Author Archives: Erik Brooks

From the city …

The City of South Milwaukee has issued an RFP to sell the city-owned vacant lot located at 2318 10th Ave. Among other guidelines, we are asking for a 2-5 story commercial or mixed-use building. Proposals are due by 4 pm on November 8th.

From the RFP …

• Site: 2318 10th Avenue, city-owned property, 30,600 SF (0.70 acres)
• Preferred Land Use: Commercial or Mixed-Use
• Zoning Setbacks: 15-foot front yard build-to line , Min 20 ft street side yard setback

Building and Site

• Minimum 2-story building. Building areas above 60 feet in height should be setback at least 5 feet from the primary façade
• The primary entrance to the development should be oriented towards 10th Avenue
• Parking should be located at the rear of the building site

Design Guidelines

• Building should ensure “four-sided”, quality design and materials by applying consistent building details and scale on all sides
• Regardless of architectural style, buildings should have a distinct base, middle, and top
• Building should meet the ground with a solid base treatment to create a visual transition from the sidewalk to the building wall. Glass treatments that extend to the ground are not recommended
• For first floor commercial, at least 60% of the ground floor façade must have windows at least 5 feet high
• Create architectural interest through the use of cornices, friezes, pilasters, arcades, piers, brick patterns, lintels, sills, special roof features, special door and window features, or mullions.
• Additional architectural features should be added to exterior building corners at street intersections
• Ample fenestration on all sides of building, maximizing light, air and privacy
• Encourage incorporation of crime prevention design features according to Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
• Screen trash and utility areas
• Screen parking lots with ornamental fencing, hedges and other plantings

I think CBS 58 did a great job of telling the South Milwaukee story when it was in town this week, as part of its “Hometowns” series.

Check out full coverage here, where you can find a segment with Mayor Jim Shelenske and features on the Bucyrus Club & Event Center, Bucyrus Museum, South Milwaukee Sausage & Meats, the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center and the city’s 125th anniversary activities.

Check out coverage from JS Online here. From the story …

Firefighters were dispatched to 1902 17th Ave. at 7:11 p.m. for a fire at the bar, according to South Milwaukee Fire Chief John Litchford.

There was nobody inside, and the establishment appeared to be closed when firefighters arrived, he said. No injuries were reported from occupants or first responders.

The fire did not extend past the first floor, Litchford said. No fire was found in the basement or apartments, only smoke. The fire was under control at 7:29 p.m. and the scene was cleared at 8:49 p.m.

Brewtown Pub posted this on its Facebook page …

We are extremely sorry to inform everyone that Brewtown caught on fire Monday night. We are grateful to report that no one was hurt, however, the damage is significant, and therefore we will be temporarily closed. Our dedicated team will be working hard over the next several weeks to rebuild, renovate, and bring Brewtown back better than ever.

Keep checking back on our Facebook page for updates about our progress. We appreciate your continued love and support throughout this unfortunate ordeal. See you soon!

CBS 58 will be in town today celebrating our city. Check it out! Hometowns web page

From the City of South Milwaukee Facebook page …

Last week, Gary Wetzel was honored as a part of the War Memorial Center‘s new Wisconsin Medal of Honor Exhibit. Wetzel, a South Milwaukee resident, is one of 64 Wisconsinites who have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Wetzel served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Johnson on November 19, 1968.

John Litchford, Chief of the South Milwaukee Fire Department, and a Marine Corps veteran, was present to honor Wetzel.

• Learn more about Gary Wetzel here: https://bit.ly/CMorgGW
• View Wetzel’s Medal of Honor ceremony from 1968 here: https://bit.ly/MoHCGWsm
• Learn more about the War Memorial Center’s new exhibit from this June TMJ4 News story: https://bit.ly/TMJ4cmohwmsm

Please join us in congratulating Mr. Wetzel on this honor and in thanking him for his service.

Also, check out more about Gary and his service from my blog post in 2018, when we declared it Gary Wetzel Day in South Milwaukee. And here is coverage from 2017, when we welcomed home Gary from the hospital after a serious motorcycle crash.

It’s time for kickoff! South Milwaukee opens the season at Brookfield Central on Friday, Aug. 19, then hosts New Berlin Eisenhower on Aug. 26.

The Rockets play at Cudahy on Sept. 2.

Check out the full schedule here. And go Rockets!

Can’t attend Friday’s game? Check out the YouTube live stream here.

And don’t forget the Football Booster Club hosts socials after every home game, at Pat’s Oak Manor. Stop by for food, beverages, raffles and a good time! Socials also include a short talk by the coaches and socializing with other parents and supporters. No cost to attend.

I love these unique walks, presented by the Friends of Grant Park and organized by local volunteer Brian Morrison. If you haven’t check one out yet, please do so.

There is one this Sunday, August 14: “Woodn’t You Like to Know: Photosynthesize Connections, With Leaves and Trees,” from 10 a.m. to noon at Wil-o-Way Grant, Picnic Area 7.

Get the full schedule here. Here is what’s coming up …

Check out the local results from Tuesday’s primary election.

The number Democratic and Republican voters was split almost evenly, and turnout was more than 35% of registered voters.

Here is who South Milwaukee chose in contested races …

Democratic Primary

• Milwaukee County Sheriff: Denita Ball
• Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court: Anna Maria Hodges
• Lieutenant Governor: Sara Rodriguez
• Secretary of State: Doug La Follette
• State Treasurer: Gillian Battino
• U.S. Senator: Mandela Barnes

Republican Primary

• Wisconsin Governor: Tim Michels
• Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor: Roger Roth
• Wisconsin Attorney General: Adam Jarchow
• Wisconsin Secretary of State: Amy Loudenbeck
• State Treasurer: John Lieber
• State Senate: Red Arnold
• U.S. House: Bryan Steil

From the city’s Facebook page …

In honor of the South Milwaukee 125th Anniversary Celebration, Governor Tony Evers has issued a proclamation that today shall be South Milwaukee Day throughout the state of Wisconsin!

Read the full proclamation.

Today is Election Day. Please vote in the Fall Partisan Primary if you haven’t already!

Here is a sample ballot, with the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate and Republican primary for governor the two biggest contested races. Milwaukee County Sheriff is also on the Democratic ballot.

In two of the contested Democratic races, here is who I’m supporting: Angelito Tenorio for State Treasurer and George Christenson for Clerk of Milwaukee County Circuit Court.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Here is where you vote …

• District 1 (Wards 1 through 4): South Milwaukee Public Library, 1907 10th Avenue
• District 2 (Wards 5 through 8): Divine Mercy Gathering Room, 800 Marquette Avenue
• District 3 (Wards 9 through 12): City Administration Building, 2424 15th Avenue
• District 4 (Wards 13 through 16): Grobschmidt Senior Center, 2424 15th Avenue

More details on the city’s Elections page.

And look for election updates on the city website (and the blog) later tonight.

Great to see continued progress in the redevelopment of downtown South Milwaukee. Here are a few quick updates from the city’s Facebook page …

More on Styled Aesthetic’s expansion — and how they came oh so close to moving to Oak Creek — here. Here is the RFP for the former Masonic Lodge site. And see Bucyrus Commons renderings here.

Forward!

Find more information about this and other events on the Events page, and on the post pinned to the front page of the blog. Check back often, as I will be frequently updating this list.

Have an event to share? Send a flyer and copy my way to erikbrooks32@gmail.com.

The festivities begin at 11 a.m. See you along the route! More details here.

The South Milwaukee Lions need your help. It’s last-minute, but the Lions are looking for volunteers — both individuals and groups — to work this weekend’s festival.

From Lion Chelsea …

Each volunteer receives a volunteer t-shirt and meal ticket. Please consider helping us put on our largest event for the year, so that we can help within the South Milwaukee community. Please feel free to send us a message if you need help with scheduling using our sign-up link — or email Lion Chelsea at caweirich@gmail.com.

Sign up here. And thanks for stepping up to support this iconic local event.

You’ll probably find me working in the food tent …