South Milwaukee Blog

When it comes to redeveloping South Milwaukee, we control our own destiny — but only if we take proactive steps to invest in that rebirth.

Well, it’s coming together. Incredibly quickly. And we’re ready.

From passing our comprehensive plan to creating the Bucyrus Downtown Revitalization Grant Program to seeking and receiving the Bucyrus Foundation grant for economic development to earning Economic Opportunity Zone status — among many other efforts across the city — we are bringing a number of initiatives forward to make the city an active partner in our revitalization.

The latest tool under consideration is a significant one: Creation of a new tax incremental financing district (TID) in our city center, to support redevelopment of the former Bucyrus campus, parts of Milwaukee Avenue and some of our more challenging sites in and around downtown.

It’s TID 5, and Biz Times wrote about it today, and shared the name of the prospective buyer of the former Bucyrus campus south of Rawson Avenue: Reich Brothers Holding LLC.

From the story …

A New York-based company specializing in acquiring closed factories and redeveloping them has a large portion of the Caterpillar campus in South Milwaukee under contract to purchase.

The southern portion of the Caterpillar complex in South Milwaukee, which is under contract to be sold to New York-based Reich Brothers Holdings. Photo provided by Colliers International Wisconsin.

Reich Brothers Holding LLC plans to buy the 32.5-acre site, the southern portion of the Caterpillar campus in South Milwaukee, from Great Neck, New York-based One Liberty Properties Inc. for an undisclosed price within the next few weeks, said Michael Reich, vice president and director of acquisitions and business development.

The property, which is listed for $15 million, includes eight buildings with 519,712 square feet of industrial space and 230,000 square feet of office space.

Reich Brothers Holdings and Rabin Worldwide purchased the former Oscar Mayer complex in Madison last fall. Reich Brothers is managing the building, which includes 280,000 square feet of office space. …

Michael Reich said the Caterpillar property in South Milwaukee is similar to the former Oscar Mayer complex in Madison in the sense that it is a shuttered manufacturing plant that needs to be repurposed. But, Reich said the future of the South Milwaukee complex remains fluid.

“There are a lot of components to (the Caterpillar site),” Reich said. “We will release more details after we close.” …

South Milwaukee Mayor Erik Brooks and the city council have been working since 2016 to come up with a plan for the future of the Caterpillar site and its surrounding area. Once Reich Brothers purchases the property, $75,000 from the Bucyrus Foundation can be used to develop a master plan for the campus.

On June 25, the city plan commission will hold a public hearing and consider $4.5 million in public financing that would cover 59 acres including the Caterpillar campus and portions of downtown South Milwaukee along Milwaukee Avenue and the Chicago Avenue Corridor.

The sites include an abandoned gas station, a vehicle storage facility, the city’s former water tower site and the former Bucyrus Club building that was once used as South Milwaukee’s community center and was most recently home to Papa Luigi’s Pizza restaurant, Brooks said.

The proposed tax incremental district comes at a time when South Milwaukee has an important redevelopment opportunity ahead of it in the heart of the city, Brooks said. The map for the district was drawn to effect as much change as possible, Brooks said.

“We met with the prospective new owner (Reich Brothers) several weeks ago and are really excited about the possibilities,” Brooks said. “We want the new owner to be an active re-developer who will work at bringing new life, and in this case, reinventing this property.”

There is much, much more to come on Reich Brothers and their plans when the deal closes, and beyond. For now, we move ahead with the TID.

The Business Journal also wrote about the TIF on Sunday.

So, what is a TID? Simply, it’s an economic development tool that communities can use to fund public infrastructure and other costs associated with redevelopment of often challenging parcels. “I” is the key letter. The “increment” is the difference between the assessed value on a particular parcel today vs. what it would be following a TID-supported project. Cities can borrow against that increment to spur those redevelopments — projects that wouldn’t happen but for that investment. And property taxes do not increase because a district is established.

Here is a more detailed look at TIDs from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

We’ve used TIDs effectively over the years, and they’ve been important tools for us as we’ve redeveloped some incredibly challenging parcels.

We have four in all, and they have helped drive everything from redevelopment of Grant Park Plaza and Walmart to apartment and condominium projects to assisting Bucyrus International in their expansion.

From the TID 5 project plan …

Tax Incremental District (“TID”) No. 5 (“District”) is a proposed 59.06‐acre blight TID that will be created to pay the costs of public infrastructure, land acquisition, brownfield remediation, development incentives, and other expenses needed to facilitate reinvestment in existing properties and encourage new construction. The District is delineated to encompass two key economic drivers in the city of South Milwaukee: 1) the 28.19‐acre former Bucyrus campus, and 2) portions of Downtown South Milwaukee along Milwaukee Avenue and the Chicago Avenue Corridor. In creating this District, the City of South Milwaukee identified a specific set of goals for properties within the District:

• Proactively attract and facilitate reinvestment in manufacturing facilities, specifically the former Bucyrus campus, to mitigate and avoid the negative effects of potential vacancies that may result in the deterioration and obsolescence of the site’s facilities and infrastructure;
• Encourage investment in and occupancy of underutilized and vacant properties, including parking lots and gas stations; and,
• Support environmental clean‐up and brownfield remediation activities.

Consistent with the City of South Milwaukee Comprehensive + Downtown Plan Update 2035, the District is delineated to capture the economic potential of Downtown South Milwaukee as an Opportunity Area. South Milwaukee Opportunity Areas are defined as specific sites and areas within the city limits that represent strategic and catalytic reinvestment and re/development opportunities. These sites and areas hold the potential to increase the value – environmental, social, and economic – of the surrounding properties in which they are located. Consistent with Wis. Stats. § 66.1105, the economic impact of the District will support investments both within the District’s boundaries and within a one‐half mile radius of the District’s boundaries. Objectives for investments made within a one‐half mile radius of the District include:

• Support ongoing revitalization efforts in Downtown South Milwaukee, including the funding of the Downtown Revitalization Grant Program and the creation of a revolving loan fund (RLF) for small businesses and redevelopment projects; and,
• Support reinvestment in the single‐family neighborhoods surrounding the District through the creation and administration of a residential grant program or revolving loan fund.

As for projects to tackle in TID 5, we spell out these opportunities in our plan …

• Project Area No. 1 – 1022 and 1100 Milwaukee Avenue. In this Project Area, the TID may support investments for reuse or tenancy of buildings and use of the 28‐acre property through utility separation, site access such as interior roads, or other needs as determined through lease negotiations between owner and new tenants. Potential
  project costs (expenses) to be identified; increment developed.
• Project Area No. 2 – 1000 Block of Milwaukee Avenue (north side). Investments in this Project Area could include acquisition of 1010 and 1012 Milwaukee Avenue for rehabilitation or redevelopment; financial incentives for the revitalization and reuse of 1016 Milwaukee Avenue; and, possible support of improvements to Heritage Park at 1000 Milwaukee Avenue.
• Project Area No. 3 – 1130 Milwaukee Avenue, 2001 12th Avenue, 1919 12th Avenue, and 1200‐1214 Milwaukee Avenue. This Project Area could include the division of land or incentives to make reuse of 1919 12th Avenue viable for commercial use; and, possible acquisition of 1130 and 2001 12th Avenue. The TID may incentivize development on the City‐owned former water tower site at 1214 Milwaukee
  Avenue, and may also support rehabilitation or redevelopment of the currently‐unoccupied structure at 1208 and 1210 Milwaukee Avenue.
• Project Area No. 4 – 2300 and 2318 10th Avenue. In this Project Area, the TID may provide financial incentives for redevelopment of 2318 10th Avenue and resources for repurposing or site improvements of 2300 10th Avenue.
• Project Area No. 5 – 1523‐1601 N. Chicago Avenue, 1701‐1715 10th Avenue. The TID may support site redevelopment or site improvement costs to support future  occupancy at 1701‐1715 10th Avenue, and contribute to the rehabilitation or redevelopment of 1523‐1601 N. Chicago Avenue.

That work, and other projects, could be partially funded by making TID 2 — our successful TID that includes the Walmart development and others on the north end of town — a “donor TID” for TID 5. Doing this could provide funds for investment in the new district as early as 2019, helping us act with the urgency we need (and developers may need) to make improvements in our downtown.

The hope: The TID is created by August, and we are using it as the latest vehicle to spur redevelopment in our city, beginning with the former Bucyrus campus.

We began this process late last year, and there are some key dates coming up as we consider moving forward.

A public hearing is scheduled before the Plan Commission on Monday, June 25, starting at 6:30 p.m., with full council consideration likely at a meeting tentatively set for July 10. The Joint Review Board — which includes representatives from all of the taxing districts impacted by TIDs — will then take up the matter later that month.

Please have your voice heard as we look to partner on projects across our city center, backed by TID 5. And stay tuned for much more information on the potential new owner of our city’s most prominent property.

This is just the start. Bring it on!

From South Milwaukee Fire Chief Joe Knitter …

At approximately 11:45AM today, SMFD received a 9-1-1 call reporting smoke coming from the attic of the residence attached to Island Jam Restaurant, 2705 South Chicago Avenue.  Upon arrival, light to moderate smoke was witnessed issuing from the roof vents.  Crews made their way to the second floor and found moderate smoke conditions and, subsequently, into the attic through a scuttle located in a bedroom closet and discovered fire burning the ceiling joists and insulation in an area approximately 8’ in diameter.  The fire was contained to that area.  Electrical power was shut down to the entire building and WE Energies was notified to respond. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

While cleaning up from that fire, we were dispatched to the City of Cudahy for a working fire in the attic of a single-story home on Underwood Avenue.  SMFD crews made their way into the attic and conducted final extinguishment and overhaul operations. No one was injured in either fire.

Then, just as we returned from Cudahy, we responded to Franciscan Villa for smoke coming from the Mechanical Room.  Upon arrival, crews found a burned out pump motor on a hydronic heat unit.  Thankfully, no evacuation was necessary and the smoke was contained to the basement and ventilated.

Thank you to all of our firefighters for putting their lives on the line to keep us safe!

The latest in a regular series on cool stuff from cool local people.

South Milwaukee, meet Colleen McCarrier.

Actually, a lot of you know her already. This lifelong resident has created a series of gift and other items available locally at Serendipitous Designs, 907 Milwaukee Ave., and in shops throughout the metro area and in Madison and Eau Claire.

Colleen and HanMADE Milwaukee were also recently voted “Milwaukee’s Best Souvenir Proprietresses” in June’s MKE Lifestyle Magazine, and Colleen’s Lakefront Jigsaw Puzzle was featured in Better Homes & Gardens in 2015.

In Colleen’s own words …

I’m a home grown South Milwaukeean (Class of ’73) who married her high school sweet heart (Class of ’72).  We were gone from the area for 12 years during my husband’s Air Force career, but like many others, returned home in 1989 to put down roots among family and familiar surroundings.

Some people might remember THRIFTIQUE, a little enterprise I started in 2009, thanks to the kick off of the South Milwaukee Downtown Market.  That market gave me a platform to try out my idea of creating clever gift arrangements using thrift shop dishes, linens and baskets.  I was fortunate it happened to coincide with the Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle emphasis at that time, but it was the enthusiastic South Milwaukee friends I made through the market who made the endeavor successful, giving me the confidence to switch gears and try out a different idea I’d been mulling over…a retro-inspired souvenir towel that would feature points of interest in Milwaukee.  In 2011 I had the chance to bring that idea to life when I had the good fortune to connect with Hannah Jablonski, a talented Milwaukee graphic artist who is the daughter of my first cousin, Mike Jablonski (Class of ’71).

HANmade Milwauke™ (named for Hannah) officially launched its signature Lakefront Souvenir Bandanna in 2012 just as the recycle emphasis was replaced with the “Shop Local” buzz that is still going strong.  To HANmade, that means searching out area businesses to provide our goods and services whenever possible.  Local, state or USA made….that’s our order of preference.  Even our puzzles, to our delight, are made right in New Berlin!

There’s nothing to compare to having a person-to-person relationship with the people who make and sell my products.  They become involved in the creative process; they are personally invested in a quality outcome.  After all, both our names will be associated with the final result! Local is about the human scale of working in community, which has a very special kind of dynamism.  Add the market scene to the mix where customers can meet the real people behind the local product, and that’s one satisfying formula.

HANmade Milwaukee™ is thrilled to have been voted Best Milwaukee Souvenir in the June, 2018 issue of MKE Lifestyle Magazine.  Their other favorite spotlight moment came in October, 2015 when their lakefront puzzle was featured in Better Homes and Gardens Magazine as something unique to find in Milwaukee.

Their playful, iconic artwork is found on a range of products in three designs:

1. Milwaukee LAKEFRONT…highlighting all there is to do on Milwaukee’s lakefront;
2. Wisconsin PARTY KNOW-HOW!…featuring the foods you’d fine at a party in your auntie’s rec room (along with other Wisconsin fun) and;
3. Wisconsin UP NORTH…a newly introduced slice of summer vacation in the north woods of Wisconsin.

I don’t know if HANmade Milwaukee™ has more designs up its sleeve, but I’ll keep producing souvenirs.  Seems we all love to send a bit of  “home” to someone who has moved away or bring something home to remind us of a happy occasion. Me? I’m still waiting to get the genuine Native American Indian doll with a papoose on her back from a shop in Eagle River that I’ve been wanting ever since I was six! J Maybe I’ll have to make my own!

HANmade Milwaukee™ items can be found at Serendipitous Designs on Milwaukee Avenue, at shops and events around the metro Milwaukee area.  A full list can be found at https://www.facebook.com/pg/HANmade-Milwaukee-Souvenirs-210503919026057/notes/?ref=page_internal

• Shop online at HANmadeMilwaukee.com
• Contact HANmade Milwaukee at hanmademilwaukee@wi.rr.com

A few weeks ago, I was raving about the 20 weeks of free outdoor music each Thursday at the South Milwaukee Downtown Market, and that season is going strong.

Then, there are Friday nights in South Milwaukee … when Ferch’s Beachside has its own live music lineup. Check it out here.

Consider these 15 shows 15 more reasons to love a South Milwaukee summer, and another thing we should be proud of as a city.

And don’t forget Evening on the Avenue, South Milwaukee Lionsfest, even July 4th …

How about this? “South Milwaukee: The Free Outdoor Summer Music Capital of the Suburbs.” It has a nice ring to it.

South Milwaukee officially became a Bird City last fall, but our place as a haven for rare birds and avid birders has long been well known.

It’s another thing we are becoming famous for.

So that is why I was happy to get a message from Todd Leech, one of our terrific local nature photographers, about “a very unexpected visitor” he came across on Thursday at Grant Park: A snowy egret.

He tells me there have only been four reported in the entire state this year, and the last one reported in Milwaukee County was back in 2003. Before that, there have been just four other reported sightings of this bird in the county dating to 1943.

“He was there the entire day,” Todd wrote. “I’m very proud to be the one who found this little guy, and at every chance I get love promoting our park, and city.”

Consider it done, Todd. Well done.

There is still time to get tickets for the 2018 South Milwaukee Historical Society Garden Tour & Art Fair! Advanced tickets are on sale now at Parkway Floral, 1001 Milwaukee Ave. Or day-of-the-event tickets can be purchased at the Historical Society, 717 Milwaukee Avenue, South Milwaukee.

It’s a terrific annual event, celebrating the often hidden beauty of South Milwaukee. Homes like that of Brad McKendry.

Check out the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel feature on his home here.

Facebook event here.

See you June 23!

The South Milwaukee Police Department presented its 2017 annual report to the common council last week, and it contained some really good news.

Crime was down significantly in 2017. And it continues to be into this year.

Check out the report here. From page 19 …

In 2017, South Milwaukee experienced a decrease in property crimes. Violent crime reports also decreased. Property crime decreases are due to the decreases in all categories. Violent crime decreases are due to decreases in aggravated battery and robbery.

Some numbers …

And here is better news: Overall crime is also down significantly in the first quarter of  this year — 28%, from 250 incidents to 180 — from the same period in 2017. That includes a 30.1% decrease in property crime (166 reported incidents to 116) and 23.8% decrease in “crimes against persons” (42 to 32), including a reduction in reported burglaries (18 to seven). Robberies (four incidents) were up slightly.

Of course, no one is declaring victory. Far from it.

There are still plenty of challenges facing our city and our officers every day, starting with the opioid crisis. And one crime is too many.

But the news is encouraging, and I’m convinced we are doing the right things to continue to keep these numbers heading the right direction, even in times of change.

From Chief Jessup’s letter in the report …

2017 proved to be a year of significant change within the agency, with retirements and new additions to the team. Lieutenant Cary Fischer retired in April, after 27 years of service to our community. I want to thank him for his service and wish him the best in his retirement. The agency also saw a new member, Officer Matthew Kramer, begin his career with us. In addition, Public Safety Officers Aaron Hemman and Kelly Champeau, along with Clerk Madeline Stratton joined our agency. I want to welcome them and thank them in advance for what I hope will be years of dedication and commitment to this community.

I am gratified by the efforts of all members of our department as they work each day to make our city safer, but it is vitally important to recognize that we cannot accomplish our mission alone. Sir Robert Peel, a British police reformer considered by many to be the father of modern policing, framed the essential relationship by stating “The police are the public and the public are the police.” This concept is as true today as it was when he first made that declaration. To truly be successful we must partner with you, the public, and we must rely on all of you to assist us in identifying problems and developing solutions that make our community as safe as possible. I want to thank you for your continued support and I welcome your participation and feedback as we work side-by-side to address the challenges that lie ahead.

Thanks to the entire department for all they do, and to all of our residents who play an active role in fighting crime. We need you as community partners to make South Milwaukee as safe as it can be … and to continue this positive trend.

South Milwaukee continues to be in the news a lot …

• South Milwaukee Coffeehouse Blends California Vibes with Milwaukee Brew (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) … photo is from the story
• South Milwaukee Rebrands with New Logo Based on the Seven Bridges Trail and High School’s “Rocket Red” (NOW)
• South Milwaukee Cops Bring Back Bicycle Patrol, Might Get Motorized Cheata Bicycle (NOW)
• Other Cities with Anti-Bullying Ordinances Say They can be Effective Prevention Tool (Janesville Gazette)
• Watch Brett Newski Play a Show at Walmart, Get Kicked Out (Milwaukee Record)
• 11 Milwaukee Soccer Bars Perfect for the World Cup (Milwaukee Record)

I love this program offered through the federal government and the South Milwaukee School District, and my family regularly uses it. Kids are free; the cost for adults is just $3.50. And all kids are welcome, even those from outside the district. And South Milwaukee is not alone in offering this. Cudahy and St. Francis are, too. Spread the word!

A couple excerpts from the South Milwaukee Fire Department Facebook page …

First, an honor last week for Chief Joe Knitter …

Humbled to be one of the recipients of the Unsung Heroes Award presented by the FBI Milwaukee Citizens Academy Alumni Association at tonight’s awards program. And a HUGE THANK YOU goes out to Theresa Kent and the Association for an incredibly generous $3,500 donation to the SMFD for the purchase of protective equipment for our cancer awareness and prevention program. A great organization and a great event.

And this from May, recognizing more of the team …

Congratulations to the members of the SMFD who were recognized by Aurora Health Care as part of their Annual EMS Week Recognition event. Two crews were recognized for their work on two successful resuscitation calls. In addition, the citizen bystanders that assisted on one call and the patient they saved were recognized, as well as Jackie Ove, the South Milwaukee Public Health Administrator for her work in getting Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) placed in all the public schools and public-access municipal buildings.

Thanks to all of our firefighters for all you do!

The Beautification Awards are in full swing with the Patriotic Display Awards, recognizing the best of the best of “those who show patriotism through the look and feel of their properties.”

From the awards website …

The Patriotic Display Awards recognize those who show their patriotism through the look and feel of their properties. Residents are encouraged to create patriotic-themed displays, which could include flags, bunting, flowers, handcrafted or purchased items, with relevance to Memorial Day, Flag Day and/or Independence Day.

• These awards are nomination-based, with nominations being solicited using Facebook and this online form.
• All decorations must be up by June 28, and recipients are selected by the Beautification Committee on or around June 30.
• Up to three winners will each receive $50, a sign, and recognition at a city council meeting or on city/mayor digital platforms.

Submit your entries now! And while you’re at it, start submitting for the Curb Appeal Awards, too. They “are presented annually to South Milwaukee businesses, homeowners and civic organizations who devote extra effort to their property’s beautification, through landscaping and other street-facing efforts.”

More details on the awards page.

I was proud to be part of the grand re-opening of the South Milwaukee McDonald’s on Tuesday, joining with owner Jeff Steren, South Milwaukee Community & Business Association President Leah Manthey and South Milwaukee Little League President Bob Lubetski for a special day celebrating an iconic local business and businessman.

Check out pictures with this post showing off the significant and impressive upgrades, including new ordering technology. Details on the project here.

We’ve had a McDonald’s in South Milwaukee for 49 years. Here’s to another 49!

I love this project being started by the Friends of Grant Park. Can you help?

Lots of local news in recent weeks …

• Fire up the Grill! Milwaukee Sausage Company Opens This Weekend (OnMilwaukee.com)
• South Milwaukee Library Renovation Brings the City’s Parks Indoors with New Theme (NOW)
• South Milwaukee Seeks to Change Structure of HR Jobs Following Resignation of HR Coordinator (NOW)
• Want a Spa, Arcade, or Pet Store in South Milwaukee? Mount Mary University Students Propose Downtown Revitalization Ideas (NOW)
• South Shore ‘Chemo Man’ Identified and Cited by Police for Begging in Cudahy (NOW)

South Milwaukee’s Joanna Rizzotto was honored by the Wisconsin Education Association Council recently for her work with the REAL Academy. See the newsletter story here.

And the South Milwaukee Police Department has published its weekly crime roundup on its Facebook page. Be sure to like the page, if you haven’t already.