MILWAUKEE | Development News

[mbradleyc]

This is from the news section of this site:
http://www.renewthevalley.org

eNews: July 2006
July 15, 2006 - 9:00pm

Happy Summer from Menomonee Valley Partners!

1. MVP and Valley businesses work to bring a bus to the Valley

During the past six months, several Menomonee Valley businesses, MVP, MCTS, and Valley County Supervisor Peggy West have been meeting to study transit options to meet the demand for job access to the Menomonee Valley. With more than 10,000 jobs currently in the Valley and more than 500 jobs moving in to the Menomonee Valley in the next year alone, the need for transit service to the Valley is immediate, especially as many of the Milwaukee area residents vying for good jobs in the Valley are transit-dependent. We have a limited opportunity to secure federal Job Access Reverse Commute funds for 50% of the project, and to secure the local match, MVP facilitated a partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the City of Milwaukee, the Valley Business Improvement District and Potawatomi Bingo Casino. All the partners have committed, with the exception of the City - the Common Council has recommended its Community and Economic Development Committee further discuss this important issue. Stay tuned! http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=461609


2. Hank Aaron makes special appearance at August 12 Grand Slam Festival!

Milwaukee baseball legend Hank Aaron is returning to his old stomping grounds in the heart of the Menomonee Valley on August 12, 2006. Don’t miss your chance to see a legend in person, and see Hank swing the bat to officially open his namesake trail at 10:30 a.m.. The Grand Slam Festival opening the Trail is a full day event, including the 7th Annual 5K Run / Walk, the music of One Drum and Otis Hertz and the Funkatrons, demonstrations by Four Seasons skateboarders, a Taste of the Valley area restaurants, a showcase of Valley companies and employment opportunities, and of course, the opportunity to walk and ride the newly completed Hank Aaron State Trail with the legend himself. Don’t miss it! The event runs from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. in the Miller Park east lots. For more information, see www.HankAaronStateTrail.org. You can download flyers to post in your office at www.renewthevalley.org.


3. Length of the Hank Aaron State Trail to double

The State of Wisconsin will buy 5 1/2 miles of an abandoned railroad corridor that will double the length of the Hank Aaron State Trail. Utilizing an abandoned railway corridor, this new extension of the Hank Aaron State Trail will traverse the entirety of Milwaukee County, running through the Historic Soldiers Home and State Fair Park, and adjacent to the Pettit Ice Center and Milwaukee County Zoo. The Trail, to be completed by 2009, will link with the Oak Leaf Trail at both the east and west endpoints and at several points in between. The completed Hank Aaron State Trail will be valuable as a recreational path and a commuter route for people who choose to bike to work and to the numerous venues along the route. "The trail will take you anywhere you want to go," said Bruce Keyes, president of the non-profit group Friends of the Hank Aaron State Trail.


4. MVP is pleased to announce two additions to our team:

Catrina Crane is MVP's Special Projects Coordinator. She will be working to create stronger links between Valley businesses and the workforce in surrounding neighborhoods, as well as coordinating the implementation of the Menomonee Valley Community Park. Catrina comes to MVP from the City of Milwaukee, where she managed a two-year special project on lead abatement and home reconstruction. She previously worked with the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership and is a Milwaukee native. Her telephone number is 414-274-4657 and her email is catrina@renewthevalley.org. Welcome Catrina!


Murry Streetman will be joining MVP as the Open Space Program Coordinator through the Trinity Fellows Program at Marquette University, a graduate fellowship program dedicated to developing urban leaders with a commitment to social justice. Murry will be with MVP part-time during his 21-month program while he also pursues a master's in philosophy. He previously served in the Peace Corps in the Darien region of Panama and is a native of Denver, CO. Murry will join us on September 4, 2006. Welcome Murry!


5. Guidelines Adopted for Menomonee Valley Industrial Center

The Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee has adopted the Master Land Use Plan to guide the sale and development land in the Menomonee Valley Industrial Center (MVIC). Policy makers, elected officials and city staff now have a common set of goals and guidelines with which to evaluate prospects. The documents are available on MVP’s website, www.renewthevalley.org.

The City also recently executed a contract with MVP to serve as the lead marketing agent for the MVIC. MVP will implement a proactive marketing campaign to recruit companies seeking expansion or relocation to this premier business location. If you know of anyone looking for prime industrial space, please refer them to Corey at (414) 274-4655 or corey@renewthevalley.org.


6. Two companies plan to move to the Valley

Caleffi North America Inc., currently located in Franklin Business Park, and Badger Railing Inc., in the eastern portion of the Menomonee Valley, are planning to buy parcels in the western end of the Menomonee Valley Industrial Center. Caleffi North America, a division of an Italian company manufacturing hydronic systems, plans to build a 35,000-square-foot plant, while Badger Railing, which makes ornamental iron products, is planning an 18,400-square-foot building to house 41 employees. Badger Railing and Caleffi North America will join frozen pizza maker Palermo Villa Inc., which is constructing a 135,000-square-foot building in the Menomonee Valley Industrial Center. Read more here: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=454694


7. Harley-Davidson breaks ground on Valley museum

This spring Harley-Davidson unveiled the designs for the $95 million Harley-Davidson Museum complex, and on June 1, broke ground for the three buildings being constructed at S. 6th and Canal Streets, which will house the museum, company archives, restaurant, cafe, gift shop and special-event space. Governor Jim Doyle, Mayor Tom Barrett and County Executive Scott Walker were on hand for the event, noting that the museum will attract visitors from throughout the world when it opens in the summer of 2008. It is expected to annually bring in 350,000 visitors. “With over one hundred years and millions of motorcycles behind us, Harley-Davidson has a rich history, an exciting present and a vibrant future,” said Jim Ziemer, CEO of Harley-Davidson, Inc. “In the years to come, the Harley-Davidson Museum will be a centerpiece of the Harley-Davidson experience.” Learn more here: http://www.h-dmuseum.com


8. Court ruling paves the way for Potawatomi expansion

The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that the casino games originally approved in 1991 and 1992 for the state's 11 tribes and the expansions approved since then were constitutional. The decision likely paves the way for a major expansion of the Potawatomi Bingo Casino in the Menomonee Valley, a $240 million job that will triple the floor space of what already is the state's most successful gambling venue, and create an additional 1000 permanent jobs. Tribal officials have said construction would begin within a month of a ruling affirming the legality of the casinos.


9. Valley park continues to blossom

Planting is going full speed ahead down in the Valley Park! A group of committed volunteers from the Friends of the Hank Aaron State Trail have been down there planting away. Trees and shrubs are appearing throughout the park, and emerging aquatic plants will soon be visible in the stormwater management areas. Thanks to all the great volunteers for helping to build this community park. To get involved, contact corey@renewthevalley.org or call 274-4655.


10. Valley History Recycled, thanks to Americorps and Falk/Rexnord

The former Milwaukee Stockyards will live on – as picnic tables and benches in the Menomonee Valley Community Park and along the Hank Aaron State Trail! A team of Americorps volunteers working with Groundwork Milwaukee and landscape architect Nancy Aten collected oak and pine boards from the Stockyards fencing, and our friends at Falk/Rexnord, located in the center of the Valley, loaded the board on a truck and brought them to their plant. Falk’s pattern makers have planed and sanded these old boards and revealed their hidden beauty – old growth wood perfect for picnic tables and benches for the Valley’s new park. When you come down to the Valley for the Grand Slam Event on August 12, take a look at these beautiful tables. Thanks to Falk, Americorps, and Groundworks for recycling some Valley history for future enjoyment.



11. Marquette engineering students propose solution to Menomonee River problems

Three Marquette engineering students worked on design solutions for the Menomonee River near Emmber Lane, a section of river notorious for collecting debris. Under the supervision of our Valley neighbors at the Sigma Group, these students proposed a plan that will eliminate this debris accumulation, as well as create public access for canoes and kayaks and restore habitat in the area. The students presented three variations of the plan to the Menomonee Valley Business Association, ad all hope we can implement one of these great plans soon! See the designs here: http://www.thesigmagroup.com/news_marquette.html

12. Milwaukee urban water trail recognized by the secretary of the interior

On June 1, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced 36 new national recreation trails in 24 states, which added more than 800 miles of trails to the national trail system. In Milwaukee, the Urban Water Trail was announced as part of this recreational expansion. This 35 mile water trail flows through urban portions of the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic Rivers, providing miles of access and paddling to the 1.5 million people in the great Milwaukee metro area. See the Milwaukee Urban Water Trail Map here: http://www.mkeriverkeeper.org/watertrail/map.htm

[ReddAlert II]

Originally Posted by Skyking

I never said anything about building a skyscraper on that site. Why would you assume that? For every condo that's built as part of smaller projects, it reduces the market demand. This downtown condo craze won't last forever. And yes, the rendering of this 65-condo development looks like something right out of suburbia - and not all that imaginative.
Developers are going to make their buck wherever they can, so all the power to them. But, for once, I'd like to see the city "planners" get together with a developer and put something grand together - something that would ideally tie-in the far-flung skyline. No more high rises right on top of each other like the Kilbourn Tower and UC Tower...jeeez!
As for major projects needing an anchor tenant...I think we understand that by now. Except, the original plan for the 32-story Ghazi project called for very little office space - primarily condos and hotel rooms. So, to reiterate, 65condos in a four-story building will detract from other, potentially larger projects based on demand. I'd like to believe that people will continue to move downtown at the current pace indefinitely, but that's pretty unlikely.

maybe. However, the 65 condos on Commerce will create more life in that neighorhood. I dont think it wise to turn down these smaller developments because of that anyway.

I also would like to see them build something grand downtown. A 800-900 foot tower would be great...but we all know it will not happen sadly. I think Lake Point, Ghazi, and Lake Bluff are the tallest and best downtown will get in the near future. I havent heard anything about Lake Bluff though for awile and Lake Pointe Towers future is pretty shaky.

[ReddAlert II]

Originally Posted by CGII

Now that the condo boom is starting to close and offices are next, I'd personally like to see more public spaces and buildings, like museums. Once the courthouse can find space for more parking, I'd personally love to see McArthur Sq. redone. It's an awful space that has a ton of potential. My dream project, which will NEVER happen due to budget and Scott Walker, would be a cap over I43 behind the Courthouse, where the annex used to be. There's more than enough room to build one, and seeing our beautiful couthouse next to a massive freeway is rather discouraging. Putting a plaza on a cap over the freeway would link the west end of downtown with Marquette for the first time in years...

Even though putting Kilbourn and UCT next to each other was probably a slightly silly lapse of judgement, you have to admit it's pretty sweet to see them neck and neck next to each other. Not to mention, the lots they take up are really the only empty lakefront lots left open all the way up to Mequon (with the exception of where Lafayette Place is going up and another parcel across from Burns Commons). I think the thing to be most upset about in the whole matter is not being able to see the South side of Kilbourn Tower.

I am just throwing this out there, but always loved the possibility of there being stores, resturants, etc. ontop of McArthur Square. I would dig something like this up there.



How cool would that be, right infront of the looming courthouse? I probally am wrong about this, but I think that no matter how they redesign that park---its going to be dead. There aint' nothing around there to draw average people off the street up there besides bums, students visiting the museum, and people awaiting court hearings.

Now, I know I am no architect or planner and you probally will laugh at my quick paint design...but this is what I had in mind. The blue squares being cafes, coffehouses, whatever. I think it could work--with MATC students, thousands of people working at the school, courthouse, police station, and museum....as well as people hanging out after Bucks, Marquette, Admirals etc. games.

[CGII]

Exactly. The park is in a decent location, being the focus of the gov't buildings around there, and with more 'advertising' for the space, ie signs acknowledging its existence, it would be a great link to the Public Museum. It could also attract gov't workers on their lunch hour.

[ReddAlert II]

^and I would also like to see a more grandiose statue of Douglas McArthur. Cmon, the guy is one of the greatest generals in American history and all he gets is this little statue. We need to go back and start building these statues like they did in Europe---where people can just sit on and hang out like you see at Tralfgar Square in London.

I feel strongly about that Martin Luther King Jr. Statue on MLK. Its a decent statue, yet it sits infront of a damn parking lot. They should put this in a more visible and prominent location--the street is named MLK after all. I hope to god that the Glover memorial thing in Cathedral Square is done right. A nicely redesigned Catheral Square could be incredible with that location.

We can do much better than this to honor one of America's greatest bad asses.


And speaking of statues, this one is very unknown to the public. I first seen it late last year when I actually made it up to MA Square (another example of the poor location). I think its one of the best.

[CGII]

I always forget about the Ghandi statue. MacArthur square is an awful plot of urban planning that squanders all the plentiful oppurtunities it has.

[Skyking]

[QUOTE=Eriol]This is from the news section of this site:
http://www.renewthevalley.org

eNews: July 2006
July 15, 2006 - 9:00pm

Happy Summer from Menomonee Valley Partners!

1. MVP and Valley businesses work to bring a bus to the Valley

During the past six months, several Menomonee Valley businesses, MVP, MCTS, and Valley County Supervisor Peggy West have been meeting to study transit options to meet the demand for job access to the Menomonee Valley.

You'd be best not to mention Peggy West in your comments - she is no friend to development. Unless it's some form of expanded bus service, don't waste time trying to justify and promote a cost-prohibitive and completely ineffective rail plan. And, if anyone brings up that inane idea again to erect elevators in the valley, I'm gonna have to question their sanity

[Skyking]

[QUOTE=Eriol]This is from the news section of this site:
http://www.renewthevalley.org

eNews: July 2006
July 15, 2006 - 9:00pm

Happy Summer from Menomonee Valley Partners!

1. MVP and Valley businesses work to bring a bus to the Valley

During the past six months, several Menomonee Valley businesses, MVP, MCTS, and Valley County Supervisor Peggy West have been meeting to study transit options to meet the demand for job access to the Menomonee Valley.

You'd be best not to mention Peggy West in your comments - she is no friend to development. Unless it's some form of expanded bus service, don't waste time trying to justify and promote a cost-prohibitive and completely ineffective rail plan. And, if anyone brings up that inane idea again to erect elevators in the valley, I'm gonna have to question their sanity

[Markitect]

The former Pabst brewery complex now officially has a new owner. Local real estate investor Joseph Zilber closed the deal very recently. He bought the entire 21 acres (which includes nearly 30 vacant buildings), as well as the engineering and architectural work that was done by the previous developers before their PabstCity plans fell through last summer.

Zilber's concept for "The Brewery" is a bit different than the PabstCity proposal:

- It focuses more on creating a neighborhood filled with mixed-uses, as opposed to placing a large emphasis on an entertainment center destination zone that would have been largely removed from Downtown.

- It focuses more on preserving the historic brewery buildings, as opposed to demolishing many of them to make room for big-box mega-buildings and multiple large parking garages.

- It focuses more on green building practices.

- It focuses on dividing up the complex to make it available to multiple developers, as opposed to one giant project controlled by a single group.

Although the concept is still somewhat "loose" yet, there have been some names and ideas that have been tossed about. Gorman & Company, a housing developer that places an emphasis on historic conversions and affordable housing, has expressed interest in one of the Pabst blocks. Johnson Controls are considering creating a regional training center and attached hotel on another block. James Haertel, who was one of the minority partners for the PabstCity proposal (who has been in dispute with his former majority partners over parts of the earlier failed proposal) still has plans to create a brewing museum and Hofbrauhaus restaurant/brewpub in the old Pabst offices/visitor's center.

In the coming months, Zilber plans to talk to the City about a tax increment financing arrangement that would be used to pay for some of the work required to rehabilitate the brewery area. The previous PabstCity plan was hung up over a $41 million TIF request that ultimately led to the whole proposal being dropped. Zilber says his TIF request will be much less. If all goes well, some of the infrastructure and remediation work could start before the end of the year.

More from the Journal Sentinel: Pabst project moves ahead - Purchase complete, investor hopes to secure city funding by year's end

More from the Small Business Times: Zilber completes purchase of Pabst brewery

More from the Daily Reporter: Pabst Brewery is sold

And more on The Brewery project website


***


This past Monday, a "sledgehammering ceremony" was held to officially commemorate the remodeling project underway at the Downtown Amtrak station. The train station, originally built in 1965 (and at 40+ years old, still one of the "youngest" stations on the national railroad's system), will be getting a full makeover inside and out.

The station will become an intermodal trasnportation hub, playing host not only to Amtrak trains (and, assuming it would actually be approved, the Metra commuter rail extension also), Greyhound and other local/regional buses, and the existing car rental outlet. The upper floors will have renovated office space to accomomdate WisDOT and other possible tenants. The ground floor will have a small restaurant/food court (fast food/diner type stuff), new ticket counters, support areas, and a glassy, three-story atrium waiting room.

The renovation is expected to be finished at the end of next summer. The station will be open during construction.

Meanshile, City officials expect the revitalized station will serve as a catalyst to spark investment in nearby buildings and empty lots. A vacant site across the street, now being used as a staging area for nearby freeway reconstruction, is a potential site for a mixed-use parking garage/retail structure...which could in turn allow some kind of development on the surface parking lots next to the train station. The owner of a warehouse-turned-office building across the street is considering remodeling his building into residential uses or a hotel. Down the street, there is a poposal to convert the old Pritzlaff/Hack warehouse into a mixed-use retail/office/residential building.


^ A rendering of the remodeled station as viewed from W. St. Paul Avenue. The interior and exterior will get a makeover. The glassed-in waiting room area will be an addition onto the front of the existing building.


^A view of the glassy passenger atrium with its gridded and diagonal support structure.

More from the Journal Sentinel: Neighbors might get on remodeling train - Amtrak redesign could spur new development

And from the Daily Reporter: New Milwaukee Amtrak station on track - Redo of 1965 building to be completed in year

And also from the WisDOT Milwaukee intermodal terminal renovation website.

[adamb10]

I'm disipointed that the Pabst Brewery will probobly become condos and not the entertainment area it was going to be but anything is better than whats there now.

I'm glad the Amtrak station is getting renovated, it looks like a dump.

[Oshkosh49]

Originally Posted by adamb10

I'm disipointed that the Pabst Brewery will probobly become condos and not the entertainment area it was going to be but anything is better than whats there now.

The owners of other entertainment venues in downtown were NOT disappointed the original PabstCity plan failed. I'm sure they definately let their city representative know that they needed to vote against the $41 million TIF the developer was seeking from the city.

[Markitect]

Originally Posted by adamb10

I'm disipointed that the Pabst Brewery will probobly become condos and not the entertainment area it was going to be but anything is better than whats there now.

The PabstCity proposal was majorly flawed, which is why it did not gain the political support it needed to become a reality. The area is poorly located for an urban entertainment center (away from all the established high-traffic areas, away from all the established entertainmnet areas that could still use a boost, and away from transit access) being isolated in a corner of Downtown with limited access. The fact that the main anchor tenants wanted to have a 5-year escape clause included in their leases seemed to indicate that maybe they weren't so confident in the project to begin with.

I'm glad the Amtrak station is getting renovated, it looks like a dump.

It is definitely much nicer looking than the current building, though it's still a bit lackluster...too shoe-boxy...no doubt due to limited funding and a desire to reuse the existing building rather than something new from scratch.

[adamb10]

I dunno, I thought it would have been neat to revitalize that area of Downtown with entertainment or something since it's right by the big jail building and the communtiy center thingie right across the street.

[Xeelee]

nice

[CGII]

It's great to see some headway on the Pabst project, especially to hear of more preservation.

Though the funding is low, I realy admire and respect the job Epstein Uhen has done on the remodel of the Amtrak station. It's clean and simple, and considering the budget it's great. if I were designing it, though, I wouldn't put those Libeskind-esque, jagged I beams behind the facade, and just keep it a nice, broad wall of glass. Now, if only the Post Office could elabourate on how they want to replace the hulking, dirty mass next door...

[Markitect]

Recently, New Land Enterprises bought several properties on the East Side. The development firm has been actively working on plans for those properties, which include existing buildings and a residential lot.

New Land is renovating and leasing four storefronts on the 2500 and 2600 blocks of N. Downer Avenue. So far, three of the four have tenants lined up. Cafee Centraal will go into the storefront formerly occupied by Gil's Cafe, and expand into the storefront currently occupied by Optix on Downer. In turn, Optix will relocate into a vacant storefront just up the street. Also, the former Time to Kiln storefront will be used by New Land as a showroom and sales office for a nearby proposed condo project. That leaves the former Einstein Bros. Bagels shop to be leased yet.

Just a block away, New Land is proposing a major condo project on the northeast corner of N. Stowell and E. Webster Place. The 11-story building would contain 84 units (36 single-bedroom, 37 two-bedroom, and 11 penthouse units), a fitness center, community room, and parking garage that would be shared between condo residents and patrons of the nearby offices and shops.

Furthermore, New Land has plans to rehabilitate the upper floors of the Harry W. Schwartz Bookshop on Downer Avenue into new office space.

Pending approvals from the City, New Land hopes to begin construction in early 2007, with completion by Spring 2009.


^ A view of the condos showing the Stowell Avenue side (left) and Webster Place side (right).


^ A view looking up the facade along Webster Place.

See this article from OnMilwaukee.com for more info: New Land Enterprises reveals possible future plans for Downer Avenue

[CGII]

Interesting to see the condo boom move as far North as Downer. It sounds like New Land is trying to establish Downer as a regional destination, maybe like a petite Brady St.

[Markitect]

Originally Posted by CGII

Interesting to see the condo boom move as far North as Downer.

Being only a mile south of UWM, they will probably try and draw from the professors who would like to live close to work. Park Lafayette, just a few blocks to the south of this New Land proposal, is trying to do the same...likewise for some othe other condos in the area that have gone up recently or are still in the proposal stage.

With rising interest rates though, it will be interesting to see if the condo market will hold up. Some other proposals around town have started emphasising higher-end rental units instead of condos because of this.

It sounds like New Land is trying to establish Downer as a regional destination, maybe like a petite Brady St.

Not really. It's more local neighborhood oriented stuff, as it has always traditionally been, as opposed to "regional destination" things. Restaurants replacing restaurants, neighborhood specialty stores replacing neighborhood specialty stores, etc. Things that will play off of what's already in the neighborhood, like UWM and Columbia-St. Mary's Hospital.

[CGII]

I love this guy.

Money won't limit Pabst Brewery project
Developer reveals his legacy to Milwaukee
By AVRUM D. LANK
alank@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 24, 2006
How about a waterfall cascading down the old Pabst Brewing Co. grain elevator overlooking the Marquette Interchange?

That's one idea from Milwaukee-based real estate mogul Joseph Zilber, who this year bought the Pabst complex on the northwest edge of downtown, along I-43. Pabst closed in 1996, ending 152 years of beer production.

As part of his redevelopment plans for the property, Zilber on Thursday suggested having a waterfall cascading down the western wall of an abandoned grain elevator on the site, an attraction that would be visible from the freeway.

The waterfall would become a landmark to replace the mural of whales by the artist Wyland that once graced the Courthouse Annex, Zilber said. The annex and mural were demolished in May as part of the ongoing rebuilding of the interchange.

To complement the waterfall, a restaurant could crown the old silo, with a rock-climbing business on the eastern side, Zilber suggested.

Still unclear is what would become of the interior of the structure - but that is not an obstacle to Zilber, who has become a multimillionaire by following his creative instincts.

When it comes to the Pabst project, imagination, not money, is the limiting factor, Zilber said in an interview in his downtown office after reporters were given a tour of the 21-acre property Thursday morning.

"I dream of the things we could do here, and I'm going to make them happen," said Zilber, who spent much of the rest of the day at City Hall, talking to officials about a tax incremental financing district for the site.

A prior redevelopment proposal by Wispark LLC last year failed to win approval of $41 million in city financial aid. Zilber subsequently purchased the site for about $13 million.

During the tour, Zilber's assistant Michael Mervis said the new proposal for city funding would be for less money.

In the interview, Zilber said the financing proposal might include some sort of profit-sharing between him and the city, but he would not provide any other details.

He added, "It doesn't make any difference if I make money or not" on the entire deal. The redevelopment "will be my legacy to the city," said Zilber, who turns 89 in November.

"I'll be 90 next year; my money has to go somewhere," he said.

Redevelopment would begin the day after city financing is approved, with the first phase taking from 12 to 15 months, Mervis said.

Protecting history
In addition to the silo, the plan is to keep as much of the history of the property intact as possible, Mervis said. However, both he and Zilber said the brick chimney on the site, with the name "Pabst" on it, is at risk of demolition because of its condition.

Zilber's plans include a mixture of commercial, office and residential uses, but not the entertainment venues that galvanized opposition to the Wispark proposal. His plans include rehabilitating many of the buildings and selling them to other developers.

But he made it clear Thursday that his own money might also be involved in subsequent uses.

For example, he suggested a restaurant be developed in the old brew house on the property, which includes six mammoth copper kettles that take up several stories.

He suggested cutting the kettles in half, filling the bottoms with water and putting glass plate over them. Tables would be on the glass and the tops of the kettles raised up so diners would eat underneath them. Tables also could be put in other parts of the building, with the top floors developed into condos or apartments, he said.

Zilber said he might be willing to finance the operation that ran it.

"It would be beautiful, the best restaurant in the world," he said.

Details about the site are available at pabstproject.com.

From the Aug. 25, 2006 editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

--

The website's worth a visit, too.

[CGII]

Markitect:A few weeks ago when I was working at Kubala Washatko, I stumbled across an old, thin book featuring a redevelopement plan for downtown dated 1979. It had, among other things, proposed a bus station on the site of the Calatrava, the restoration of the Pabst Building, several retail and hotel towers on the site of Mecca, lots of retail developement at Grand Avenue Mall, two long, short, brutalist hotels in O Donnell Park, and elevated pedestrian streets along Wisconsin Avenue west of the river, and on a few other streets, on (I believe) Milwaukee st and Mason St. The whole project reeked of Helmut Jahn-esque postmodernism and some brutalism, but I hadn't ever heard anything of it before. Would you happen to know more of it?