the model I'm talking about, I'll post it here.

Markitect
Jun 27, 2004, 3:27 AM
Yeah, I know the one to which you're referring--it's from a thesis project 6 years ago.

http://www.uwm.edu/SARUP/gallery/images/studiowork_thesisprojects_index2.jpg

CityGawd5
Jun 27, 2004, 6:37 AM
Bingo! :)

Markitect
Jul 1, 2004, 6:02 AM
Ground was broken this past Monday for an Amtrak station on the western outskirts of General Mitchell Internation Airport. The $6.5 million project consists of a small station building (nothing extravagant, probably more of a large waiting shelter with than anything else), a 300-space parking lot, and track improvements that will allow passenger trains to avoid tying up freight trains on the line.

The airport station is being targeted primarily to three different groups: Chicago-area airline passengers (those who want to avoid Chicgao's airports), Milwaukee-area train passengers (those from the South Side/southern suburbs who won't have to go all the way Downtown to catch a train to Chicago), and Downtown Milwaukee commuters (those from the South Side/southern suburbs who work Downtown).

The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

A proposed Metra commuter rail extension would also serve the airport, using tracks through nearby Cudahy, east of the airport (which would be linked via shuttle bus).

See the Journal Sentinel article for additional details: Amtrak breaks ground for airport station - Stop will cater to business travelers (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/jun04/239932.asp)

***

In other Milwaukee railroad news, this past Tuesday Amtrak made a request to Congress for $281 million that would be used to help fund part of a $351 million plan for a Chicago-Milwaukee-Madison high-speed rail line.

Wisconsin has been studying high-speed rail for several years, and has a plan ready to roll, but a lack of funding has prevented that train from leaving the station.

Assuming all the necessary funding is acquired and all the improvements are made:

- Milwaukee-Madison service would start with 6 daily round-trips at 110 mph, and would evenentually be increased to 10 daily round-trips. Additional stations would be built in Brookfield, Oconomoc, and Watertown--with some trains making all stops and others offering express-only service between Milwaukee and Madison. Currently there is no direct Milwaukee-Madison rail connection.

- The existing Chciago-Milwaukee service would increase from 7 daily round-trips to 10 daily round-trips at 70 mph, at first. It would eventually increase to 17 daily round-trips at 110 mph.

Check out this Journal Sentinel article for many more details (possible fares, ridership figures, etc.): Amtrak seeks funds for Madison route - Congress also asked to help upgrade Milwaukee-Chicago service; $281 million requested (http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jun04/240213.asp)

***

The housing boom in the Walker's Point neighborhood continues, with another warehouse that will be converted into condos. The $3 million conversion calls for 21 units (studio and one-bedrooms) to be built on the upper three floors, and ground-floor commercial space. The redevelopment, located on S. 1st Street will be known as the Roxwell Lofts.

Have a look though the Journal Sentinel article for a recap of other Walker's Point projects: Walker's Point building undergoing conversion - 21 condominiums planned for warehouse (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/jun04/240474.asp)

***

Groundbreaking occurred this Wednesday for the Milwaukee Public Market. The $10 million market will provide an indoor/outdoor venue for people to buy and sell locally-grown produce, meat, poultry, seafood, specialty food items, and flowers. The project has been funded through private donations, state loans, and a federal grant.

The Market (which has its roots as a studio project at UWM's School of Architecture and Urban Planning) is being built on a surface parking lot at the corner of N. Water Street and E. St. Paul Avenue in the Third Ward.

Some more info can be read in this article from the Business Journal: Milwaukee Public Market breaks ground; receives state aid (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/06/28/daily28.html)

CityGawd5
Jul 1, 2004, 6:26 AM
Woo hoo on the market. That's good news...I'm not a huge Kubala-Washatko fan, but I really like this building.

As far as the Amtrak news goes, the high-speed rail is interesting, for sure, but I hope that they'll do something about the rates. $40 round trip Milwaukee-Chicago? Please.

Markitect
Jul 1, 2004, 6:40 AM
It already costs $40 round-trip with regular-speed trains, so they're not likely to do something with the rates. If the Metra extension goes through, that'd probably be a better deal price-wise, but the trade-off is it takes longer to get there.

CityGawd5
Jul 1, 2004, 6:50 AM
Sorry. Poor wording on my part. I've taken that train several times. The "please" was meant to indicate that I find the price unnecessarily high. Of course, it's not like Amtrak's in the black, so I'm not expecting awesome rates, but it's pretty pricey.

Markitect
Jul 2, 2004, 5:42 AM
This Thursday, PabstCity developers officially announced anchor tennats that have signed letters of intent to lease space within the brewery redevelopment project:

Pittsburgh-based Jenco Cinemas intends to lease 72,000 square feet for a 16-screen movie theater. The theater would be built in the northwest corner of the site along W. Winnebago Street, prominently overlooking I-43. Milwaukee-based cinema operator Marcus Theaters had been approached earlier, but passed.

Hollywood-based HOB Entertainment intends to lease 32,000 square feet for a House of Blues. The club would be built on the northeast corner of W. Juneau Avenue and N. 9th Street.

Glendale, CA-based Sega GameWorks is in the process of submitting a letter of intent to lease space for a 42,000 square foot entertainment center and restaurant. It would be built at W. Winnebago and N. 10th Streets.

Chicago-based Restaurant Development Group intends to lease 5500 square feet for Bar Louie.

The letters of intent are precursors to signing leases and are used to help attract other tenants.

Still on tap, negotioations continue for a 12,000-14,000 square foot Hofbrauhaus microbrewery and restaurant. Developers also plan to begin marketing next year for a 150-room hotel.

Overall plans for PabstCity, which included new construction as well as rehabilitating historic buildings of the former Pabst Brewery complex, include:

450,000 square feet of entertainment venues, restaurants, and shops

448,000 square feet of housing, composed of 200 condos and 360 loft apartments

100,000 square feet of office space

Here's a Journal Sentinel article for more info: Cinema owner makes PabstCity commitment - Anchor tenants boost plans for old brewery site (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/jul04/240783.asp)


Some hurdles must still be cleared in order for PabstCity to move ahead.

First is the little-guy vs. big-guys leagal battle in the developer/investor partnership. James Haertel recently filed a lawsuit against Wispark and the Ferchill Group stating they have essentially squeezed him out of any plans for the brewery--that they have not kept their promise to give him ownership of the former Pabst office building, gift shop and Blue Ribbon Hall. Haertel is responsible for spearheading the Pabst redevelopment in the first place.

Next is the matter of getting the City to establish a $75 million tax incremental financing district for the project. This financing would be used to make public improvements (streets, sidewalks, water/sewer lines, plazaz, and 3 parking garages). Mayor Barrett and some Common Council memebers recently stressed the need to step back and examine just how many TIF districts the city can handle, and if such financing tools are being used for the right and legal purposes. A formal TIF propsal from the developers will be presented to the Common Council later this year.

Finally, another funding issue involves reciving historic tax credits to be used to rehabilitate the older buildings within the brewery complex. Some of the developers plans for significantly altering a historic building may actually make it ineligible for historic tax credits they would like to use to help pay to rehabilitate the building.


A rendering depicting a public plaza and entertainment venues along N. 10th Street, near Winnebago Street. The generic "Gametime" sign on the building is where the proposed Sega GameWorks would be located.

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/bym/img/jul04/pabst070104.jpg


Another rendering, with a viewpoint looking down W. Juneau Avenue from the corner of N. 9th Street.

http://www.terre-mark.com/images/540_streetviewatnight-sm.jpg


A rendering of the elevations along N. 9th Street.

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/bym/img/feb03/pabstbbig022603.jpg

Omaharocks
Jul 2, 2004, 9:18 PM
Hot stuff Milwaukee!! Hot stuff. Now let's all root for that federal funding needed to get our Madison-Milwaukee high speed rail line going. That was big news here in Madison a few days ago, but it looks unlikely that our anti-progressive federal government will alocate the money to Amtrak. But we can hope..

CityGawd5
Jul 3, 2004, 7:25 AM
Awesome news on Pabst City. Did they drop the whole "Blue Ribbon" thing, btw?

Oh, and can anyone confirm the rumor that I've heard recently about a Cheesecake Factory opening in Mayfair in '05? Because I thoroughly enjoy that rumor.

cubercle
Jul 3, 2004, 7:29 AM
Oh, and can anyone confirm the rumor that I've heard recently about a Cheesecake Factory opening in Mayfair in '05? Because I thoroughly enjoy that rumor.

i don't know about that, but did i see a maggiano's there when i went by?
yowza.
i wonder if they would have trouble with youth violence at the CF like they do at the movie place.

Markitect
Jul 3, 2004, 7:36 AM
Awesome news on Pabst City. Did they drop the whole "Blue Ribbon" thing, btw?

The "Blue Ribbon City" moniker was dropped over a year ago.

Oh, and can anyone confirm the rumor that I've heard recently about a Cheesecake Factory opening in Mayfair in '05? Because I thoroughly enjoy that rumor.

That's no rumor; it's truth.

Mayfair Mall to build 100,000-square-foot addition, ramps (http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/apr04/224042.asp)

MequonWI
Jul 3, 2004, 9:23 PM
Anyone here been to Mayfair recently? I went there to watch 9/11 and it looks like they have started construction. The only thing is last I heard, they hadn't even announced formal plans to Wauwatosa. Anyone know whats being built in the parking lot? On a sidenote, demolition has begun around Bayshore. Although the new design is a been contrived, I like the fact that there will be 200 condos and midrise buildings to go along with the retail expansion at Bayshore.

CityGawd5
Jul 3, 2004, 10:40 PM
BC! Whazzup?

So I know that most of the metro's malls are vamping it up...but has there been any news in Brookfield since the initial J-S article on the community backlash against the New Urbanist proposals to link the mall and the office buildings with condos and street-level retail? I don't remember when that was...it was a few months ago. Anyway, I haven't paid attention to it at all, but all this mall jibber-jabber has made me curious.

And yeah, Maggiano's is at Mayfair. I think they've been there for a little while. I know that there's a Cold Stone...noticed that for the first time when I drove by yesterday on my way to Summerfest. (I've been told it's been there for months now.)

Markitect
Jul 9, 2004, 5:47 AM
Plans to redevelop the old Coast Guard station along the lakefront advanced earlier this week when officials from Milwaukee County Parks and two Native American groups reached a lease agreement for the building. HONOR (Honor Our Neighbors, Origins and Rights--a Native American advocacy group) and Loonsfoot, Inc. have plans to renovate the abandoned Coast Guard station and convert it into a Native American cultural center. The lease agreement must be approved by the full Coutny Board later this month in order for the proposal to procede.

The former Coast Guard station, built in 1916, features distintive Prairie-style styling--and only one of two such structures remianing in existance (the other is in the Philippines). The Coast Guard eventually moved to new facilities in Bay View and the building eventually became home to an Indian Community School for a while. The school moved out and the Federal government turned the building over to Milwaukee County in 1987 under the condition that it be preserved. Subsequent plans never gained enough momentum, the vacant building continued to deteriorate, and the County came close to demolishing the building a few years ago. A warning from the Wisocnsin Historical Society that the Federal government might try to take back the site ultimately motivated County officials to invite proposals for reusing the building.

That's when HONOR stepped up a couple year sago with a proposal to rehabilitate the old building into the Wisconsin Indian History and Cultural Center. However, the plan faced opposition from park preservationists and a couple County Supervisors who feared such a plan would eat up lakefront greenspace with parking lots and other intrusive site elements. HONOR has worked to make sure the project will be sensitive to parkland. And now a tentative lease arrangement has been reached.


Check out the Journal Sentinel for other details: Indian heritage center clears hurdle - Parks officials reach lease deal for former Coast Guard building (http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jul04/242408.asp)

A view of the former Coast Guard station fronting Lincoln Memorial Drive.

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/apr03/coastguard040803.jpg


A view of the station from the marina. It seems that "pit" was once a channel that linked the lake and marina to the Coast Guard boathouse, behind those garage door-ish panels.

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/feb03/goulabig022303.jpg


An older rendering showing a marina-side view of the proposed Wisconsin Indian History and Cultural Center.

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/feb03/goulbig022303.jpg

CityGawd5
Jul 9, 2004, 6:19 PM
Great news. I love that little building. Hopefully this renovation will be as successful as Alterra...that is a COOL little coffee shop, btw.

Markitect
Jul 14, 2004, 5:38 AM
Walker's Point may very well be the hottest neighborhood for development in Milwaukee right now as another proposal was announced last week. Vetter Denk Properties has plans to construct a $3.9 million, 6-story mixed-use building with street level retail space, 16 loft-style condo units, a petnhouse office, and an underground parking garage. The site is currently a pair of vacant lots owned by the City, at the northwest corner of S. 1st Street and E. Pittsburgh Avenue. Pending on a Plan Commission approval to purchase the lots, developers hope to start marketing the units to prospective buyers next month in order for the project to procede.

Read more about it in the Journal Sentinel Developer proposes housing, retail project - Plan is among many for Walker's Point area (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/jul04/242549.asp)

***

A few weeks ago, Big Bend Development proposed a mixed-use condo/retail project on a site currently occupied by the Milwaukee Center for Indepence. The non-profit agency is moving to a new facility elsewhere in the city later this year. Developers were planning to demolish the building to make room for their proposed development: an 8-story building along N. Milwaukee Street with street-level retail, 56 condo units, and underground parking; plus 20 brownstone-style condo units along E. Odgen Avenue.

The Historic Preservation Commission has granted temporary historic status to the oldest (1896) portion of the building. A report from the Department of City Development cites that the building is a fine example of German renaisance architecture; and that it was designed by Otto Strak, a well-known, talented architecture of 19th century Milwaukee. Temporary historic status lasts for 180 days, and is used to as an emergency action to prevent immenent demolition of historic buildings. Petitions for temporary and permanent status can be denied by the Common Council.

Since the temporary status (which in theory, could become permanent) applies only to the oldest portion of the building, it would prevent developers from building their proposed brownstone units. Big Bend Development will go back and study if building only the 8-story building and converting the historic building would make any financial sense. The preserved building would be difficult to work with, since it is built into the hillside (lacking windows on some walls and adequate ventilation), which may make it unsuitable for residential or retail space.

Alderman D'Amato (who represents the neighborhood and chairs the Zonging, Neighborhoods, and Development Committee) does not believe the building needs any historic status--as it really isn't that important enough, especially considering all of the other, more significant examples of German renaissance architecture and Otto Strak's work, some of which already has historic status (namely anything built by Pabst). Mayor Barrett was surprised by the Preservation Commission's action, especially since the site sits within the boundaries of the Park East corridor redevelopment. He would rather not have the developer's proposal stalled or cancelled over such an issue.

See the Journal Sentinel article for more: Move made to protect building - Park East work may be delayed after site gets interim historic status (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/jul04/243414.asp)

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/bym/img/jul04/histor071304.jpg

^ Here is the section of the building in question. It's not really by any means all that historically significant, considering there are more imporant 19th century buildings of this style, and designed by Strak, throughout the city.

Jason
Jul 14, 2004, 1:36 PM
Anyone here been to Mayfair recently? I went there to watch 9/11 and it looks like they have started construction. The only thing is last I heard, they hadn't even announced formal plans to Wauwatosa. Anyone know whats being built in the parking lot? On a sidenote, demolition has begun around Bayshore. Although the new design is a been contrived, I like the fact that there will be 200 condos and midrise buildings to go along with the retail expansion at Bayshore.

My wife dragged me there on Monday. I didn't pay a lot of attention, but nothing seemed to be happening from an inside-perspective. I did see the structure in the parking lot though.

I'm not real familiar with that mall (been there twice, I think), but I didn't see where they could add that much space. Must be on the other side of where I came in.

theodore
Jul 14, 2004, 9:05 PM
Give me 6-8 story mixed use buildings or give me death.

MequonWI
Jul 15, 2004, 6:30 AM
Supposedly, they will add more outdoor "lifestyle" space in front of the mall facing Mayfair Rd. In related news, construction seems well underway at Bayshore with one crane up now.

cubercle
Jul 15, 2004, 8:18 AM
here's a development: :speech:
i'm staying in town!
can't get rid of ol' cubercle that easy! hey!
sorry! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
http://www.pbase.com/image/31368880.jpg
by the way, i was going to be moving away.
which most of you probably didn't even know.
okay! lock n' load!

CityGawd5
Jul 15, 2004, 8:24 AM
Naw, we knew. You were gonna buy a snooty condo in Chicago and morph into a total snob.

theodore
Jul 15, 2004, 3:38 PM
What is "outdoor lifestyle space"?

Markitect
Jul 21, 2004, 5:55 AM
A few days ago the Journal Sentinel ran an excellent article about the transformation of the Walker's Point/Fifth Ward neighborhood. It covered everything from all the little shops/restaurants/bars that have opened up in the neighborhood, to the many residential projects that have been recently completed, to the upcoming proposals on the horizon. The article also touches on the concerns residents, developers/architects, politicians, and business owners have over the future of the neighborhood.

Take some time to read it: Urban makeover - With condos, restaurants going up in Fifth Ward, tension builds over character of redevelopment (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/jul04/244478.asp)

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/bym/img/jul04/fifth18Gbig.gif

^ This map from the article shows and describes the recent development action in the Fifth Ward. Momentum is building!

***

And speaking of Fifth Ward development, a Common Council committee (Zoning, Neighborhoods, and Development) gave preliminary approval for First Place on the River--a project recently proposed by the Key Bridge Group. The site is located at a prominent location at the confluence of the Milwaukee and Menomonee Rivers, near 1st and W. Seeboth Streets. Developers plan to rehabilitate the former 4-story Terminal Storage warehouse, plus an 8-story addition, to create 180 condo units.

Key Bridge is working with the Department of City Development to refine the current design, but as always, there are some who have concerns over the propsal's scale and appearance (which was also addressed in the previous article). The proposal will go before the full Common Council for approval in the near future.

Also, the ZND Committee recommended permanent historic status to a small warehouse building next door, which Weas Development had planned to demolish to make way for an 8-story condo/retail project called 100 Seeboth. While this action effectively kills the proposal, it must also be approved by the full Common Council at a later date.

Check out the Journal Sentinel article for detailed information: Fifth Ward plan moves forward - City panel backs one condo development, opposes another in historic building (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/jul04/245062.asp[/URL)

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/bym/img/jul04/fifth072004.jpg

^ A rendering of First Place on the River, at the point where the Milwaukee River (foreground) and Menomonee River (right background) meet. The project involves rehabbing the lower 4-stories of an existing warehouse, plus several additions of varying heights (plus boat docks and a new riverwalk).

***

On the other end of Downtown, the ZND Committee recommended the Common Council should deny temporary historic status to a portion of the Milwaukee Center for Independence. This would allow developers to move forward with plans to demolish the building to make way for their proposed mixed-use project consiting of an 8-sotry building and 20 brownstone-style lofts. This matter is also on the agenda for a full Common Council meeting later this month.

Review the for and against positions in this Journal Sentinel article: Condo plan gets boost from city - Committee backs demolishing building (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/jul04/245037.asp)

Tom In Chicago
Jul 21, 2004, 3:50 PM
I like what's going on in Milwaukee's Fifth Ward area. . .

djcody
Jul 21, 2004, 8:39 PM
looks good, i like the design. glad to see change on the horizon...

Markitect
Jul 22, 2004, 3:59 AM
Downtown's housing boom continues, with two more conversion projects!

Work is already in progress inside the Wisconsin Tower (aka 606 Building), where the 22-story former office building (a great art deco piece) will be converted into a mixed-use building. Renovation started earlier this week to create 70 condo units, two floors of retail space, and underground parking within the building.

This Journal Sentinel article covers this building, and reviews other renovation work going on along W. Wisconsin Avenue: Wisconsin Ave. office tower is going condo (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/jul04/245427.asp)

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/bym/img/jul04/towerbig0722.jpg

^ The Wisconsin Tower, 606 West Wisconsin Avenue.

***

The Gallun family, which owns the former A.F. Gallun & Sons Company tannery, has proposed converting the complex into condominiums. The tannery buildings are located on the Lower East Side, between N. Water Street and the Milwaukee River, just north of E. Brady Street. The Galluns are planning to create 250 to 300 condo units, to be developed in phases as the housing market demands. Also, 40,000 square feet of retail space on the lower level is planned.

This area has been a hot spot for residential projects in recent years, both new construction and conversions. The Galluns already redeveloped a portion of the tannery a few years ago into apartments--which they now plan to upgrade into condominums (in addition to this most recent condo proposal).

Alderman D'Amato would like plans to include public access to the river, via a street or lane (similar to streets along canals in Europe), which would link up with the city's ever-growing RiverWalk.

Read more about it in the Journal Sentinel: Tannery to become housing - Condo project targets big downtown demand (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/jul04/245445.asp)

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/bym/img/jul04/gallunbig0722.jpg

^ A view of the former Gallun tannery, looking south down N. Water Street.

pip
Jul 22, 2004, 4:08 AM
I like what's going on in Milwaukee's Fifth Ward area. . .

Milwaukee is quite the boom city and is clearly becoming one of the better, in the league of a handful, urban cities in the U.S. You should check it out. I especially like the East Side and the awesome Lakefront, from the East Side to Bayview, which Milwaukee has painstakingly fixed up or is fixing up. Great job Milwaukee.

CityGawd5
Jul 23, 2004, 5:45 AM
I read the Fifth Ward article in the paper this morning over breakfast. (I was in Eagle River over the weekend.) As far as names go, I'd prefer that the area remain "Walker's Point." Not only would it provide distinction from the Third Ward across the river, it's also a nod to one of the city's three founders; it's a little piece of Milwaukee history.

theodore
Aug 5, 2004, 8:00 PM
Question!

- That great building on the southwest corner of North and Humboldt appears to still be vacant. When is someone going to make that place into something? Otherwise I'm going to have to come up there and buy the damn thing. It is simply too badass.

theodore
Aug 9, 2004, 2:46 PM
I feel like I'm talking to myself, but whatever.


This may be relatively old news, but I recently read that the abandoned warehouse on Humboldt between Locust and Chambers (near the outdoor volleyball courts) has been bought by Alterra and will be completely renovated as an industrial-ish coffeeshop thing.

UglymanCometh
Aug 10, 2004, 4:09 AM
Damn Milwaukee!

See, now y'all are on my "must see" list.... I need to see this stuff in person. There's a lot of true urban development - rehab, reno, and new construction - going on. These must be exciting times for you!

If not, you've got someone in Michigan who's excited for you. I love progressive cities.

Our Time is Now!

Calcasieu

Markitect
Aug 15, 2004, 9:59 PM
Redevelopment momentum from Walker's Point is slowly making its way westward, as reported in the Journal Sentinel recently. Old industrial buildings and warehouses are being converted into new residential, retail, and office uses along a stretch of W. Pierce Street, between S. 12th and S. 16th Streets. Some of the recent and upcoming reinvestment throughout the neighborhood include: several artist studios, a high-end antique gallery, a furniture restoration business, and expansion for an existing commerical kitchen business, and a new headquarters for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin.

Here's the article from the Journal Sentinel: Industry yields to retail along Pierce St. - Five-block area on near south side being reborn, a building here, another there (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/aug04/251020.asp)

cubercle
Aug 15, 2004, 11:28 PM
Question!
That great building on the southwest corner of North and Humboldt appears to still be vacant.

answer!!

friends of mine have occupied the second and third floors of that building for years!

weird mannequin in second story window courtesy of scott.

pip
Aug 16, 2004, 12:02 AM
Question!
That great building on the southwest corner of North and Humboldt appears to still be vacant.

answer!!

friends of mine have occupied the second and third floors of that building for years!

weird mannequin in second story window courtesy of scott.
I drove by that building a million times and always wondered about it. Did you ever venture into the lower floors, that would be sommething I would love to do. This is the building right across from the Jewel/Osco? What is the story behind that building?

There was another empty house kitty corner to that building that seemed to have some big parties in it anyone have information on that house? There is beside that house a big cememnt lot with what looks like a place were trucks backed into to drop or pick things up. What is the history behind that?

Markitect
Aug 16, 2004, 3:23 AM
My dad grew up in that neighborhood. The cool-looking building on the southwest corner of Humboldt/North at one time was a neighborhood drug store, I believe (at least in the 1950s). The exterior looks like it's been painted recently, and it looks like some interior renovation work is going on, judging from the step ladders and stuff visible thorugh the windows.

Kitty-corner to that, on the northeast corner, there seems to have been just a paved empty lot with a small building on it--maybe a gas station at one time, judging by a 1968 aerial photo I have of the neighborhood.

A little ways to the east, toward the river, there was a cement supply company and a small fuel supply facility. Across the street, where the Jewel-Osco now stands, was once the Humbolt Yard of the Milwaukee Road railroad.

pip
Aug 17, 2004, 1:17 AM
judging by a 1968 aerial photo I have of the neighborhood.
Can you post that arial?

I guess I shouldn't have said kitty corner when trying to describe the house. It is almost kitty corner. The house I was talking about, I think there are two it would be the one to the west of the first house, are just before the vacant area where it looked liked trucks used to drop off and pick stuff up, is just before the bridge on the north side of North Avenue. If that makes any sense. I have always wondered what that land was and the story behind the party house.



Just to the east

Steely Dan
Aug 17, 2004, 3:19 PM
below is a travel article from the chicago tribune about brew-city, i thought you milwaukeeans might be interested in reading it. it's kinda stupid and makes sweeping generalizations just like every other travel article that's ever been written, but the overall tone is still very positive and upbeat about the revitalization of milwaukee.


Happy days--and nights--in surprising Milwaukee

By Mary Morris
Special to the Tribune
Published August 15, 2004

MILWAUKEE -- As we drive past the stone mansions, some with impeccable gardens terraced into the hillside, a glistening blue-green sea and white beaches below, I try to remember where I am. The Amalfi Coast, Northern California, even the Riviera come to mind.

But this is Milwaukee--a town I'd typecast for its beer drinking, sports fans with cheese wedges on their heads and TV sitcoms ("Laverne and Shirley," "Happy Days"). A town that would prove me wrong.

Last year my parents moved to Milwaukee to be near my brother. My father, who was nearing 100, had spent his entire life in Chicago. What would he do without Chicago's clubs and fancy restaurants, gritty politics and ceramic cows? As for my mother, I could not imagine her away from Michigan Avenue.

But they began to rave about the city, so I thought I'd give it a try.

On a flawless May morning, my husband and I pull up in front of the Pfister Hotel, one of the premier hotels in the Midwest and Milwaukee's oldest. Hopeful sports fans, clutching baseball memorabilia, crane their necks to see if we are San Diego Padres. We enter the stunning three-story, barrel-vaulted Victorian lobby where a child's smiley-face balloon floats among the angels.

After checking into a spacious room with a view of the lake, my husband and I do what we like to do best: We take a walk. We head east along Wisconsin Avenue toward the 1982 orange sculpture by Mark di Suvero, "The Calling," at the avenue's end. Then we see, rising against the blue sky and the lakefront, the magnificent Calatrava addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum.

A warm breeze blows as we approach the bridge that leads to this piece of pure white architecture with its angelic white wings called the brise soleil. Already tourists are lined up on the bridge and the ramparts leading to the museum, for it is the designated hour when the wings begin to open.

And at the appointed time they do, slowly, like a great bird poised for flight. We stand in awe as these wings, intended to allow filtered light into the museum, extend themselves against the horizon. (The wings open when the museum does--10 a.m.--and close when it closes--5 p.m. daily, except Thursdays when closing is 8 p.m.; they also "flap"--close and open--at noon every day.)

We descend to the street level and enter the museum. The entrance hall with the Calder mobile floating overhead, the pure white marble floor, the expansive room and unobstructed views of the lake give one the impression that a miracle is being performed here. Walking into the museum, it feels as if we are actually walking on water.

Finnish architect Eero Saarinen built the original War Memorial Center of the Milwaukee Art Museum in 1957. When the new addition was planned for what is called the Quadracci Pavilion, every major architect in the world, including Frank Gehry (who wanted to create an American Bilbao here), sought the job. Santiago Calatrava, a great admirer of his mentor Saarinen, won and built a splendid white ship, an ark complete with wings, made of steel and reinforced concrete (one of Calatrava's preferred materials).

In the Pop Art section of the gallery I pause in front of a large painting by Tom Wesselmann, titled "Still Life #51." It is an image of an orange bowling ball beside a giant Pabst beer can.

As I learn from friends in town who pride themselves on being local historians, this museum isn't the start but the culmination of good urban planning that began a century ago with architects such as Daniel Burnham, Alfred Clas and Frederick Law Olmsted. It continued in 1981 when the City Council decided not to run a freeway along Milwaukee's lakefront; the Calatrava addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum sits where that freeway would have been.

We stop for a visit with my parents, who live just off the lake. Afterwards we continue our walk along the lakefront, first heading to the grounds where Summerfest (and many other events) are held. Once this was a dumping ground for a Nike missile base, an airfield, railroad tracks, a shooting range and huge parking lots. Now there are miles of public walkways, bicycle rentals, a marina. A former pumping station along Lincoln Memorial Drive has been reincarnated as a cafe called Alterra. Milwaukee's backyard, one city planner noted, has now become its front yard.

Walking to Veterans Park, we pass the kite-flying school, which is closed, then cut past a pond dotted with paddleboats.

We drive farther north to Lake Park, a classic Olmsted park, which remains much as he intended it. Built on high ground, this small park traverses the deep ravines carved by glaciers long ago.

At Atwater Beach, we park on Lake Drive and walk down many steps to get to the beach. The water is too cold for swimming, but flopping on our towels, we end the day there.

That night my brother and his wife take us to Coerper's Five O'Clock Club, a quintessential Midwestern steak house far to the west. In the dim, smoky restaurant, which probably hasn't been redecorated since the late '50s, an Elvis impersonator sits at the table behind us. We try not to stare as my brother considers the 30-oz. steak with onion rings.

Big portions. Big chairs (the Blue Dawg Bagel on Farwell Avenue, with armchairs you can stretch out in). Big buildings (the Allen-Bradley Clock Tower, with the largest--bigger than Big Ben--four-sided clock in the world). The biggest (and best) circus parade.

For dessert we head out to Kopp's in Glendale, to sample the world-famous frozen custard. Though it has been Kopp's since the early 1970s, it has another claim to fame: This was once the site of the Milky Way diner, a hangout for one of the creators of "Happy Days."

We enjoy our frozen custard while admiring a giant sculpture of a red spoon with a cherry in it. It's a copy of a sculpture by Claes Oldenburg that sits in the sculpture garden at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. Oldenburg's first wife, Patty, was a girl from South Milwaukee who sewed his soft sculptures.

Driving down Juneau Avenue early the next morning, we pass the old Blatz brewery. Ahead of us is the abandoned Pabst brewery. We are heading for the RiverWalk along the Milwaukee River. Once an oily waterway, bordered by forbidding gray buildings, its banks now harbor charming two-story town-houses, complete with private docks, and restaurants with names like the Ocean Club and Third Street Pier. Families of ducks and a small yacht float by.

At the end of the l9th Century, the architects Burnham and Clas recommended that both Chicago and Milwaukee build river walks. Chicago built Wacker Drive, but Milwaukee's plans took another 80 years. And now it is completed.

We circle back along 3rd Street, an "old Milwaukee" street that has been home to the Usinger's Famous Sausage factory since 1880. Old-style German buildings--and the famed Mader's restaurant--remain perfectly preserved. To see a Chicago street that looks like this you have to go to the Old Chicago exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. In Milwaukee, you can just walk along 3rd Street and have a burger too.

From the RiverWalk we drive over to the Historic 3rd Ward, just south of downtown. Here markets have been converted into art galleries and boutiques, and a school for art and design has recently opened. But this neighborhood of cobbled streets came into its own when the Broadway Theater Center opened about five years ago as the umbrella company for three venues: Skylight Opera, Chamber Theater (for traditional theater) and Theater X (an experimental venue, which recently staged a successful run of "Chomsky 9/11").

We end our morning at Sanford D'Amato's Cafe Coquette in the Historic 3rd Ward with lunch.

After an afternoon with my parents at their Prospect Avenue home, we walk back to the hotel. We pass old Victorian mansions, then turn up Knapp Street. After a stop for a Guinness at a charming Irish pub and B&B called County Clare (traditional Irish music and corned beef on Saturday nights), we continue along Astor Street.

Here we get a full appreciation of the yellowish-white bricks that gave Milwaukee its Cream City nickname. In the 1850s brick manufacturers were disappointed when their bricks didn't come out the usual red. But after a while the local brickmakers appreciated the uniqueness of the color, and many Milwaukee buildings were built with this pale-baked clay.

Along Juneau Avenue we pause to admire All Saints Episcopal Cathedral Complex with its English Gothic Revival church and eight-sided steeple. Then we come to Cathedral Square, a lively square lined with trendy restaurants and St. John's Roman Catholic Cathedral.

That night we have a five-star dining experience at Sanford, the premier restaurant of Sanford D'Amato--the chef Julia Child picked to cook for her 85th birthday. We are pleasantly surprised that the three-course tasting menu is only $45. I savor the crayfish ravioli in won-ton soup with pepper, fennel and anise; the loin of elk in cranberry sauce; and, for dessert, the cannoli with Grand Marnier and a poppyseed cookie.

The day ends at the Blu bar on the 23rd floor of the Pfister, which features live jazz and wrap-around windows. The San Diego Padres are there. I can't remember if they'd lost or won, but our mood was high as we drank blue martinis up in the sky.

Why I have fallen in love with Milwaukee is no mystery. Milwaukee is the kind of straightforward, dignified Midwestern city I remember from my childhood--a good place to enjoy the expanse of inland sea known as Lake Michigan, to get a steak and a beer, to talk with friends over coffee, to live a well-appointed, even elegant life.

Yet it has not lost its whimsical, childlike feel. On our last morning we head to the kite school on the lake, now in full flight. Along the lakefront gulls dive for fish, sailboats skitter past. In the distance we spot a schooner with five sails to the wind. The playing fields of Veterans Park are filled with picnickers and soccer games. Two men perform acrobatics with a frisbee.

Above us a white crane kite soars like a sea bird against the pale blue sky.

- - -

MORE SIGHTS

Milwaukee has many more attractions than what is mentioned in the main story. Among them:

- The Milwaukee Public Museum, best known for its "Streets of Old Milwaukee" exhibit and as the museum that first incorporated the diorama into exhibits.

- The Milwaukee County Zoo, often described as one of the best in the country.

- The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory ("the Domes"), with desert, tropical and temperate walk-through environments.

- Miller Park, home to baseball's Brewers with a fan-like, retractable dome.

- You also can tour the Miller Brewery or Sprecher Brewery (a microbrewery that also makes gourmet sodas).

INFORMATION

Contact the Greater Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-554-1448; www.milwaukee.org.

-- M.M.


Copyright © 2004, Chicago Tribune

pip
Aug 18, 2004, 12:24 AM
It is only 20 dollars to get to Milwaukee by train from Chicago. The train will let you off a little bit South of downtown. I highly recommend any Chicagoan get on that train and walk about Milwaukee. Downtown has tons of construction and beautiful architecture, the East Side will be everyone's favorite neighborhood, and the lakefront is awesome.

Do I remember correctly that the old coast guard station on the lakefront is being redeveloped?

Stop in a local Milwaukee bar and have some bears especially Brady Street area or North Ave. area. Remember this is Milwaukee so instead of Old Style have a Miller product one of the many micro brews which seem to be more prolific than Chicago.

The last train back to Chicago is at 7:30pm, that sucks, but the day trip is well worth it and cheap.

Those are my plans for Thursday.

DeBaliviere
Aug 18, 2004, 1:29 PM
Why does every article about Milwaukee have to mention Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley?

Steely Dan
Aug 18, 2004, 3:40 PM
Why does every article about Milwaukee have to mention Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley?

i think it's because those two TV shows are the most enduring cultural references to milwaukee that exist in america at large, for better or worse. the fact that so many still associate milwaukee with those TV shows decades after they were last aired shows just how wildly popular Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley actually were.

but you do have a bit of a point about people not being able to let it go. i mean the mary tyler moore show was EXTREMELY popualr in its day, yet minneapolis has been able to out grow the fact that it was the setting for the show. milwaukee still walks with its happy days/laverne and shirley shadows.

Markitect
Aug 20, 2004, 4:54 AM
Milwaukee County continues to search for a site to consolidate its administrative offices, which are currently spread across different locations throughout Downtown--notably at the Courthouse Annex (which has expensive maintainence issues) and at Schlitz Park (which cost $3+ million/year in rent).

Earlier this year, County officials announced one possible alternative would be a new office building and parking garage to be built on a County-owned surface parking lot at N. 6th and W. State Streets, in the Civic Center area. A new alternative under consideration is office space within the proposed PabstCity complex, a few blocks to the north.

Both options would allow the County to demolish the Courthouse Annex and discontinue leasing space at Schlitz Park. However, neither option would be chosen if studies reveal they wouldn't save taxpayers money.

Read about it in the Journal Sentinel: County may move offices to PabstCity - Idea could save taxpayers money, Walker aide says (http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/aug04/252198.asp)

theodore
Sep 8, 2004, 7:05 PM
Anything going on lately?

cubercle
Sep 8, 2004, 10:17 PM
http://www.pbase.com/cubercle/image/33593810.jpg

at the time of this posting theodore had exactly 1000 more posts than me.

CityGawd5
Sep 9, 2004, 1:58 AM
He still does.

theodore
Sep 9, 2004, 12:57 PM
Not anymore.

cubercle
Sep 17, 2004, 5:56 AM
http://www.pbase.com/image/33909634.jpg

MSPtoMKE
Sep 18, 2004, 1:50 AM
Oops! whats the cross street?

neqquah
Sep 18, 2004, 11:20 PM
:eek:

I think it's Teutonia Ave. Was anyone killed in that accident?




btw, I was on Water and Wells last night and saw a very similar accident. The victim of the accident crawled out of his car (which was upside down, btw) and he only suffered a busted lip.

The guy that hit him took off, but left his bumper laying on the street with the LISENCE PLATE still attatched! :laugh:


and yeah, the cops have the lisence plate.

CityGawd5
Sep 20, 2004, 4:39 AM
Hey, did anyone catch the housing expo this weekend? I couldn't make it...I didn't find out about it until Thursday, and I already had plans for Saturday.

Just to let y'all know, there's a somewhat interesting pull-out section on downtown neighborhoods (East Town, Westown, Brewer's Hill/Brady Street, and the Third Ward) in the most recent Biz Journal.

Markitect
Sep 20, 2004, 6:00 AM
Hey, did anyone catch the housing expo this weekend? I couldn't make it...I didn't find out about it until Thursday, and I already had plans for Saturday.

Just to let y'all know, there's a somewhat interesting pull-out section on downtown neighborhoods (East Town, Westown, Brewer's Hill/Brady Street, and the Third Ward) in the most recent Biz Journal.

Thanks for bringing things back on topic.

Yes, I did catch a bit of the Downtown Housing Expo and Open House this past weekend. I didn't go on any tours, but stopped by the booths set up at Pere Marquette Park where a bunch of developers and real estate firms had lots of information to give and brochures to hand out.

Of particular note...

Architects/developers Vetter Denk broke ground for its Park Terrace project in the Beerline area along N. Commerce Street this weekend. The development consists of 21 row houses and 16 single-family homes carved into the bluff near Kilbourn Park, overlooking the Milwaukee River.

http://www.vetterdenk.com/prop/row/row_r2_c1.gif

http://www.vetterdenk.com/prop/rhfeatures/rhfeatures_r2_c1.gif

http://www.vetterdenk.com/prop/features/features_r2_c1.gif

http://www.vetterdenk.com/prop/four/four_r2_c6.gif

http://www.vetterdenk.com/prop/three/three_r4_c1.gif

^ Renderings of the Park Terrace Row Houses and Bluff Homes.

***

The Mandel Group is caring the RiverCrest condos into the riverside bluff just up the street. RiverCrest broke ground this past spring at the corner of N. Humboldt Boulevard and E. Commerce Street, next to the Jewel-Osco.

***

Wescott Real Estate and Vetter Denk are in the marketing stages for Union Point, which will be the first mixed-use building for the Beerline area. It is a retail/residential building that will be built at the corner of N. Humboldt Boulevard and E. Commerce, right in between the Park Terrace and RiverCrest projects.

***

Further downstream in the Third Ward, the Mandel Group is marketing for the Marine Terminal Lofts, which is a rehabilitation/new construction project. The existing 3-story building at N. Broadway and E. Erie Street will be renovated, with two new stories built on top of that. An extension of the RiverWalk and a new public plaza is planned to be built with this and neighborhing projects.

http://www.mandelgroup.com/data/condos/marine1_big.jpg

^ A rendering showing the Marine Terminal Lofts along the river in the Third Ward.

***

New Land Development has plans to break ground on the 10-story CityGreen Condominiums later this year. The condo tower is in the 1100 block of N. Marhsall Street in East Town. It is expected to be completed in 2006.

Earlier this year, New Land also broke ground for an 11-story mixed-use retail/condo tower known as the Strerling, at the corner of N. Farwell and E. Royall Place.

http://www.sterlingcondominiums.com/img/home_img.jpg

^ A rendering of the Sterling Condominiums.


More later...

CityGawd5
Sep 20, 2004, 6:15 PM
I'm likin' those rowhouses. The new housing in the Beerline/Brewer's Hill area is pretty funky. In a good way, of course.

MSPtoMKE
Sep 20, 2004, 6:40 PM
Hmmm, didnt hear about the housing fair this year. Last year my urban planning prof told me about it so i did go then and it was interesting. I dont remember it being so early in the year last year. I like those first rowhouses posted the best, i think. CG, if you havent seen it already, there is an exhibition in the SARUP gallery about housing by Johnsen Schmaling Architects, it is pretty interesting.

Markitect
Sep 20, 2004, 7:09 PM
The Housing Expo was around the same time as last year--third weekend in September, the same day as the Milwaukee River Challenge rowing races through Donwtown (this year with two Olympic gold medalists from Wisconsin).

I also like the stuff Vetter Denk has been designing/developing in the Beerline, including the River Homes, River Court, and the Milwaukee Rowing Club facility that's already been built. They're good examples of new urbanist developments that aren't so hokey-looking with pasted-on ornamentation and fake-historic styles. Johnsen and Schmaling used to work for Vetter Denk before starting their own firm, and so they worked on some of the Beerline stuff.

theodore
Sep 20, 2004, 7:47 PM
Is that Sterling building the one next to Pizza Shuttle?

cubercle
Sep 20, 2004, 10:06 PM
http://www.pbase.com/cubercle/image/34056997/original.jpg

CityGawd5
Sep 21, 2004, 1:45 AM
theodore -- yes it is. I wonder if you'll still be able to see the Dali-esque pizza mural once the Sterling goes up. That mural's got character. :)

Markitect -- Is the Milwaukee Rowing Club building the glassy one that's sort of underground, with the floor-to-ceiling windows facing the river? I love the way that looks at night. And what do you know about the condo (?) building across the river from what I presume to be the rowing club; the yellowish and green one with the funky skybridge on the top levels?

M2M -- I haven't seen it yet. I'll have to check it out after work on Wednesday.

OH, and btw UWM Arch students...you know who you are...if you want to see a circus, stop by the RC in the coming weeks. THe 100 model projects have just been assigned, and the current crop of freshmen seem to be taking it seriously. I've "helped" 25-30 people the past three times I've worked. From what I remember, it was never this busy last year.

Markitect
Sep 21, 2004, 3:37 AM
Is the Milwaukee Rowing Club building the glassy one that's sort of underground, with the floor-to-ceiling windows facing the river? I love the way that looks at night.

Yes, that's the rowing club's boathouse. It opened about a year ago, in time for last year's river race.

And what do you know about the condo (?) building across the river from what I presume to be the rowing club; the yellowish and green one with the funky skybridge on the top levels?

That's another one of New Land's developments--the Highbridge Condominiums, on N. Water Street. And their Riverbridge condos are under construction just up the street on that side of the river.

Tom In Chicago
Sep 21, 2004, 2:16 PM
Is this upside down cars thing some kind of new 'fad' that I'm not too old to care about? If so Milwaukee sure is on the cutting edge of it. . . wow!

http://www.pluto.no/filmfestival/off99/american_movie/grafikk/american_movie.gif

CityGawd5
Sep 21, 2004, 5:54 PM
Uh oh...someone post some more flipped cars...the Flint thread is catching up to us.