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Ken Harwood
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Notes
Every week I pull together several news articles and press releases on economic development and government issues affecting real estate and development in Dane County and Wisconsin for the staff at Park Towne Development. The links should take you to the original article and should remain active for a few months (depending on the source). To include a development related press release forward a PDF, MS Word document or active link to me by 1PM Thursday for inclusion in that Friday's release. We do not include offers of property for sale or other solely promotional material. Occasionally I include Editorial or Opinion pieces from other publications. Unless I am the actual author, these articles do not reflect my personal opinion or that of Park Towne Development. My goal is to make my colleagues aware of opinions being expressed in the media. If you would like a copy every Friday drop me a note and I will add you the list. If you would like others to receive this data you may email me their address and I will add them to our list. If you are really interested I have “back issues” from June 1st 2005, but hey that’s old news. Please let me know what you think. Ken |
News&Notes Development News for Dane County and WisconsinProvided
by:
Development
News for the week of 2/16/07 to 2/23/07 Sheraton
Sold; Big Renovation Set Wednesday,
February 21, 2007 - THE SHERATON, 706 JOHN NOLEN DRIVE, HAS
BEEN SOLD AND WILL UNDERGO A MAJOR RENOVATION. Milwaukee-based
Marcus Hotels and Resorts announced Tuesday that it will form
a joint venture with Chicago-based Waterton Tactical Real
Estate Fund I that will acquire the Sheraton from Woodmen of
the World Life Insurance Society for an undisclosed amount.
Marcus will own 15 percent of the joint venture and will
manage the hotel and oversee a major renovation of the
property, which has 237 rooms and includes an indoor pool,
whirlpool, fitness center and restaurant… UW-Madison:
National Experts Brief Area Business Leaders On Economic
Outlook 2/21/2007
MADISON - Four leading economists will share their insights
and predictions for local, regional, national and
international economies and financial markets for the
remainder of 2007 and beyond at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison's Economic Outlook Conference on Friday,
March 16, at the Fluno Center in Madison. For more than 40
years, the semiannual event has helped business leaders and
owners translate economic trends into competitive
intelligence. The event will explore factors impacting the
economy, such as oil prices, federal budget deficits, interest
rates, the employment outlook and the war on terrorism.
Business leaders from throughout Wisconsin, northern Illinois
and eastern Iowa are expected to attend… Apartments,
stores planned in $3.5 million development
THU.,
FEB 22, 2007 - Style & Grace barbershop, a South Side
neighborhood landmark for nearly 50 years at 1600 Gilson St.,
will be torn down next month to make way for a $3.5 million
apartment and retail building. The project is more than just
another redevelopment effort. It will preserve a neighborhood
institution and might spark more development in the area… Officials
seek new independent study of power line THU.,
FEB 22, 2007 - Dane County and Madison officials on Thursday
asked the state Public Service Commission for an independent
study of the need for local power line projects. The petition
asks American Transmission Co., which conducted its own
evaluation of local energy needs for more than $200,000 two
years ago, to foot the bill for the new study. It also asks
that the PSC set up the study with guidance from local elected
officials and the public… User
Friendly House - Resident's Mobility Challenges Set
Requirements For Home's Features Sunday,
February 18, 2007 - The challenge in designing a home for Mike
and Suzanne Reece was to make it completely accessible without
being obvious. So complete was the job that Mike Reece, who is
a movie buff and a quadriplegic, can make his way down to the
lower-level home theater to play a movie on the big screen.
Once there, Mike Reece can decide whether to sit on the upper
level or go down the ramp to the lower level of the room,
which has carpeting with a theater motif and a handful of
theater seats… PSC
choice to abstain from power line case
FRI.,
FEB 23, 2007 - A
newly appointed state utilities regulator said she would not
vote on a pending Dane County transmission line case in which
she represented the company proposing to build the line.
Lauren Azar, a Madison lawyer who has represented American
Transmission Co. as well as utility customers, said Thursday
she is developing a policy in which she would not vote as a
member of the state Public Service Commission on any case on
which she had worked as a lawyer… Leaders
want to move faster on County M - Current project has upgrade
in 2013-14 2/20/2007
- If there was one thing everyone could agree on at Monday
night’s County Trunk Highway M summit, it’s that seven
years is a long time to wait for improvements on an already
stressed road. A relatively packed house in the Verona Public
Library’s Community Room listened intently to an hour’s
worth of presentations from Verona, Madison and regional
planners, then peppered them with questions about the future
of the road and what can be done to address mounting concerns
about its effect on commuting, business and accident rates… Allen
Promises State Street Ramp At First Face-off Thursday,
February 22, 2007 - In their first exchange since the primary
election narrowed the mayoral race to two, candidate Ray Allen
promised Downtown Madison members a mid-State Street parking
ramp this morning during a spirited forum at the Madison Club.
"I see downtown as a destination point," Allen told
a breakfast crowd of about 180 business leaders and other
professionals. "To make it a destination point, you need
a State Street parking ramp, and I'll give it to you."… Editors
Note: I do not print political articles, but I thought the
ramp had interesting development potential; I also like the
“Trolley” or mass transit ideas for their potential of
stimulating economic development… EDITORIAL
West Waubesa Farm Idea A Good One Wednesday,
February 21, 2007 - It's a new local group with some ambitious
plans that just might help us meet the challenges of a future
filled with scary energy and environmental problems. The West
Waubesa Preservation Coalition was formed in response to news
that a large chunk of healthy farmland in northeast Fitchburg
may be turned into a subdivision of up to 1,100 homes, a strip
mall and an office park. But, unlike so many
not-in-my-backyard reactions to development proposals, this
organization is proposing alternatives… OPINION Sale Of State Office Building Imprudent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 - SEN. FRED RISSER - The proposal to sell the State Department of Administration office building located in Madison's Isthmus and then lease it back for an indefinite period doesn't make fiscal sense. The state and UW-Madison are spending more than $28 million a year on leases in the Madison area. If anything, the state should be looking for more state-owned property in order to reduce the amount of rent payments the taxpayers are now making… State Set To Pay High Rate For Sale - Company Will Get About Twice The Usual The state is prepared to pay roughly twice the market rate -- or about a half-million dollars more -- to a broker helping sell a state office building on a prime Downtown site overlooking Lake Monona, real estate executives said. A state official defended the proposed 4 percent commission, saying it reflects added consulting work done by the broker, Equis Corp. of Chicago. An Equis official also said the rate was fair because selling the 10-story Department of Administration building presents unusual challenges… Plan Panel Approves Razing A Building Near Todd Drive Wednesday, February 21, 2007 - The Madison Plan Commission on Monday approved demolition of a building in the Todd Drive area south of the Beltline that should eventually clear space for a long-awaited redevelopment project. The demolition of the former home of Midwest Billiards at 2711 W. Beltline will allow Allen Kitchen & Bath and Verlo Mattress Factory Store, which share a building on the southeast corner of Todd Drive and West Beltline, to build on that site. Gary Allen, owner of the kitchen and bath supply store, said the two businesses plan to move into the $1.7 million, 15,000-square-foot building by June… Arbor Gate Gets Boost - Development Groups Team Up On Todd Drive Project Tuesday, February 20, 2007 - The long-awaited redevelopment of the Todd Drive interchange is finally gaining some traction. A plan to relocate two existing Beltline area businesses -- Allen Kitchen & Bath and Verlo Mattress -- while tearing down a boarded-up apartment complex was approved by the Madison Plan Commission Monday night. A new 52,000 square-foot building housing both Allen and Verlo would be built next to the existing Sergenian's Floor Covering at 2805 W. Beltline Hwy. A commercial building that formerly housed Midwest Billiards, which relocated to the other side of the Beltline, will be torn down to make room for the new project… Business Boosting A Tough Sell Tuesday, February 20, 2007 - Forward Wisconsin, the state's private-public economic development arm, is facing an uncertain future as Gov. Doyle reassesses how to fix business improvement efforts. Founded in 1984, Forward Wisconsin was originally designed to recruit companies to relocate to the state. But it has seen funding reduced as the state has shifted focus to "growing its own" companies here. Officials in the Department of Commerce and governor's office have been mum on the role of Forward Wisconsin, saying only that Doyle is looking at a number of ways to improve targeted economic development… Condo Project Dollars Still Unresolved Tuesday, February 20, 2007 - Despite two votes Monday to move ahead on a condominium project that would replace a trailer park, financial deals to support developer Kevin Metcalfe's project and help residents relocate remain up in the air. After meeting in closed session for more than an hour Monday night, the Monona City Council twice voted 5 to 1, with Ald. Jeff Wiswell dissenting, on establishing plans to move forward… Tuesday, February 20, 2007 - The City Council voted Monday to enter into formal negotiations with developer Kevin Metcalfe over his tax incremental financing request for a condominium development. The 5-1 vote keeps the project moving forward but doesn't make the city's financial contribution a sure thing. Metcalfe wants to build an 84-unit condo development along the Yahara River… Tuesday, February 20, 2007 - A proposal to build a fitness center in Stoughton will move forward without the normally required big-box planning requirements. The city's Planning Commission on Monday night unanimously approved the site plan for a proposed 61,000-square-foot wellness and athletic center, Stoughton Mayor Helen Johnson said… EDITORIAL Don't Dump Shoreline Rules For Developers' Profit Monday, February 19, 2007 - On Jan. 25, the Dane County Board of Adjustment met to consider two variance applications that had been filed by two closely related, overlapping corporations, GCK Investments and Dave Investments, in order to build two large houses in the Arboretum on small, substandard lots… OPINION Regional Economic Cooperation Blossoming Saturday, February 17, 2007 - The genius of our community is that it takes action in the absence of crisis. Just last week the Collaboration Council announced that it raised $2.6 million to create a new regional economic development entity (temporarily named REDE). A whopping 157 businesses, state and municipal governments and educational institutions participated. The creation of REDE brings together Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Rock and Sauk counties into the Capital Region… City Wants More Time On Project Friday, February 16, 2007 - An application for more than 100 acres of commercial development was tabled Tuesday by the Sun Prairie Plan Commission. Granting the application would have approved the necessary zoning and architectural and landscaping guidelines, said Scott Kugler, Sun Prairie's planning director… News&Notes is now archived at http://parktowne.com/news.asp and www.WisconsinDevelopment.com Around The State and Points Elsewhere Dept.
of Commerce: One Day Conference On Regional Economic
Development To Be Held In Milwaukee 2/22/2007
- MILWAUKEE-Planners, public officials, economic development
practitioners, and citizens interested in learning about
regional economic development should attend the Regional
Economic Development Conference, to be held March 14 from 8:30
a.m.-5:00 p.m. at Milwaukee's Midwest Airlines Center. "I
encourage anyone interested in regional economic development
to attend this informative conference," says Department
of Commerce Secretary Mary P. Burke. "By forming
public/private partnerships and working regionally, we can all
help advance economic development throughout the state."
The conference will offer national and Wisconsin perspectives
in regional economic development. Sessions will cover topics
such as the progress of the Milwaukee 7 regional economic
development organization; regional collaborations around
Wisconsin; and regional revolving loan funds. Port
receives $1.2 million state grant THURSDAY,
Feb. 22, 2007 - The Port of Milwaukee will receive a $1.2
million state grant to help finance reconstruction of its
liquid cargo dock, the Department of Commerce said today.
Construction of the dock, which handles petroleum, lubricants,
liquid asphalt and vegetable oils, will be completed by the
end of 2007. "Improving the Port of Milwaukee will help
bring more revenue for Milwaukee, benefiting the entire
state," Gov. Jim Doyle said in a statement… Building
at ex-mall site sold. Granville Station retail space brings
$7.3 million. A Chicago-area investors group that redeveloped
a portion of the former Northridge Mall has sold one of the
retail buildings for $7.3 million... Redevelopment proposed for corner of Center Street and Mayfair Road Redevelopment
proposed for corner of Center Street and Mayfair Road. Four
acres would include additional shopping, restaurants. Nearly
four acres of new development will replace the tired buildings
on the northwest corner of Center Street and Mayfair Road, if
the city approves a plan submitted by a local developer... Development may be on Target. Proposal for retailer reaches city's planners. A Franklin resident has set his sights to bring in the city's first Target store, proposed as an anchor tenant for a 29-acre retail project... Master plan won't nix southwest development Master plan won't nix southwest development. Officials: sewer, water extensions won't be fast or easy. As the Franklin Plan Commission continued a discussion on updating the city's master plan last week, Mayor Thomas Taylor scotched one rumor that he has heard circulating publicly... 11-story Downer Ave. project nears approval 11-story Downer Ave. project nears approval. Common Council panel recommends it, 5-0. A $55 million redevelopment proposal for the Downer Ave. business district on Milwaukee's east side, including controversial plans for an 11-story condominium and hotel, is heading toward Common Council approval... Developer submits town center proposal Developer submits town center proposal. Residential units and retail, office space part of two-building plan. A proposal for Town Center Square would combine and reconfigure the use of five parcels of land on the northwest corner of Mequon and Cedarburg roads... Mixed-use building proposed at site Mixed-use building proposed at site. The M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank, 177 E. Silver Spring Drive, Whitefish Bay, would move to a building proposed to be built at 325 E. Silver Spring Drive, where Famous Footwear is located, under a plan offered to the village by developer Boulder... Green
Bay Press Gazette.
Green Bay port's impact on region estimated at $88 million. Whitewater
makes plans for business incubator 02/20/07
- Whitewater, Wis. - In an effort to spur growth in the
community and provide opportunities for University of
Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates, the city of Whitewater and the
Wisconsin Innovation Service Center at UW-Whitewater are
developing a business incubator, according to a report in the
Wisconsin State Journal…
Development
News for the week of 2/9/07to 2/16/07 Governors
Budget Reviews Governor’s
Budget – By Agency\Department
- Live
Broadcast of the Budget Address Governor’s
Budget in “Very” Brief Editors
note: As you are aware, the Governor recommends doubling and
allocating all proceeds from the real estate transfer fee to
support the county aid fund.
County-shared revenues will be paid from the county aid
fund. The
Governor also recommends adjusting the sharing ratio between
the counties and the state to support the Circuit Courts,
youth aids and affordable housing trust fund.
The estimated fiscal impact of this recommendation is a
revenue increase of $64.6 million in FY08 and $77.5 million in
FY09. Editors
note 2: The elimination of the QEO will have a significant
impact on property taxes and the restraints mentioned are
primarily directed to community government not school
districts. I will watch for a fiscal report on this and
keep you in the loop… FRI.,
FEB 16, 2007 - Existing home sales in Wisconsin were the
second highest on record last year, but a high inventory of
unsold homes spawned a buyer's market, slowing price increases
and lengthening the time needed to make a sale… CNN’s
TAKE - February 16 2007 - NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) --
Government report shows 14% drop in pace of new homes started
in January, well below forecasts; permits also fall. Housing
starts plunged in January to the slowest pace in more than
nine years as the latest government reading on the battered
housing market came in much weaker than forecasts. New homes
started in January fell 14.3 percent to an annual rate of 1.41
million from the 1.64 million pace in December, the Census
Bureau reported Friday. Economists surveyed by Briefing.com
had forecast a 1.6 million rate for January… City,
State Join To Bail Out Allied Apartments Thursday,
February 15, 2007 - The state of Wisconsin is working with the
city of Madison on a refinancing plan for the Prairie Crossing
apartments on Allied Drive. Antonio Riley, secretary of the
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, said
Wednesday that state and city officials sat down with others
for a long-sought meeting… Sun
Prairie Development Raises Fire Wednesday,
February 14, 2007 - Against the wishes of many Sun Prairie
residents and a mayoral candidate campaigning on the issue,
developers are pushing expanded plans for retail development
for a 2,600-acre tract near U.S. 151 and County C. On a vote
that was split 5-4 Tuesday night, the Sun Prairie Planning
Commission decided to table a developer's proposed changes… Industrial
Strength Report: Local Market Remains Very Healthy Thu
Feb 15 2007 - The Madison area's industrial market is in solid
shape, according to a new report from Grubb &
Ellis/Oakbrook. "It's a strong market," said Chris
Richards, a research analyst who compiled the report.
"The last two years have been fantastic."… State
Ranks High For Economic Development Climate Wednesday,
February 14, 2007 - For the second year in a row, Wisconsin
ranked among the nation's top seven states for its economic
development climate, qualifying for honor-roll status. The
2007 Development Report Card for the States gave Wisconsin an
"A" for economic performance and B's for business
vitality and development capacity -- the same grades as last
year -- in the annual rankings by the Corporation for
Enterprise Development in Washington, D.C. "Wisconsin
boasts high-performing businesses and a healthy mix of
industries," the report said. The state ranked 14th in
industrial diversity and 11th in fewest business closings… OPINION
- Housing Squeeze Needs New Thinking Tuesday,
February 13, 2007 - Because the Wisconsin Partnership turned
20 years old last year, I've been thinking about big changes
in the housing environment since we opened for business. One
of those changes is that housing is increasingly unaffordable
not only for lower-income people but for a growing part of the
middle class. Since the 1930s, federal policy has focused on
making housing affordable to more and more people… Emerging
Star Tomotheraphy Will Go Public Tuesday,
February 13, 2007 - TomoTherapy -- considered one of Madison's
shining stars in the new tech economy -- could also shine on
Wall Street, experts said Monday, after the company filed
papers seeking to raise up to $201 million in a public stock
offering. Shares will be sold by the company and some of its
shareholders and will trade on the Nasdaq market under the
symbol TTPY. No details were given on how many shares will be
sold, when, or in what price range. That will be determined
later, after the company takes its story to institutional
investors on a so-called road show… Wave
Of The Future - Waterpark Industry Goes To The Extreme Sunday,
February 11, 2007 - First there were small indoor swimming
pools. Then came twisting waterslides, lazy rivers and wave
pools. Water coasters and surfing simulators are the latest
rage. But the innovative waterpark industry is on the verge of
going extreme… Plans
In Works For Children's Museum's New Home Saturday,
February 10, 2007 - The Madison Children's Museum has taken
the first steps toward launching a $15-million capital
campaign to renovate its future home. Some of the money would
come from state and federal sources, but most of it would come
from private fundraising. According to documents obtained by
The Capital Times, an architectural and exhibition master plan
for the new and bigger museum, which now specializes in
exhibits for children through age 8 in its rented public
exhibition space at 100 State St., calls for:… Oregon
West side addition is gaining ground 2/8/2007 - Planning Commission give thumbs up to Ladopoulos’ Oregon Parks Neighborhood proposal. The village of Oregon Planning Commission last week unanimously approved developer Nick Ladopoulos’ conceptual plan for a 21-acre addition to his Oregon Parks Neighborhood. The addition would be just west of the village. The commission also voted to recommend that the Village Board approve the developer’s annexation proposal for the addition. Ladopoulos acquired the property in August and immediately made an application for annexation, he said. He plans to create 35 single family lots…
Around The State and Points Elsewhere Aurora's
hospital plans in Summit advance
Feb.
15, 2007 - Summit - Plans for a $189 million Aurora hospital
and clinic complex at I-94 and Highway 67 at Pabst Farms were
endorsed Thursday night by the Plan Commission and sent to the
Town Board for approval. Town supervisors could give the
project the go-ahead as soon as their next meeting, March 1,
as planning for the hospital, originally proposed for this
site in 2004, moves into high gear. Aurora officials have said
they want to begin construction in spring and hope to open the
792,000-square-foot, four-story hospital and Aurora Wilkinson
Medical Clinic complex in the summer of 2009… $1.8
million proposed for Lena's - City funds would help finance
shopping center Feb.
15, 2007 - A $9 million neighborhood shopping center planned
for Milwaukee's central city would receive $1.8 million in
city financing under a proposal disclosed Thursday. The money
would help finance a 44,000-square-foot Lena's Food Market and
additional retail space, said James Scherer of the Department
of City Development. The shopping center would be built on 7.5
acres along the north side of W. North Ave., east of N. 25th
St., Scherer said at a meeting of the Redevelopment Authority… Condo
proposal receives preliminary approval Feb.
13, 2007 - Country Club Condominiums could have a home in
Menomonee Falls. The Plan Commission on Feb. 6 granted
conceptual preliminary approval for the project. "This is
just a preliminary discussion regarding the scope and nature
of the project," Village Planner John Fellows said.
According to Fellows, Westridge Builders and Don
Arenson are partners in the development project east of
Country Club Highlands, between the Menomonee River and Fond
du Lac Avenue. If the project is approved, it will include 28
condominiums and 138 parking stalls… Officials see New Berlin hotel as benefit to Brookfield Officials see New Berlin hotel as benefit to Brookfield. City officials say a proposed $50 million hotel, convention center and water park on Moorland Road and Greenfield Avenue in New Berlin could end up being a boon for Brookfield... Plan adds Target store in Franklin Plan adds Target store in Franklin. A Franklin shopping center that has landed a Sendik's supermarket for one of its anchor stores now plans to add a Target discount store, it was disclosed Wednesday... Kibosh put on Tudor Oaks expansion plan Kibosh put on Tudor Oaks expansion plan. Replacement development would be smaller, less pricey. The Crossing at Tudor Oaks will not be built after all... Vacant lots soon could be filled Vacant lots soon could be filled. Vulcan Lead may consolidate operations in Walker's Point. A Milwaukee manufacturer is considering a plan to consolidate its operations at a new building that would be constructed in the Walker's Point neighborhood, according to a Department of City Development... City balks at cash for Park East project City balks at cash for Park East project. County cites benefits; Barrett says taxpayers have spent enough. Developer Richard Curto says his $77 million apartment, hotel and retail development in Milwaukee's Park East area can happen only if City Hall provides $9 million in financing... Pabst Farms' impact on key water supply, recharge area studied Pabst Farms' impact on key water supply, recharge area studied. When it comes to groundwater, what happens in western Waukesha County does not stay in western Waukesha County... Downer Ave. development plan wins preliminary city approval Downer Ave. development plan wins preliminary city approval. 11-story building, parking structure have drawn fire. The Downer Ave. business district on Milwaukee's east side will undergo big changes, including a new 11-story condominium and hotel building, under a $55 million development proposal that gained preliminary... Roundy's Chicago bound. Wisconsin grocery giant to open up to 12 stores, starting on trendy near north side. Roundy's Supermarkets Inc. will open as many as 12 stores in the Chicago area over the next three years, the company said Monday... End of tale: Condo lets 40-pound dog lie End of tale: Condo lets 40-pound dog lie. 81-year-old owner, association settle suit over weight limit. His weight breaks condo complex rules, but "Bear" the border collie can stay anyway... Empty nesters want their space Empty nesters want their space. What do empty nesters want?... Seniors' needs often ignored. More affordable, accessible housing is vital, advocates say. Metro Milwaukee's housing stock is largely unsuited for its senior citizens and too expensive for them, industry experts say... CEO of Information Technology Association of Wisconsin to leave 2/9/2007
- Madison, WI – February 9, 2007 - The Information
Technology Association of Wisconsin (ITAWi) today announced
that Jim Rice, President and CEO, will leave the organization
following an agreed-upon transition period.
William C. Mortimore, Chairman, will oversee his
responsibilities until a replacement is found. ITAWi’s Board
has commenced a search for a new President and CEO. Rice has
served as ITAWi President and CEO since January 2006, and
under his leadership he established a firm foundation in the
areas of membership growth, workforce development initiatives,
legislative advocacy and CIO peering networks.
He will remain on the ITAWi Board of Directors…
Development
News for the week of 2/2/07 to 2/9/07 2006:
THE YEAR IN REVIEW from Stark Company Realtors Editors
Note: Dave Stark provides a good summary of the year and a
great deal of hard data and insight… OPINION
- Cooperation will boost region
THU.,
FEB 8, 2007 An economic development corporation is off and
running in south-central Wisconsin - and none too soon. The
Collaboration Council and its economic development arm, known
as REDE, this week announced it had exceeded its fundraising
goal of $2.4 million. That means the group of business,
education, government and civic leaders has enough money -
$2.6 million from more than 150 donors - to operate an office
with several employees for three years. The office will
research, brand and market south- central Wisconsin, including
Dane and several surrounding… THU.,
FEB 8, 2007 - Spectrum Brands may not be done selling off
pieces of the company, Dave Jones, chief executive officer and
president, said Thursday after confirming the sale of its lawn
and garden division. "We will continue to evaluate our
remaining business segments," Jones told a conference
call with financial analysts. "It is likely that some
additional initiative will take place during 2007."… EDITORIAL
Council's Right On Referendum Thursday,
February 8, 2007 - The Madison City Council erred on the side
of sound policymaking and honest politics Tuesday, when it
voted against putting an advisory referendum on streetcars on
the April 3 ballot. The attempt by Ald. Paul Skidmore and Ald.
Santiago Rosas to force a nonbinding vote on the trolley issue
-- when there is no firm proposal on the table -- was a
patently political move. Opponents of Mayor Dave Cieslewicz,
who has been a champion of trolley development, hoped to use
the referendum as a tool to embarrass the mayor and his
supporters… New
library design completed Construction cost totals $16.8
million 1/25/07
- The Library Committee unanimously endorsed a design for the
city’s proposed library when it met Jan. 11. The design
features an eye-catching copper sheathed tower, numerous
environmental features and a lifespan of at least a century.
It also features a higher cost — $16.8 million – than some
had anticipated. Some of the features could be removed from
the 40,000-square-foot building in order to reduce the cost,
but committee members enthusiastically supported the full
design. Mud
Flies At Mayoral Forum Over Marsh Buy Thursday,
February 8, 2007 - Mayoral candidate Peter Munoz attacked
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz's Cherokee Marsh land purchase Wednesday
night at Progressive Dane's mayoral forum at the Warner Park
Recreation Center. Late last fall, after two years of
negotiations, Cieslewicz, Cherokee Park Inc. and developer
Dennis Tiziani agreed the city would spend between $3.4
million and $4.5 million to buy land and property rights on
about 280 acres near Cherokee… EDITORIAL
Wal-mart Expansion Must Be A Lot Smarter Wednesday,
February 7, 2007 - Planning Commissions have an eye for
details. By focusing on project details, commissioners' often
identify traffic problems, eye sores, and hidden dangers that
need to be eliminated before a project can proceed. But the
devil isn't always in the details. When reviewing big-box
development proposals, many communities have stopped asking
basic design and planning questions and started to accept
unnecessary impacts associated with urban sprawl… Regional
Economic Link Gets Lift Council Raises $2.6m Wednesday,
February 7, 2007 - Economic development in south central
Wisconsin is getting a multi-million dollar shot in the arm.
The Capital Region Collaboration Council, a group of volunteer
leaders from business, government, education and nonprofit
organizations, surpassed its goal of $2.4 million in
contributions by raising $2.6 million to be used for improving
the economic quality of life in the region… Ponderosa
Site A Strip-mall Bonanza Wednesday,
February 7, 2007 - The Ponderosa steakhouse across from East
Towne Mall is facing the wrecking ball, with plans for a new
strip mall at the high-profile location. Officials with the
Livesey Co. are before the city Urban Design Commission
tonight with their proposal to raze the 30-year-old restaurant
and replace it with a 10,000 square-foot, multi-tenant retail
center. "We've been eyeing that spot for a long
time," said Alex Weis of the Livesey Co. "It's like
being in the mall ... only you don't have to deal with all the
traffic and everything that goes with it."… State
Site Provides Regional Data Wednesday,
February 7, 2007 - The state Department of Workforce
Development has launched a new online tool for in-depth
regional data to assist with local strategic planning. The
department, with assistance from the Governor's Council on
Workforce Investment, created the Regional Metrics Benchmarks,
which provide economic and demographic information on
Wisconsin's seven economic regions. The data was compiled from
county-level information and includes statistics covering
industry employment, industry job growth and regional
demographics including education level, homeownership and
income levels… Editors
Note: actual data found here:
http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/oea/grow.htm
… Planning
Department Retool Gets Political Tuesday,
February 6, 2007 - Mayor Dave Cieslewicz's aim to put the
emphasis on economic development in the reorganization of the
old city Department of Planning and Development is turning
into a political hot potato. Monday night, the Madison Plan
Commission again tweaked the mayor's proposal, changing the
name of the new department for the third time and making other
changes to ease concerns that social services will get lost in
the mix. Mayoral candidate Peter Munoz even appeared before
the commission to criticize Cieslewicz for a lack of
"vision" for the reorganization and a heavy-handed
approach Stoughton
Waives Big-box Requirements For Center Monday,
February 5, 2007 - The City Will Review The Law To See Whether
Its Standards Should Apply To Certain Buildings. Stoughton is
waiving its big-box planning requirements for a proposed
fitness center, prompting the city to review its law
regulating mega-stores and drawing complaints the project is
receiving special treatment. Initial plans for the proposed
61,000-square-foot wellness and athletic center were approved
by the City Council Tuesday without requiring an economic
impact analysis… OPINION
Give Growth Plan A Financial Push Monday,
February 5, 2007 - The Madison City Council Should Release
Funds To Jump-start Economic Development Strategies. Madison
has a strong economy, but it cannot rest on its success. It
must continue to attract and keep businesses to fast forward
its economic growth. With input from the business community,
Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz proposed a smart economic
development plan last year that moves the city in the right
direction. He funded it with $1 million in his budget, which
was approved by the City Council in November… ...but
How Many Isthmus Units Are Too Many? Friday,
February 2, 2007 - Go back just eight years and there was
almost no downtown condominium market. Then, in 1999,
visionary architect Kenton Peters took what was then an
83-year-old industrial building, Union Transfer Station and
Storage Co. at 155 E. Wilson St., and turned it into more than
two dozen stylish condos. All but three of the units sold
before construction began. Now, a half dozen larger
condominium projects… Downtown
Condo Dwellers Seem To Love It... Condos Are Big Sell Downtown Friday,
February 2, 2007 - Remembering his first peek at the expansive
living room with its panoramic view of Lake Monona, Doug Keehn
refers to it as the "huge wow factor." He was
looking at an eighth-floor model condominium in the Marina
complex, 137 E. Wilson St., and wound up buying a unit on the
fourth floor with an identical floor plan. Keehn, 37, and his
girlfriend, Jamie Hrdina, 24, moved in last April and after 10
months the couple rave about downtown condo living… Keeping
Score Downtown Condominiums Friday,
February 02, 2007 – List of projects and units… News&Notes is now archived at http://parktowne.com/news.asp and www.WisconsinDevelopment.com Around The State and Points Elsewhere Baird's
headquarters will stay in U.S. Bank Center Thursday,
February 8, 2007 - Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. announced
today it will keep its headquarters in the U.S. Bank Center at
777 E. Wisconsin Ave. in downtown Milwaukee. The company said
it has signed an extension for its lease in the building
through 2014. The extension provides Baird with about 264,000
square feet of space on 12 floors with options for additional
space in the future. The announcement is a blow to
Milwaukee-based JBK Properties… Coroner's
office will be prime development site Wednesday,
February 7, 2007 Milwaukee County officials are looking for a
new location for the County Medical Examiner's Office. If the
office is moved, the county would likely sell the current
office at 933 W. Highland Ave. in downtown Milwaukee.
Relocating the office would enable the county to take
advantage of the rising value of the downtown property, which
is in a prime location, said County Supervisor Paul Cesarz,
who is leading the search for a new site. "The current
building is in need of renovation and does not have enough
space to meet the medical examiner's needs," Cesarz said.
"I'm looking to relocate this office to a new site,
perhaps on or near the Milwaukee County Grounds in Wauwatosa.
A new facility or location would likely provide lower costs
per square foot." Kahler
Slater to design new office space for Cramer-Krasselt February
7, 2007 - Milwaukee-based Kahler Slater has been selected to
design the new office space for Cramer-Krasselt's Milwaukee
office. Chicago-based Cramer-Krasselt is the third-largest
independent advertising agency in the United States. The
agency has about 165 employees in its downtown Milwaukee
office at 733 N. Van Buren St. The company's lease at that
location expires in August 2008… Alliant
seeks approval for coal plant
Formalizing
a decision it announced in April, Alliant Energy Corp. has
asked state regulators for permission to build a coal-fired
power plant in Cassville, expanding the existing Nelson Dewey
facility. The proposed 300-megawatt plant would provide enough
power for about 150,000 homes. If approved, Alliant hopes to
begin construction of the $777 million plant by June 2008 so
it could be operational by June 2012… WHEDA.
Awards Rock County Community Action $25,000. Doyle
unveils $80 million in initiatives to help Milwaukee. But will
Legislature buy it? Posted:
Feb. 7, 2007 - Gov. Jim Doyle put a sharp focus Wednesday on
Milwaukee, but the future of his wide-ranging plan to boost
spending for the area will depend more on whether lawmakers
from outside the area like what they see. Doyle's plan calls
for putting more nurses in schools and police officers on the
streets. It would clean up local rivers, train more residents
for jobs and reduce the class sizes in public schools. The
plan also includes new or increased money for a youth summer
jobs program; health care for people with AIDS; some funds for
the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee rail link; and money to study
adding a School of Public Health at the University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee… Grow
Milwaukee includes millions for tech funding 02/07/07
- Milwaukee, Wis. - As is the case with most spending
proposals, the devil is in the details and in how wisely the
money is spent, but Gov. Jim Doyle's new Grow Milwaukee
package contains several initiatives long coveted by the
state's technology and biotechnology industries. Council
to vote on land division for development
Feb.
7, 2007 - The Mequon Plan Commission on Feb. 5 approved a
certified survey map that splits a 6.5-acre parcel from the
larger 99.84-acre Hawks Glen development. William Radle of
Insight Development, the developer of the Hawks Glen
subdivision, said the smaller parcel will continue to be owned
by Ed Bellin. Bellin, 8805 W. Highland Road, has a house and
other buildings on the parcel... Village
can invest more in TID Feb.
7, 2007 - The maximum cost of improvements that could be made
within Shorewood's tax-incremental district has risen,
according to Community Development Authority Chairman Pete
Petrie. Originally, the total maximum investment the village
would consider making in streets, infrastructure and
professional services within the TID was estimated at $4.7
million. But as the Master Plan has taken form, that
estimation has ballooned to $14.82 million. In total, the
maximum amount to be invested in the TID, including about $9.6
million to $9.8 million in site redevelopment, has risen from
$15 million to $25 million… |
