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Building A Stronger Milwaukee:  DCD’s Enews   DCD News archives:  2004 - 2007           Sign up to receive DCD news releases by email             Need more information? Contact: DCDcommunications @milwaukee.gov           About us   Contact us   Search DCD     City of Milwaukee   Office of Mayor Tom Barrett		DCD News 2010   Milwaukee Welcomes New Water Technology Company The City of Milwaukee along with its economic development partners are extending a welcome to American Micro Detection Systems, Inc. (AMDS). AMDS is a new company that will manufacture sophisticated equipment to detect impurities and contamination in water. Mayor Tom Barrett praised AMDS for selecting Milwaukee.     New solar energy company selects Menomonee Valley for its new manufacturing operation In a celebration at its new manufacturing site, leaders in the business community and government welcomed Helios USA to the city of Milwaukee. The start-up solar energy company plans to employ dozens of people at its Menomonee Valley facility.     Mayor Barrett launches “Take Root Milwaukee” Mayor Tom Barrett today announced the City will launch “Take Root Milwaukee,” a campaign to promote homeownership and aid local homeowners faced with foreclosure.     Milwaukee celebrates Independence Day on July FIFTH Long tradition of City celebrations continues – this year on the day after the Fourth.     Mayor Barrett joins Ingeteam for new factory groundbreaking; Menomonee Valley wind generator facility plans 275 new jobs Mayor Tom Barrett joined top executives from Ingeteam for a groundbreaking Wednesday at the site of the Spanish company’s new manufacturing facility.     Mayor Barrett accepts good government award; the City of Milwaukee honored for two innovative programs The Public Policy Forum presented two of its highest awards to the City of Milwaukee in the Forum’s annual “Salute to Local Government.”     Mayor Barrett launches 2010 Earn & Learn Program Mayor Tom Barrett kicked off the 5th annual Earn & Learn program in which Milwaukee young people participate in summer employment and educational activities.     Two city locations chosen for UWM’s School of Freshwater Sciences The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM) has joined forces with the City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Water Council to establish two locations for its new School of Freshwater Sciences.     Mayor Barrett announces City effort to protect Menomonee Valley business from flooding Governor Jim Doyle and the Wisconsin Department of Commerce have approved funding of a significant flood control project in Milwaukee’s Menomonee Valley that will protect the Falk facility where hundreds of workers currently produce high-value industrial gear drives. The $2.3 million funding will help prevent flooding and will allow Falk, part of Rexnord, to expand its operations at the current site.     The Mayor's Design Awards unveiled From a petite Hillel to a tucked-in Bay View tavern, from a healing garden at a hospital to an outdoor space for a motorcycle-inspired hotel, 23 projects will be honored Thursday by Mayor Tom Barrett for contributing to the design excellence of the urban landscape.   JSOnline     Milwaukee wins cleanup grants from the EPA Federal grants announced this week will make possible the cleaning and reuse of three brownfield sites in the city of Milwaukee for residential, commercial and industrial uses.     Mayor Barrett welcomes Talgo to Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett welcomed Talgo, the high-speed train manufacturer, to Milwaukee. The Spanish company is establishing its North American manufacturing facility in Milwaukee and will build high speed trains for Wisconsin and other states.     Nominations sought for Mayor’s Design Awards Mayor Tom Barrett today encouraged people to nominate exceptional buildings, individuals, spaces or physical improvements in the city for the annual Mayor’s Design Awards. Now in its thirteenth year, the awards honor aspects of Milwaukee’s built environment that make our city a lively and engaging place.     Mayor Barrett welcomes Ingeteam to Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett formally welcomed Ingeteam to Milwaukee on Tuesday at an event overlooking the company’s new North American headquarters and manufacturing facility in the city’s Menomonee Valley.     City Policy Plan nears completion; public comments are encouraged The Citywide Policy Plan includes broad recommendations regarding land use, housing and neighborhoods, economic development, cultural resources, natural resources, transportation, community facilities, utilities, and intergovernmental cooperation.     Mayor Barrett announces $36 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Program awards Mayor Barrett announced today that Milwaukee will receive $36 million in federal funds to alleviate the impact of high rates of mortgage foreclosure on city neighborhoods.      Ice skating returns to Kosciuszko Park A long-time south side Milwaukee tradition, ice skating on the frozen lagoon at Kosciuszko Park, has returned, thanks to a collaboration involving Urban Anthropology, Inc. and Milwaukee’s Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative.     Open house will introduce City policy plan The City of Milwaukee has scheduled a public open house to introduce the final element of its new Smart Growth comprehensive plan, the Citywide policy plan. 2009   Redevelopment Authority completes acquisition of former AO Smith/Tower Automotive property The sale of the former AO Smith/Tower Automotive manufacturing complex to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee has been completed.     Seven Milwaukee companies receive $12 million in tax benefits The Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee (RACM) has allocated $12 million worth of federal tax benefits to seven companies that renovated or constructed new facilities in the central city during 2009.     New housing development continues 30-year effort to re-weave Park West corridor Mayor Tom Barrett joined officials of Legacy Redevelopment Corp. and Legacy Bank to kick off development of a new central city subdivision.     Menomonee Valley Industrial Center wins national brownfields award One of the state's most recognizable brownfield projects has won a prestigious national award for outstanding brownfields redevelopment.     Workshops help small businesses survive tough times Small businesses concerned about cutting costs are invited to attend free workshops December 2 and December 8, 2009. The two identical workshops will present a panel of experts discussing cost-saving strategies that assist companies to improve their bottom line with very little or no out-of-pocket expense.     Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation receives $25 million to support business development The Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation has received an allocation of $25 million in New Markets Tax Credits from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.     Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation receives $750,000 federal grant The Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation has been awarded a $750,000 grant by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund.     Milwaukee’s Newberry Boulevard recognized as “Great Street” by American Planning Association East Newberry Boulevard, a 12-block boulevard that connects Riverside Park with Lake Park on Milwaukee’s east side, has been named one of the nation’s ten “Great Streets” by the American Planning Association (APA).     Homeownership fairs to provide tips on purchasing foreclosed homes People in the market for a new home can learn how to purchase a foreclosed property at two free homeownership fairs sponsored by the City of Milwaukee, US Bank, Freddie Mac, and the Milwaukee Homeownership Consortium.     City, Habitat for Humanity teaming up for Woodlands Build Week The City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity will work together for Woodlands Build Week in Milwaukee’s Woodlands neighborhood Aug. 11-15.     Public encouraged to give input on Southwest Side Area Plan Mayor Barrett and the Department of City Development announced a workshop for the public to plan for future development in Southwest Side neighborhoods.     City of Milwaukee joins President’s United We Serve initiative The City of Milwaukee will partner with The 30th Street Industrial Corridor Corporation (The Corridor), the North Avenue Community Development Corporation, and the Corporation for National Service to organize the ‘Corridor Community Clean-Up’ in the 30th Street Industrial Corridor.     Confidential help to be offered at foreclosure prevention event Mayor Tom Barrett, Congresswoman Gwen Moore and the Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council encouraged anyone that is at risk of losing their home to foreclosure to attend the confidential Milwaukee Foreclosure Prevention Event on Aug. 6th.     Still time for neighborhoods to apply for Community Improvement Project Grants The City of Milwaukee announced there is still time for neighborhood groups to apply for a ‘Community Improvement Project’ grant. The application deadline is extended to Aug. 31. The grants are eligible for Milwaukee neighborhoods located outside the Community Development Block Grant areas.     City proposes purchase of former Tower Automotive site Mayor Barrett announced the City of Milwaukee is proposing to acquire 84 acres of the former Tower Automotive site for environmental clean-up and eventual redevelopment of the site to attract 700-1,000 additional jobs. The project will be similar in size and scope to the Menomonee Valley project.     City kicks-off summer of city improvement projects Mayor Barrett announced the Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation, an arm of DCD, received a $20,000 grant from the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation to support summer community improvement projects in Targeted Investment Neighborhoods.     Mercy Housing Lakefront celebrates turning Milwaukee city facility into permanent housing for homeless people This new permanent supportive housing property brings together city, county, state and federal entities to provide a solution for homeless adults in Milwaukee.     Milwaukee to receive $2 million for brownfields Mayor Tom Barrett and Congresswoman Gwendolyn Moore announced the City of Milwaukee’s Redevelopment Authority is set to receive $2 million in funds from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for assessment and clean-up of brownfields.     Neighborhood meeting set for 'Net Zero Energy' proposal DCD announced a neighborhood meeting will be held in Bay View later this month to brief residents on a recommended ‘Net Zero Energy’ development proposal for the former Army Reserve site at 2372 S. Logan Ave.     New Bronzeville website unveiled Mayor Tom Barrett and Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs invited the public to visit a new website that promotes opportunities for business development and homeownership in Bronzeville.     An update on the Pabst Brewery redevelopment This Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article provides an update on the work to transform the former Pabst Brewery complex into a 21-acre development known as ‘The Brewery’. Progress continues despite the slowdown of other development projects.   JSOnline     Milwaukee bucks national trend of ‘job sprawl’ The Milwaukee metro area was the only large metro area to see an increase, rather than a migration, of jobs within its urban center, according to a Brookings Institute Study released yesterday.     Growing green walls and roofs, growing Milwaukee The City of Milwaukee and Green Roofs for Healthy Cities are hosting a Milwaukee Green Roof Symposium on Wednesday, March 11th. This one-day workshop, with opening remarks offered by Mayor Tom Barrett, is expected to help educate and inspire the city’s elected officials, planners, businesses, and building and design professionals to harness the technology of green roofs and walls.     Community Improvement Project grants available Mayor Barrett and the Common Council today invited neighborhood groups located outside the Community Development Block Grant areas to submit ideas to improve their block and apply for a ‘Community Improvement Project’ grant.     Development proposals requested for popular Riverwest site DCD issued a request for development proposals for a key corner in the Riverwest neighborhood at 821-33 East Locust Street. The l0,800 square foot vacant lot on the corner of Locust and Bremen Streets, is currently used as a community park and seasonal farmer’s market. The City of Milwaukee is seeking proposals that incorporate this community space within the site to continue the popular Riverwest tradition.     Call for nominations: Mayor’s Design Awards Mayor Barrett invited the public to submit nominations for the 12th annual Mayor’s Design Awards. The awards recognize exceptional buildings, spaces or other physical improvements that make Milwaukee a lively, engaging city.     Kid-friendly senior housing proposed The City is working with partners like Gorman & Company and the Northwest Side CDC to build a stronger Villard Avenue neighborhood. You can read about the proposed ‘grandfamily’ housing development as part of the Villard Square project. “It’s housing that builds ‘community’ and it supports the growth of the kids in the neighborhood – we’re looking for more opportunities to add housing developments that foster stronger support systems for families,” said Mayor Tom Barrett.     JSOnline     "The Fresh Coast Advantage" Presentation by DCD Commissioner Rocky Marcoux, courtesy of BizTimes.com     City’s request for ‘Net Zero Energy’ development draws robust interest DCD announced that seven development firms responded to a request for proposals for the former Army Reserve site in the Bay View neighborhood.     Milwaukee responds to rising foreclosures The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently approved the City of Milwaukee’s plan for utilizing its $9.2M allocation of Neighborhood Stabilization funds authorized under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.     2008   Milwaukee among top 20 areas for businesses The metro Milwaukee area moved up in rank from #18 to #16 this year as one of the top 20 areas for businesses.     Update on the foreclosure crisis – locally The City of Milwaukee was awarded $9.2 million in federal funds to address the increase in the number of foreclosed properties locally.     $3 million central city business expansion underway; Medovations adds dozen new employees A tax-delinquent brownfield at 3613 N. Palmer will soon be the home of a 52,900 square foot addition to Medovations, a multi-national manufacturer of medical products.     Park East project quietly begins work; site preparation underway for $27 million Aloft Hotel Progress in the redevelopment of the Park East Corridor continues this week with the beginning excavation on the future site of a 5-story Aloft Hotel, located along the Milwaukee River and just north of East Juneau Ave.     Catch up on Main Street Milwaukee News Read about the new businesses and revitalization work in six Main Street Milwaukee Districts in the latest program newsletter.     City receives award for Menomonee Valley redevelopment The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) recognized the City of Milwaukee and its Redevelopment Authority with an Excellence in Economic Development Award for its achievement in redeveloping Wisconsin’s largest eyesore: the Menomonee Valley.     City receives $50 million in New Market Tax Credits  Mayor Barrett said the City will expand investments in small businesses and development projects in low-income neighborhoods, thanks to the $50 million in New Markets Tax Credits allocated today to the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation.     ‘Avenue Project’ proposed for North Ave Gateway District  The City of Milwaukee and North Avenue Community Development Corporation announced a proposed ‘Avenue Project’ to expand affordable housing options in the Metcalfe Park/Washington Park neighborhood and add mixed-use development along West North Avenue in the Gateway Main Street District.      Judge says city can test for pollution on Tower Automotive site An article updating the public on the city’s efforts to redevelop the former Tower Automotive site in the 30th Street Industrial Corridor.     JSOnline     New signs unite neighborhood, mark TIN progress  Sixteen new neighborhood signs mark 3 years of work by residents and partners to improve the area near Harley-Davidson’s headquarters.     City succeeding in recycling buildings  The City of Milwaukee has been working with WasteCap Wisconsin and local contractors to recycle more building materials from construction and demolition projects.     Milwaukee Bucks join Earn & Learn team  Mayor Barrett and the Milwaukee Bucks announced a new partnership to increase business participation in the Earn & Learn Summer Youth Jobs Program.     Lincoln Village traffic hazard transformed into festive plaza  Mayor Barrett and Alderman James Witkowiak led a ceremony to dedicate a new public sculpture in the Lincoln Village Main Street District, celebrating the transformation of a traffic hazard into a neighborhood ‘plus.’     City celebrates Stadium Business Park grand opening; former brownfield now home to 450 jobs  Mayor Barrett led a ceremony to mark the transformation of a challenging 17-acre former metal foundry on 38th & Mitchell into the thriving Stadium Business Park.    Read Sept 25 JSOnline article about the grand opening     City celebrates Valley Industrial Center’s 6th groundbreaking; Charter Wire begins construction  Construction began on Charter Wire’s new $20 million production facility in the city’s Menomonee Valley Industrial Center, east of Miller Park. Mayor Barrett led the Valley Industrial Center’s 6th groundbreaking, marking the continued growth of businesses on this western end of the Menomonee Valley. The Valley Industrial Center is the home of 723 jobs and counting, once construction of all six projects is completed.      Southeast Side area plan ready for public review  A comprehensive development plan for the southeast side of the City of Milwaukee is drafted and will be presented at an open house on Thursday, September 18th 4-7 p.m. at The Loft at Hide House, 2625 S Greeley Street. The plan can also be viewed by visiting the Department of City Development website: www.mkedcd.org/planning/plans/Southeast. pdf    Read Sept 17 JSOnline article about the plan and open house     Silver City Main Street District holds 2nd annual Asian Festival  Silver City Main Street District is bringing the East to West National Avenue again this year with the return of its Asian Festival on Sept. 20th, 2008 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The annual Milwaukee festival to celebrate the city’s Asian cultural heritage takes place on National Avenue from 31st Street to Miller Park Way.      30th Street Industrial Corridor update The City of Milwaukee continues to work with local, state and federal partners on a long-range initiative to bring more properties in the 30th Street Industrial Corridor back into use to grow businesses and attract jobs to the area.     Rocky Marcoux, Commissioner, Dept. of City Development, Summer       Mayor announces the Milwaukee Foreclosure Partnership Initiative  Mayor Barrett announced the kickoff of the Milwaukee Foreclosure Partnership Initiative, a formal effort to address foreclosures in the City. Barrett started the action-oriented, public-private partnership to formalize efforts that began two years ago when Milwaukee started to see an increase in foreclosures as a result of the national mortgage crisis.  pdf     Intelligent design for a great city Great cities don’t just happen. They require planning, forethought and an insistence on good design. Buildings like the Milwaukee Art Museum and the new Harley Davidson Museum are benchmarks for architectural excellence, but every bit of our city is important — every street, every park, every building.     JSOnline     Earn & Learn City interns wrap-up work this week  The 173 Earn & Learn teens who worked in city internships this summer wrapped up their final day on the job by participating in an open dialogue session with Mayor Barrett.     City to receive $1.3 million for brownfields work; Mayor says grants to fuel work in Bronzeville, 30th Street Industrial Corridor  The ongoing work of the City of Milwaukee’s Brownfields Team to assess and remediate contaminated properties was recently given a $1.3 million boost by the U.S. EPA.  pdf     City offering catalog to spur development of vacant lots The Milwaukee New Home Catalogue offers free pre-approved house designs with the purchase of a vacant lot.     JSOnline     Hope in the lives of young people 1,500 gain experience through Earn & Learn.JSOnline     City celebrates Direct Supply expansion  Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Governor Jim Doyle celebrated the opening of the first new building of Direct Supply’s $85 million expansion project today in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.      1,000 teens start summer jobs today  Milwaukee area non-profit organizations and faith-based agencies are putting 1,000 teens to work as part of the City of Milwaukee’s Earn & Learn program. A total of 1,500 teens are working this summer through program in city internships, private sector jobs or in positions with 73 community-based agencies.     Foundation Park dedicated to neighborhood partners  A vacant, unbuildable lot is today an attractive pocket park thanks to a 3-year public-private partnership in the Harley-Davidson neighborhood.     Mayor Barrett announces 2007 Design Awards  Mayor Barrett recognized 27 projects with a ‘Mayor’s Design Award’ during a ceremony at the UW-M School of Architecture and Urban Planning.  pdf    Design Awards website     Mayor Barrett: Main Street Milwaukee succeeding, expanding  Mayor Barrett announced the Main Street Milwaukee program will expand this year due to its successes in attracting new businesses, leveraging private investment and improving properties along four of Milwaukee’s neighborhood main streets.     pdf     Spring Tour of Homes  Come home to Milwaukee! You are invited to join the City of Milwaukee as it showcases four new high quality single family developments in collaboration with the Metropolitan Builders Association Spring Tour of Homes. In the past three years, more than 600 new single family homes have been built in Milwaukee – with more on the way. Now, there are four new “city-subdivisions” ready for you to build your dream home.  pdf     Charter Wire to grow in Menomonee Valley  Mayor Barrett announced that Charter Wire, a division of Charter Manufacturing of Mequon, will purchase land in the Menomonee Valley for a new production facility.    pdf        Listen to a WUWM interview with Charter General Manager John Mellowes.     Study sees Milwaukee’s star rising Milwaukee is an emerging tech city and ranked fifth in growth of important patents, according to a recent study. This rank could boost the area’s ability to attract both federal and private investment in the tech sector.  JSOnline     Near South Side development plan underway; community invited to decide future of neighborhoods  Mayor Barrett and DCD announced two additional workshops for the public to brainstorm and plan for future development in Near South Side neighborhoods. The workshops are part of the Near South Side Area Plan, one of 13 comprehensive area plans underway.    pdf     No fizzle in Milwaukee’s housing market Milwaukee’s housing developments on the northside are bucking the national trend, as demand continues for new housing.   JSOnline     First Park East ribbon-cutting  Mayor Tom Barrett and Alderman Michael D’Amato led a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate completion of the first building to rise in the Park East corridor on lands sold by local government.     Reviving Milwaukee’s next great corridor Milwaukee’s 30th Street Industrial Corridor will be the city’s next major redevelopment project. Using the experience gained in the ongoing redevelopment of the Menomonee River Valley, city officials want to spur manufacturing, light industrial, commercial and residential redevelopment in the corridor.  Small Business Times     Call for nominations: Mayor’s Design Awards  Mayor Barrett invited the public to submit nominations for the 11th annual Mayor’s Design Awards. The awards are presented in recognition of exceptional spaces and places that make Milwaukee a lively, engaging city.  pdf           DCD News archives:  2004 - 2007

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