South Milwaukee Blog

This will be the Summer of Grant Park Beach. And it starts on Saturday!

That is when Ferch’s Beachside is having its soft summer of 2016, starting at 11 a.m., as they ramp up toward a full opening on Memorial Day weekend. Stop by for burgers, custard and beer.

Dale and the Ferchoffs are planning their official grand opening, ribbon cutting and keg tapping for 3:30 p.m. on June 9. More details to come.

Also, beach volleyball leagues, back for a second year, begin June 1, with play set for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Learn more and join a league here.

Spread the word about all the good things happening at the beach this summer.

“We, the members of the South Milwaukee Police Department, are dedicated to providing a proactive, full service department that enhances the quality of life in our community by reducing crime through the protection of life and property.”

So says the mission statement of the South Milwaukee Police Department.

That mission comes to life in their annual report, a great summary of the work our department does every day to keep our city safe.

You can see the annual report here.

The report includes five-year crime trends (page 20), which I’ll admit is the first page I turn to each time I see one of these; I think it’s my journalism past shining through. It shows a decrease in violent and property crimes from 2015, with violent crime offenses slightly higher than the five-year average in 2015. Property crimes were slightly lower when compared to the five-year average.

Clearance rates were also up to more than 40%, and adult arrests were up to their highest levels in the five-year span.

You can read the statistics for yourself, and I won’t interpret them too much here, other than to say that, while every crime committed is significant, I am proud to say I live in a safe community — one that is made possible by our men and women in blue.

Thanks for all you do, SMPD.

From the South Milwaukee Police Department, in case you noticed the large law enforcement presence around 13th and Madison tonight …

On the evening of 5/16/2016, SMPD was notified of gunshots fired, inside a residence, in the 1300 block of Madison Avenue.  The caller reported gunshots and a woman and child screaming inside the residence.  Neighbors also reported hearing a noise, similar to gunshots, in the area.

The South Shore Joint Tactical Unit responded and found the residence to be empty.  The resident of that home was later spoken to, in person, by Milwaukee Police.  She was found to be fine and she reported no shooting took place in her home.

This incident is closed.

Terrific news for our local schools …

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has awarded the South Milwaukee School District $25,000 as part of its investment in the Fabrication Laboratories program across the state.

From the press release …

Under the leadership of Technology and Engineering department, South Milwaukee High School has already installed several pieces of equipment and implemented their use in the curriculum. Students have learned the entire engineering process, taking their ideas through to the design and prototype stages. They have used 3D printers, a CNC milling machine, and a small laser engraver to create unique parts for hydraulic arms for the National Fluid Power Challenge, to create mementos for local veterans, and toys for the Toys for Tots program and South Milwaukee Human Concerns.

With the additional support that the WEDC grant is providing, the School District of South Milwaukee will be able to expand what students can do in high school, and also further support the development of teaching the engineering process at the elementary and middle school levels.

Congratulations to our local schools!

Learn more about the Fab Lab program here.

From the Friends …

Join the Friends of Grant Park, Alliance for the Great Lakes, and our Natural Areas Program staff for an enjoyable evening to explore and learn about Grant Park’s unique ravine ecosystems and how you and your community can help become stewards of this natural treasure.

A light meal will be served afterwards. Space is limited to 40 participants.

Please RSVP to Jody at jodyjohnson@wi.rr.com, or at (414) 764-7262.

Flyers for each of them are pasted below.

These should be fun, informative and good for your health too. And my dad is running one of them 🙂

From the South Milwaukee Police Department …

On May 8, 2016 at about 11:13am, the South Milwaukee Police Department responded to the 800 block of Marquette Avenue for a report of an altercation involving approximately six people. During the altercation there was a report of gunshots. Further investigation revealed that a suspect had fired one round from a handgun into the floor. No injuries were reported and a suspect is in custody at the CJF awaiting a charging.

There is no reason to believe that the community is in further danger.

When voters made me the mayor of this great city two years ago, their message was clear as to our top priority: Fix downtown.

It’s with that in mind that we set out on this journey to deliver a promising future for our city center, one that, if completed, will lift all of South Milwaukee. Last week marked a big step on that journey.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is covering some of that progress, and promise, in Sunday’s edition. Check it out.

Here are the details …

On Tuesday, the Common Council voted 8-0 to adopt the comprehensive and downtown plans, giving us the road map we need to drive successful and sustainable economic (re)development in South Milwaukee.

The council also voted unanimously to pass two key elements of the plan related to downtown …

• Downtown Revitalization Grant. This will replace our Facade Grant program and focus investment in our city center, notably in the 900 and 1000 block of Milwaukee Avenue. Matching grants of up to $30,000 for both exterior and interior work are available, as we look to breathe new life into struggling downtown storefronts. Look for more details soon, and we’ll begin sharing it both broadly to downtown property owners and in a targeted fashion to prospective new property owners and businesses. The program is being initially funded at $75,000.
• Funding for downtown strategy No. 1. The council also voted to spend up to $16,000 to continue work with Graef consulting to bring to life the most critical strategy in the plan — figuring out what downtown “ownership” looks like for South Milwaukee. I expect this work will begin in June, and we’ll have a way forward by the end of 2016.

You will also recall that we’re already working with Graef on another key part of the downtown plan: Milwaukee Avenue streetscaping options and concepts. More to come on those this summer.

And of all of this is happening while we’re working hard to attract new businesses (like this one), and help our existing ones grow (like this one), and as we continue to deliver the best special event schedule in the area. (Saturday’s Little League parade through downtown was terrific, and don’t forget the Food Truck Festival on May 22 and the Downtown Market opener on June 2.)

Have a plan, work the plan. That is my focus as mayor, and we’re doing it, together.

We’re making significant progress, and you’ll see several endorsements of the direction we’re taking in tomorrow’s newspaper. However, our work is just beginning.

Join us on the journey!

The ribbons and big scissors are at the ready.

Last week, it was Jen’s Sweet Treats. You can add three more South Milwaukee grand openings in the next month.

• May 13-15: Ace Hardware. Ben has a full weekend of activities planned, including a ribbon cutting at noon on Friday, grilling demos, a visit from WTMJ radio’s Jeff Wagner on Saturday, Family Day on Sunday and free coffee and donuts each day. There are also daily specials and discounts to celebrate the significant upgrades and renovations the Gil family, the new owners, have made to their Sunrise Plaza location. Check out the full list of activities and specials here.
• May 13: Tracker’s Pub and Grub. The tavern at 1401 Rawson Ave. has actually been open a few weeks now, but Tony and Jennifer are planning a formal opening — ribbon cutting and all — for 5 p.m. on Friday. Please join me and representatives from the South Milwaukee Community & Business Association at the event. Learn more about Tracker’s here.
• May 22: Lovenote Photos. The photo and graphic design studio opens at its new location at 1300 Milwaukee Ave. at 10 a.m., ahead of the start of the South Milwaukee Spring Food Truck Festival.

And there are more formal openings to come, including Ferch’s Beachside at Grant Park Beach, and three more on Milwaukee Avenue: Military Connection, the renovated and expanded DB Tax Service and Mara’s Sewing House, which is coming to 915 Milwaukee. Work also continues on Grillworks in the former Grebe’s and Nona’s Cafe building.

Stay tuned, and spread the word!

I’ve been so impressed with the renewed energy and vitality of the South Milwaukee Community & Business Association.

We are a better city with a strong chamber of commerce, and we have it.

One new initiative for the SMCBA — Networking After 5 Mixers. The first one is coming up on Thursday, May 12. All are welcome, members or not. I hope to see you there!

Check out the full-sized flyer here. 

Check out these South Shore headlines …

• IKEA Unveils Plans for New Oak Creek Store (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Behind the Deal: How Plans for the Oak Creek IKEA Store Came Together (Business Journal)
• Five Guys, Potbelly Coming to Drexel Town Square (BizTimes)
• Cudahy Football Player a Light to Everyone he Meets (Fox 6)
• Venemous Snake Bite Doesn’t Stop Love for Exotic Animals (TMJ4)
• Rio Nuevo Board OK’s $52 Million in Incentives to Bring Caterpillar to Tucson (Arizona Daily Star)

From South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center Director Rachel Sorce …

A regional bank is awarding grants ranging from $3,000 – $50,000 to non-profits and schools based on a 1-minute video that shows how the organization is building community. SMPAC is clearly building community across generations and cultural backgrounds, and our emphasis on education and creative, innovative and diverse performing arts make us a great candidate for this contest. Funds would be applied to technical upgrades to replace aging equipment that serves students in the performing arts.

Our plan is to showcase this through the people we serve. Please join us for a fun, no-stress video shoot on Saturday, May 14, from 10:00 – 11:30 am.

WE HOPE TO SEE:

• Student and adult musicians
• Drumline
• A cappella singers
• Ballet or other dancers
• Actors
• Drama students
• Annual ticket subscribers
• Yoga students (you know who you are)

All ages are encouraged to attend, dress in costume (or not), bring your instrument or dancing shoes! No preparation required. We only have one minute.

Please bring your friends! The more the merrier! Coffee, soft drinks and bakery will be served. RSVP appreciated, but not required. Please park in the NW lot and use door 9.

This sounds like fun!

Check out the new Facebook event. This will be fun. Spread the word!

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article …

The Clifton, N.J.-based Federation of Balkan American Associations Inc. bought the property, 3244 E. College Ave., Cudahy, for $1,135,000, according to state real estate records posted Wednesday.

The two parcels that make up the former YMCA total 12.8 acres, according to city assessment records. The building is around 53,500 square feet, according to LoopNet.com, commercial real estate Internet site.

The Balkan American Association promotes activities that include lectures and seminars, language courses and cultural activities, including film festivals, according to the group.

The association will use the former YMCA for its activities, said Roland Cinari, the organization’s office manager. The group’s members include people whose ethnic roots are in Kosovo, Bosnia and other Balkan countries, he said.

Cinari said the group also plans to reopen part of the building as a fitness center for both the organization’s members and the public.

Here is Business Journal coverage.

Disappointing, albeit not surprising, news from Caterpillar today …

This morning, the company announced to employees a decision to centralize its Surface Mining & Technology Division in Tucson, Ariz. The move “is the result of a comprehensive study to place our footprint closer to customers and proving grounds, drive a deeply collaborative culture between employees, dealers and customers, and create strong mining-focused career pipelines,” the company tells me.

The transition will occur over the next five to seven years, and does not impact Cat’s approximately 250,000 square-foot manufacturing footprint in South Milwaukee — one that continues to undergo upgrades with millions of dollars of new equipment and other investment, according to our local spokesman, who said the goal remains to make South Milwaukee a “world-class” maker of rope shovels and draglines.

(Last year, you’ll recall Cat announced it was shrinking by half its local manufacturing footprint, closing two buildings while investing in what remains.)

The opening of the new Tucson facility will result in some management roles moving from South Milwaukee and other locations around the country to the Tucson area over time. This year, about 10-15 employees from South Milwaukee will move. Longer term, more of Cat’s engineering and support positions will transition, although key operations support will remain. The bulk of the local moves will occur closer to 2018.

All in, a Cat spokesman tells me South Milwaukee could lose about 200 jobs to Arizona, including some that had been located in Oak Creek before Cat announced last year it was closing that facility and moving those workers to South Milwaukee. 

Cat has about 800 active local employees today, including about 600 in salaried and management positions.

Please keep the families of the impacted workers in your thoughts and prayers. These types of transitions are never easy.

While this news is disappointing, I am not discouraged. We will continue to push, undeterred, forward. We have to.

Tonight is a big night on that journey, as the council considers final passage of our comprehensive plan update and downtown plan — one that begins to ponder a smaller Caterpillar — as well as an enhanced downtown small business incentive program and additional funding to bring the top priorities of the plan to life for South Milwaukee.

We have strong economic redevelopment momentum in our city. We will build on that and work harder than ever to deliver on the promise of our promising future.

The case to do so has never been stronger, especially with today’s news.

Here is early newspaper coverage from Tucscon. Here is a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story, with this comment from former Bucyrus CEO Tim Sullivan: “This is truly a very sad day for Milwaukee and Wisconsin as these jobs have existed in the region for 136 years.”