Author Archives: Erik Brooks

From the Milwaukee County Parks …

The Milwaukee County Parks Department is launching Parks with Purpose, a campaign that recognizes a period of intense planning to position the Milwaukee County park system for continued, expanded success in 2017 and beyond. Your input will be vital as we develop these two interrelated major plans in partnership with the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and Pros Consulting:

• 10-year Parks System Master Plan
  This plan will provide recommendations for facilities, programs and services, maintenance and operation, and administration and management of the Milwaukee County park system.
  Learn more
• 2050 Park & Open Space Plan
  This plan will address long-range considerations including the preservation of environmental corridors, conservation lands, and the recreational use of water bodies, and will make recommendations on the distribution of parks and recreational facilities throughout the County.
  Learn more

Public Workshops – Join us!

All workshops begin at 6:30 p.m. with a presentation, followed by interactive workshops from 7-8 p.m.

• Sept. 13, Kosciuszko Park Community Center, 2201 S. 7th St.
• Sept. 14, Lake Park Marcia Coles Community Room, 3133 E. Newberry Blvd. (lower level)
• Sept. 15, Wilson Park Pavilion, 1601 W. Howard Ave.
• Sept. 20, Brown Deer Park Golf Clubhouse, 7625 N. Range Line Road
• Sept. 21, Gordon Park Pavilion, 2828 N. Humboldt Blvd.
• Sept. 22, Dineen Park Pavilion, 6601 W. Vienna St.
• Sept. 27, Sheridan Park Pavilion, 4800 S. Lake Drive
• Oct. 4, McCarty Park Pavilion,2567 S. 79 St.
• Oct. 5, Center Street Park Community Room, 6420 W. Clarke St. 

We’ll publish the full Rocketober schedule of events later this week.

In the meantime, I wanted to call your attention to a couple events fast approaching, as we look to start our annual (and growing) celebration of fall in South Milwaukee a bit earlier this year …

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

• 5-9 p.m. Grant Park Sunset Beach Walk. The Friends of the Mill Pond and Ferch’s Beachside Grille present live entertainment, beer, wine, food, frozen custard, bonfire, s’mores, stargazing, and Chinese lanterns, all at beautiful Grant Park Beach. http://www.ferchs.com and smfomp.org
• 7 p.m. Outdoor movie: “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Guardian Credit Union hosts its final Movie on the Grass for 2016 at the site of the South Milwaukee Downtown Market. Free admission and popcorn. Bring your lawn chairs! http://www.guardiancu.org

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

• 6 p.m. South Milwaukee Homecoming Parade. Route: Maple Avenue, east to 15th Avenue, north to the school. www.southmilwaukeefootball.org
• 6:45 p.m. Community pep rally and Homecoming bonfire. Cheer on the team at the high school baseball stadium.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

• 7 p.m. Cudahy vs. South Milwaukee Homecoming football game.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

• 7:30 p.m. SMPAC presents SIMPLY SWING! This event features Milwaukee’s Sinatra-style crooner Chris Mariani and his new spin on classics like Fly Me to the Moon combined with The Radio Rosies, a USO-style vocal trio, and the bold sound of Swing Explosion, an 18-piece big band. Lobby social at 6:30. southmilwaukeepac.org

This weekend, I had the honor of being a small part of two events that celebrated our first responders 15 years after too many of them were taken from us far too soon.

On Saturday, I joined elected officials from around the region at Fire Ops 101 training, presented by  the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin. Firefighters from South Milwaukee’s IAFF Local 1633 and from around the state took us through what a day in their life looks like, and I left with an even bigger appreciation for what these everyday heroes do, literally putting their lives on the line for ours.

It was a point further driven home by the moving 9-11 ceremony Saturday morning, as the name of each fallen New York firefighter and police officer was read aloud in tribute.

On Sunday, I attended a ceremony honoring first responders at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cudahy, joining representatives from other South Shore communities in thanking these men and women for their work and paying tribute to those who died 15 years ago.

It’s an honor to lead a city with these first-class first responders standing at the ready — ready to rush into danger as everyone else rushes out. That’s what happened on September 11, 2001. And we honor their sacrifice today, and every day.

Check out these South Shore headlines …

• ME Identifies 13 Who Died as a Result of Probable Overdoses Labor Day Weekend (Fox 6)
• Cudahy High School Students Sent Home After Air Conditioning Breaks (WISN)
• Cudahy Officials Extinguish Suspicious Garbage Can Fire off Nicholson Avenue (Fox 6)
• Eder Flag Becomes Employee Owned (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• The Chocolate Factory Opens Eighth Location (Urban Milwaukee)

And check out coverage of the Madison Avenue mixed-use development project from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Business Journal, OnMilwaukee.com, and Fox 6 — among the outlets that covered this.

I hope you can attend and learn some facts/myths about sex assault, the sex offender registry and details about the city sex offender ordinance.  (This is not a sex offender notification meeting.)

When it comes to downtown revitalization, we’ve laid a strong foundation.

From passing the downtown plan to unveiling a new downtown revitalization grant program to starting work on our downtown “ownership” agenda to planning for streetscaping upgrades 2017, we’re putting the right pieces in place to ensure long-term, sustainable growth in our city center.

Momentum is growing.

Today, we accelerate that momentum.

This morning, we are partnering with award-winning local architectural and development firm Vetter Denk to announce plans for one of the biggest new construction projects in downtown South Milwaukee in decades.

The estimated $6.6 million development, as proposed, calls for the following on 0.74 acres at 11th and Madison Avenues:

• An approximately 5,000-square foot microbrewery with adjacent beer garden;
• 24 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments;
• A 8,000-square-foot green space that will serve as a public square and gathering place for the apartment dwellers, nearby business patrons and community members; and
• Approximately 5,000 square feet of retail or restaurant space.

You can see the press release here. As I say in it …

This project would be a game-changer for downtown South Milwaukee. It will serve as a catalyst in our ongoing downtown redevelopment efforts. It’s especially exciting to have a first-class firm like Vetter Denk behind this. From the Beerline riverfront condominiums in Milwaukee to their work in redeveloping Green Bay’s waterfront, Vetter Denk’s track record is second to none. They will raise the bar for development, redevelopment, and design across our city.

The best part? As terrific as this development may be, this is just the beginning.

We are just getting started on our journey to revitalize South Milwaukee’s city center, and this news is a big step.

Check out these South Shore headlines …

• South Milwaukee Army Veteran Raises Suicide Awareness One Step at a Time (WISN)
• The Shop Relocates to South Milwaukee (Bay View Compass)
• Layoffs from Division Consolidation at Caterpillar Started Monday (Peoria Journal Star)
• Baby Fox Seen in Cudahy with Trap on Leg Has Been Caught, Taken to Humane Society (Fox 6)
• Car Sinks in Cudahy Drainage Ditch (WISN)
• Drexel Town Square Continues Oak Creek Growth (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• BelAir Cantina to Open Monday (Business Journal)

Also, a South Milwaukee teen who was reported as a runaway on Wednesday returned home safely later that day, police said.

I value open and honest communication.

And while I’m proud of the continued growth of South Milwaukee Blog — next year we’re going to top 1 million page views since the launch! — I also want to let readers know about my mayoral Facebook page.

Please like it here. (And while you’re at it, like the city Facebook page too.)

I post quite often on Facebook, including unique content and more real-time information and photos.

Thanks for reading!

New owners, same great coffee downtown.

Welcome, Sara and Aaron. It’s great to have you downtown.

Avenue Coffeehouse is now open! Check out their Facebook page.

Rounding up upcoming athletics fundraisers, with information provided by the South Milwaukee School District …

1. Girls Volleyball Pancake Breakfast, Saturday, Sept. 10, 8:00am-12Noon, High School Commons, $8 at the door, $7 in advance from any player.
2. After the pancake breakfast people can swing by Piggly Wiggly/Rawson Avenue, for a Car Wash from the Marching Band, 10AM-2PM, suggested donation $5.00
3. Football is holding a Donation Night at Cousin’s Subs (2965 S. Chicago Avenue, South Milwaukee), September 12 & October 3, 5:00-8:00pm. 10% of all proceeds will benefit Youth and High School football programs.

All details for Activity & Athletic group fundraisers are on the High School Activities & Athletics webpage. 

Happy to see new and growing businesses downtown!

I wrote about the new barbecue place earlier this week. Here are a few more examples …

• Jen’s Sweet Treats: Exciting news for this business at 907 Milwaukee Ave., which opened earlier this year and is already in expansion mode. Wrote owner Jennifer Clark on Facebook this week: “I’m doing the happy dance. We’ve obtained the other half of our South Milwaukee building so we are starting renovations as I speak. Unfortunately that location will be closed temporarily till everything is complete. We will try really hard to get back open as soon as possible. New additions will include a party room and meeting space for rent. As well as a gift shop, and coffee with indoor seating .We will also be expanding our candy counter and adding hand scooped ice cream! Woohoo big things are coming! Stop by our Cudahy location for all your sweet treat needs in the mean time! We’ll be back soon, bigger and better than before! :)” I’m doing a happy dance, too.
• MKE City Sippers: If you haven’t heard, Nicole Maxey, owner of MKE City Sippers, is moving on to her next adventure in Florida – we’ll miss her around here – but Sara Lewkowski, one of her baristas, is taking over and planning to continue the coffee house. It will be called Avenue Coffeehouse and feature many of the same products as MKE City Sippers, including terrific Anodyne Coffee. Sara plans to close on August 31, then reopen on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 6 a.m. Stop by and say hi!
• THE SHOP: Renovations are nearly complete, and Tim Schneider this week officially moved his cool antique motorcycle repair business from Bay View to the edge of downtown at 1905 13^th Ave. Look for more details soon on a grand opening date.

So, lots going on in our city center … and much more to come.

Summer is winding down, but there are still several cool events coming up in our city center, all at the farmers’ market site …

• Saturday (Aug. 27): First, don’t forget about the Restore the Lagoon Festival this Saturday. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be live music and entertainment, games, a silent auction, a car/bike/truck show, crafts, vendors, food, beer and much more. Learn more on the Restore Facebook page.
• Thursday, Sept. 8: Also, the South Milwaukee Downtown Health Fair is coming up. More than 20 local health and wellness vendors are expected, in addition to the regular market lineup. This year’s event is presented by the South Milwaukee Health Department. Hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Learn more on the market Facebook page.
• Saturday, Sept. 17: The third Guardian Credit Union outdoor movie date has been set: “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” airs at dusk (around 7 p.m.). This is the makeup date from the June show, which was postponed due to rain.

Also, we are cancelling the second South Milwaukee Food Truck Festival, which had been set for Sunday, Sept. 18. It’s not for lack of popularity. We are just looking for a new “owner” of the event, so if your organization is interested, let me know. I look forward to bringing this back next May – stay tuned.

I love me some barbecue … and that’s why I’m excited about South Milwaukee’s newest downtown restaurant. You should be too.

Scrappy’s BBQ will be opening soon in the former Lloyd’s Lunch, 925 Madison Ave.

Mike Hintz, barbecue aficionado and caterer, is planning to open his doors on Oct. 1, with a specialty in barbecue beef brisket, burnt ends, ribs, pulled pork, Italian beef, pressured-fried chicken and more.

And if the food tastes like it did at last week’s South Milwaukee Community & Business Association meeting, which Mike catered, it will be a hit. Much more to come on this exciting new business.

Check out these South Shore headlines …

• Caterpillar Cutting Jobs at Former Bucyrus Plants, Considers Sale of Part of Mining Business (Business Journal)
• Districts Hope to Find Crossing Guards Before Start of School Year (WISN)
• Milwaukee, Oak Creek Among Members of Group Challenging Waukesha Water Plan (Business Journal)
• Mandel Group Developing its Vacant Lot in St. Francis (BizTimes)
• Drexel Town Square Apartments Welcome First Residents (NOW)
• Oak Creek Teen Missing Since Aug. 19 Has Been Found (NOW)

“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” This quote from Dolly Parton gets to the heart of an important initiative the South Milwaukee City Council approved on Tuesday.

The council voted unanimously to spend $20,000 to contract with Third Ward-based Savage Solutions to develop a new brand for the City of South Milwaukee.

This is about so much more than a logo. Rather, it’s about the community coming together to define who we are, what we want to be, and then bringing it to life graphically in a multitude of ways.

Developing and launching the brand will take months, as long as a year. A group of stakeholders – residents and business owners – will guide the process throughout. Once that is complete, the exciting part starts – exploring and delivering creative ways to make the brand part of our community identity.

Of course, there will be business cards, logo gear, and digital executions. But I’m just as excited about opportunities like street banners (I love this one Savage has done in Oak Creek, and this one they’ve been working on for downtown Waukesha), welcome signage, directional street signage, and even advertising campaigns (you have probably heard the Oak Creek radio commercials during Green Bay Packers games). And how about murals, or billboards?

All of these details will be the subject of more discussion – with funding subject to council approval — as the brand is launched and evolves over time. This will take years. But at least we’re getting started.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Savage – in a presentation that included the Parton quote referenced above – gave us a glimpse into who they are, how they define branding, their process in defining a brand, and work they’ve been doing (and continue to do) in Oak Creek and Waukesha to develop their brands.

It’s that work that has me excited about what Savage can do for us.

Oak Creek officials rave about the firm, and after several meetings ahead of Tuesday’s council meeting, I share their enthusiasm as we begin this process.

The timing is right, especially with the recent passage of the comprehensive plan, which includes as one of its recommendations doing exactly what we’re doing. Practically, it makes sense, too. With downtown streetscaping getting underway in 2017, I see our new-look city center as one potential place this brand can be born.

But first things first. As Dolly Parton said, let’s first discover who we are. Then we’ll do it on purpose.