South Milwaukee Blog

Consider it another example of the work we are doing to ensure property owners live up to our ordinance requirements and do what’s right by the city they call home.

Lawsuits are a last a resort, but they a tool we are using more and more. We have to. Enough is enough, with some of these property owners.

From Biz Times …

The city of South Milwaukee is suing the owner of Sunrise Plaza, arguing code violations and a lack of maintenance violate a 2001 development agreement that included city money to redevelop the property.

“All you have to do is drive by and see it and you’ll see it suffers from even the most basic maintenance issues,” said South Milwaukee mayor Erik Brooks. “We’re at the point now where we’re not going to take that.” …

Brooks said ideally the court action will compel compliance with the city’s orders, but he added that if property owners do not want to invest they could at least sell to someone who will. He added that South Milwaukee has increased its emphasis on code enforcement and he’s willing to continue taking legal action if necessary.

“I don’t want to overuse this tool,” he said before adding the city has “certainly been more willing than ever to step up and take this step.”

Brooks also acknowledged the city has to work to find the right owners for properties and to provide tools and incentives to those who do want to invest in what they own. “You’re not going to redevelop your city based on punitive measures alone,” he said.

Looking for some new gear with our new City logo? We have teamed up with some of our local businesses to help.

From wearables to flags to leather goods, Styled Aesthetic, JBs Tee Shirt Factory, Maras Sewing House, and Gecko Leather Works have some really cool stuff available. Visit www.smwi.org/logo for information on items available and where and how to purchase.

Do you want to produce some logo items for sale? Contact us to learn more.

From the South Milwaukee Industrial Museum …

The South Milwaukee Industrial Museum has installed a pop-up display in the lobby of City Hall that celebrates the 125^th anniversary of the first equipment shipments from the Bucyrus Steam Shovel and Dredge Company out of South Milwaukee. Started in Bucyrus, Ohio in 1880, Bucyrus moved to the Village of South Milwaukee in April of 1893 after outgrowing the original factory site. By August, shipments were heading around the world from the new South Milwaukee factory.  After a merger in 1927, it became known worldwide as Bucyrus-Erie Company and was subsequently renamed Bucyrus International Inc. in 1997.

Bucyrus was at the heart of South Milwaukee’s development during this period. The company purchased land, developed the required infrastructure, and then sold lots to employees at cost. They were literally helping to build the town around their growing factory, and South Milwaukee became a city in 1897. Since opening here, Bucyrus employed tens of thousands, and many residents have had three, four, and even five generations of family members who worked there.

Included in the historical display is an original steam shovel drawing, an 1890’s cigar punch promo item, a 120 year old steam shovel handbook, an original brass nameplate from a 1900’s dredge, and an 1890’s glass bottle from the Geo. Ziegler Soda Company of South Milwaukee found in the walls of one of the original factory buildings during recent remodeling. There’s also a medal and memorabilia from the infamous 1893 Colombian Exposition/World’s Fair held in Chicago. Bucyrus won the award for the unique industry leading design innovations of its dredging equipment.

The South Milwaukee Industrial Museum LLC (SMIM) was formed In March of 2017 as a not-for-profit educational institution dedicated to protecting, preservation, and display of the historical assets of the former Bucyrus Heritage Museum. With all volunteer help, plus financial support from private sources and the Bucyrus Foundation, 95% of the original display items were saved, and are currently in temporary storage until a new home is established.

Continuing public financial support is very important to keeping these artifacts in South Milwaukee for generations to come.

To contribute, please visit SMIM LLC at the SM Farmers Market on August 9^th and 23^rd, though their GoFundMe site at https://www.gofundme.com/moving-the-sm-industrial-museum, or mail a direct donation to South Milwaukee Industrial Museum LLC, PO Box 84, South Milwaukee, WI 53172-0084. 

This was a lot of fun last year, and a big hit — so happy to see it return.

Grant Park is on fire! Details from the Facebook event page …

NEWaukee presents a progressive dinner and music event on the Seven Bridges trail within Grant Park. Guests will wander through the forest, sip and sample local food and beverages as they make their way to the beach to enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Michigan on a warm summer evening.

Tickets are $35 each and include five food and beer samples. A cash bar will be available on the beach at the end of the trail. If you want to experience the night hike and not sample food or beer, there is no charge to attend.

NO DAY-OF TICKETS WILL BE SOLD OR AVAILABLE. 

For $35 you will be treated to:

• Illuminated night hike down to Lake Michigan
• 5 food sampling stations from local restaurants
• 5 beer/beverage sampling stations
• Pop up live acoustic music
• Your final tasting of BBQ will be served on the beach where you will find bonfires and live music.

Check out these local headlines …

• Former Bucyrus Campus in South Milwaukee Sold, Redevelopment Planned (Business Journal)
• Southern Half of South Milwaukee Caterpillar Site Sold for $13.5 Million (BizTimes)
• Griddlers Cafe in South Milwaukee Closes (NOW)
• Photos: South Milwaukee’s Heritage Days Parade (NOW)
• Make Your Kid’s Hairstyle a Cut Above the Rest for a New School Year (Fox 6)

The South Milwaukee Police Department has published its weekly crime summary on its Facebook page.

Also, Divine Mercy School received a $15,708 school safety grant from the Wisconsin Department of Justice, according to its most recent announcement.

And, back to Griddlers, here is the formal message on their Facebook page …

After many years in the restaurant business Don and Robb Hensiak have announced that they will be retiring from the business and pursuing other opportunities. Our Dad started with George Webb Restaurants in 1960. Robb and Don bought the family business in 1988 and founded Griddlers Cafe in 2011.

Don will begin teaching High School business at Cudahy High School in the fall of 2018 and Robb is considering his next steps.

The lease at our South Milwaukee location expires this year and we have decided to close that location effective July 29, 2018. The location is available for sale or lease with all equipment included. We are working on possible sales of the Loomis location and the Greenfield Avenue location.

We are extremely thankful to the many customers that have supported us over the years. We especially thank our wonderful staff. We are working hard to provide opportunities for those who wish to continue on after we sell our remaining locations.

I say this a lot: South Milwaukee is full of smart, passionate people who want to make a difference. One way to do it – step up and be considered for a volunteer board or commission.

The city has more than a dozen of these groups providing oversight and guidance to various city departments and functions, and we’re always looking for new people to provide their expertise in any number of areas.

Right now, we have openings on the Police and Fire Commission, Water/Wastewater Commission and Civil Service Commission.

Interested? Get more details and apply here.

Even if these aren’t for you, please consider filling out the application, so we can get your name on file for future board and commission openings.

And I close with a heartfelt thank-you to John Bordak, who is stepping down from the Water/Wastewater Commission, and Kate Bernovich, who is stepping down from the PFC and Civil Service Commission, for their distinguished service.

Both are terrific examples of community members stepping up to lend their passion and expertise to make South Milwaukee better. Thanks for your service!

A large part of the former Bucyrus campus has a new owner … and, soon, new life.

Reich Brothers LLC closed on its purchase of the property on Tuesday, and work is already underway to redevelop the site and bring new tenants and uses to this important piece of our city’s heritage.

From the Business Journal story …

It was the home of Bucyrus-Erie stretching back to the 1800s. Caterpillar has been operating in the facility since acquiring Bucyrus, but plans to move its operations out by the end of 2018.

“At this point, Caterpillar is our tenant and we’re going to be working with them to hopefully continue the relationship, and we’ll start doing work on the campus once Caterpillar vacates,” said Michael Reich, Reich Brothers’ director of acquisitions and business development.

“We fully understand this campus is a very important part of the downtown area both from an economic standpoint and historic standpoint,” he said. 

Reich Brothers will work with South Milwaukee officials to firm up long-term plans for the property, Reich said. The city has already approved a tax incremental financing district with almost $2 million to help redevelop the property. …

The industrial buildings that comprise about two-thirds of the campus will likely continue to be used for manufacturing or warehousing, Reich said. Reich Brothers would seek new companies to occupy them when or if Caterpillar’s lease ends, he said.

“We’re a big believer in keeping this an industrial campus moving forward,” Reich said.

The campus also has extensive office buildings that could be converted to other uses, Reich said. Another goal is to break apart the campus to better serve multiple occupants or uses, Reich said. That could involve new infrastructure projects to re-integrate the walled-off property with the city street grid.

“The campus is kind of one, and the goal in the future is to make it many,” Reich said.

Of course, as we embark on this journey with Reich, we will never forget the original “one” and the important role Bucyrus played in the development and growth of this city. In many ways, we were Bucyrus, and Bucyrus was us, and we should all feel immense pride in that.

Thousands of people have poured their hearts and souls into building machines in South Milwaukee that built the world, and we will always celebrate that in ways big and small, hopefully as this campus redevelops.

That said, the future is here. And our goal as a city is to continue to work with Reich Brothers to keep the lights on for the next occupants of this campus.

We are and have been committed to partnering to secure new users both quickly and thoughtfully, ensuring our investments are sound and rooted in what’s best for the city and our downtown long term.

In other words, there is much, much more to come here. Interest in the property has already been strong; I’ve heard from a number of potential users and tenants firsthand about the opportunity this campus represents. Still, this effort — as with the redevelopment of the city as a whole — is just getting started.

There is lots of work to do, and Reich Brothers is the right owner, and partner.

I close with this. We — especially our city administrator, engineer and economic development director — have done a lot behind the scenes to prepare for this day already, which I detailed in a previous blog post.

Those efforts have not gone unnoticed. I share this comment from Tom Shepherd, who led the transaction from Colliers International: “You have a great community and a bright future, and I thank you for all of your proactiveness on everything. You guys were great to deal with, one of the best communities I’ve dealt with in a long, long time. You have a lot of good things going for you.”

I could not have it better myself. Forward!

The South Milwaukee United Against Drug Abuse Coalition is hosting tours of the Wake Up Call teen replica bedroom Aug. 15th during Community Night Out.

See the flyer for more details.

You can register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wake-up-call-tickets-48203827947

The South Milwaukee Common Council has approved a new contract with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1633.

The three-year deal — which is retroactive to Jan. 1 and ends Dec. 31, 2020 — includes 2% pay raises each year and a continued commitment by firefighters to pay the same toward their health insurance and pensions as all other employees do. The latter point is significant because it keeps everyone on a level playing field, even though police and fire unions are exempted from Act 10 bargaining limitations.

The union has ratified the deal.

The IAFF Local 1633 represents 21 South Milwaukee firefighters and paramedics, and I thank them for their work on this contract – another strong example of the type of collaboration that can happen among public employee unions and their employers.

And this is a partnership – our front-line firefighters and paramedics working with department and city leaders on matters that are truly life and death. We are only as good as our people when it comes to delivering our services, and we’re blessed to have some of the best in the SMFD.

Here is the statement from IAFF Local 1633 President Kurt Egner …

The members of Local 1633 are proud to serve to the citizens of South Milwaukee and we strive to provide a safe community for the individuals and families here. We are happy to reach a fair agreement that allows us to continue to provide that sense of security to our own families as well.

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

The council approved a three-year deal — with similar language around pay and benefits to the fire contract — with South Milwaukee Professional Police Association Local 201 in late 2017.

A great community celebration, presented by the South Milwaukee Police Department. Mark your calendars!

Car lovers take note: The Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance motor tour is coming through South Milwaukee on Saturday morning, August 4.

From their website …

This year’s motor tour will take us to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Wingspread in Wind Point (Racine) and then to Racine Country Club for a prepaid repast.

We will leave from Veterans Park at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4, driving south over the breathtaking Hoan Bridge, through wooded Grant Park, before finally reaching Wingspread for guided tours.

There could be as many as 40 show cars passing through the city in a procession on their way to Wind Point.  The first car should enter South Milwaukee around 9:20 a.m., heading south on Lake Drive past College Avenue, turning east into Grant Park at Park Avenue. The cars will then follow the main park road south, continuing west on Oak Creek Parkway to Highway 32, which they will follow south out of town.

They will have a police escort, funded with a donation from the organization.

So, what is Concours d’Elegance? Also from their website …

Since inception, the Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance has raised more than $200,000 for charity to improve the lives of children and families in the greater Milwaukee area. The Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance weekend includes three unique events:

• Show & Glow Paddock, Aug. 5, 2018, a casual car show. Register your vehicle: https://www.milwaukeeconcours.com/product/show-glow-lake-paddock-registration/
• Style & Speed Social, a casual evening of camaraderie, food and beverage, a silent auction, Aug. 4, 2018, at the Milwaukee Club. Buy tickets: https://www.milwaukeeconcours.com/style-speed-social/
• The Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance, Aug. 5, 2018, a collection of stunning vehicles selected by the Concours Committee to compete for prestige awards. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Buy tickets at the gate. Children 12 and under free when accompanied by an adult. Buy tickets: https://www.milwaukeeconcours.com/product/event-tickets/

The Show & Glow Paddock celebrates all things motorized. Anyone can register their vehicle, regardless of make or age. The only requirement is a minimum contribution for our charities. There is no formal judging, but there will be a People’s Choice, Judge’s Choice and Sponsor’s Award presented. This casual event is equally fun for those who show their vehicle as well as spectators. Attend and vote for the People’s Choice award winner.

The Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance features vehicles selected by the Concours Committee to compete in special classes. Rare classics — both original and restored — will command attention.

The Show & Glow Paddock and the Concours d’ Elegance will be at Veterans Park on Milwaukee’s lakefront. Enter via Lagoon Drive off of Lake Drive. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open to the public.

Welcome, drivers!

In-person absentee voting for the August 14, 2018, primary is now open, and runs through Friday, August 10.

You can cast an absentee ballot at the clerk’s office at City Hall, 2424 15th Ave. Hours are 7:30 to 4 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, and 7:30 to 5 p.m. on August 3 and 10.

Remember to bring your photo ID.

Also, in a partisan primary, you may vote in only one party’s primary, as chosen on the ballot. If you choose a party, votes cast in that party will be counted. Votes cast in any other party will not be counted. If you do not choose a party, and you vote in more than one party, no votes will be counted.

There are contested Democratic primaries for Wisconsin governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and treasurer; the U.S. House of Representatives; and Milwaukee County Sheriff. On the Republican side, there are contested primaries for governor, secretary of state and treasurer; U.S. Senate, and the House.

Here is a sample ballot.

More details on the election information page on the city website.

The fall general election is Nov. 6.

We’ve extended the deadline (to August 7) and the area from where we’ll consider artists (from all of Milwaukee County) for South Milwaukee’s Bus Stop Project MKE design competition. More details here and below …

Please help in spreading the word!

From the Parade Committee …

The 2018 SM Heritage Days Parade will be bigger & better than ever!

The parade starts at 11 a.m. The route starts at 8th and Milwaukee Avenues, heads west on Milwaukee to 16th Avenue, then turns north before ending at South Milwaukee Lionsfest

This local parade is funded 100% by donations, we cannot do put on this parade without the help of our local community and generous donations from our business partners & sponsors.

The parade committee works year round to ensure the community gets the best parade with the coolest units and honors veterans, local political leaders, children’s activities and groups, local businesses, marching bands, clowns, and everyone in between. More than 100 units will take to the heart of South Milwaukee on Milwaukee Avenue – to provide one of the best FREE entertainment events of the summer!

South Milwaukee Human Concerns will also be collecting non perishable food items along the parade route, please help them out by bring non perishable item. 

And don’t forget to pick up your raffle tickets! For $2 each, you could win $1,500 – $750 – $500 – $250! 

Then, after the parade, check out the duck race!

For a complete list of Heritage Days events, click here.

Bittersweet news: Hall of Fame South Milwaukee baseball coach John Galewski is retiring after more than 30 seasons leading the Rockets.

Athletic Director Ante Udovicic announced the news this week.

He leaves quite legacy. Learn more here, which was published as Coach Galewski was inducted into the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2012, and in this blog post from 2014, as he picked up his 400th career victory.

Coach Galewski, a 1975 South Milwaukee graduate, finishes with 467 career wins, including the 1996 WIAA state championship and three conference titles.

He ends on a high note, with the Rockets taking home the Woodland East Conference title this summer before losing in the sectional semifinal last week.

Here is Coach Galewski’s WBCA bio, and it includes even more statistics about John and his legacy in a game defined by statistics.

More important to me than numbers, however, is the positive impact Coach Galewski has had on so many lives in South Milwaukee, me included. I’m proud to have gotten to know him in recent years, and I’ve enjoyed him sharing even a fraction of the wisdom he has around the game, coaching and life.

John Galewski’s legacy is unmatched, his impact profound. He has changed lives. And I’m glad to hear he will continue to serve as a varsity football assistant, continuing to shape boys into young men, young men into adults.

I wish my 13-year-old son could have played for him. Thankfully, hundreds of kids did, and our community is better for it.

Good luck, Coach!