daily reporter
By Jim Cryns
Special to The Daily Reporter
The Boys and Girls Club of Green Bay broke ground at its Thomas H. Lutsey Unit on March 11, marking the second phase of its $5.9 million expansion of its two facilities.
"I've got numbers that show where we're at half the capacity for where we need to be," said Amy Alfonso Scheunemann, communications and special event coordinator for the club. "We are supposed to have so much space for each child nationally."
When construction is completed, club space at the Thomas H. Lutsey Unit will have increased by 9,500 square feet, which will provide the national standard of 70 square feet for each member.
Current membership hovers around 5,700, she said.
"We needed this expansion because we want to be reaching more kids," she said. "It's a place where the kids really want to be, the clubs fill a lot of voids for kids that school can't fill."
The project is the second phase of expansion for the Green Bay club after work was done last year on the West Side club on Oneida Street.
"Both of our facilities are expanded," Scheunemann said. "Each already has a gymnasium, and expansion at the West Side club became imperative because we needed a better administrative area. We added offices, pumped up the rooms for the kids, more learning centers."
Teens get new space
More space will be provided for cooking and nutrition classes, performing arts classes, upgraded technology labs, study space and a separate area for teens.
"This is a great place for kids to be influenced by positive adult role models. We have a music room that we didn't have before, a teen center, a separate entrance for the teens so they can feel a bit more independent."
Miron Construction Co., Neenah, was the contractor for the West Side club expansion and renovation. The Selmer Company, Green Bay, is the contractor for the East Side project, currently in progress. Performa Inc. of DePere is the architect for the East Side club.
"The foundations are complete," said Brian Netzel, overseeing the project for Performa. "It's pretty much straight forward, and we should have it built in about four months.
"I guess it would be considered fairly common," he said of the design. "I'd say 30 percent of our work at Performa is in the nonprofit sector. That's just the way it turns out; I don't think we aggressively pursue that work. As far as the Boys and Girls Clubs, they were very much involved in the design process. They aimed for the facility in the end to be about them, and they were pretty passionate about what they wanted."
Some of the facilities in the past were more institutional, Netzel said, using more dark materials and concrete block.
"Now they're open and airy with a lot of glass that has opened up a lot of areas. We used a lot of bright colors."
Netzel says the new building is round and that presented a bit of a challenge.
"There's nothing way out of the ordinary with the new design. It's a whole lot better than what they've got now."
"One of the biggest things about the expansion is the intangibles," Scheunemann adds. "These buildings that have been renovated and expanded are physical proof that we have grown, and it's proof that we're important enough."
By Jim Cryns
Special to The Daily Reporter
A church in Port Washington that has stood for almost 100 years will be demolished and replaced by a residential development modeled after Brewers Hill north of downtown Milwaukee.
An investment group including Bill Fazio, his brother, Joe, a former Cedarburg alderman, and two others have agreed to buy St. John's Lutheran Church and Academy, a structure built in 1913. The plan is for the church to be torn down and single-family homes to take its place.
According to Rev. John E. Klieve, St. John's Lutheran has accepted the offer, and he believes the sale will be better for all concerned.
"I'm sure there is going to be some sadness to see the structure go," Klieve said. "As in any congregation, there wasn't 100 percent agreement about what to do, but most people understand the situation we were in and the need for us to move on."
The church parcel is about 35,000 square feet, or about four-fifths of an acre.
According to Klieve, the church had its hands tied in regards to developing the existing site.
"The building would be required to add fire sprinklers," Klieve said. "We discussed remodeling and the need to improve the facilities on a variety of levels."
Larger space
The new structure is comprised of 48,000 square feet and rests on 8 acres of land. It was the former headquarters and research and development center in the old Freeman Chemical building, 217 Freeman Drive.
"It's incredible," Klieve said. "We now have room here for the academy to grow. That's where we ran into trouble at the other facility, and we were landlocked. We would have had to make the old place handicapped accessible to bring it up to code. We're told we are the only facility in Ozaukee County that has a complete fire sprinkler system."
Meanwhile, the church's former site can be used to accommodate eight to 10 single-family homes, said Randy Tetzlaff, director of planning and development for Port Washington.
"The church had been marketing the old site since they bought the other place," said Tetzlaff. "The old church is part of the landscape. I think the brokers felt it was an obsolete property and it doesn't lie well for any other new use.
"Everyone went in realizing it was limited as to what you could do with the property," he said. "Clearance of site was inevitable. The city's objective was to create a situation where someone would buy the existing property and put it back on the tax rolls and put in something that would be compatible with the existing neighborhood. In terms of marketing, it's an area of town that's on the rise; it's an older neighborhood."
March 24, 2004
POWER STRUGGLE Barton Town Board wants to remove two plan commissionersBy Jim Cryns
Special to The Daily Reporter
The Barton Town Board has filed suit seeking the removal of two of the town's plan commissioners, contending it never approved the appointments in the first place.
The two -- Nicole Schultz and Dale Matenaer - were appointed by Town Chairman Russ Abel in January. At that time, Abel also appointed Andy Janik and Daniel Mueller as commissioners.
But whether the chairman's appointments require board approval is being debated, and Schultz maintains that matter has just become one more contentious issue between Abel and the board.
"Dale and I are caught in the middle of a power struggle," she said. "The town chairman and the Town Board are struggling for control of town government, and both argue points over validity of the ordinance."
She believes that Abel has the authority to appoint without board approval.
"Most of the state documents support Chairman Abel," she said. "All of the state statistics say power of approval is advisory. Our town ordinance does read that the town chairman has power to appoint and approve.
"Therein lies the struggle with Dale and I being caught in the middle. It does hurt and it is personal. Obviously there is a lot of anger at the Town Board meetings against us. Dale would tell you the same thing."
Town attorney Timothy Andringa, however, reads the ordinance differently. He said the board has a right "to approve the appointments of all citizen members."
"When it comes down to the legality of the ordinance, it's enforceable and valid," he said. "As the lawsuit relates to the two people, the Town Board did not approve them. The suit is seeking to having them removed from the seat they believe they hold."
Clock's ticking
Andringa said the two were served March 15 and have 45 days to respond.
Meanwhile, Abel said both planners he appointed are more than qualified.
"The board held a special meeting a few weeks ago and had an interview session with these people," he said. "In the meeting, they told them they were more than qualified, but I think they want to put the old people back on whose terms had expired.
"What bothers me so much is the fact that there's some quality people here that are going through this."
Schultz has a different recollection of that session: "When the Town Board members were supposed to be interviewing us, I don't think we were really interviewed.
They did not ask us about our educational background or our industry experience. For me it feels like an issue, like they're using us to set an example."
Abel acknowledged the ongoing animosity between he and the board and said it's hard to conduct town business in that atmosphere.
"For the last year, it's been four people for one thing and one against," he said.
That climate, Schultz said, can only hurt the town, and she admitted being disillusioned.
"My husband and I felt if I could be on the plan commission, I could make it easier for other citizens who tried to get something done," she said. "I had the time to contribute to the position. My husband urged me to take this appointment. At the time, I didn't realize all the politics there was to deal with."
March 23, 2004
40-acre residential, retail complex planned
Rivershores construction could begin in fallBy Jim Cryns
Special to The Daily Reporter
A large structure that once served as a kitchen appliance factory in West Bend is on the verge of becoming a residential and retail complex.
West Bend's Planning Commission met with developers Monday night to discuss the project, and it seems to be a win-win scenario for both sides.
"What the site needs is a developer to come in and basically lay it out," said Tim Dixon, a partner with Riverbend Development LLC, the group choreographing the potential Rivershores development. "Then we need the city's involvement to provide the infrastructure. Urban development is a much more expensive way of developing than if you were dealing with a vacant cornfield."
One of the positive aspects about dealing with an existing building, Dixon said, is the developer doesn't have to deal with potentially difficult soil conditions.
"We essentially told the city if they want us to develop this parcel, they had to provide it at cornfield development costs, because renovating or building on an existing site is expensive as hell."
"They presented what their development will look like," said West Bend Mayor Michael Miller, also chairman of the Planning Commission. "Nothing will be decided until April 5th, but everything looks favorable."
40-acre site
Dixon informed municipal officials that his project would produce sufficient revenue to repay the city for investing in public improvements at the 40-acre site.
"Right now, it's a blighted area totaling about 900,000 square feet of industrial space," he said. "If something is going to happen, it probably wouldn't happen without city participation."
The location of the structure is a key component to the project, Dixon said. "As it is downtown, it provides so many amenities. It's across from a park on river, there are hiking trails. Of all the development I've done, I've never seen one site have so many positive traits.
"I received a call a few years ago from an acquaintance that told me I should look at the site," Dixon said. "It's the old West Bend Appliance Company, the namesake for the town. The structure is so solid. I told the commission they could use it to store surplus tanks. It has reinforced concrete floors you couldn't afford to recreate today."
September construction?
The first phase of the project will result in improvements valued at $47 million and eventually be worth at least $90 million, Dixon said. Located near Highway 45 and Interstate 43 makes it prime for commuters in the Milwaukee area, Dixon added.
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The Common Council is expected to decide April 5 whether to approve a developer's agreement with Riverbend Development and create an incremental tax district for Rivershores. |
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At a meeting April 5, the Common Council is expected to decide whether to approve a developer's agreement with Riverbend Development and create an incremental tax district for the project, Miller said.
"We've got a master plan for the whole project," Dixon said. "Essentially, we'll have three different products coming out of this effort. Initially, we'll have high-end condos with grand views ranging from $250,000 to $450,000. Then we've got.. lofts with giant concrete pillars."
Rivershores would extend 5,100 feet along the river and include a performing arts center, a restaurant, medical offices, commercial space and a marina at an adjoining 60-acre millpond.
Dixon says he's currently building a sales office that will open June 1.
"Once we've pre-sold 40 percent of the space, we'll start construction, hopefully in September," he said. "We'd be looking at occupancy by the summer of 2005."
Sheboygan resort includes hotel, condos, water park
50-acre site was former coal plant A family resort with a riverfront promenade, lakefront park, trails and retail and office developments will soon become a permanent part of Sheboygan's lakefront. SmithGroup is the project engineer on South Pier and the Blue Harbor resort project, which has not been without its share of challenges, said John Kretschman, an engineer with the Madison company. "There were some constraints as the site was a former coal plant and some environmental cleanup was necessary, some contamination issues were discovered," he said. The architect on the project is ADCI, Lake Delton. The project was undertaken with the intent of revitalizing and redeveloping underused waterfront property. "You're always concerned when you work along the water to preserve resources," Kretschman said. "We put in some storm-water treatment structures that water will go through before being discharged into the Sheboygan River." A total of 50 acres comprises the South Pier District, which includes a 183-room all-suite hotel, first-class restaurant, state-of-the-art water park, conference center with a 600-person capacity and rental condominiums that would be the anchor for the district. "The promenade is almost completed," Kretschman said. "That's the walkway along the river that will lead to the dockage areas. The city will be completing their work in early spring in time for the PGA event in town." City officials predict the center will generate more business and more tax revenues throughout the community and will generate more than 200-plus full- and part-time jobs. Kretschman said work can always get a little tricky when working near water. "We obviously try to make sure contamination has been eliminated," he said. "The city was in charge of cleaning up the area before we got there. We did site work for both the city portion of the project and for the resort." Kretschman estimates the city's portion of the project will come in with a price tag of about $5 million to $6 million, and the total resort build out at about $60 million. "We've been with something that started basically from the first meeting to the final construction with an aggressive time line," he said. "The city wanted it and the developer wanted it. Personally, I think it's a nice site bordered by the Sheboygan River and Lake Michigan." When finished, the project will include a continuous pedestrian experience along Sheboygan's waterfront, with connections to regional trail systems helping to establish Sheboygan as a regional waterfront destination attraction. "Right now, we're at about 75 percent completion, and we anticipate opening on June 4," said Josef Haas, general manager of the Blue Harbor resort. "We'd love to be open Memorial Day, and we will have a soft opening around that time. We'll be moving some people in on June 1." Haas said the development will include 32 two-bedroom condominiums and 32 four-bedroom condominiums. "All the condos have been sold," he said. "We have people on a waiting list in case the contract doesn't go through. "It's probably one of the most exciting projects that has come to the city in quite a while," Haas continued. If history holds true, Haas said, the resort will draw most of its clientele from within a three-hour drive of Sheboygan. "Our main emphasis is in Milwaukee, Green Bay, Chicago and Minneapolis," he said. "The property is so unique in region, if not in country. Rarely will you see a hotel as close to the sand and beach as this one. "It's obviously our goal to be working in an upscale market," Haas said. "The area had only one other facility that could handle a wedding of 600 people, and that was the American Club in Kohler."
By Jim Cryns
Special to The Daily Reporter
Economic impact
March 10, 2004
68-acre residential plan proposed Condos, single-family lots to be intermixedBy Jim Cryns
Special to The Daily Reporter
Developers are hoping to convert 68 acres of farmland east of Interstate 43 and north of Sunset Road into a residential subdivision.
The proposed plan shows 178 lots of which 32 are intended for side-by-side condominiums. Rather than segregating the condominiums, they will be intermixed with the single-family lots.
"This is the way we always do business," said Mike Batzler, owner of B&N Development, Richfield. "The town is receptive to a combination of multiple builders in the same subdivision."
As of this point, B&N has the land under contract with an option for the former dairy operation.
"All we have right now is a preliminary concept that has been approved by the Port Washington Planning Commission," Batzler said. "We are not builders, we create the infrastructure."
B&N will sell lots to builders and individuals that will ultimately choose their builder or home plan.
"This way, a buyer is not forced to purchase from a single developer and provides greater flexibility for the homeowner," Batzler said.
He pointed out from an access point of view, the lots are just off the freeway and close to new supermarkets and drug stores.
"It's going to be an easy commute to Highway 60," he said. "This area is in the midst of some obvious growth. It boils down, in my opinion, to accessibility to the freeway, which is my main prerogative. Port Washington has deemed this as their growth area."
"I think this area is the next progression area for the city," said Randy Tetzlaff, director of planning and development for Port Washington. "Within the last year, the city has reviewed about six or seven residential projects for that vicinity."
'Affordable homing options'
Batzler said there is an existing adjoining subdivision that he's trying to mimic in terms of overall layout.
"I hate to use the term starter homes -- I prefer to call them affordable homing options. The city is also planning a park near the site with tennis courts and basketball courts."
Batzler formed B&N in 1997 and develops land primarily in Ozaukee and Washington counties.
"The low interest rates have helped my business grow, there's no doubt about that," he said. "Everyone wants to live in a new house. There's something that people enjoy about new construction.
"With most properties I develop, one of my main criteria is a question I ask myself. 'Would I want to live in this development?' That's one of the things I live by."
For the B&N project, Tetzlaff said the next step would be to put an annexation petition together.
"This project will not require an impact study," Tetzlaff said. "We had a long-range plan competed in 1999-2000 for another project that covered the whole area of city. We have a handle on this."
By Jim Cryns
Special to The Daily Reporter
The Good Electric Company is celebrating its 75th year -- at least that's the Milwaukee firm's best estimate.
"My grandfather didn't keep good records, so we're just going to celebrate the whole year," said Gregg Eisenhardt, the third-generation owner of the company, which is involved in all types of electrical contracting work.
"We do some residential, some machinery at industrial accounts and we'll put in an outlet for a homeowner," he said. "We're big enough to do the large jobs, and the diversity of people we have working for us allows us to do just about anything."
The lion's share of the credit to the company's longevity is quickly handed to the employees.
"We've got 38 wonderful employees ranging from journeyman, wire men, electricians, estimators and warehouse personnel," Eisenhardt said.
"Over the years, we've seen some consolidation in this industry, some of the smaller firms are selling to larger concerns or going out of business," he added. "I think the fact that we've been around so long, it has allowed us to enjoy a broad customer base. We have a lot of customers we've done work for over 40 years."
He said the company has several employees that have been with Good Electric for more than 30 years.
"One employee came and talked to me recently and said, 'I got the itch a couple of years ago to look around for another job and test the waters, but I know I've got it good here, and I'm not going to try the other side of the fence.'"
Teamwork approach
Eisenhardt said that discussion made him feel confident that the manner in which he was running his company and treating his employees was correct.
"We're all on the same team. Our employees are, in the old cliche, company people. They care about the company and the customer. I've had customers that will write commendations on the back of a payment check. I treat them the way I'd like to be treated. If you do that, you're lessening your overall stress load. You're giving employees a place to work that is pleasant."
Eisenhardt also credits the company's sense of honesty, integrity and dedication among the reasons for the acceptance and customer loyalty.
"My dad, Ben, retired and is now living in Arizona," he said. "He finally told me about two years ago that he was proud of how I handled the company. I couldn't have made it without the core values he taught me."
In the past, Good Electric had worked extensively with Allis Chalmers, Square D, American Motors and Evinrude. Eisenhardt observed how those companies have all disappeared.
"The industry is changing in two ways," he said. "As we lose more of our industrial market, we're doing more commercial work in stores and in the marketplace. There used to be more of a trust element with clients. They'd trust you and know you. Nowadays, most companies are being dictated to seek out the best price, not the best relationship. I'm a big believer that you get what you pay for. Oftentimes, they'll use someone else in the beginning and have us come in and finish a job because they want it done correctly."
Future plans
Eisenhardt is a licensed electrician and graduated from college with a degree in business.
"I think you need both in today's world," he said. "I'm 55, but I don't act it."
According to Eisenhardt, another element of the changing times is the company's work with computer wiring and low-voltage wiring with the advent of high-speed Internet access and similar ventures.
And the company is planning for the future; Eisenhardt has handpicked his successor.
"When I retire, David Drumel will take over the company. We signed a deal in January that will allow him to take over operations."
Drumel, 38, holds a degree in electrical engineering and served as an apprentice.
"He called me last May and told me that he was impressed with Good Electric and wanted to come on board. I was impressed and hired him. I've got to mentor him for a while as I believe a gradual transition is better for the business. It's good for the customers and employees so they don't experience any sudden changes. "
By Jim Cryns
Special to The Daily Reporter
On April 6, Holmen School District voters will be asked to approve spending $8.62 million for a new middle school addition and new district offices.
The proposal to go before voters includes demolishing an 85-year-old section of Holmen Middle School and adding 38,195 square feet in a three-story addition, two for classrooms to house 300 students and one for HVAC storage and a centralized administration and support area.
But the success of the referendum isn't guaranteed: Last year, voters rejected one that asked for $24.1 million for a new school for grades 5 and 6 and renovations to the middle school.
"We really got killed last time," said Fred Frick, district superintendent.
Yet supporters say district growth - at 2.3 percent - dictates the addition.
Enrollment in the district is 3,149 and is expected to grow to 3,750 by 2010.
However, Frick said last year voters, for a variety of reasons - including a weak economy - thought the cost was too high.
"After each election," Frick said, "we do a survey. And last year, we discovered a few issues: Voters identified the amount we were asking for was too high, voters were telling us that it was too much money."
Frick also said voters wanted more than student projections before spending the money.
"The public wanted more students in the district before they committed the money for building. At the time, the impact to property taxpayers was apparently too much."
Location unknown
According to Frick, the location of the new school was not decided upon.
"The last thing was the location of the school," he said. "We said we'd build on district property, but we didn't say where we would put it.
"The last time, we full well knew it was a good solution," Frick said. "But we also knew that because of all the local factors against it, things might not go the way we wanted."
The current referendum, Frick said, would result in a decline in property taxes. He added that the district would also refinance 1994 and 1998 bonds, resulting in a $1 million savings.
Proponents say it's important to get the school built now because the district continues to grow. Projected middle school enrollment in 2005-06 is 775 students - more than the present capacity of the middle school and portables.
Also, Frick said more building in Holmen is anticipated.
"There are over 800 lots that are ready today," he said. "You could start building tomorrow."
The competitive construction market and low interest rates make it an ideal time to build, Frick said. However, the board hasn't invested anything into a new school.
"We had a schematic drawing made of the present middle school," he said. "If the referendum passes, it's going to be a step-by-step process. First, we have to get the administration out of the current building, and that could take four months. We may be looking at breaking ground in 2006."
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February 4, 2004
$20 million retail, hotel complex planned Construction to begin in May on Grafton development
By Jim Cryns
Special to The Daily Reporter
Grafton is doing it's best to grow again, this time in the form of Creekside Crossing, a major retail and hotel complex along Port Washington Road.
"They're hoping to begin construction in May," said Mike Rambousek, Grafton's director of planning and development. "The hotel would open in the spring of 2005, with a banquet facility and some smaller buildings opening before then." The hotel would include between 76 and 86 upscale rooms.
Members of the Planning Commission expressed some concerns about potential noise that may come from a proposed go-cart track within the complex.
"A few of the commissioners suggested more youth-oriented activities," Rambousek said. "Overall, they were pleased with idea, and the noise concerns have to be resolved. The developer, Robert Tillmann, was very understanding of the concerns."
Rambousek said the village has dealt with Tillmann before on residential projects, but this would be the first commercial project.
"Since it's the I-43 corridor, one of gateways to Grafton, we are going to be very protective of the architecture and quality of development as it's critical to the success Grafton," Rambousek said. "We've been very meticulous as to how that corridor develops...."
Selective about projects
Prior to Rambousek's arrival in Grafton, he said there have been several projects rejected in the area.
"We wanted high-end businesses, and we've been anxiously awaiting these things," he said. "How we proceed, the quality of that development is so critical for it to be the way we want it to be. In terms of the general prototype, Tillmann has made good strides."
Jim Pankow Inc. is the design/build firm working with Tillmannn on the proposed development on seven acres.
"Within the next 30 to 60 days, we'll be submitting for approval on the hotel, the gas station, convenience store and 24,000 square feet of retail," said Hank Mehciz, business developer with Pankow. "The hotel will rest on the north side of the property."
Mehciz estimates the entire project would cost $20 million.
In addition to the go-carts, the developers are seeking to include batting cages and miniature golf to round out their entertainment efforts.
The plan includes two sit-down restaurants, a gas station, a four-story hotel, the entertainment center and about 162,000 square feet of retail space.
"We know what we want in Grafton," Rambousek said. "We're a meat-and-potato town with blue-collar workers who want quality entertainment."
January 14, 2004
$55 million hospital planned
Construction under way on Polk project The town of Polk is getting a new 185,000-square-foot hospital that will incorporate a state-of-the-art philosophy from its foundation to the precise and uniform location of its life-saving equipment. "The current facility was in need of major capital investments because of its age and overall condition of the facility," said John Reiling, the president and CEO of St. Joseph's Community Hospital. "Right now, everything is going according to plan." Reiling said the foundation is in place and the steelwork is commencing. The independent hospital plans to spend about $55 million on the new building on a 143-acre site on the northwest corner of Highway 45 and County Highway PV, about five miles from the current hospital. "In terms of my career -- 30 years as a president or in charge of hospital consulting, this project is probably the most important thing I've ever done," Reiling said. Reiling's excitement stems from the idea that this hospital was conceived as a facility that kept patient safety in mind from its inception. The quality of care given can be directly linked to the standardization of the facility layout, Reiling said. The contractor - CG Schmidt, Milwaukee -- had to be involved with the philosophical concerns of the building as well as the physical aspects of construction, said Jon Scholz, vice president of project management for CG Schmidt. "St. Joseph's is trying to standardize protocol in the hospital environment," Scholz said. "I'm the officer in charge on this job, and I can tell you that John Reiling has taken patient safety to a new high as far construction is concerned." Scholz said the standardization and equipment in every patient room will be identical. "Just like your car," he said. "Your gas is on the right side, your brake is on the left." Scholz said St. Joseph's was always concerned about getting it right. "What John Reiling expects of us as a construction organization is to provide value, price everything out. However, if something needed to be the best, and it was going to cost an extra $10,000, he authorized the expense." "There was some discussion at one point about remodeling the current facility," Reiling said, "but the decision was made to build a new one as the cost of remodeling and bringing the old one up to date would have been similar." St. Joseph's Hospital has been in the city of West Bend since 1930 and plans to continue to use the cancer care center and some administrative offices there once the new hospital is built. The existing hospital is a 240,000-square-foot, 121-bed facility. "Everything is included in the $55 million dollar price tag," Reiling said. "That's hard construction. We are moving existing equipment to a new place. We anticipate opening one year from this spring." Reiling said two years ago, a symposium was held in Milwaukee by a national learning lab asking if the design of a building could improve safety and overall quality of care for the patients. "It was kind of an amazing thing," Reiling said. "We had many national figures that are active in the quality and safety of hospitals together on one question. They spent a day and a half working on this question. It's major focus these days." The construction discussion revolved around topics such as how to make the structure more soundproof. "A quieter environment and reduced staff fatigue will not only make the hospital experience more pleasant for patients, but it will also provide a safer health care environment for patients and staff," Reiling added. The participants in the learning lab discussion argued excessive noise could lead to employee mistakes, life-and-death mistakes, according to Reiling. "Why people make errors is a complex issue, but we feel the standardization of layout can reduce the number of mistakes," he said.
By Jim Cryns
Special to The Daily Reporter
CG Schmidt job
Healthier building
Three retailers moving into Bay View
Endeavour to develop property Endeavour Group Investments LLC of Milwaukee has plans to develop a 5,000-square-foot building to house three retailers at the northeast corner of Kinnickinnic and Oklahoma avenues. Endeavour has worked as a developer for several national retailers including K-Mart, Fashion Bug, FootLocker, Wendy's, Athletes Foot, Sav-A-Lot and Blockbuster. A Continental Savings Bank branch inhabited the heavily trafficked corner until recently and will be demolished. Endeavour partner Ed Kileen said the development should be completed by June. "It's a project that will run in the $1.2 million dollar range, that's acquisition through development," Kileen said. "The site will host three national retailers -- Starbucks Coffee, Qdoba Mexican Grill and Subway sandwiches. We're working with Commercial Property Associates on this particular project." Kileen said he doesn't view the Bay View area as a speculative neighborhood, especially since the completion of Interstate 794 a few years ago. "It's close to the lake, it has affordable housing and a distinct absence of national retail," he said. "It has the income and demographics that can support a variety of businesses. We see multiple opportunities in Bay View." Endeavour also owns property near Lincoln and Kinnickinnic avenues. "We've also purchased a 10-unit building near Lincoln Avenue," Kileen said. "We're looking at a new development plan right now, and we have a good relationship with Alderman Sue Brier and some of the business leaders in the community. Bay View has been significantly underutilized. It's always been a sleeper neighborhood with solid and good incomes. We looked at demographics and traffic and base our decisions on that." Bay View Business Association President Charles Livermore said the neighborhood is anxious for development. "They've got a three-pack of businesses going in there," Livermore said. "It's new development, brings new things for people to do. We need food items in the area." Livermore says the BVBA is active in soliciting new business to the district. "Of course, there are a lot of different things we do to recruit businesses," Livermore said. "We're going out and asking different companies if they want to come to the area and open a second outlet. We work with the (Milwaukee Department of City Development) and people we network with throughout the city." He said there are active negotiations with several businesses including a supermarket opening in January. "I think it's very beneficial for a developer to work with the BVBA because we can give them advice, exposure," he said. "We have worked with Endeavour on different things and had a very positive experience. We work with a lot of developers." Chris Ward is the owner of Oranje, an eclectic boutique on Kinnickinnic, and the former president of the BVBA. She said the Endeavour project is thoughtful construction that sends a positive signal that national retail chains have the potential for growth in Bay View. "I would love to see the area become more like Chicago or Madison where there is a GAP on the street," Ward said. "We're looking for business that adds value to the area as a whole, not establishments that take advantage of people."
By Jim Cryns
Special to The Daily Reporter
Development pursued
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December 10, 2003
America's Freedom Center $77 million building to be tribute to veterans
By Jim Cryns
Special to The Daily Reporter
America's Freedom Center, a $77 million, 100,000-square-foot building to open on Veterans Day 2006, has been designed to honor the memory of veterans and perpetuate the education of citizens throughout the state of Wisconsin.
The project, planned for just north of the Veterans War Memorial in Milwaukee, will have more than 70,000 square feet of exhibit space and will house interactive exhibits that portray the 20 and 21 centuries on the home front and at war.
Retired Brigadier General Robert Cocroft, who is the president and CEO of America's Freedom Center Foundation Inc., said the project - the first of its kind in the nation -- has been in the works for years
America's Freedom Center, to be built just north of Veterans War Memorial, will change the landscape of Milwaukee's lakefront.
Renderings courtesy of America's Freedom Center"The project was originally conceived in 1998," Cocroft said. "Back then, the chairman of the War Memorial Corporation, Milwaukee County Supervisor Tom Bailey recognized the fact the current building was in need of repair and renovation."
Cocroft said Bailey was able to raise about $3 million to renovate the third and fourth floors of the War Memorial.
"The War Memorial does a good job of living out its motto, which is 'Honoring the Dead by Serving the Living.' The motto is the genesis for the education center, not only to pay homage but also to teach."
The American Freedom Center, which will provide enclosed parking for 300 vehicles, will be a destination for student groups and the public alike, Cocroft said.
"What I hope is that people who visit the center will be able to take away a greater appreciation of the service and sacrifice by those that served in the military and have a greater appreciation for that sacrifice," he said.
History in the making
The educational component of the center is designed as a special life experience for those who visit, he said, and long-distance learning systems will also be made available.
The planned exhibits include:
- The Great Hall entryway
- The Vietnam Gallery
- The WWI Over There Exhibit
- The Korea/Cold War Gallery
- The Homefront
The Vietnam Theater
Renderings courtesy of America's Freedom CenterThe aim is to bring to life the stories, memories and achievements of American service personnel through the use of multimedia technology and historical artifacts as well as personal photos, letters and oral histories.
Robert Cooper, a principal with Eppstein Uhen, a Milwaukee architectural firm, which is handling the project, said the project is in its early design stages.
"Right now, the building has been designed schematically and conceptually," Cooper said. "The owners are still in the process of fundraising. My feeling is the biggest challenge for the project is its location along the lakefront."
Cooper said anytime you construct a building near a large body of water, you have to be aware of the water table and the location of the groundwater.
"Those problems have been technically surmounted by both the first addition to the art museum and then the Calatrava exhibit," Cooper said. "The fact we have an existing large space under the Lincoln Memorial Bridge for parking and can be hidden from view is a nice feature."
Cooper said GPD/Gilbane, Milwaukee, has been selected as the project's construction manager.
Cooper said the effort in the design was to tie in the War Memorial structure with the American Freedom Center so you could enter both facilities from Mason Street.
A truly unique component of the museum, the interactive exhibits, will enable visitors to travel through time and space to experience the trench warfare of the World War I and the battles of land, sea and air throughout WWII. They will experience bombing missions and rescue attempts, taking off in a B-24 en route to Central Europe and landing a Huey helicopter in the jungles of Vietnam.
Library expansion planned
But Pewaukee needs funds before construction can start Hemingway, Voltaire, Dickens and Tom Clancy will finally be getting some much needed elbow room in Pewaukee when a new library opens. The Zimmerman Design Group of Wauwatosa is the architectural firm for the Pewaukee Public Library, a proposed 25,000-square-foot library on Main Street that will replace the Barbara Sanborn Public Library, which is just more than a tenth of that size. If fund-raising efforts are successful -- $1 million in private funds are needed -- ground could be broken in spring. Although the private money has not all been raised, Doug Barnes, vice president at Zimmerman, said there is community interest in the project. "We're hearing a lot from both sides of the discussion," Barnes says, regarding the design of the structure. "The upside is the community as a whole is in favor of the library, which currently operates in a facility of about 3,000 square feet. We've had two meetings with the public as far as attempting to gain their input, now we've developed a conceptual design that will be put before the Plan Commission." Gary Jorgensen, chairman of Voss Jorgensen Scheuler Co. Inc., Waukesha, the construction manager for the project, said the project is in its planning stage.
By Jim Cryns
Special to The Daily Reporter
A proposed new library in Pewaukee is more than 20,000 square feet larger than the existing one. Whether - or when - the project gets off the ground depends largely on whether private fund-raising efforts are successful.
Rendering courtesy of Zimmerman Design Group
"Right now, we're still in studies, working with Zimmerman on preliminary budgets and designs," he said. "They've got a situation where they're working with the village, and they're not completely sure where all the funds will be coming from."
General idea agreed upon
Jorgensen said most involved in the effort are in agreement as to the size of building and general construction ideas.
"When we have the monies approved by Library Board, the drawings will be completed, and we hope to have a contractor on board in the spring of 2004," he said.
"Everyone in the village knows they need this project."
Jorgensen said the construction of a library is enjoyable as you're ultimately involved in creating a space for thinking minds.
"You're not going to just build a box," Jorgensen said. "As a construction management firm, we're not the architects, but it's fun to say you had something to do with the design of the structure, in whatever form that takes."
Those directly involved with the current, undersized, library say they are anxious to get things moving.
"We don't have the money yet," said Georgia Bouda, the library director of the current facility.
Cost unknown now
Bouda, who said the total cost of the project is not yet known, said the village must also first rezone the land.
Bouda said expanding the library is a years-old idea.
"We've got 6,500 books in storage right now," Bouda said. "We hired Zimmerman in August, and we worked with them to design a floor plan. We closed on the new property at the end of October."
Bouda said the current library is not handicapped accessible and is cramped. "I share my office with three people," she said.
Right now, when the library purchases a new book, it has to consider removing or storing an older book that already occupies the shelves. The adult reading area only has room for about four people to read at any given time. Bouda said there is no space for additional computers in the current facility at this time. The new library will be replete with amenities that Bouda has been looking forward to.
"It's got an exposed basement with windows on three sides, a fabulous children's area, a meeting room, community room, at the front of the building.
"The library will really add to the community, enrich the community and the overall quality of life in Pewaukee."
December 3, 2003
WisDOT restores funds for 11 projects $4 million reallocated for local transportation jobsBy Jim Cryns
Special to The Daily Reporter
Wisconsin communities and construction companies will be able to put about $4 million dollars worth of local transportation projects into their collective pockets thanks to the efforts of 14 state lawmakers.
In a letter released Tuesday, Wisconsin's Department of Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi helped quell the fears of contractors who had been depending on the work the projects would provide.
State spending authority for the program was effectively eliminated by the Joint Finance Committee in the 2003-05 biennial budget, and Gov. Jim Doyle was unable to restore it through a veto. In a letter to the legislators who called on the state to keep its commitment to communities and preserve funding for the projects, Busalacchi said WisDOT would do its best to offer "creative" solutions for the 11 projects in question.
Projects aimed at providing alternatives to single-occupant automobile travel were slated to receive the funds, also known as Surface Transportation Program-Discretionary funding. These projects include bike paths, bike trails, pedestrian trails and restoration efforts.
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| "It's a nice Christmas present for the bike riders and pedestrians in the state." Rep. Dan Schooff D-Beloit |
Stopping short of guaranteeing funds on a rigid timetable and citing a large number of previously approved projects, Busalacchi warned some efforts may have to be postponed until a later date. He did say the department would maintain the 11 previously approved STP-D projects by using "a combination of cost savings on existing projects and committing some future funding authority from federally funded program sources under which the projects are eligible.'"
Project delays possible
"The communities had expressed concerns about the funding included in the governor's original budget," said Randy Romanski, Busalacchi's executive assistant. "The state had a commitment to these communities. Funds were reverted and essentially forced us to break our commitments. Money that had been allocated was moved into another program."
Romanski said Tuesday's letter was addressed to the legislators who requested that WisDOT look into the matter for potential options.
"We ultimately got contacted by legislators, and they advocated on behalf of those communities involved," he said. "The money was already promised and communities have been awaiting our decision.
"We hope to be able to maintain the projects that are on the schedule," he said. "Because we've had to look at future funding sources, we can't guarantee that some of the projects may not be delayed. We are going to do our best."
State Rep. Dan Schooff, D-Beloit, said he was pleased that the funding had been restored.
"Communities and citizens work very hard to come up with their 20 percent of local funding for the projects," he said. "It's a nice Christmas present for the bike riders and pedestrians in the state."
The projects
WisDOT's move restores money for:
- Renovating Racine's train station for a proposed commuter rail line to Milwaukee and Chicago, $1.2 million.
- Converting the Beerline railroad right of way in Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood into a bicycle trail, $320,000.
- Developing a scenic bicycle and pedestrian path alongside the Menomonee River in Wauwatosa, $436,000.
- Adding bicycle lanes to Donges Bay Road in Mequon, $302,023.
- Work on a bicycle and pedestrian underpass for Wisconsin 30 in Madison, $176,000.
- Adding bicycle lanes to the frontage road for the West Beltline Highway in the town of Madison, $106,800.
- Developing bicycle and pedestrian trails in Beloit, Green Bay, St. Croix County, Chippewa Falls and Wisconsin Rapids, totaling $1.46 million.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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December 2, 2003
Children's expansion under way $97 million project will add 270,000 square feet to hospital
By Jim Cryns
Special to The Daily Reporter
Construction has begun on a $97 million expansion for Children's Hospital of Wisconsin at 92nd Street and Connell Avenue in Wauwatosa, and it's expected to provide 270,000 square feet of space exclusively created for offices and research.
"The plans are to have no patients in this building," said Jon Vice, president and CEO of Children's Hospital, who says the expansion is long overdue.
"The time to do this project was three years ago," Vice said. "We're essentially three years late. We first started looking at expansion at our current site a number of years ago. We're somewhat landlocked, we needed additional parking, and we needed more land."
Zimmerman Design Group, Milwaukee, and Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott, Boston, team up to design Children's Hospital of Wisconsin's 270,000-square-foot expansion. Oscar J. Boldt Company, Waukesha, is the construction manager on the project.
Rendering courtesy of ZDG/SBRAVice said the development got a shot in the arm when Milwaukee County made available 42 acres of land for the expansion.
"The county has been very supportive," Vice said. "They've provided us with the land, and they think we play a valuable role to the county."
According to Vice, the hospital needs a nine-story expansion to free up space for research and programs. Once the offices are moved from existing facilities into the new office building, the vacated space will be used to accommodate the ever-increasing need for clinical space. Children's Hospital currently houses research faculty and staff in space at the Medical College of Wisconsin. More than 60,000 square feet of the new office building is to be dedicated to research.
Years away
Vice said he expects the project to be completed by the end of 2005 or early 2006.
"As long as we continue to grow, we need to provide the services."
He said the hospital will move physician offices, medical record facilities and engineering to the new building, a block from the main facility. The plan also calls for a parking structure for 1,600 cars and skywalk link to the existing hospital.
Vice said it's a cyclical process. The more Children's Hospital of Wisconsin grows in terms of reputation, the more it will ultimately have to expand in a physical sense, he said.
"In volume, we're the second-largest children's facility in the nation," Vice said. "As we've increased our clinical skills, a wider net gets tossed out for referrals. That leads to our recruitment of super specialists in various fields. As far as we can determine, we have the best results for heart surgery in the nation."
Growing demand
More than 20,000 children were admitted to the hospital last year, and patients made nearly 200,000 visits to the hospital's specialty outpatient clinics, Emergency Department and urgent care centers.
"We want Children's Hospital to remain in Milwaukee County," said Milwaukee County Supervisor Jim Schmitt, in whose district the hospital operates. "It's a jewel for southeastern Wisconsin, and it's in the best interest of the county for it to remain here.
"I think the project is on a good timetable," Schmitt said. "Things do not move quickly in this process. I don't think anyone wants to see the hospital go elsewhere."
But Vice said that, if he had his way, the landscape would be drastically different."We'd be moving into a new building this year," Vice said. "This construction project would already be finished."
November 13, 2003
Residents pick contractor over DNR Steffes' shoreline-repair method preferredBy Jim Cryns
Special to The Daily Reporter
Tony Steffes' construction company, Steffes Construction, was selected to repair environmental damage at Lake Park Ponds, a 31-year-old condominium complex just north of Mequon Road in Germantown.
But whether he will be awarded the job depends on the Department of Natural Resources, which suggested its own method of repair.
Steffes asked six property owners' associations to choose between his solution -- which would use rocks to stabilize the shoreline -- or the DNR remedy, which would use bio-logs, a compressed organic material.
Recently, the Lake Park Home Association met with Steffes, and the association backed the contractor's plan. Steffes says he will now ask the village to intercede on his behalf in hopes the DNR will approve the changes.
"Apparently, the DNR is taking a new slant and wants to go with bioengineering products that have been known to fail in many instances," Steffes said. "I'm not opposed to mixing the bioengineered products with natural rock on shoreline preservation; it's something most can live with. But, you have to have rock for durability."
Steffes says new information regarding the integrity of the bio-logs came to light after he initially bid on the job.
"They said they've been getting a lot of reports of failure, and they were experiencing erosion problems with the bio-log," he said. "Naturally, there was a lot of concern on behalf of the residents, especially on a half a million-dollar job."
Residents paying
That's particularly important, as the residents will pay for the repairs, said Marv Faltz, president of the Lake Park Home Association.
"It's important to keep in mind the village is not paying for the repairs, the homeowners are paying," he said. "The village was not spending dime one, so when they started changing the facts and procedures, we wanted to look into it."
A resolution passed in September assessed property owners a total of $473,185 for the project. According to Steffes, the Germantown job has been on the drawing board for five years.
"Originally, rock had been called for and then was rejected," Steffes said. "The work needs to be done on a creek that flows into smaller lakes. There are 834 residential units that are effected by the repairs through six different homeowner associations. Just trying to get everyone informed has been a big job."
Steffes said the use of rock would not increase the cost to the homeowners. "Because of the situation that the whole project was presented and sold within a certain budget, I agreed not to increase cost from bio-log to rock," he said.
It's up to the village of Germantown now whether to present the homeowners' preferences to the DNR, which can accept or reject it.
" Our consent is just support for the project the way Steffes wants to do it," said Faltz. "He's going to use public opinion on his behalf."
By Jim Cryns
Special to The Daily Reporter
A famous wine producer once proclaimed that it would sell no wine before its time. There's a quiet village about 30 miles north of Milwaukee where developers and construction firms want you to know it's time.
The village of Saukville doesn't have the proven allure of many of its neighbors. Port Washington has Lake Michigan, and Cedarburg is renown as a historic shopping district. However, Saukville is being run by a group of savvy business-minded people with no shortage of vision who will ultimately make the village a force to be reckoned with.
You certainly wouldn't think we were in a staid economy if you caught a glimpse of a chunk of Highway 33 in Saukville, just two miles west of Port Washington. The area is experiencing new construction of a large Pick & Save market, a Walgreen Drug Store and, less than a half a mile away, a 10-unit office and mall complex.
That's a lot of activity packed into a relatively small area.
According to Brian Cummings of the Redmond Company, the group responsible for the market and pharmacy, there is more to come.
"The new structures expand the drawing area and with Port Washington and Saukville, we're seeing a growth in bedroom communities," he said.
"A lot of the success will depend on the mindset of the people running the village. Saukville has been tough. They want good quality development, but they've been very open, telling us what they need and not letting us get away from their goals. I think you're seeing a lot of people looking at this area for development."
Developers welcome
Cummings said Saukville is a very good community with which to do business. "They did what they said they'd do. A lot of the communities treat developers like the plague, but Saukville was open minded, they worked with us."
Brian Biernat is the community development director in Saukville and says he wants developers to feel Saukville is firm but fair.
"There isn't a whole lot more a company has to do beyond point getting approval and necessary permits by the village," Biernat said. "As long as the intended use is in harmony with zoning, we don't get that involved."
Biernat said he and the village indicate their preferences as to how they'd like to see the particular parcel of land used but confessed they are only able to do that to a point.
"The zoning in the Pick & Save area has a highway shopping district zoning," Biernat said. "Clearly we're seeing some synergistic development between Walgreen and the Pick & Save. I think what we're looking for is some of the amenities these stores can bring, shopping, professional service, restaurants. There's been additional talk about a credit union, and that's the type of development we'd like to see."
Solid planning
Biernat commended the Saukville Village Board with keeping a close eye on how the community is developed and how it enforces the ordinances.
"I think some very good groundwork has been laid in the last two years," Biernat said. "They have a good land-use plan, and we've been fortunate to have a number of boards that were consecutively adept at adhering to the overall plan. I've had a difficult time explaining why this explosive growth has been happening in Saukville, especially since the economy has been so bad."
It's Biernat's belief the village is seeing the benefit of a momentum created over the years.
"Being in my position in Saukville is tremendously exciting," he said. "All the groundwork has been laid so I'm not alarmed at the level of activity -- it's very thoughtful development. We're developing what we've intended to develop in a positive manner. I'd imagine that at some point we'd have to apply some brakes and just slow."
The image of Saukville will be its own. Biernat says the village is not trying to be Cedarburg, Grafton or Port Washington.
"It has a wonderful central business district -- it's a diamond in the rough. The proximity to the interstate is another critical component for success. It's centrally located in Ozaukee County."
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