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Google joins Microsoft in opening Madison office Madison, Wis. - For the second time in a week, a major technology firm has announced the opening of an office in Madison. Last week, it was Microsoft. This time, it's search giant Google, which cited the local labor pool and the community's focus on education for the opening of an engineering office that will concentrate on hardware and software systems design. The Madison office, located on Doty Street, actually has been open for several months and is managed by Google's Jim Laudon, who attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned at Ph.D. from Stanford University. “We are opening an office in Madison because the city offers an excellent quality of life, a deep local talent pool, and commitment to education at all levels, including the University of Wisconsin... Ken Notes: Wow Google says we are cool.
Epic Business Booms Starts Building Second Verona Campus Sunday, April 27, 2008 - If spring is here, it must be construction season at Epic Systems Corp. Two huge, red cranes tower over the campus of the rapidly growing technology company, signaling that construction is running full tilt on the second round of office buildings. Just one year shy of its 30th anniversary, Epic Systems has 3,000 employees - more than triple its size five years ago - and topped $500 million in annual revenue last year. For the Madison area, Epic is a phenomenal success story... Madison Ranks In Top 10 For Worst Homeowner Debt MADISON, Wis. -- Madison may be one of the best cities in America but it's also one of the worst for homeowner debt. According to an article in Forbes Magazine, nearly one in three Madison homeowners has a second mortgage, a home equity loan or both. The list ranks Sacramento first followed by San Diego, Washington DC, Colorado Springs, Denver, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Boise, Las Vegas and Madison. Of the roughly 143,000 mortgages in Madison, 27 percent or 38,000 are carrying a second mortgage or home equity loan. That can spell trouble for homeowners looking to refinance out of an adjustable rate mortgage... Ken Notes: Yes but our values are remaining stable, at least for now. We need to attract new buyers into the market to maintain this. Attention Boomers, Entrepreneurs, Growth Companies and Regional Offices. Come for a football game, stay for a lifetime. Did I mention Google loves us! Bucking The Odds: Capitol West Presses On In Stagnant Market Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - While several other high-profile building projects in Madison have hit the skids, the Alexander Company has pushed on with its ambitious $110 million redevelopment of the 300 block of West Washington Avenue called Capitol West. First proposed in 2004 at the height of the housing boom, the project called for taking the shell of the former Meriter Hospital building and converting it into condos. Work has moved along in fits and starts, however, with delays both in design and construction. "It seems like we spent most of January and February just clearing off snow," says Rodger Galloway, superintendent for J.H. Findorff & Son Inc. With the weather much improved, there are now some 225 workers on site hurriedly hanging drywall... University Square eatery on hold? "Not at all," says Brink Free-wheeling developer Curt Brink has always had big ideas for energizing downtown Madison, from the stylish "Brink Lounge" coffee shop/wine bar/jazz nightclub he opened two years ago in the former Buy & Sell Shop to his unrealized vision for the towering 27-story Archipelago Village on the 900 block of East Washington Avenue. But Brink's plan for the "Field Pass" -- the $4 million sports bar and nightclub in the new University Square mixed use project -- has apparently run into snags. Crews from Stevens Construction were pulled... Marcie Malszycki is conflicted. She doesn't want to badmouth Lake Point Condominiums, where she bought a home last year. But she also doesn't want things to continue as they've been. "I put money into this place as my future," she says. "It's a big investment." Malszycki is one of 14 condo residents — a majority — who signed a recent letter to the Madison Community Development Authority... Ken Notes: This is a tough market. Developers are conservative because of slow sales and anxious bankers, banks do not want to loan money to new buyers on an asset that may depreciate, lack of owners mean less funds for maintenance, poor maintenance mean even slower sales... New Library Plan Intrigues Board, But Land Sale Required Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - Local developer Terrence Wall's family made its fortune in the library business. Now Wall wants to build the city a new downtown library to replace the outdated 43-year-old structure in the 200 block of West Mifflin Street, across from the Overture Center. The catch is the city must sell the property to Wall, who proposes to tear it down and build a nine-story, $45 million building that will house a new and bigger library, several floors of private office space and some retail on the ground floor. At a special meeting of the Madison Public Library Board...
Future of shuttle unclear - Many undecided about Middleton's proposed trolley 5/1/2008 - A proposal for a city trolley and a bus shuttle running between Middleton's hotels, Epic Systems in Verona and the Dane County Airport is in a state of limbo as city officials try to find out more about how the service would affect the local economy. Last week, Middleton's tourism commission, finance committee and common council all voted to defer the matter. The lack of action means suggestions that the service be in place by early June of this year probably won't come to fruition. In an April 10 memo, city administrator Mike Davis described a partnership with Badger Coaches, Inc. intended to draw more people to Middleton's 1,000 hotel rooms... Ken Notes: I still like the idea and think it has the potential to become a destination attraction. Could some tourism dollars be available here?... Railroad Tracks Force Smaller Scale For Central Park Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - The grand vision of a Central Park flowing down the city's east isthmus likely will be recast - to a less ambitious version that can be realized without moving the railroad tracks that slant across the land eyed for development. The costly prospect of moving of the tracks, used by the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad, has hung over the park planning process like a cloud as other costs materialized, like an estimated $8.5 million for land acquisition, said William Barker, chairman of the Central Park Design and Implementation Task Force. "It's looking like economically and politically, it will be difficult to remove the tracks within any reasonable time frame," he said Monday. Madison Gas & Electric, the local utility, has offered to help pay for a park design that leaves the tracks in place... Ken Notes: I hope this project continues and I think MG&E deserves a lot of credit for offering options and assistance. The track issue is not unsurmountable just challenging. TIF, Tribeca and the war in Iraq 4/24/2008 - To those with only a superficial interest in local politics, Doug Zwank, Middleton's mayor from 2003 to 2007, was simply a tall, gregarious public official with a penchant for loud Hawaiian shirts. But underneath his public exterior was a mayor with a determined vision for the city and stalwart beliefs about how local government should interact with the business community. A year after voluntarily giving up his seat as mayor, Zwank sat down last week with the Middleton Times-Tribune to look back at his roots, his time in the public eye, and his advocacy for workforce housing... New Commercial Listings from PropertyDrive.com All Commercial Properties By Community (an interactive map) Small property transactions in Madison This searchable database includes property transfers under $300,000 that were recorded in Madison since June 2007. Search by month the transaction occurred, by street name or by price. Verona City Hall collapse sets schedule back No injuries but plenty of damage in new building. It wasn't even the nastiest weather to hit the area Friday. That honor belonged to the tornado activity in Columbia County that tossed trees around and damaged homes and barns in Wyocena and Rio. But an early morning thunderstorm in Verona evidently contributed to a major mishap at the new City Hall, where part of the ceiling collapsed and the northern wall of the administration "pod" buckled around 3 a.m. The full effect is still unknown, but early guesses suggested completion will be a few weeks later than the most recent Aug. 1 target... Ken Notes: The pictures really tell the story here...
States must work together, development expert says 4/30/2008 - When Brown Shoe announced it was locating its new headquarters in St. Louis, not Madison -- and closing its Famous Footwear offices here -- one reason cited was some $43 million in economic development incentives from the state of Missouri. But rather than spending limited resources fighting each other for new jobs, Midwestern states must work together if they hope to compete in the new world economy, development experts say... Developer says bank left him high, dry A year ago, Brian Cason was a successful entrepreneur whose real-estate development and construction businesses employed 50 people in the Madison area. A planned manufacturing plant was to employ 75 more. "We were doing extremely well, " the hard-charging businessman from Verona said as he guided his Ford Expedition on a tour of some of the homes, condominiums and commercial buildings that his company... Ken Notes: I have a copy of the document from the bank Here. Maybe if they called the project a solid cell bio regeneration experiment in recycling earth mass they could get state and federal funding. East Side Club May Redevelop Lakeshore Site Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - A five-story building with a full-service restaurant, reception hall, office space and possibly an extended-stay hotel might replace the more than 50-year-old building that is now home to the East Side Club on Lake Monona's north shore. The 350-member club, at 3735 Monona Drive in Monona and formerly known as the East Side Business Men's Association, has voted to proceed with redevelopment of the 1.5-acre property and is looking for a developer to do the estimated $15 million project. David Baehr, a former president of the club, is leading the request for proposals. He said the East Side Club would lease the land for the project to the developer with the club then leasing back 20,000 square feet of space on the lower level of the new building. The club currently has 16,000 square feet and has been at its Monona Drive location since 1954. The club, founded in 1912, hosts wedding receptions and other types of parties but also has a Friday night fish fry and a Sunday brunch, both of which are open to the public... Saturday, April 26, 2008 - The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Union South will be demolished next year. What should replace it? Initial planning concludes soon. Because I've written on campus history, architecture and planning, Union officials have asked me to sit in on design sessions. More importantly, you should comment. You'll find how in the box accompanying this article. Meanwhile, I've asked better minds than mine to chime in: Jim Feldman, author of "Buildings of the University of Wisconsin," and Mark Olinger, director of the city's department of planning and development... Union South Can Be A Great Place, Redefined Saturday, April 26, 2008 - (Mark Olinger is the director of planning and development for the city of Madison. Below he refers to "The Great Good Place," sociologist Ray Oldenburg's 1989 book on the importance of gathering places that are neither work nor home; they are instead vital, public "third places.") The new Union South has an opportunity to become a special place unto itself. I think it really needs to define what its "place" is in the life of the university community, and by extension to the balance of the city. Memorial Union is perhaps the greatest Third Place in Madison. It certainly is one of the best places where "town and gown" meet in a way that is unique to the city. And whether or not you're an alumnus, a resident or visitor, it's apparent that this space just works... Construction Begins On Oregon Arena Thursday, April 24, 2008 - After several years of discussions, fundraising, negotiations and delays, the construction of a sports arena in Oregon is under way. Ground was broken at Jaycee Park this week for the $2.5 million, 42,000-square-foot Oregon Community Sports Arena. The centerpiece of the facility will be an NHL-sized indoor hockey rink. The building will house a concession stand and a 4,000-square-foot community room. The private group of community members building the facility initially broke ground in fall 2006 but got only as far as a retention pond and parking lot before costs halted construction, said Jeff Groenier, president of the Oregon Community Sports Arena. He donated his services as architect for the project... County To Get $1.7m In Federal Loans Monday, April 28, 2008 - Community development grants and money to fix or buy homes is coming from the federal government to Dane County. Almost $1.7 million is to be distributed through the Community Development Block Grant, Home Investment Partnerships and American Dream Down Payment Initiative programs, all from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. "We work hard to make sure Dane County gets these dollars because these programs are so important to so many people," said Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk. "This help is both needed and timely, given the challenges of the nation's economy... Sun Prairie Target Shrinks, Store Will Have A Smaller Grocery Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - The competition for grocery dollars in Sun Prairie won't be as intense as once thought. Minneapolis-based Target has received approval from the city to downsize its proposed SuperTarget in the Prairie Lakes Development to a regular Target. The change, which shrinks the store at South Grand Avenue and Hoepker Road from 184,000 square feet to 134,000 square feet, means the store will not sell a wide selection of perishables and fresh meats. Instead, it will be similar to the Target store on Madison's Far West Side, which has aisles of non-perishables, a large frozen foods section and some refrigerated items like cheese, milk and eggs... Majestic touts its record, wants alcohol license limits eased 5/01/2008 - After seven trouble-free months, the owners of the Majestic Theatre are looking to get the restrictions against their liquor license lifted or relaxed. As it stands, the theater has to close half an hour before bar time. That means weeknight closing time can be no later than 1:30 a.m., and weekend closing time can be no later than 2 a.m. Its capacity can be no more than 600 for ticketed events and 350 for... New technology to help DISH Network serve apartments 5/01/2008 - A big frustration for some apartment owners is being unable to get satellite TV service. Although the Federal Communications Commission has rules protecting the rights of apartment dwellers to get satellite service, the rules also protect landlords by preventing renters from, for example, drilling holes in walls to attach satellite dishes. Typically, the dishes are attached to balcony railings -- if an apartment has a balcony -- so they don't permanently disfigure the dwellings. To get around such limitations... Beyond Ethanol - Searching For The Next Viable Green Fuel Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - Eric Apfelbach is happy to talk about the promise of using plant sugars to produce synthetic gasoline. But anyone wanting to take a tour of Virent Energy Systems, his Madison-based company, must first sign a confidentiality agreement pledging not to reveal any trade secrets. The request is not necessarily unusual in the world of biotechnology, but rather reflects the fierce competition among companies working to find an alternative to carbon-based coal and oil that also avoids the downsides of corn-based ethanol. It's a spirited race, says Apfelbach, president and CEO of Virent, which has teamed up with Royal Dutch Shell to convert plant sugars from non-food crops like switchgrass or sugarcane pulp waste into synthetic gasoline that... Road To Nowhere - Once-ambitious Housing Projects In Madison Are On Indefinite Hold Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - It was billed as a $100 million "urban village," a project to energize the entire east side. Union Corners promised to transform the site of a contaminated battery factory three miles from the Capitol into a mix of condominiums, offices and retail shops. There was talk of shady green public plazas, bubbling water features, even a light rail transit stop. But today the 15-acre site is a tangle of empty lots, broken concrete and piles of gravel along one of the city's busiest corridors. The only things standing are three mature oak trees where employees of Rayovac once enjoyed their lunch breaks before the aging brick factory on Winnebago Street was shuttered by new corporate owners five years ago. Normally the arrival of spring means the home building season is in full swing. But concerns over the economy, coupled with the fallout from the global mortgage lending crisis, is reverberating throughout the local community... Ken Notes: Before we start holding hands and singing Kumbaya as we morn our losses, we need to remember that Madison is a place where people want to live and work. So our challenge is to market the area to; companies that are growing, people with ideas for new companies, and people looking to live in an area with more to offer than where they live now. Sorry soapbox I know. Buffalo Wild Wings set for East Towne Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - The Madison area is getting another Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant. CBL & Associate Properties announced Tuesday that the Minneapolis-based restaurant chain will open a restaurant at East Towne Mall, near the entrance to the food court. The nearly 7,000-square-foot restaurant, which will have its own entrance, is scheduled to open in August after the building is constructed. The chain, known for its Buffalo-style chicken wings and 14 sauces, has 14 locations in Wisconsin, including 529 State St. in Madison and 6544 Monona Drive in Monona. A restaurant is also planned for the Orchard Pointe retail development Shopping Center near the SuperTarget in Fitchburg. Who's Who At The New Cap Times Saturday, April 26, 2008 - As The Capital Times enters its new era with a strong presence on the Internet and our two weekly magazines, many people will be taking on new roles at the paper. Here is a guide... Ken Notes: I wish CT a great future and will continue to read and link to their stories. Oh by the way guys there were three typos in this article -- the knife may have been too sharp. Watch for 77Square on the racks today. 4/29/2008 - Cleveland's Diner, the longtime Madison breakfast institution on East Wilson Street, will soon be able to stay up late. Telly and Beth Fatsis, who have owned Cleveland's for 13 years, will continue serving breakfast six days a week (Tuesday through Sunday), but will begin serving dinners with a Greek flavor on the same days from about 4 p.m. through 11 p.m. The restaurant, which is now closed, is being renamed Plaka... Ken Notes: As long as the keep the hash browns I'll be ok... Male Wisconsin Prairie Chickens Being Mated With Minnesota Females MADISON, Wis. -- The greater prairie chicken has been declared a threatened species by Wisconsin, and the Department of Natural Resources is working to place Minnesota female birds in central Wisconsin in the hope they'll mate with Wisconsin males. DNR upland wildlife ecologist Scott Hull said the birds are the face of Wisconsin's grasslands, and something had to be done. University of Wisconsin-Madison assistant professor of forest and wildlife ecology David Drake has been spending considerable time with the birds in recent weeks during their mating season, and said the effort seems to be succeeding.... Ken Notes: “Hey der sweetie, wanna see my scratchings. I love dem Vikings”. Get Fed To Read Gary Mohoney with Executive Management, Inc. said, “I utilize both Property Drive and CIREX on a regular basis. In addition, what better way to entertain a client or close a deal than at a Food Fight restaurant.” - A trifecta in our book so we sent him $25 bucks. It pays to read! Watch for another opportunity in the next week or two...
Need a Speaker Ken Harwood is available to speak to your group on a variety of Economic Development topics. He is a strong advocate for planned development in the Greater Madison Area. He may be reached at Editor@WisconsinDevelopmentNews.com Or (608) 334-2174. He also juggles...
Home Depot to close 15 stores, including three in Wisconsin MAY 1, 2008 - Home Depot announced today that it will close 15 underperforming stores, including three in Wisconsin. The Atlanta-based home improvement retailer said stores in Beaver Dam (which opened in 2006), Fond du Lac and northwest Milwaukee, along with 12... JANESVILLE — General Motors’ officials announced production cuts Monday to eliminate one shift of workers at the assembly plant in Janesville. Starting July 14, GM will make SUVs on one shift. At that time, there will also be a change in the line speed. Currently, there are two shifts doing 44 vehicles per hour. In July, the one shift will be cranking out ... Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek Expands Milwaukee Office MILWAUKEE, Wis. – April 25, 2008 – Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C., one of Wisconsin’s leading law firms, has completed the expansion of its downtown Milwaukee office. The firm took over an additional 15,000 square feet on the 16th floor of Cathedral Place, 555 E. Wells St., where it also occupies the 17th, 18th and 19th floors. The new space provides room for 26 attorney offices, 10 paralegal offices and 14 secretary offices. The firm acquired the additional space as part of its five-year strategic plan, which includes increasing the firm’s presence in Wisconsin, and continuing to expand and add practice areas... May 01, 2008 - Target takes aim downtown. Discount chain looking at 3 sites. Target Corp. is again showing preliminary interest in opening a store in downtown Milwaukee, a development that would help boost that area's lagging retail landscape... Hotel may finally cross finish line at Milwaukee Mile May 01, 2008 - Hotel may finally cross finish line at Milwaukee Mile. Development effort will also include racing-themed eatery. Construction of a racing-themed restaurant and a 104-room hotel near the Milwaukee Mile could begin after this year's Wisconsin State Fair... May 01, 2008 - Wal-Mart Supercenter proposed. Neighbors to meet today on megastore. A Wal-Mart Supercenter is proposed for Muskego on the east side of Moorland Road, south of College Avenue... Clinic approved for Silver Spring business district May 01, 2008 - Clinic approved for Silver Spring business district. Public input divided, but village codes tip the balance. Pending a few more approvals, Aurora Advanced Healthcare will establish a medical clinic in the Silver Spring Drive business district building that formerly housed Talbots and Famous Footwear... May 01, 2008 The 'wow!' factor. State architecture awards recognize ten fresh, innovative designs | Slideshows. With a chic little bar and its ethereal orange glow and an affordable home created for an urban infill lot, the up-and-coming firm of Johnsen Schmaling won two of the top... Lisbon board thaws development freeze; Commercial projects not covered April 30, 2008 - Lisbon board thaws development freeze; Commercial projects not covered. The development of commercial properties that are consistent with the town's land-use plan is apparently going to be excluded from a six-month real estate development moratorium that appears to be on the verge of approval by the Town Board.. The development... Cities' infrastructure could hit a dead end April 30, 2008 - Cities' infrastructure could hit a dead end. New funding sources essential, institute urges. Milwaukee and 22 other metropolitan areas are "coasting on prosperity" while largely heading for a massive pothole because of a lack of planning and funding for roads, public transportation and other infrastructure,... Homebuilder buys TV for seniors April 30, 2008 - Homebuilder buys TV for seniors. Milwaukee police on Tuesday continued to seek two men who stole a 52-inch television from a downtown senior housing complex - but a homebuilder who heard about the theft replaced the TV... Recession builds in city, report says April 29, 2008 - Recession builds in city, report says. Recession appears to be gaining momentum in Milwaukee and other cities, according to a new report from the Center for Economic Development at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee... April 27, 2008 - Stores object to condo plan. Razing of Grafton mall would displace Dunham's, Feed Bag Pet Supply. Last December, the Manchester Mall owner announced plans to raze the mall and build a mixed-use complex that is to be anchored by 136 condominiums and townhouses plus a Pick 'n Save...
Microsoft deal 'win for UW' -New data lab will open in Madison 4/23/2008 - Ask Guri Sohi why Microsoft, the world's largest computer software company, is opening a lab on West Main Street, and the chair of the UW-Madison computer science department slowly shakes his head from side to side as a wry grin creases across his face. To him, the answer is obvious. "The high-tech companies don't go where all the different incentives are," Sohi states matter-of-factly. "They go where the talent and the brains are. And that's why Microsoft is coming here."... Ken Notes: Who needs Brown Shoes. Of course they are starting small but we'll hook em... New Madison-area Gander Mountain one of nation's largest
TUE.,
APR 22, 2008 - TOWN OF BURKE — Boats, kayaks, all-terrain vehicles, guns,
clothing and aisles of fishing, hunting and camping gear were in full
display Tuesday as one of the largest Gander Mountain stores in the country
opened its doors just north of the Madison city limits. At 91,000 square
feet...  Breifly From all new Cap Times George Gialamas, owner and CEO of the Gialamas Co., a commercial real estate company in Madison, will be honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Marquette University's Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences in a ceremony on Thursday. Ken Notes: Congratulations! The Madison Area Builders Association's Spring Showcase continues for the next two weekends, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. The open house features condos and single-family homes at several different area sites and opportunities to talk with many builders. For details, go to www.springshowcasemadison.com. Brown Shoe HQ expansion includes hotel, retail Brown Shoe Co., the parent company of Madison-based Famous Footwear, is expanding its headquarters in Clayton, Mo. with a $568 million mixed-use development that will be one of the largest commercial developments in St. Louis County. Brown Shoe announced last week it was closing... Ken Notes: Lets not dwell on what could have been but rather focus on what can be. For the record, Have you seen the EPIC campus recently! Verona could use some hotels and of course there is downtown Madison. Has anyone called Famous Dave yet... Pinckney Street buildings named landmarks 4/23/2008 - After almost 90 minutes of debate Tuesday night, the Madison City Council passed a motion to place landmark status on several adjoining Pinckney Street buildings. Landmark status does not preclude future development, but does require that any plans first be approved by the Madison Landmarks Commission. All of the council members who spoke expressed concern for preservation of Madison's historic buildings, though there was disagreement... House Built By Students On Display At Earth Day Fair When Rob Kostroun pushed for his high school building trades class to construct a house again, he wanted to make sure it was a showcase type building. The house, which is under construction at South Sixth Street and Badger Drive, is the first one built by Evansville High School students since 1979. "If we were going to resurrect this program high-quality construction and energy efficiency were going to be kind of the cornerstones," said Kostroun, technical education teacher at Evansville High School. "We do quality control checks constantly... Ken Notes: This home is on the market for $195,000. I hope it sells because it is a great project! Camping World caters to campers who take to the road TUE., APR 22, 2008 - TOWN OF BURKE — A mammoth Gander Mountain isn't the only new store at Highway 51 and Interstate 39-90-94. Camping World opened its first Wisconsin store last month at 6195 Metro Drive, adjacent to Gander Mountain. The Chicago-based company, with 80 locations nationwide, is scheduled to have its grand opening starting Thursday and... T. Wall breaks ground on West end The cliched golden shovels that were passed around Monday for the West End's groundbreaking didn't carry nearly as much symbolism as the couple of laps Terrence Wall took in a bulldozer afterward. Almost 50 people attended the ceremonial start of the project, the majority of them either involved in it or associated with the city's Common Council or Plan Commission. Mayor Jon Hochkammer and Wall, the company president, gave dedication speeches before project manager Sean Robbins brought out a rendering of the first building expected to be occupied, a two-story office-over-retail structure featuring a bank and a coffee shop... Ken Notes: Verona is pleased to have T. Wall “in the dirt” and if you are looking, please take a look at Verona. New Commercial Listings from PropertyDrive.com All Commercial Properties By Community (an interactive map) Small property transactions in Madison This searchable database includes property transfers under $300,000 that were recorded in Madison since June 2007. Search by month the transaction occurred, by street name or by price. Central Madison Housing Up In Air Sunday, April 20, 2008 - As Students Move To Newer Digs, The City Talks Of Converting Old Housing To Workforce Housing To Head Off Deterioration. Students Are Leaving The Old Rentals Behind. The thousands of new student apartments sprouting up near UW-Madison have the potential to create a problem Downtown hasn't seen before on a large scale. As students swarm to the newer dwellings, there's the danger of a "death spiral" in neighborhoods left behind, some officials say. They worry that as competition rapidly heats up, older apartment houses will bring in lower rents or go vacant, landlords will postpone maintenance and neighborhoods such as Bassett, Mifflin, Greenbush and Vilas will grow ragged. As students leave, some landlords "don't have the cash flow to really maintain the building...
CUNA Mutual Group and union make 4-year bargain 4/23/2008 - A four-year agreement has been reached between CUNA Mutual Group and the union representing some 860 workers at the Madison-based financial services firm. The deal announced today includes a 12-month moratorium on layoffs as a result of outsourcing, subcontracting or transfer of work of union staff. It also provides... Ken Notes: This is good news CUNA is a great company to have here... City grants TIF to airport business Site improvements for the future home of an Air Graphics hangar at the Middleton Municipal Airport should be completed sometime before the end of the year, according to city administrator Mike Davis. The Middleton City Council unanimously authorized up to $600,000 in Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) assistance for the improvements. According to Davis, the improvements include soils removal and replacement, surface preparation and parking lot paving and striping. "TIF monies come from all of the property taxpayers... Two Office Buildings Proposed For Madison's Bassett Area Monday, April 21, 2008 - A Madison developer is planning to build two, three-story office buildings on a mostly vacant property in the Bassett neighborhood. And so far, neighborhood residents support it, even though the land at the corner of Lorillard Court and Proudfit Street is currently zoned for residential use. "The neighborhood thinks it's good to have a mix of residential and employment opportunities in the neighborhood," said Peter Ostlind, chairman of the Bassett Neighborhood Association. Residents also would prefer two three-story buildings... Madison Insulated From Some Aspects Of Job Market Slowdown Thursday, April 17, 2008 - What is Madison's employment outlook during this time of economic uncertainty? As is the case elsewhere in the country, demand is strong for health-related workers, but unlike some places, construction jobs in Madison are holding up as well. "Jobs that are doing well are health-care jobs," said Dennis Winters, chief of the Office of Economic Advisors at the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. He said the Madison area may weather a downturn better than other places... EDITORIAL - Earth Day Leadership Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - In the tradition of former Sen. Gaylord Nelson, the creator of Earth Day, Wisconsin's current lieutenant governor, Barbara Lawton, is celebrating the 38th anniversary of Nelson's bold move to make us all environmentalists by reminding us of how easy - and necessary - it is to go green. Lawton has taken the lead in promoting the development and use of a new online tool designed to give Wisconsinites the information they need to switch to renewable energy. The Web site, hosted by the Office of Energy Independence, was created as part of Lawton's Green Economy Agenda, and it can be visited by going to http://power.wisconsin.gov. OPINION: Keep Rooting For Allied Drive Monday, April 21, 2008 - Madison should cautiously celebrate early gains from its bold - yet risky and expensive - effort to revitalize Allied Drive. City officials also should stay alert to missteps that could push this Southwest Side neighborhood back in the wrong direction. For years, Allied Drive residents - many of them children - have had to fear violent assault, robbery, drug dealing and other crimes as they struggled to make ends meet or concentrate on school. But over the last year, robberies and calls for police service on Allied Drive have fallen... East Side Community Center To Open In September Saturday, April 19, 2008 - By early September, a dilapidated industrial building on Madison's East Side will reopen its doors as a restored community center complete with a gym, outdoor play space and room for people of all ages. The Goodman Atwood Community Center has $600,000 left to raise toward its $12.4 million goal, said Kristin Groth, development and communications director. "We feel great about that," she said... 04/18/2008 - Mike DiMaggio dons a pair of protective earphones before leading the way into a small building at Dane County's Rodefeld landfill, on Highway 12/18. Inside, four huge generators rumble noisily as each one burns methane gas, converting it into electricity. A network of pipes brings in the gas, which is sucked from the landfill by small wells scattered among the decomposing garbage. "We sell the electricity to Madison Gas & Electric... Thinking Green To The End - Eco-friendly Funerals Friday, April 18, 2008 - Interest In Environmentally Conscious Burials Is Rising. When people ask Dave Drapac about his plans for a cemetery where people can be buried without chemicals or even a coffin, their responses tend more toward "cool" than "yuck." People have said "I love the idea that I can be composted," said Drapac, president of the Trust for Natural Legacies, which works to preserve and restore natural areas throughout the Midwest. The group is one of two here looking to establish a "green" graveyard... Ken Notes: The wake I might avoid... Company commits $400,000,000 to energy efficiency programs CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – April 23, 2008 – Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL), a subsidiary of Alliant Energy Corporation (NYSE: LNT), filed with the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) today its proposed 2009-2013 Energy Efficiency Plan (EEP). The proposed EEP includes a commitment of approximately $400 million to electric and natural gas energy efficiency customer programs over the next five years...
Need a Speaker Ken Harwood is available to speak to your group on a variety of Economic Development topics. He is a strong advocate for planned development in the Greater Madison Area. He may be reached at Editor@WisconsinDevelopmentNews.com Or (608) 334-2174. He also juggles...
Northwoods welcomes film's economic stimulus Posted April 22, 2008 - MANITOWISH WATERS -- The filming of a high-profile movie at a Northwoods vacation spot is bringing dollars into local economies, and the profile it brings to the area could boost the tourism industry for years to come. "Public Enemies," which stars Johnny Depp as John Dillinger, is filming this week at Little Bohemia Lodge, where Dillinger and his gang stayed in 1934 before a tip led federal agents to their door. The film crew, which includes hundreds of technicians, has been staying at local hotels and purchasing local products for weeks... Board approves farm development April 24, 2008 - The Village Board on Monday approved a planned unit development (PUD) agreement with the developers of the former farm property on the northwest corner of Highways 18 and 83. The agreement brings the start date of construction for Tenby Harbor a step... Lisbon Board thaws real-estate development freeze April 24, 2008 - Commercial developments not affected by freeze. The development of commercial properties that are consistent with the town's land-use plan is apparently going to be excluded from a six-month real estate development moratorium that appears to be on the verge of approval by the Town Board.. The development... Hotel plan moves forward conditionally April 24, 2008 - Despite concerns about a large number of long-term parking spaces, a Marriott hotel development at the corner of Howell and College avenues moved another step forward April 22... Retail favored for busy corner April 24, 2008 - Cobalt Partners is seeking a conditional-use permit so it can build a five-building retail complex at Layton and Pennsylvania avenues... City lowers required parking spaces for mall April 24, 2008 - Development director says ratio appropriate. The city of Wauwatosa recently reduced the number of required parking spaces at Mayfair Mall despite continued expansion of businesses there... Senior care center approved in Summit April 24, 2008 - Construction could begin in July. By the middle of next year, the Town of Summit should be opening its new 24-hour senior care center.. By the middle of next year, the Town of Summit should be opening its new 24-hour senior care center... High-end homes called for on Madison April 24, 2008 - The 1000 block of Madison Avenue is being targeted for redevelopment into high-end townhomes... April 24, 2008 - Local officials use tool to revitalize communities. Eminent domain brings to mind images of a municipality clearing dilapidated buildings or taking property for roads or schools... Village plans new TIF district April 24, 2008 - Village officials have begun the process to create a new tax incremental financing (TIF) district in downtown Hartland.. Village officials have begun the process to create a new tax incremental financing (TIF) district in downtown Hartland... Bradley Center merger revisited April 24, 2008 - Deal with Wisconsin Center District could secure revenue. The Bradley Center board of directors' surprise decision to drop the idea of selling the naming rights for the arena has left it with one less potential source of new revenue... April 20, 2008 - Stalled building projects worry residents, cities. At the new community of Seapine Estates, names such as Sea Foam Drive and Shoreline Road are meant to evoke a feeling of tranquility. Instead, the two dozen or so residents of this shore development,... Hotels, condos could be at heart of Falls redevelopment April 20, 2008 - Falls Inn upgrade seen as key to Main St. revival, village officials say. As it stands now, the former Falls Inn at Main St. and Highway 41/45 can't be called much more than a blemish on the landscape... 2 entertainment, dining chains consider area April 18, 2008 - Bowling alleys, arcade games are attractions. Two entertainment-and-dining chains - one featuring bowling alleys and one featuring arcade games - are scouting Waukesha and Brookfield for locations... Ken Notes: Dave and Barry's might be fun in Greater Madison??? West Bend Mutual completes expansion Published April 23, 2008 - West Bend Mutual Insurance Co. employees recently moved into the 214,000-square-foot building addition that doubled the size of the company's corporate headquarters at 1900 S. 18th Ave., West Bend. The expansion includes a massive, 14,600-square-foot dinging area (with a 42-foot ceiling), a 7,100-square-foot fitness center, a 25,000-square-foot training center and a 400-space parking structure. The company has about 800 employees that work at the corporate headquarters... Family Stuck With House Possibly Built On Dump April 23, 2008- MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA, Mass. -- Massachusetts Family Demands Answers From Town, Builder. A Massachusetts homeowner said she cannot live or sell her new $850,000 home because it may have been built on an old dump. Julie Gesner and her family did not know about the land's history until they tried to sell the Manchester-By-The-Sea home last year and potential buyers walked away just before making an offer on the property. "They walked away the day that they were going to put in the offer, saying, 'We heard a rumor that your house was built on the old town dump,'" Julie Gesner said. "I was horrified."... Ken Notes: Could be worse - see above article on Environmentally Conscious Burials...
Survey shows 525 firms in Dane County High-technology companies pumped more than $6 billion in revenue into Dane County's economy in 2007, and the number of tech jobs increased 3.5 percent over 2006. That's according to the 2008 Greater Madison Area Directory of High-Tech Companies, compiled by Madison Gas & Electric... Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said last week in his state of the city address that the city's economy is becoming increasingly rooted in the private sector, mostly due to the reduction in the number of state employees. He stressed the importance of pursuing an aggressive economic development plan to foster private sector job growth in the years to come. Ken Notes: If he only had a city council that would help in this regard.
Funds Let Allied Rehab Move Forward Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - The news Monday that $7.49 million in funding was secured through the state will allow the city of Madison to begin redevelopment of property on Allied Drive that it purchased in 2005. The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, WHEDA, announced Monday that Madison's Community Development Authority was awarded $7,499,250 in low-income housing tax credits over the next 10 years. The tax credit financing was key in making possible the first phase of the CDA plan to build 109 housing units in two phases to replace worn-out apartment buildings the city bought for $4.3 million... Saturday, April 12, 2008 - Home values in the city of Madison increased slightly overall but fell in some areas, especially on the southwest side, according to assessments released Friday. In fact, property tax assessments were not adjusted for 46,815 of roughly 70,000 single-family homes in Madison. Postcards were only mailed to property owners whose assessments changed, saving the city thousands of dollars in postage costs. Figures released by the assessor's office showed an 0.8 percent increase in single-family home values, compared to a 2.8 percent increase last year and 7.8 percent in 2006... Gander Mountain Opens New Madison-Area Store ST. PAUL, Minn., April 15 - Gander Mountain, the nation's largest retail network of stores for hunting, fishing, camping, boating, marine, and outdoor lifestyle products and services will open its newest store at 6199 Metro Drive in the town of Burke on April 22. The store is the 13th in Wisconsin, the state where Gander Mountain was founded in 1960 as a catalog company. The nearly 91,000 square foot store is one of the largest of Gander Mountain's 114 stores. The larger format allows the store to carry a much broader and deeper selection of products for the outdoors enthusiast. Customers will have access to thousands of firearms, equipment for hunting, fishing, and archery, apparel and footwear, camping equipment, and gifts. Fishing boats, ATVs, canoes, and kayaks... Three Alternatives For Parkway Are Unveiled Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - Three preliminary concepts for a proposed North Mendota parkway include paving a new highway through farmland and using existing roads with residential driveways. The four-lane, 45-mph parkway - which the County Board sanctioned in 2004 after years of disagreement - is still years away from being built and local planners have yet to identify a funding source. But the three alternatives unveiled Monday by parkway planners from Strand Associates are the most detailed proposals for how the parkway would connect Interstate 90-94 to Highway 12 north of Middleton. "Each one has unique characteristics," project manager Tom Lynch said... Middleton Plans Airport Shuttle Service, Trolley Monday, April 14, 2008 - Proposal Aims To Attract More Epic Business Visitors To Shops, Restaurants. Middleton officials want to start Sunday shuttle service from the Dane County Regional Airport to Middleton hotels and offer trolley service around the city's business district. The goal: To lure a bigger share of the tourism business from visitors to Epic Systems, in the nearby suburb of Verona, according to a memo from Middleton City Administrator Mike Davis to the mayor, City Council and members of the tourism commission and finance committee. "Because Middleton is really on a direct route to Verona... Ken Notes: Middleton gets it. They stole my trolley idea though. Really here is the link and why is Madison not listening! This will work well for Middleton -- until Verona catches up hotel and shopping wise. EDITORIAL Footwear Loss A Wake-up Call Saturday, April 12, 2008 - Famous Footwear is rapidly becoming one of nation's largest shoe sellers. The company has 1,100 stores now, and plans to open another 100 stores this year. But Madisonians have known Famous Footwear less as a retailer than as a mainstay of the local private sector economy. Founded in 1960 by Neil Moldenhauer as Neil's Factory Outlet Shoes, the company that popularized the slogan "brand name shoes for less" has been a part of the Madison scene for decades. Even after the name changed to Famous Footwear and the chain was acquired by the Brown Shoe conglomerate in 1981, Famous Footwear was a Madison corporate institution. Brown Shoe considered moving the company's headquarters from the St. Louis area to Madison. That would have been a smart move, as Madison is a great place to do business - and an even greater place for the employees of a business to live... Ken Notes: I agree we can do more and believe we will. In all fairness though, I tracked the Famous Footwear move in both markets and much of the Wisconsin grandstanding was to push Missouri into a nearly 50 Million dollar intensive package to keep Brown Shoes in the state. Thanks to my readers who “made some calls”. Our efforts will pay dividends in the future even if we could not keep Famous. Speaking of famous does everyone know Dave of Famous Dave's is now building hotels. Nice hotels!! Local Home Building Continues To Tumble Friday, April 11, 2008 - Home building in Dane County in March tumbled to a low for the month since 1999. Just 49 permits were issued for new homes and duplexes in Dane County in March according to MTD Marketing. That's less than half of the 99 last March, and far below the range of 156 to 248 for the month going back to 1999 when MTD Marketing started compiling and reporting building permit records. For the first quarter, there were 164 permits, down by one-third from 246 last year, and well below the range of 396 to 585 for the first quarter since 1999... All Commercial Properties By Community (an interactive map) Small property transactions in Madison This searchable database includes property transfers under $300,000 that were recorded in Madison since June 2007. Search by month the transaction occurred, by street name or by price. OPINION - Library Pitch Is Bold, Exciting Friday, April 11, 2008 - Terrence Wall's Plan For A Stunning, Multi-use Building Deserves Scrutiny. Yet It Represents The Kind Of Forward-looking Vision Madison Needs. Developer Terrence Wall's light, airy and dramatic design for a Downtown library is the kind of bold thinking Madison needs more of. Wall wants to replace the old and graying, though much-loved, Downtown Madison library with a structure that signals revival and growth while evoking optimism for the city's future. The Library Board should give the proposal strong consideration and... Local foreclosures worse in second report of week A day after a national company reported that foreclosures were slowing in Dane County, a state firm reported that they continue to increase... In a bigger-is-better world, Julie and Craig Martyn are positively countercultural. They're happily ensconced in one of Madison's smallest houses: 600 square feet of living space, plus a bit of room in the basement. "It's just kind of affordable this way," says Julie of the comfortable, colorful one-bedroom (big enough for a queen bed) with a living room, dining room, three-quarter bath and kitchen. "We have what we love, not just filler things."...
Blockbuster Makes Offer For Circuit City Movie-rental Company Wants To Create A Chain That Also Sells Electronics. Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - Blockbuster, which has been trying to fix its own movie-rental business, is making a hostile takeover bid of just over $1 billion for Circuit City Stores with dreams of creating a huge chain that would sell electronics and rent movies and games. The offer is larger than Blockbuster's stock market value, but chief executive James Keyes said he was confident his company can swing the deal and that the move has the support of one of his board members, financier Carl Icahn, who could help with financing. Icahn, Blockbuster's largest shareholder, didn't return calls for comment. Keyes said combining the companies would create a 9,300-store chain that could sell portable devices and entertainment for them, much like Apple's stores. The larger Circuit City stores would have movie-rental stores inside, and Blockbuster locations would offer a limited selection of electronics... No Downturn Seen For Online Spending Monday, April 14, 2008 - Online spending is expected to rise a robust 17 percent this year, despite a sluggish economy that has bruised many brick-based retailers. Retail sales online, excluding travel purchases, are set to grow to $204 billion in 2008 from $174.5 billion last year, fueled by sales of apparel, computers and autos, according to a survey conducted by Internet analysis firm Forrester Research. That projection is below the 21 percent increase seen in the prior year, but industry officials attribute it to the maturing of the business, not the sluggish economy... Low demand cited for Sub-Zero layoffs 15/2008 - FITCHBURG -- Fitchburg-based Sub-Zero and Wolf Appliance Inc. said Monday it would cut 235 jobs by June as a reaction to a decline in demand for the high-end kitchen goods they make. Many of the layoffs will be at the company's Fitchburg headquarters, according to a letter by company vice president of human resources Charles Verri... West End sets groundbreaking ceremony Next week marks the beginning of the end. The West End, that is. The long-awaited groundbreaking of the T. Wall Properties development, which is expected to include a mix of retail, residential and office space on 62 acres off West Verona Avenue, is set for Monday afternoon. The entire Common Council has been invited to attend, and company president Terrence Wall and staff members will be there, as well... Need a Speaker Ken Harwood is available to speak to your group on a variety of Economic Development topics. He is a strong advocate for planned development in the Greater Madison Area. He may be reached at Editor@WisconsinDevelopmentNews.com Or (608) 334-2174. He also juggles...
State yacht maker adding 450 jobs Pulaski-based Carver Boat Corp. announced that it is expanding its Marquis Yacht Division plant in Pulaski, and opening new facilities in Oconto County and Green Bay, creating 450 new jobs. Carver said it is investing $27 million in the expansion, and receiving more than $4 million in state assistance -- a $2.7 million loan, a $960,000 Harbor Assistance Program grant, and a $600,000 training grant. The expansion will allow Carver to produce yachts up to 100 feet in length Many avoid buying as housing pessimism grows WASHINGTON -- A growing majority say they won't buy a home anytime soon, the latest sign of increasing pessimism about the nation's housing crisis, a poll showed today. In a vivid sketch of how the sputtering real estate market is causing distress throughout the country, the Associated Press-AOL Money & Finance poll found that more than a quarter of homeowners worry their home will lose value over the next two years... Brewers study development near stadium April 17, 2008 - Brewers study development near stadium. Since principal owner Mark Attanasio took over in 2005, the Milwaukee Brewers' front office has been focused on improving the fan experience inside Miller Park... Squires golf course will become a preserve April 17, 2008 - Squires golf course will become a preserve. After seven decades, the flags and tee markers of the 142-acre Squires Country Club on Lake Michigan will be removed at the end of this season to prepare for its transformation to a nature preserve... Past and future intersect in two cities' plans for a renewed 27th Street April 17, 2008 - Past and future intersect in two cities' plans for a renewed 27th Street. It's not the Pfister, but since 1978, the 10-room Knotty Pine Motel on South 27th Street has been Joe Giacalone's home sweet home. As owner, manager and resident of the half-century-old Franklin motel, Giacalone can't help but wonder what the future... Nursing home awaits final approval April 17, 2008 - Nursing home awaits final approval. Shops OK'd for site near Pabst Farms. A nursing home and assisted-living facility planned for a corner of Highway 67 and county Highway DR is expected to be given final approval by the Plan Commission Thursday night... Cost, lack of interest sidetrack trolley idea April 17, 2008 - Cost, lack of interest sidetrack trolley idea. Village Board says local businesses need to be driving force. A trolley transit system likely is not in Greendale's near future, Village Manager Todd Michaels said at the Village Board's meeting April 15... Aurora construction project still on target to open by early 2010 April 17, 2008 - Aurora construction project still on target; Medical center to open by early 2010. Driving down I-94, it is clear that the $189 million Aurora Medical Center is looking more and more like a building getting closer to opening.. Driving down I-94, it is clear that the $189 million Aurora Medical Center is looking more and more like a... Village hammers out Main Street hotel agreement April 17, 2008 - Village hammers out Main Street hotel agreement. Restaurant, condos are part of the redevelopment plan. A well-known eyesore along what is considered one of the village's main thoroughfares is receiving a makeover... Blue Ribbon Shoppes get approval to build at hot corner April 17, 2008 - Blue Ribbon Shoppes get approval to build at hot corner; City likes future of Highway 67 and Valley Road. The intersection of Highway 67 and Valley Road in Oconomowoc will soon be filled at all four corners after approval of a retail center Tuesday night.. The intersection of Highway 67 and Valley Road in Oconomowoc will soon be filled at all four corners... City aid sought for apartment project April 16, 2008 - City aid sought for apartment project. North side complex to be remodeled. A 66-unit apartment complex on Milwaukee's north side would be remodeled with city financing assistance under a proposal to be considered Thursday... Racine mayor calls for regional cooperation April 16, 2008 - Racine mayor calls for regional cooperation. Mayor Gary Becker in his "state of the city" address Tuesday asked aldermen to join him in his sense of urgency to move the state's fifth-largest city forward by looking beyond city limits and regionalism and to extend cooperative efforts... Impact fees out, senior housing in April 15, 2008 - Impact fees out, senior housing in. Eagle residents got almost everything they wanted from Bielinski Homes, except one thing - impact fees.. Eagle residents got almost everything they wanted from Bielinski Homes, except one thing - impact fees. Choosing between waiving impact fees for... Grafton seeks solution for old hotel site April 15, 2008 - Grafton seeks solution for old hotel site. The Grafton Community Development Authority discussed in closed session last week what is happening with the vacant, peeling three-story Grafton Hotel in the heart of downtown... April 13, 2008 - Mequon OKs condo complex. City also moves closer to buying water utility. The Common Council has approved a 60-unit condominium development that preserves land in another part of the city and has moved the city a step closer to buying a water utility that serves parts of Mequon,... April 13, 2008 - A blueprint for Blue Mound. The Town of Brookfield is working on a 20-year master plan for one of the region's busiest retail and commercial corridors. When it comes to the sprawling commercial corridor that is Blue Mound Road, it's hard to think of a major retailer that isn't... New Mequon tax district could aid development April 11, 2008 - New Mequon tax district could aid development. A city investment of $7 million in infrastructure improvements would spur private development that would raise the value of land in part of the Town Center by an estimated $44.2 million, according to a plan approved this week by the Common Council... Condos could replace Pewaukee bait shop site April 11, 2008 - Condos could replace Pewaukee bait shop site. Height of buildings and materials used concern officials. Most Plan Commission members gave favorable reviews Thursday night to a proposal to turn the Smokey's Bait Shop site and a neighboring property on Park Ave. and Pewaukee Lake into 14 upscale condominiums...
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