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Editor Ken Harwood Click Here to Subscribe To Weekly Email
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After Depp, Columbus Focuses on Retail Development 3/27/08 - Columbus, WI- While recent media attention in Columbus was focused on Johnny Depp and the movie being filmed in the community, the city is now focused on a more permanent appearance in the form of retail development. Mike Eisenga First American Property LLC/Owner of Columbus Commerce Center along with Inland Companies, Inc and Vierbicher... Ken Notes: A little bank robbery goes a long way to promote a community but development is permanent, and these jobs will last more that a month or two as well. Willy Street Co-op pulls out of Metropolitan Place WED., MAR 26, 2008 - Layoffs. About $500,000 in debt. No new store. That's been the cost to the Willy Street Co-op over the past six months as it got caught in the middle of a financial mess between the developer of a Downtown condominium tower and his banks. On Wednesday, officials with the 14,000-member food co-op announced that it could be more than a year before a second store is opened, and when it does, it won't be in Phase 2 of Metropolitan Place... Ken Notes: Not good news - this would have been a great location for the new store. I wonder if Jennifer Street Market is looking for a second home, looks like they would have a bit of a head start planning wise. Graphic Here
APT to build small indoor theater WED., MAR 26, 2008 - The Spring Green theater famous for performing Shakespearean plays under open skies will start construction next month on a stage designed to bring the classics indoors. American Players Theatre has raised $2.7 million toward a $4 million goal to build a 200-seat indoor theater, plus a 10,000-square-foot production support building, the theater announced Wednesday. The new facilities will be on APT's 110 hilly woodland acres, just behind and up a small hill from the Bravo Center, home to its administrative offices and current rehearsal space... Ken Notes: Tickets on sale now HERE. A sure sign that there will be a summer – no really. Contracts for future construction in February in the Madison metro area -- Dane, Columbia, and Iowa counties -- were down 51 percent compared to a year ago, with residential down 42 percent and non-residential down 58 percent, McGraw-Hill Construction reported. For January and February combined, contracts were down 36 percent compared to a year ago, with residential down 45 percent and non-residential down 26 percent. Ken Notes: OUCH... Madison won't budge on billboard ban 3/25/2008 10:29 Those who abhor giant lighted billboards can breathe a sign of relief. The effort to ease Madison's 40-year ban on erecting new billboards has apparently run out of steam -- although officials with Adams Outdoor Advertising said today they won't give up. A proposed ordinance backed by the industry would have allowed billboard owners to put up a new sign if they took down an old one. Real estate developers also backed the change since they must pay the billboard owners to remove a sign if it stands in the way of a new project... Panel backs arts facility for Garver mill 3/26/2008 - A belief in the potential of the arts to transform the community won out over the promise of a hothouse for green strategies when a city advisory panel backed a plan to convert the former Garver Feed Mill into an arts incubator. Marianne Morton, whose Common Wealth Development's arts incubator proposal won the hard-fought battle Tuesday, cast the choice in terms of a more experienced team with a fully fleshed out development plan... Home price decrease sets record 3/25/2008 - NEW YORK -- A widely watched index of U.S. home prices fell 11.4 percent in January, its steepest drop since data for the indicator was first collected in 1987. The decline reported today in the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller index means prices have been growing more slowly or dropping for 19 consecutive months. The index tracks the prices of single-family homes in 10 major metropolitan areas in the U.S. The broader 20-city composite index also fell, dropping 10.7 percent in January from a year ago. That makes it the first time both indexes... Architectural firm Potter Lawson has hand in Madison WED., MAR 26, 2008 - Potter Lawson, one of the Madison area's oldest architectural firms, is a designer of Madison landmarks. Early projects included the Tenney Building (1913), Madison's Masonic Temple (1925) and the nine-story Gay Building (1915), which was Madison's first high-rise. The company also designed homes in Maple Bluff and the University Heights neighborhood. Later, the firm's architects worked on the Dane County Memorial Coliseum (1967), Monona Terrace (1997, with Taliesin Architects), the Overture Center (2006, with Cesar Pelli and Flad & Associates) and the UW-Madison Pharmacy School (2000). Potter Lawson also did master planning for Badger Ordnance Works... Wick Homes launches 'Build Right Institute' John Wick Homes of Mazomanie has launched The Build Right Institute, which offers would-be homeowners information on key factors affecting a home's value and performance. The company says the Build Right Institute will provide independent, research-based information on everything from air quality and energy efficiency, to quality building techniques and... Ken Notes: The website at http://www.buildrightinstitute.com/ has some interesting data - and I thought Mazomanie was all about beaches of course you could build a house with a view... 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.
Would-be Landmarks Threaten High-rise Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - Three buildings on Capitol Square got one step closer to becoming landmarks Monday night, as the city's Landmarks Commission unanimously approved their historic status. The Hobbins Block/Olson and Veerhusen Building, the Maeder Building/Ellsworth Block, and the Winterbotham Building, all on North Pinckney Street, will be recommended as landmarks to the City Council. Urban Land Interests is planning a major, high-rise project on the block, and landmark status for any of the buildings could pose problems for their plans, said Ald. Mike Verveer, 4th District. "They would say it would be a tremendous stumbling block," he said. Landmarks Commission chairman Daniel Stephens said landmark status doesn't make it impossible to develop buildings, but any potential developer must come before the landmark commission if they want to partially or completely demolish a landmark building... Harley-Davidson says museum will open in JulyBy Associated Press March 25, 2008 - 11 a.m. EMAIL RSS COMMENT MILWAUKEE (AP) - Harley-Davidson says its new museum in Milwaukee will open in July. That's the word Tuesday from the venerable motorcycle maker. Harley-Davidson had previously said its museum would open this summer. It says an exact date will be given in the coming months. Harley-Davidson says museum will open in July Harley-Davidson also says it's offering a membership program for its museum at a starting cost of $40. People who become members by June 1 will be invited to a pre-grand opening preview of the museum. Membership includes access to a members-only Web site... Ken Notes: Liz I could use press credentials for the 105th. South-siders Split On Where To Put Library Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - When south side residents and business owners tucked in knee to knee in a newly decorated meeting room at the Villager Mall to discuss redevelopment of the tired shopping center, it was the location of a planned new library branch that stirred the most discussion. No doubt, the renovated mall would include a new and larger library space, the 80 people who turned out Monday for a community meeting agreed. But should the new South Madison Branch be part of a new Urban League of Greater Madison building out on South Park Street, a symbolic landmark of a resurgent south side? Or would the kids using it be safer in a larger, refurbished version of the current branch, squeezed into the 1960s Villager building where many of the current social service tenants plan to stay?... Council reviews draft of Madison boundary agreement Verona's Common Council reviewed the newly released draft of the proposed boundary agreement with Madison on Monday night, though it didn't have much to discuss. City administrator Shawn Murphy had two full pages of information to recite in going over each provision for those watching on the local cable access station, VHAT, but the council was already well aware of both the reasoning and the result of each provision, having been involved for almost a year in closed-session discussions of the negotiations... Verona Boundary Sketch Emerging Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - Residents in the city and town of Verona won't know exactly what they're voting for in next Tuesday's referendum to consolidate the two municipalities. But they can get a pretty good idea Wednesday, when a tentative boundary agreement with Madison will be on view. The proposed intergovernmental agreement still needs to go to a public hearing and be approved by the Verona City Council and the Verona Town Board, along with the Madison City Council. But it's a start. State law requires agreements be adopted by the effective date of the proposed merger, which is Jan. 1. But the law does not require the boundaries to be fixed before the vote... Alliant Moving Offices In City Monday, March 24, 2008 - The Energy Company Is Moving To The Edge Of Baraboo, Opening Riverfront Property For Development. The city of Baraboo and Alliant Energy officials have agreed the utility will move its offices and equipment yard from the Ringling Riverfront to a business park on the southwest edge of the city, representatives announced last week. The move opens up about four acres of formerly industrial property for commercial or residential use as part of the city's revitalization of the area along the river between Lynn and Water streets. City Administrator Ed Geick said it will take about 60 days for the city and Alliant to finalize the agreement for the relocation. Baraboo will pay about $750,000 for land on the south bank of the Baraboo River bordered by Broadway, Lynn and Walnut streets... Some Griping As City Cuts Back On Park Street Mall Rehab Plan Friday, March 21, 2008 - A pared-down redevelopment plan for the worn-out Villager Mall, to be unveiled to the community Monday, has some of its south side neighbors grumbling over a drift from hoped-for commercial uses in favor of new spaces for the service providers now located there. What was once envisioned as nine buildings is now sketched out as four. Gone are the 39 condominiums once planned, the free-standing restaurant and grocery store. Also wiped from the drawing board are an interior street to bring traffic into the site and underground parking. A public library branch in a new building fronting on South Park Street remains the anchor of the plan... It's Friday, and George Fabian and the guys are hanging out in his shoe store. It's small, green inside and out, busy with customers, phone calls and visitors. "I never know who'll come," says Fabian, wearing an apron. "There's fewer now. Time's been unkind to my old friends."... Ken Notes: I wish we had more old neighborhoods in Madison, but the next best thing may be to create some new ones with older values. I love the Italian grocery store and restaurants in the Greenbush area. Ham sandwich on the way to a game and antipasto plate after mmmmmm... It's Curtains For Old House Near Campus Saturday, March 22, 2008 - Developers of a $24 million high-rise apartment building near UW-Madison have been unable to find a place to relocate one historic building, causing them to move forward with plans to demolish it. The Madison City Council in January approved the Ten-Twenty-Two housing project - which would feature a 14-story tower with 162 apartments and underground parking - with the expectation that new locations would be found for two old homes on the site at 1022 W. Johnson St. at West Johnson and North Mills streets. A new site for the Conklin House at 309 N. Mills St., considered the more architecturally significant... A disagreement over beer keg taps and a case of mistaken identity were behind a stabbing at a Pheasant Lane apartment on Feb. 15, according to a criminal complaint filed in Dane County Circuit Court the following week. Ryan A. Schardt, 19, of Fitchburg, was charged with armed burglary and first-degree reckless endangerment/use of a dangerous weapon after allegedly stabbing a man he believed had ripped him off when purchasing beer for a party. According to police, Schardt knocked on... Ken Notes: Not a development story but I needed a good laugh and this story was just the ticket - the best part is that it is serious. Things not to do at a crime scene. 1) swing first. 2) leave your cell phone. 3) bring several knives. 4) tell police I should have had a gun...
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...
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - Activists Say Resort Project Will Harm Wisconsin River Natural Area. Hiroshi Kanno doesn't buy it - not for a minute. Contrary to what the developers of the proposed $160 million Grand Cambrian Resort on the lower dells of the Wisconsin River claim, Kanno says, there's just no way a massive condominium-hotel with two waterparks won't end up harming the river. Or, for that matter, the adjacent state natural area that's home to many rare plants and animals and a favorite habitat of the bald eagle... Historic Port Building Razed In Milwaukee Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - A 92-year-old building along Lake Michigan that formerly served as Milwaukee's Coast Guard station is being demolished. Matt Jarosz, who serves on the city's Historic Preservation Commission, says demolition of the 10,000-square-foot building began Tuesday and is expected to be completed in days. The prairie-style structure, owned by the Milwaukee County Parks Department, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The federal government closed the station in 1971. Jarosz says efforts to put together a private-public alliance to save the building failed... Kenosha will get another huge distribution center Kenosha County is attracting yet another major industrial development. Chicago-based First Industrial Realty Trust, a real estate investment trust (REIT), plans to build a 692,000-square-foot distribution center on a vacant 100-acre site southeast of 52nd Street and 88th Avenue for Norfolk, Neb.-based Affiliated Foods Midwest. Affiliated Foods Midwest is a cooperative owned entirely by independent grocers... More hotel, retail development for Rawson Avenue Published March 26, 2008 - Ed Eldridge, the owner of People's Choice Corp. car wash at 7700 W. Rawson Ave., plans to build a five-story, 99-room hotel with 1,600 to 2,500 square feet of meeting space, on a vacant site just north of a gas station at the northwest corner of South 76th Street and Rawson Avenue in Franklin. The flag for the $11 million hotel has not been named yet. The project is being reviewed by city officials. It would be the second new hotel for Franklin. A 114-room Staybridge Suites hotel is under construction at the southwest corner of South 27th Street and Ryan Road. The 76th Street and Rawson Avenue area is just south of Loomis Road... Kohl's to open new Grafton store Published March 26, 2008 - Menomonee Falls-based Kohl's Corp. will open its new Grafton store on Wednesday, April 9, in the Grafton Commons development at I-43 and Highway 60. The interchange, located on the far east side of Grafton, is the hottest retail development area in Ozaukee County. The new store replaces the Kohl's store in the Manchester Mall... Some folks say Greendale has condo conundrum March 27, 2008 - Some folks say Greendale has condo conundrum. Particular units can be in short supply within village. After spending nearly a lifetime in Greendale, Nancy Gray was forced to leave the community she loved - not for a new job opportunity, family-related issue or any choice she made, but because she... New housing report fits a gloomy trend March 27, 2008 - New housing report fits a gloomy trend. New home sales dropped last month, it shows. More data on the continuing downturn in residential real estate has emerged as the federal government estimates that new home sales nationwide fell 1.8% last month... The $11.5 million referendum question March 27, 2008 - The $11.5 million referendum question. Houses to the north would be taken to build new station. On April 1, Wauwatosa voters will have their voices heard on the largest public building project ever proposed for the city... March 26, 2008 - Tosa site for campus opposed. Some say UWM research park should be built downtown. "UWM Downtown, not UW-Tosa."... Big development plans divide city March 24, 2008 - Big development plans divide city. Lake Geneva voters to advise aldermen. Residents who oppose real estate development in their communities often complain loudly, organize protests or circulate petitions...
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fires Charlie Brown... 2007 Office Market Trends Madison Madison Office Market Trends is a newsletter published annually by Grubb & Ellis|Oakbrook. Ken Notes: Special thanks to Chris Richards for keeping us in the loop. 3/19/2008 - A tenuous market for new condominiums is delaying for at least a year the groundbreaking for the $15 million Wingra Shores on the city's near west side. Billed as a "transit-oriented development," the project from local landlord Jim Corcoran is planned just west of the Laurel Tavern and Michael's Frozen Custard on Monroe Street, running through the entire block to Arbor Drive. It calls for 45 condo units in a three- and four-story buildings with 57 underground parking spaces, offering views of Lake Wingra and nearby UW Arboretum. Developers had hoped to start work on the condos in May... 'American way of life' may not be sustainable 3/18/2008 - Back in the 1980s, before mortgage-backed securities and $100 barrels of oil, environmentalists liked to talk about "sustainable development." The technical definition according to a United Nations study group at the time was "meeting today's needs without compromising the ability of future generations to develop."Of course, the implication to many greens was that U.S.-style development since World War II -- the big house in the suburbs and all the stuff that goes with it -- was not sustainable over the long haul...
Fed makes big rate cut; Wall Street roars back TUE., MAR 18, 2008 - WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve slashed a key interest rate by three-quarters of a point Tuesday, capping its most aggressive two months of action in a quarter-century in a battle to halt a spreading credit crisis. Wall Street loved it, bursting to its biggest gain in five years. The strong Fed action seemed to convince investors... Sharper Image store in Middleton is closing TUE., MAR 18, 2008 - The Greenway Station Shopping Center in Middleton is losing another of its original tenants. The Sharper Image store, which opened in 2003, is closing, although a date hasn't been set. Store manager Jon Miller said a liquidation sale began Tuesday at the high-tech gadgets and gifts shop, but he wouldn't predict when the doors would close. The announcement of the store's closing comes less than two weeks after officials with Romano's Macaroni Grill said it would close the restaurant.. Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - Only Half The Space At The Genesis Enterprise Center Is Occupied, And Some Believe The Nonprofit Group Is A Victim Of Its Own Success. For years, DeAngelo Jackson watched as the construction companies he worked for prospered. Now Jackson, 46, has stepped out front. Last year, he co-founded his own firm, Urban Construction Administration Inc. Helping him the whole way has been Genesis Development Corp., a Madison nonprofit organization that aids start-up companies, especially those led by minorities and lower-income people. Genesis cut Jackson a deal on office rent, fine-tuned his business plan and helped him land his first big job as a subcontractor on the $190 million University Square project in Downtown Madison... 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. Voters interested in Verona's boundary agreement with Madison will have something in writing available before they head to the polls. Madison's latest counterproposal, delivered to Verona last week, agrees on almost every provision the Common Council sought - limiting the pace and density of development in the northwest section of the Town of Verona - city administrator Shawn Murphy said Wednesday...
http://www.cbre.com/USA/US/WI/Madison/pprofile/brianwolff Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - Spectrum Brands is bringing back jobs - and a new technology - to the Rayovac alkaline battery plant in Fennimore, in southwest Wisconsin, the company will announce in a news conference today. One year after more than 100 of the 275 jobs at the Fennimore plant were shifted to China, Rayovac says it will add 50 positions by May 12. Some of the jobs moved overseas have been added back during the past year, so the new positions will bring total employment to 250 at the factory, 70 miles west of Madison. "It's great," said Fennimore Mayor Chuck Stenner... Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - Genesis Enterprise Center, 313 W. Beltline, has housed dozens of businesses over the years. Here's a closer look at a few of them. TeachingBooks.net: This Internet-based subscription service became the first true start-up company at Genesis when it moved there in 2002 from the home of founder Nick Glass. The company creates and catalogs information and videos about authors and books. The service is now in almost one-fifth of all schools nationally, said Glass, 43. The company employs six people and plans to add more soon. Over the years, Glass said he has hired three people, including an intern, from within a six-block area. "I'm a South Side resident, and I want to support the growth of my community," he said. "I believe in this concept."... Home Listing Success Rates Have Decreased Sunday, March 16, 2008 - One way to gauge the relative effort required to sell a home or condo is to track the listing success rate over time. The listing success rate is the number of listings that sell relative to the number of listings that sell or expire during a given time period. According to MLS data compiled by DaneCountyMarket.com, listing success rates for Dane County homes and condos ranged between 68 and 78 percent during the first half of the decade. In other words, many more listings sold than expired through the year 2005. In 2006, the listing success rate dropped considerably for both homes and condos. The listing success rate for homes dropped to 55 percent in 2006 and ended 2007 at 52 percent. The success rate for condos dropped to 50 percent in 2006 and ended 2007 at 40 percent. Ken Notes: I want to thank the papers for coming up with creative new ways to tell us that the market is down. We need to get state wide circulation and talk about what a great place Greater Madison is... EDITORIAL - Regional Plan Panel Must Go Back To Drawing Board Saturday, March 15, 2008 - The Dane County Public Affairs Council has objections regarding the recently adopted goals and objectives for the Capitol Area Regional Plan Commission. The council previously submitted concerns about the goals and objectives generally, and specifically about the proposed policies relating to agricultural mitigation and the need for flexibility in defining urban service areas (USAs). Those concerns still stand; however, we also vigorously object to the manner and substance of the commission's adoption of the goals and objectives governing the future work of the commission. The council is an organization representing diverse business and professional interests and a broad spectrum of political opinion. Most of our members are active leaders in their communities, while some are retired and represent 50+ years of experience in economic and community development... OPINION Don't Ignore Young Talent In City Plan Saturday, March 15, 2008 - A key demographic is missing from the city's recently-completed economic development plan - the young leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals and creatives of the Madison area. By not adequately addressing this demographic's potential and needs, the city is squandering one of its most competitive advantages. A stronger partnership with Madison MAGNET, the local organization dedicated to attracting and retaining young talent by understanding and addressing their needs, should be of the utmost priority to the city... A Green Village For Fitchburg - Sustainable Development Saturday, March 15, 2008 - A "sustainable village," complete with natural sewage treatment, a school of organic agriculture and businesses powered by the sun, wind and renewable organic fuel could find a home in Fitchburg. But first local organizers need to raise about $25 million for the 250-acre project. "It will be a place to learn about sustainability ... firsthand," said Phyllis Hasbrouck, chairwoman of Fitchburg Fields, which is spearheading the effort. "This kind of sustainable village is what every large community is going to need as a learning place and example." Plans for the carbon neutral eco-village include 30 modest homes... Ken Notes: Placing something of this magnitude in Greater Madison would help attract national attention but raising 25 million??? A Receiver Is Appointed For Condo Tower Saturday, March 15, 2008 - Downtown developer Cliff Fisher is out as manager of Phase II of Metropolitan Place, replaced by a Milwaukee lawyer who was appointed as receiver, under terms of a settlement reached with lenders on Friday. Michael Polsky will take over management duties from Fisher's company, Buckingham LLC, which built the 164-unit condominium tower, as part of an agreement that dismissed a foreclosure action against Buckingham by La Salle National Bank and Associated Bank. As receiver, Polsky will have extensive power over the condo development, at the corner of Broom and West Mifflin streets in Downtown Madison... Ken Notes: Lets start talking about the coop and downtown lifestyle again... Developers Pull Out Of Project Friday, March 14, 2008 - Neighbors will wait a little longer to know the future of the 26.7-acre Royster Clark property on the corner of Dempsey and Cottage Grove roads. Ald. Larry Palm, 15th District, said Thursday that Urban Solutions Inc., a Madison-based real estate development firm, and Silverstone Partners have pulled out of a deal with Agrium U.S. to buy the site of the former East Side fertilizer plant. In a letter to constituents last month, Palm said the pullout "can be viewed as a setback in what is already projected to be a very long process." Palm said the decision was very complex. "But what it boiled down to is ... it would have required a very expensive demolition project," Palm said. "There's a heck of a lot of concrete in that building."... Work On Ruins Of Cathedral To Start In April Friday, March 14, 2008 - Plans For Rebuilt St. Raphael Are Expected To Include The Salvaged Spire And Bells. It was three years ago today that an arson fire swept through St. Raphael Cathedral in Downtown Madison, leaving behind a $1 million steeple that still soars into the sky above a soot-smudged shell of a building. It's been a somewhat forlorn sight ever since, and news that salvage operations and demolition of the remaining ruins are scheduled to begin in April comes as a positive development, said Monsignor Kevin Holmes, rector of St. Raphael and pastor of the nearby Holy Redeemer and St. Patrick's Catholic churches. "I think even the empty, cleaned site will be a sign of progress, a step forward," he said... Cambridge woman found in vacant home died of smoke inhalation WED., MAR 19, 2008 - CAMBRIDGE — A real estate agent who had arranged to show a listing at 4:30 p.m. met her death in a vacant house here Tuesday night. Ann Nelson, 71, a familiar face in the community... Ken Notes: My sincerest sympathy to friends and family... 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...
Controversial Dells resort gains approval from DNR The $163 million Grand Cambrian Resort proposed for 112 acres adjacent to 1,300 acres of the lower dells of the Wisconsin River owned by the state Department of Natural Resources has been granted a construction permit by the DNR. "We've been working cooperatively with DNR officials to ensure appropriate protections have been incorporated into the permit," Cambrian Development managing partner Mac R. McDonald said in a statement. "Agreements with both the city of Wisconsin Dells and now the DNR will minimize the impact with the 75-foot no disturbance... Nick Universe rules at Mall of America 3/17/2008 - BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- So long, Charlie Brown. SpongeBob is taking over. The Mall of America's indoor amusement park, seven sprawling acres of rides, games and assorted fun once ruled by the Peanuts gang, is now the domain of Nickelodeon Universe. After a $25 million makeover, SpongeBob Squarepants, Dora the Explorer and Boots the Monkey now greet visitors to the park, which has its grand opening Saturday with appearances by Ashlee Simpson and an assortment of the popular cable network's stars... Ken Notes: I doth protest and so does Kathleen who vows never to shop there again. Charlie, Madison still loves you and we need a destination. Call... Iron Horse Hotel on fast track for guests 3/18/2008 - MILWAUKEE -- When developer Tim Dixon bought a century-old warehouse, off the Sixth Street viaduct downtown, he figured the building would become condos or loft apartments. Two weeks later, Harley-Davidson announced the location for its $75 million museum. Right next door. Dixon was delighted. "So I bought a Harley, have been going to rallies and started to learn about the subculture," he says. It didn't take long to decide that his new acquisition should be a boutique hotel, one that would cater to business clientele as well as Harley riders. "You gotta be both" is the mantra... City might check out hotel for key development site Franklin: March 19, 2008 - Developer cites promising study on conceptual plan. The owner of a Franklin car wash has proposed a $10 million hotel for a triangular parcel sided by South 76th Street, Rawson Avenue and Loomis Road. Pending city approval, Ed Eldridge would develop the 99-room, five-story hotel on a vacant lot he owns in the 6900 block of South 76th Street. "Franklin is a great city," he said. "I want to make a very important enhancement to this very important intersection."... Ground broken on mega GE facility March 19, 2008 - The mood was festive March 14 at the Gingerbread House restaurant March 14, where groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the new $25 million, 486,000-square-foot GE Healthcare facility that will be constructed on a 35-acre site next door. "What a wonderful day it is," Mayor John Johnson said. "We are now able to turn a page in history and start a new chapter."... March 20, 2008 - Condo project put on hold. Village to share costs with developer. Shorewood's Community Development Authority has entered into an agreement with a private developer in an effort to keep the prospects of a condominium project alive amid the challenging state of the real estate... Show to go on for restaurant; Board OKs liquor license March 20, 2008 - Show to go on for restaurant; Board reverses course, OKs liquor license. Two weeks after Buffalo Wild Wings was denied a liquor license, the Village Board on Tuesday reversed course and approved a license for the national restaurant chain.. Two weeks after Buffalo Wild Wings was denied a liquor license, the Village Board... Judge OKs addition to proposed New Berlin hotel March 19, 2008 - Judge OKs addition to proposed New Berlin hotel. Development's height had drawn opposition. A judge has approved the addition of two floors on a proposed hotel and conference center, saying the height is within the parameters provided by city ordinance... Condo plans get planners support March 18, 2008 - Condo plans get planners support. A condominium development on the former Sentry site on Oakton Avenue was embraced by the Plan Commission on Thursday.. A condominium development on the former Sentry site on Oakton Avenue was embraced by the Plan Commission on Thursday... Planners cool to site restaurant; Office park site not appropriate March 18, 2008 - Planners cool to site of Indian restaurant; Office park site not appropriate, village officials say. A proposal for an Indian restaurant was welcomed but the location of it was not by village planners Thursday.. A proposal for an Indian restaurant was welcomed but the location of it was not by village planners Thursday... Ethanol plant courted behind closed doors March 18, 2008 - Ethanol plant courted behind closed doors. Since lawsuit, Milton officials pledge openness. Kathy Arndt has two ways to go each night when she leaves Arndt's Mini-Mart gas station, which she owns in Milton, population about 5,500, and drives to her home about seven miles to the east... It may take a hospital to raise a village March 16, 2008 - It may take a hospital to raise a village. Aurora case accelerates Summit plan. With a new Aurora hospital rising at the town's most prominent location and several other development projects set to begin soon, residents have ramped up their effort to get the town incorporated as a village...
March
15, 2008 - Riverwalk plan on hold. Council panel delays action on city
funding proposal. A Common Council committee Friday delayed acting on a
proposal to provide city funds for a riverwalk that would be built in
connection with a new downtown hotel...
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - The Result Might Be A New Managing Partner For Phase 2 Of Metropolitan Place. Cliff Fisher might be out as the managing partner of Phase 2 of Metropolitan Place, according to the terms of a settlement deal with his banks that could be finalized as early as Friday, Fisher's attorney said Tuesday. The deal could also enable Willy Street Co-op to resume construction on the store it is trying to build on the first level of the 164-unit condominium tower at the corner of Broom and West Mifflin streets... GM nixes sale of Erickson dealership 25 employees to lose jobs this week. Twenty-five employees at John Erickson Chevrolet will lose their jobs at the end of this week after the pending sale of the dealership was vetoed March 3 by General Motors officials. Owner John Erickson said Tuesday that GM exercised its "right of first refusal" when it nixed the sale of the 513 W. Verona Ave. dealership to Beaver Dam-based Countryside GM Auto Group. Countryside had been expected... Ken Notes: Verona will miss the dealership and John. I am guessing this will place some prime Verona Road real estate on the market. I would be happy to help market the listing send me the press release and good luck... Madison Public Market Envisioned Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - Backers Must Raise $16 Million In Public And Private Funds. Imagine buying fresh asparagus, artisan cheeses or flowers, having a microbrew or dinner with regional ingredients, listening to live jazz or taking a cooking class. Among a diverse crowd. All under one roof. A block off Capitol Square. That's the vision for a $19 million, four-season Madison Public Market that would be the centerpiece of a mixed-use development on the block-size Brayton surface parking lot just off the Square. The Brayton lot, owned by the city and state, is the largest undeveloped parcel in the core Downtown... Ken Notes: I like this idea and have been to similar markets in several communities. This would create a great draw for boomers and youth alike. We have condos to sell. Lets not forget we need a hotel, central Park, mass transit. Have I mentioned comprehensive planning and marketing???
Madison awaits word on Brown offices WED., MAR 12, 2008 - Madison officials say they are still waiting to find out if the city remains a contender for a consolidated headquarters for Brown Shoe, parent company of Famous Footwear, which is based in Madison. Brown Shoe, with $2.4 billion in 2007 revenue, was said to be considering Madison, Dallas or St. Louis as possible locations for combining its corporate offices, currently in the St. Louis suburb of Clayton, Mo. The last time Mayor Dave Cieslewicz talked to corporate officials was in late January, aide George Twigg... Ken Notes: This is a great opportunity to demonstrate regional cooperation. Ron Fromm (CEO) was in Madison for a number of years, his number is (314) 854-4000, let him know we want him in the area if you knew him when. City backpedals after CARPC approves policies New rules could severely hamper Verona's growth ability. It's hard to imagine anybody who's a bigger fan of compact, urban-style development than city planning director Bruce Sylvester. So when Sylvester, a bureaucrat who tends not to make his opinions public, lashes out against the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission's recently adopted policies aimed at promoting just that sort of growth, city leaders are all ears. The CARPC, a recently created political body... Friday, March 7, 2008 - The University Research Park and CUNA Mutual Group are working on a land swap that would be the first step for a mixed-use development between Mineral Point and Odana roads. The swap, which depends on developing a master development plan for 52 acres CUNA Mutual will own after the swap, also would provide an additional 20 acres for research park expansion. CUNA Mutual, which owns about 60 acres of undeveloped land, would give 20 acres to the research park. The research park would give 12.5 acres along Mineral Point Road to CUNA Mutual. The mixed-use development planned for the CUNA Mutual property would include multi-family housing, apartments for older adults, office space and limited retail, said Dan Larson, CUNA Mutual's director of real estate... Metro Place II May Soon Get Back On Track Friday, March 7, 2008 - A deal is pending between developers of the second phase of the Metropolitan Place condominiums and two lenders to complete the building, avoid a mortgage foreclosure and bring the Williamson Street Grocery Cooperative in as an anchor tenant. Attorneys for a group headed by local landlord Cliff Fisher are meeting today with attorneys from Associated Bank and LaSalle Bank in a telephone conference before Dane County Circuit Judge Michael Nowakowski... Ken Notes: Cap Time has a few more details on the project. I hope the project moves forward -- it may take a while, but I see Madison becoming a mecca for empty nesters and young professionals... Retrospective Looks At First 15 Years Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PARK - University Research Park has published a retrospective, "The First Fifteen Years: 1984-1999." The 61-page book, written by Arthur Hove, former special assistant to the UW-Madison chancellor, can be downloaded at http://universityresearchpark.org/15years. Printed copies are available at the MGE Innovation Center, 510 Charmany Drive, Suite 250. The nonprofit research and technology park now houses 34 buildings and more than 114 companies that employ more than 4,000 people... New Commercial Listings from PropertyDrive.com All Commercial Properties By Community (an interactive map) Building Permits (Link active when available) Small property transactions in Madison NEW 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. Ken Notes: Thanks for this tool. Adding other communities and large transactions to this would be fantastic.
http://www.cbre.com/USA/US/WI/Madison/pprofile/brianwolff Madison posts net increase in jobs March 06, 2008 - Madison posts net increase in jobs. Unemployment rate in Milwaukee area swells to 5.3%. Employment data the state released Wednesday showed a familiar tale of two cities... OPINION - Don't Ignore Key Points In City Plan Monday, March 10, 2008 - Madison Needs To Follow Through On Recommendations For Growing Good Jobs. Madison's new economic development plan should be required reading for city officials. It provides good recommendations and strategies for improving Madison's economy, most of which are already underway but need follow-through. The plan promotes job creation and growth. It emphasizes strong public-private partnerships. It seeks skilled, business-savvy leaders and employees to be effective champions for the city and region. The city paid $75,000 to Chicago-based Ticknor & Associates to draft a strategic economic development plan to guide the city for the next three to five years. The firm unveiled a first draft of the plan last week. Here are a just a few key points... Play Ball! Indoor Baseball/softball Facility Eyed In Middleton Thursday, March 6, 2008 - With spring training under way in Florida and Arizona, the developer of the Hawks Landing Golf Club subdivision has turned his attention toward another traditional American pastime: baseball. Jeff Haen is moving forward quickly with plans for what would be the largest indoor baseball/softball facility this side of Milwaukee's Miller Park. The $5 million, 68,000 square-foot complex would be sited at 3160 Deming Way, next door to the similarly-sized Keva Sports Center. It would be large enough to play a regulation Little League baseball or adult softball game with 60-foot bases and a 225-foot outfield fence. Configured for baseball, it would have an infield with 90-foot bases and a pitcher's mound. The entire playing field would be covered with artificial turf, with rubberized sliding areas around the bases... GM says no to Erickson Chevrolet deal 3/12/2008 - General Motors has exercised its right to turn down the sale of John Erickson Chevrolet in Verona to Countryside Auto Group of Beaver Dam and Columbus, the two dealerships said today. Instead, GM will buy the Erickson franchise on the same terms as Erickson's deal with Countryside, and the Verona dealership will go out of business this week, John Erickson said. "GM's reason for doing this is there's just too many dealers and this is one way they can cut down on the number of dealers," Erickson said. "It was not because Countryside is not qualified. They're a fine dealership... Couple wants to divide Ely House property 3/11/2008 - Trudy and Harvey Barash have a good track record in restoring historic Madison properties and are now asking their neighbors for a bit of understanding as they propose to build a new home in University Heights. The only hangup is getting the city to go along with plans to subdivide a large wooded lot, home to the national landmark Ely House they own at 205 N. Prospect Ave. The empty nesters -- whose resume includes developing the Canterbury bookstore and inn downtown -- bought the Ely House in 1970 in disrepair. It has since been refurbished, earning city and national landmark status. The couple now wants to break off a 10,700 square foot section of the half-acre parcel to build a new home... Housing Planned For Very Poor - Units Will Start At $250 A Month Saturday, March 8, 2008 - With an economy gone soft and money and credit tight, a local nonprofit is developing housing for very poor families. Calling the effort "Housing and Hope," the Interfaith Hospitality Network of the Madison Area is trying to raise $4 million to buy, renovate and operate four existing eight-unit buildings that would be rented to homeless families that can pay about $250 a month or less for a place to live. "Nearly all of our families have incomes well below 30 percent of the area median income," said IHN Executive Director Rachel Krinsky. In Dane County, 30 percent of median income is $23,280 for a family of four, according to state figures... $20m Lair For WARF Rats - Regents Ok Lab Land Swap Thursday, March 6, 2008 - The UW Board of Regents today approved a land swap allowing construction of an underground holding facility for thousands of rats and mice for research use on the UW-Madison campus. The project will be located in the 1200 block of Campus Drive at North Orchard Street, as part of the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, a biomedical research complex. Approval of the land swap between the UW-Madison and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation was needed so a $20 million plan that includes a receiving dock as well as the 10,000-square-foot "vivarium"... Ken Notes: I should live so well... Panel Splits On Garver Mill's Use Friday, March 7, 2008 - Just too close to call. That was the report Thursday from a city of Madison panel on two competing proposals for the redevelopment of the old Garver Feed Mill site adjacent to Olbrich Botanical Gardens on the city's east side. After a year of public hearings and debate, the eight-member panel selected from between the two proposed uses - arts incubator or green "sustainability" center - and the vote came up tied. Scoring the proposals on some 15 criteria, the results were one-half of 1 percent apart, Bill Barker, chairman of Garver Re-Use Committee, told members. The committee was charged with setting criteria for a new public use for the crumbling... Minority Owner To Close Firm, Buy Bigger One Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - A longtime minority construction company in Madison is going out of business. But the result is likely to be more projects, and bigger ones, for the owner and his crews. Brian A. Mitchell Construction, 403 Troy Drive, is selling its ironworking tools and will close this summer when the company's last job is completed. Brian Mitchell, with finances from Generation Growth Capital, a Milwaukee venture capital firm, has bought Choice Construction Cos. of Menomonee Falls, a company several times bigger than Mitchell's Madison business. Details of the deal weren't disclosed. Established in 1983, Brian A. Mitchell Construction specializes in building bridges. The company has worked on more than 400 of them around Wisconsin and the Midwest... Columbus Gets A Makeover For Movie Sunday, March 9, 2008 - Rhonda Reese, general manager for the Midwest Horse Fair, knows all about the makeover Columbus is getting to prepare for the coming of Johnny Depp and his "Public Enemies" filming. The sets are being built underneath her. Reese's office is on the first floor of a building on Ludington Street, where the construction team has set up shop in the basement garage. In fact, when location scout Adam Boor, from P.E. Productions LLC, showed up, she marched him in to her office so he could hear the sawing and hammering. Boor apologized, but that wasn't what Reese was after: "All the construction is happening under my office, so we need a Johnny Depp visit. I want a picture of him sitting on our horse."... His Firm Creates Cutting-edge Research Labs Sunday, March 9, 2008 - Jim Corkery's Company Designs And Builds Facilities For Medical And Engine Manufacturing Companies. Affiliated Construction Services of Madison is a grandchild of Flad Architects. Flad Architects, of Madison, was founded in 1927. Affiliated Engineers was spun off from Flad in 1978, and ACS grew out of Affiliated Engineers in 1994. With expertise in designing and building research laboratories, research animal holding areas, and engine test laboratories and equipment, ACS now is gaining a foothold in Europe. The company's Wisconsin projects include the $12 million Institute for Influenza Viral Research under construction on the UW-Madison campus and a Kettle Foods manufacturing plant, completed last August in Beloit... 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...
Plan For Quarry Drawing Protest Monday, March 10, 2008 - Opponents Say It Would Endanger Protection Of Resources In The Town Of Baraboo. For most local people who live in the folded landscape of the Baraboo Hills' North Range, the high rock outcropping known as Mushroom Hill or Brennan's Knob is a familiar sight. But on March 18, the Sauk County Board will consider a proposal that would see the stony hilltop northeast of Baraboo leveled by a quartzite quarry over the next 30 years. In an area known for its scenic beauty and for its many protected natural areas, including nearby Devil's Lake State Park, the quarry proposal has galvanized dozens of opponents who say the idea flies in the face of a town comprehensive plan that emphasizes natural resource protection. "I'm just saddened by this," said Barbara Terry , a nearby resident who has helped organize opposition to the proposed quarry. "It's a landmark. It's visible from areas all around here.'' Two local road construction... City to purchase land for Terry Porter's Bronzeville development March 12, 2008 - The City of Milwaukee's Redevelopment Authority plans to purchase two vacant properties from Milwaukee County to assist a mixed-use development planned by former Milwaukee Bucks coach Terry Porter in the Bronzeville district. Porter plans to build a sports, entertainment and condominium development at the intersection of North Seventh Street and East North Avenue, at the gateway to the Bronzeville district... Condos eyed for Sentry site again March 13, 2008 - Condos eyed for Sentry site again. Less than a week after its owner began an 18-month prison sentence, representatives of Grandview Development Group will present plans to the Plan Commission tonight for a condominium development on Oakton Avenue.. Less than a week after its owner began... March 13, 2008 - Condos gaining high ground. Council approves rezoning near school. The city of Greenfield has taken another step to allow a 14-building, 28-unit condominium development near Greenfield High School... Fifth set of plans wins approval March 13, 2008 - Fifth set of plans wins approval. Concept calls for 30 units, street extension. A 30-unit condominium development for 7.5 vacant acres on 49th Street at Donges Lane received conceptual approval from the Plan Commission this week... Council to review Town Center TIF proposal March 13, 2008 - Council to review Town Center TIF proposal. The proposed tax-incremental financing district for Mequon's Town Center moved one step closer to final go-ahead March 10 with the unanimous approval of the Planning Commission...
March 13, 2008 - Medical center wins approval. ProHealth Care clinic will feature doctor offices, day surgery. A new 160,000-square-foot ProHealth Care facility proposed for the east side of the 1700 block of Moorland Road has received New Berlin Plan Commission approval... Office allocation deleted from Park East hotel plan March 13, 2008 - Office allocation deleted from Park East hotel plan. 22-story building to have nightclub, restaurant. A hotel and condominium tower planned for downtown Milwaukee's Park East area will not include office space, as originally proposed, but will seek a "celebrity chef" for its restaurant and high-end operators... City gets out of a TIF, into money March 13, 2008 - City gets out of a TIF, into money. End of taxing district means new revenue. West Allis will receive up to $300,000 this year in property tax relief thanks to the closing of a tax-incremental financing district that helped transform an old Allis-Chalmers plant into new business properties... March 12, 2008 - Richard Burke Trek founder dedicated to urban education, social responsibility. Even Richard Burke had a hard time believing just how big his company became... Ken Notes: The state will miss Mr. Burke... March 11, 2008 - 8-story building could expand. Downtown offices may grow to side. A local development firm is considering a major expansion of an eight-story office building that it operates in downtown Milwaukee...
March 11, 2008 - City, tower close to settling. Kilbourn Tower would pay $950,000 owed for land. The owners of the Kilbourn Tower condominium high-rise will pay $950,000 owed to the City of Milwaukee, and the city will give up $300,000 worth of overdue interest payments, to settle a legal dispute... Park East tower work tied to condo sales March 11, 2008 - Park East tower work tied to condo sales. Construction now predicted to begin in fall. Construction could begin this fall on a $160 million hotel and condominium tower planned for downtown Milwaukee's Park East area, if the project's developers can sell enough condos by that time... March 09, 2008 - Hotels ascend around airport. Developers line up to provide lodging for airline travelers. Travelers looking for a hotel room near Mitchell International Airport may have a lot more choices over the next few years... March 09, 2008 - Time for balanced transit. One of the most powerful economic development tools a community can use to create new opportunities is a modern, balanced and integrated transportation system that unites the region and connects workers to jobs... 11th hour nears for bowling congress March 09, 2008 - 11th hour nears for bowling congress. Delegation making pitch today to keep it in region. Since November, top officials at the United States Bowling Congress have made it pretty clear the organization was headed south to Arlington, Texas... March 09, 2008 - Tower's new life stalls. Dispute with city over plans for redevelopment leaves site vacant. The single biggest industrial site in Milwaukee remains largely vacant, even as the investors who bought the property more than a year ago insist that they have plenty of ideas for infusing... WEB EXCLUSIVE: Lisbon industrial park planned March 08, 2008 - WEB EXCLUSIVE: Lisbon industrial park planned. The Plan Commission has unanimously approved rezoning a 45-acre tract of land west of Lied's Nursery retail store at Highways 74 and Town Line Road (County Highway V) for a proposed industrial park.. The Plan Commission has unanimously approved rezoning...
Ken Notes: Please thank our sponsors. Interested in sponsorship call (608) 334-2174.
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