Volume 2 - Issue 38 - Circulation 3,500 - Week of 09.17.09 to 09.24.09
About This Publication - Always Online at WisconsinDevelopment.com
Madison - September 23, 2009 - Habitat for Humanity of Madison has reached agreement with Canadian-based Agrium U.S., to buy the 26.7-acre Royster-Clark property on Madison's East Side, one of the biggest remaining developable areas in the city and a long-standing neighborhood eyesore.
Habitat intends to partner with other nonprofit groups and developers to build about 70 single-family homes, 40 to 50 multifamily units, and commercial space along the Cottage Grove and Dempsey Road corridor, as well as a 2- to 4-acre headquarters on the property of the defunct fertilizer plant...
Ken Notes: This would be a great reuse of the site. I hope that the area can be easily cleaned up. Maybe some of the firms that specialize in this work could volunteer for the cause. I promise I'll write about it...
Dane County - September 23, 2009 - For Dan Roth, it was the last straw. Five years ago the U.S. 12 project took a chunk of his town of Springfield farmland. Then the state told him the highway is being converted into a freeway, which likely will close off easy access to his fields on the other side of the road. Now Dane County is proposing to divide his farm again with the North Mendota Parkway, an up-to- 300-foot-wide, four-lane roadway north of Lake Mendota proposed to connect the north end of Madison with U.S. 12....
Ken Notes: This is difficult for all parties but the farmers are in a position of being able to sell their land at exponentially higher prices. Of course some want to continue to farm. It is too bad that a trade for equally productive land not in the path of the highway could not be an option. It would be best if the region could do some long range comprehensive planning so that all the cards are on the table from the onset.
Wisconsin - September 24, 2009 - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is an all-but-announced candidate for reelection in 2010, and the three-term senator has an announced Republican opponent: Watertown small-businessman Dave Westlake.
Westlake, a Christian conservative who highlights his enthusiasm for "pro-life issues and traditional marriage" and "faith-based organizations," has been campaigning hard around the state. But national Republican strategists and fund raisers, who have not targeted the Feingold race as a high priority, have been slow to rally to his candidacy.
It is no secret that GOP insiders would like to see someone with more money and a higher profile enter the race.
And they might get their wish.
Madison developer Terrence Wall,...
Ken Notes: Even if Wall were to face an uphill battle, the idea of a real debate on jobs and the economy and governments role would benefit the region and enlighten us all. Plus I would have a lot to write about...
Madison - 09/24/2009 - So many things have gone wrong in downtown Madison it's understandable Mayor Dave Cieslewicz wants to make a big, bold statement by supporting the $109 million Edgewater Hotel renovation and expansion, including a public plaza overlooking Lake Mendota.
The central city has taken its share of lumps over the past decade. The mishandling of the design and operation of the Overture Center has had heartbreaking consequences. Unsold units in high-end condo projects now serve as a stark reminder that the much-celebrated "return to downtown living" was overblown. And one large-scale mixed-use proposal after another has collapsed -- most notably Gary Gorman's Avenue 800 and the McGrath family's Union Corners...
Ken Notes: I'm not sure I agree. The $16 million city subsidy is not bad for a $100 million project. The project would bring jobs and help bring more business and conventions to the downtown. I have always been frustrated when I see companies choose Milwaukee over Madison, but Milwaukee continues to work hard on their downtown and has a good vision for moving forward. We need to create our vision - and I think the discussion of Edgewater will help clarify. Marc has some very good ideas of his own but Edgewater is not the heart of the problem...
Madison - September 22, 2009 - Virtually no one disputes that the concept drawings look wonderful.
They show a two-building senior housing complex at the corner of Badger Road and Cypress Way in Madison's Burr Oaks Neighborhood. The buildings would provide 96 affordable apartments for area seniors as well as amenities like a senior center, a green roof with a walking path and outdoor plaza. Within a block or two, seniors will be able to easily access Madison Metro's South Transfer Point as well as the shops, library and medical facilities in the soon-to-be-completed redevelopment of Villager Mall....
Madison - September 20, 2009 - University Square owner Greg Rice isn't sure where to go next with the large restaurant space at the corner of West Johnson and Lake Streets. But he's grown frustrated now that Scott Acker has abandoned his plans for a sports-themed bar/restaurant to fill the 24,000 square feet of space in the mixed use development. Acker, who owns the Quaker Steak & Lube restaurant in Middleton, had been pursuing a $4 million, three-floor development inside the University Square complex. It would have included the Badger Hall of Fame Grill, a restaurant, banquet hall and bar with a 900-person capacity....
Ken Notes: I understand wanting to work with the vendor, but canceling the next meeting was questionable at best. I think the Aker project was a pretty good deal for the community and the developer. The committee should consider drafting a position on what would be acceptable for the space. I wonder if Famous Dave's is ready to try a second blues club...
Middleton - Sep 23, 2009 - A Middleton developer is proposing a $9 million senior housing project on a portion of the former Bancroft Dairy site. The project would be built on a vacant parking lot across from the dairy on Fish Hatchery Road near the intersection of South Park Street and have about 60 units if Silverstone Partners Inc. moves ahead....
Madison Area - September 24, 2009 - Dane County works hard to preserve highly-productive farm land. But not every acre of corn and soy beans near the fast-growing Madison area can be saved.
That's especially true north of Lake Mendota, where traffic counts on roads are climbing and where a four-lane parkway is badly needed...
WISCONSIN - This is a comprehensive data base of all business professionals in development, planning, government, commercial real estate, architecture, construction, and service providers to business. Any professional may enter his or her own business card for free. FutureWisconsin is Wisconsin's own social networking data base to promote new business in the state...
Ken Notes: Network with professionals doing business in the state...
Wisconsin - September 24, 2009 - Going to work may never be the same again.
The Great Recession has reshaped the American workplace and work force in ways that will last years, if not longer.
The work force is graying as college graduates can't find jobs, young workers get laid off and older workers delay retirement. People in white-collar jobs are feeling increasingly vulnerable to economic downturns, an insecurity that blue-collar workers have known for years....
Recent commercial property listings from PropertyDrive.
Wisconsin - More than $336 million in federal stimulus money has been allocated to counties, cities, towns and villages in Wisconsin. Of that total, about $124 million has been allocated through the state Department of Transportation for road, bridge and transit projects. And more than $48 million in Housing and Urban Development funds has been allocated...
Ken Notes: Great Resource
FITCHBURG - September 24, 2009 - City officials say there could be hope for saving the historic Anderberg House, known as the "Big Pink."
The city's position is that "Alexander Co. does not have a valid demolition permit to demolish the house," said Fitchburg Mayor Jay Allen.
The house, which sits on a five-acre parcel along with Drumlin community gardens, is significant for its interior architecture and hand-painted vignettes on walls within the house....
Ken Notes: I still think Alexander Co. has stepped up to the plate on this one - Revitalized an entire area, given Fitchburg new tax base, offered to work with neighbors and the city, looked for compromise. Maybe the city should just buy back the property...
The seller of real estate is required to file a Real Estate Transfer Return (RETR) with the County Register of Deeds when recording deeds of property conveyances. State statutes require those returns to be filed electronically beginning July 1, 2009. Below is a link to the electronically filed Real Estate Transfer data as of July 1st 2009 and forward. The data will be updated on a weekly basis...
Ken Notes: This link is a regular feature of WDN...
Treasury Department Debt to the Penny Link
CNN Money Scorecard
Government Recovery Website
Wisconsin State Budget Google News
Create a vibrant, innovative and prosperous entrepreneurial business climate, nurturing, connecting and celebrating entrepreneurs and their companies...
Ken Notes: A valuable resource worth visiting for all businesses in the state. A special thanks for BizStarts for compiling and sharing the resource!...
Madison - September 24, 2009 - On the same summer day the Athletic Club of Madison closed without warning, it collected $13,000 in advance monthly payments from members, according to a civil lawsuit filed Thursday in Dane County Circuit Court by the state's Justice Department. The lawsuit accuses club owner Mario Chmiel with violating consumer laws protecting fitness center members in instances where refunds are refused, misleading solicitations are made in selling memberships, and proof of financial responsibility is not provided...
Ken Notes: Not good. I think an over 50 club might work on the site with an emphasis on wellness and aging. Maybe Dean or UWH would be interested. I still think Madison is missing the boat on this demographic entirely.
Madison - September 21, 2009 - Developers pitched a five-story apartment building with 46 units - most of them to be set aside for low- to middle-income families - to a largely skeptical crowd Monday at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.
The proposed project would be built on a portion of the parking lot at the Downtown Madison church, 120 W. Johnson St....
Wisconsin - This section allows you to access any of our current space needs and acquire some brief detail regarding each. You'll notice that in addition to posting our current RFPs and RFIS, we are listing other significant needs for which we are seeking space....
Ken Notes: Brokers should check this often...
Verona - 9/20/2009 - Just a few months shy of its deadline, the city finally has a comprehensive plan.
The Common Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve the plan, which is essentially the city's handbook for the next 20 years or so on issues of development, growth and management of its resources. Comprehensive plans were essentially required by the state's Smart Growth legislation, first enacted in 2000. All municipalities - cities, towns and even counties - must have one on file by Jan. 1, 2010, or risk having their decisions contested as invalid...
Fitchburg - 9/18/2009 - Sustainability and frugality.
Those were the important concepts many Fitchburg residents told architects from Engber Anderson to keep in mind when designing the $14 million library at the first of three public meetings on the new building's design.
"In general terms, we heard a consistent message of frugality...
Stoughton - 9/24/2009 - When Janesville-based Blackhawk Community Credit Union began looking at opening another branch location, president and CEO Bob Carmichael had a hunch Stoughton would head the list of preferred candidates, and after market research confirmed it, the choice was a no-brainer.
"The research shows us Stoughton is perfect in terms of age, income, home value, and population growth, said Carmichael....
Milwaukee Area - Sept. 24, 2009 - A new marketing brochure, touting the Milwaukee area's entertainment, arts, business and education assets, marks the first time local groups have joined forces in one campaign to recruit businesses, students, convention planners and tourists.
The brochure also marks the first time such an effort has covered all of southeastern Wisconsin. It was created through a partnership among Visit Milwaukee, which seeks to attract visitors to the Milwaukee area; the Milwaukee 7 regional economic development group; and the Spirit of Milwaukee civic marketing group....
Milwaukee - September 24, 2009 - Milwaukee County is getting $6.3 million in federal stimulus funds to help install so-called safety areas on two airport runways.
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the award Thursday for General Mitchell International Airport.
Safety areas are 1,000-foot-long zones free of objects, railroad tracks and other obstructions. Federal regulations mandate that all airports install such areas by 2015....
Milwaukee County - Sept. 24, 2009 - The Milwaukee County Board agreed Thursday to spend $500,000 toward construction of Empowerment Village, a 30-unit housing development for low-income residents with mental illness.
The complex at 1527 W. National Ave. is being developed by Cardinal Capital Management. The county subsidy would go toward the project's overall $5.6 million cost...
Ken Notes: If you think this is a bad idea you have to watch The Soloist. This is a real problem and I love this approach.
Whitefish Bay - Sept. 23, 2009 - Often when a new restaurant is proposed in a community, neighbors will show up at meetings to raise issues about noise, odors, traffic and more.
But the residents at Tuesday's Plan Commission meeting weren't saying "not in my backyard" about plans for a new City Market in their neighborhood. In fact, they were anxiously trying to find out when the restaurant would open its doors on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Silver Spring Drive....
Milwaukee - September 25, 2009 - Summerfest has tabbed five design and architectural firms to apply their creative talents to 22 acres on the south end of the festival grounds, slated for a major overhaul over the next five years. Each of the firms will be paid $10,000 to participate in an informal design competition that will result in one or more of them designing a reconstruction of the buildings, stages and amenities. The nonprofit corporation that runs Summerfest has been working to stockpile $25 million for the renovations...
Oconomowoc - Sept. 21, 2009 - The most crucial thing for the city to focus on is the Pabst Farms development, Mayor Maury Sullivan said in his State of the City address Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Chamber of Commerce's annual breakfast at Olympia.
The mayor recognized the magnitude of change in the retail market today, citing store closings across the country - 100 for Ann Taylor, more than 900 for Blockbuster...
Oak Creek - Sept. 23, 2009 - Redevelopment prospects for Oak Creek's lakefront will be the subject of a presentation Thursday by an advisory panel of the Urban Land Institute. The presentation, hosted by the City of Oak Creek and development firm Wispark LLC, comes after a three-day study of the lakefront area, and its redevelopment potential...
Milwaukee - Sept. 22, 2009 - The Milwaukee Plan Commission has recommended approval for three new business improvement districts, including one in the Bay View neighborhood, and the other on the city's northwest side.
Both districts would raise funds through annual assessments on commercial properties, with the money spent within each district's boundaries...
Milwaukee - Sept. 21, 2009 - A 45-unit apartment building for low-income seniors would be built on Milwaukee's north side, under a proposal to be considered at today's Plan Commission meeting.
The Volunteers of America and Shiloh Tabernacle Church have proposed the development for a site bordered by N. King Drive, N. Port Washington Road and W. Keefe Ave. The four-story building, known as Shiloh Manor, would have mostly one-bedroom units, and at least half of the apartments would be within an assisted living center...
Milwaukee - September 18, 2009 - Michael Cudahy's plans for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's proposed School of Freshwater Sciences included a two-story, 60,000-square-foot glass building with a new restaurant on the former Pieces of Eight site...
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Kenneth Harwood
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