Latest news with #RedevelopmentAuthority
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cudahy Farms development harms invaluable trees, wetlands and Milwaukee's health
The articles regarding the proposed Cudahy Farms development on the far northwest side don't tell the whole story. The former John Cudahy YMCA land was purchased in 2021 by Royal Capital, a developer who is petitioning to have the zoning changed so they can build a more than 1,100 unit gated community. The mayor is in favor of the project because it is in line with his growing Milwaukee plan. Residents surrounding the property are opposed. Opposition has been shared at town hall meetings as well as City Planning Commission meeting and the Redevelopment Authority meeting. I attended and spoke in opposition at both meetings. I felt the members of the committees had already made up their minds. When I presented written information about the environmental impact at the Redevelopment Authority meeting, a decision was made without even looking at or considering the material. Why is the environment always the loser? The players in this proposed project are ignoring the environmental importance of this 60-acre parcel of land. The Southeastern Wisconsin Planning Commission studied the land in 1999 and identified two critical species habitats: Hilltop Farm Woods on the southern end of the property and Research Woods on the northern end. There are also over 10 wetland areas on the land. The woods have quality trees that are over 100-years-old. There is a diversity of wildlife from salamanders to great horned owls. Letters: I've seen firsthand how wake-enhanced boating makes small Wisconsin lakes unsafe The significance of these old trees is enormous. According to the Milwaukee Forestry website, urban trees provide an annual savings of $18.8 million in air pollution removal, $1.85 million in avoided stormwater runoff, $1.31 million in energy savings and $1.11 million in carbon dioxide reduction. In this time of climate change, we can use all the trees we can get. Tree Equity Scores in conjunction with American Forests is an organization that develops tree equity scores for neighborhoods. Trees are part of the urban infrastructure that are essential to public health and well-being. The tree equity scores were created to help address damaging environmental inequities in certain neighborhoods. The Woodlands, a housing development next to the proposed development, has a score of 65. Hilltop Parish, which is the neighborhood around the proposed development, has a score of 70. In contrast, Brown Deer's score is 94 and River Hills has a score of 100. The Woodlands and Hilltop Parish have a tree canopy of less than 33% which is considered unhealthy. The canopy will decrease if the trees are cut for the proposed development. Royal Capital has stated that they will plant native trees, but it will take over a hundred years for those trees to replace the benefits of the existing trees. Studying an aerial view of the area makes removal of the trees even more irresponsible. There is an abundance of hardscape; buildings, many of them empty, large parking lots, apartment complexes. The trees on the proposed Cudahy Farms development stand out as the only real green space. The state of Wisconsin has a set of principles of smart urban growth. Principle one states 'Promotion of the redevelopment of lands with existing infra-structure and public services and the maintenance of existing residential, commercial, and industrial structures.' Principle three says 'Protection of natural areas including wetland, wildlife habitats, lakes, woodlands and open spaces and groundwater sources.' The proposed housing project is in direct opposition to smart urban planning. The goal of top city officials seems to be to increase housing and the city's population at all costs. Green spaces with abundant trees improve air quality, enhance stormwater management and water quality, provide wildlife habitat, and improve the quality of life for people. Why should we care about wildlife? Are salamanders, frogs, owls, and bluebirds more important than humans? When we disturb the complex chain of life, human life is affected. In the 70's, the chemical DDT was hurting the bird population. When this was recognized, DDT was banned. The damage to the bird population was a wake-up call that humans could be hurt too. The diversity of wildlife is important. Sometimes we don't realize what the loss of a species means until it's too late. What affects nature will eventually affect us. Opinion: We asked readers about arrest of Milwaukee Judge Dugan. Here's what you said. We have an epidemic of mental illness in our city. Human interaction with nature helps reduce high heart rate and blood pressure, and promotes a sense of well-being. Many health professionals promote time in nature as a part of good mental health. Development of subdivisions, multi-unit housing, shopping areas and business parks is not always a good thing. This statement will be outrageous to developers, investors and some politicians. They will be quick to dismiss my ideas as unrealistic and radical. Yes, it is a radical idea. What I see is people who don't understand how nature works, or just don't care because it interferes with money being made. Right now, money talks and the environment, and ultimately humans, lose. Nicole Hartley has been a resident of the Hilltop Parish neighborhood for 47 years. She is a retired elementary school teacher and a master naturalist described as a tree-hugging hippie by her children. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee housing development would erase urban tree canopy | Opinion
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City financing would help renovate these apartments. One official asks: what about sprinklers?
City financing to help renovate a Milwaukee apartment community has received an initial approval − even as concerns are raised about whether the site includes sprinklers to combat fires. The proposal calls for $1.27 million to help pay for a $14.5 million renovation of the 72-unit Northwoods Apartments, 2515-2519 N. Second St. Those funds would come from property tax revenue generated by the improved apartments. That tax incremental financing district, which needs Common Council approval, was endorsed by the Redevelopment Authority board on May 15. Indiananpolis-based KCG Development LLC plans to renovate a pair of three-story buildings with 48 one-bedroom units and 24 two-bedroom units. Upgrades are to include new roofs, windows, siding, insulation, boilers and water heaters, according to a Department of City Development report. Also planned are new flooring, cabinets, countertops, appliances, toilets, sinks and vanities for the individual units. The apartments would be for people earning 30% to 60% of the Milwaukee area median income, with monthly rents ranging from $622 to $1,445, said Lori Lutzka, a department projects manager. Renovations are to begin in mid-summer and be completed by winter, she said. Current residents would be relocated to a nearby extended-stay hotel for seven to 10 days as their apartments are renovated in phases, said Brodie Wiener, a KCG acquisitions development analyst. The company operates 4,300 apartments in eight states, including buildings in Madison, Sheboygan and Fond du Lac, Wiener said. Kathryn West, an authority board member, asked Wiener about fire suppression systems at Northwoods, which was constructed in 1971. The city requires residential buildings 60 feet and higher that were constructed after Nov. 12, 1973, to have sprinkler systems. That issue has been in the news after the May 11 fire at Milwaukee's Highland Court Apartments, which resulted in five deaths. Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said the lack of sprinklers dramatically affected the survivability of residents at Highland Court, which was built in 1968. "Obviously, that's an issue that's pretty concerning," West told Wiener. Wiener said he didn't know the status of fire suppression systems at Northwoods, and said he would follow up with city officials. West was the only board member who voted against the proposed tax financing district. Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@ and followed on Instagram, Bluesky, X and article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Sprinklers issue arises over city financing for apartment renovations Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Luzerne County purchase of historic train station up for discussion Tuesday
May 9—Authorization for Luzerne County to purchase the historic former train station in downtown Wilkes-Barre for $615,000 is up for discussion at Tuesday's county council work session, according to the agenda released Friday. A council majority would have to grant approval at a future meeting for purchase of the 154-year-old landmark to proceed. Council's Real Estate Committee had unanimously agreed in February to allow the administration to negotiate the potential purchase. The committee said the full 11-member council must vote to proceed if the administration negotiated an acceptable price and wanted to submit a formal purchase offer. Owned by Market Square Properties Development LLC, the 4,000-square-foot station on Wilkes-Barre Boulevard had been listed for sale at $625,000. The county is interested because its tourism office, Visit Luzerne County, has been housed inside the train station since February 2022. County council had approved the leasing of 2,100 square feet inside the station for the county tourism office in April 2021, agreeing to pay $32,400 annually for five years, with the option to renew for two additional three-year terms. "Given the existing lease agreement, purchasing the building could stabilize the county's long-term occupancy costs and prevent potential relocation disruptions," Tuesday's work session agenda said. If the purchase is authorized, the county would pay cash using miscellaneous county community development office funds, it said. The agenda provides the following argument in favor of a purchase: "Constructed in 1868 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, the train station is a significant architectural and cultural asset. Since February 2022, Luzerne County has rented the building for use as our Visitor's Bureau and looks to purchase the building to further highlight our county and improve guest relationships by promoting and celebrating Luzerne County's history, activities and attractions. There is future development potential as well as contributing to the revitalization of downtown Wilkes-Barre." Denial of a purchase would result in "no control over rent increases or building use, potentially resulting in relocation of the tourism office with less visibility of Luzerne County history," it said. The train station parcel includes 30 parking spots, officials have said. Market Square Properties purchased the 6.36-acre station complex in June 2016 for $1.2 million from the county Redevelopment Authority, which had purchased the property in 2006 from businessman Thom Greco for $5.8 million. Prior county commissioners had authorized federal community development funds for the county Redevelopment Authority purchase. With no funds to develop the site, the authority sold the property to Market Square. Market Square already sold two parcels in the complex and recently completed a subdivision that allows the train station portion to be sold separately. Developer George Albert, of Market Square Properties, recently said plans are in the works to bring a Starbucks and credit union to other parcels in the station complex. Tuesday's council work session follows a 6 p.m. voting meeting at the county courthouse on River Street in Wilkes-Barre. Instructions for the remote attendance option will be posted under council's public online meetings section at Reach Jennifer Learn-Andes at 570-991-6388 or on Twitter @TLJenLearnAndes.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What's being done to combat blighted properties in City of Erie?
There are currently 276 addresses on the City of Erie's blighted property list. And for 85% of those properties, city officials said there's no opportunity for reuse of the structure standing there, and demolition is the only option. 'We have people who are responsible each for a section of the city. Anytime we get a complaint about a problem in a neighborhood, they go and look at it and if they see the house is in disrepair, they'll declare that and will start a process where it has to be either fixed up or torn down,' said City of Erie Mayor Joe Schember. On average, it takes about a year and a half for the city to get to some of these properties and take action on them. However, they do have a scoring system of sorts that prioritizes them based on situational conditions. 16th annual Knockout Homelessness fundraising event takes place Tuesday 'If it's a stable block of housing and there's one blight of property in it, that gets a higher score than potentially where we're trying to get an assemblage of properties. Maybe we've had a lot of interventions in that area in the last two or three years so we're going to continue that level of intervention to help raise that neighborhood up,' said Aaron Snippert, executive director of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Erie. While the property may be declared blighted, they don't immediately assume ownership. 'The common misconception is when we blight a property that it's instantly the redevelopment authorities and it's not. We want to work with that property owner to rehabilitate that property,' said Snippert. 'We're working with them, we're managing them, we're keeping up to date with them and making sure that they're continuously moving forward to improve those properties.' About 100 of the 276 on the blight list fall under some level of intervention by the current owner. Local shelters provide warmth as homeless population battles bitter cold temps. Once either remediation or demolition is finished, it not only becomes a possible source of tax revenue for the city again, but it could enhance the value of neighboring properties. And prompts owners to invest. 'We have this investment of money from Erie Land Bank and through the City of Erie and the American Rescue Plan to mitigate blight with the redevelopment authority and so we're working to acquire those properties and ultimately try to improve neighborhoods and improve property values associated with that,' said Snippert. As of Wednesday, February 16, there are currently 16 addresses on the blighted property list right now that are scheduled for demolition. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Reading City Councilwoman Vanessa Campos announces bid for council presidency
Reading City Councilwoman Vanessa Campos has announced her candidacy for City Council president. Campos, 38, represents council District 1. Vanessa Campos She was elected in 2023 to complete the remaining two years of the term vacated when Brianna Tyson resigned. Campos will enter the May 20 primary on the Democratic ticket. Campos is the second person to announce a primary bid for the president's seat, which is elected at-large. Councilman Jaime Baez Jr. also will be running as a Democrat for the post. Campos, a licensed real estate agent and former teacher, holds a master of education degree. 'My goal is to promote the vitality of a city where we can invest, enjoy and live,' Campos said. As a city councilor, Campos said, her mission is to strengthen the legislative body through proactive approaches in local government policies. To help fulfill her role, she noted, she completed voluntary courses in local government and budget. During her time on council, Campos said, she has aimed to unite stakeholders using coordinated efforts to prioritize the city's financial stability and growth. If elected council president, she said, she would continue those efforts along with enhancing council operations by using modern practices that reinforce efficiency and accessibility. Campos said she has the proven leadership skills needed to drive progress in the city. She is member of Reading's Recreation Commission, Redevelopment Authority, and Nominations and Appointments Committee. She has worked toward securing strong relationships with the city's departments, officials and other boards, commissions and authorities, she said, and maintains open communication with constituents. She also works with state and federal legislators. Coordinating city efforts and aligning them with the initiatives of state and federal legislators is essential in moving the city forward, she said. 'We have to make sure that we're taking guidance from those that are involved and that are in these seats,' she said, 'and have those conversations, so that we're working together coherently, instead of working divided.' Coordinated efforts among city departments, boards and authorities also are key to the city's progress, she said. 'I think coordinated efforts are huge in avoiding more bumps in the road when we're trying to create a push for progress in the city,' she said. A former teacher, Campos served the Reading School District for more than a decade as an educator, reading specialist, department head, committee chair, literacy coach and intern supervisor. As a department head, she piloted a new program helping Reading's middle schools achieve academic growth and meet district goals. Campos said she demonstrates her volunteer spirit by serving a catechist teacher at her local church, and her civic duty as an executive board member of the Berks County Democratic Committee and the Greater Reading PAC. She decided to run for council president, Campos said, because she is confident she has the leadership experience, strengths and qualities required for the role. Campos also said she could remain open-minded and nonbiased while performing the functions of the office, which include presiding over council meetings and maintaining order. 'There needs to someone without an agenda,' she said. 'I think that's important, and that's a character that I bring as well.' Meet the candidate Candidate: Vanessa Campos, 38, Reading Position sought: Reading City Council President Background: Campos represents council District 1. She is a licensed real estate agent and is a former Reading School District teacher and department head. She holds a master of education degree. Term: Four years. Compensation: The council president is paid an annual salary of $6,875.
