Comments for Urban Milwaukee

Comment on Bring the Panthers Back to Campus by Jeff Jordan

Jeff Jordan — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:09:21 +0000

I agree, like it or not, a top notch athletic program is helpful in building the reputation of a first class University, as much as most of realize that the real value of the University comes from what it produces academically. I do have my doubts about UWM needing an on campus stadium to accomplish that goal.
Forget about my continuing concerns for the neighborhood, the quality of life issues for long term residents and my desire to see more permanent residents fill the void in the rapidly shrinking student rental market. I don’t like a new stadium for three reasons. UWM doesn’t have the room, the money or the basketball program to justify moving the team from downtown and building the stadium isn’t going to get them any of those things.
What they need is a Basketball program. Can they compete with UW Madison & Marquette? Evidently they can. Two coaches from the Horizon League went to Madison and were very successful. and Bruce Pearl is doing very well at national powerhouse, Tennessee. UWM’s problem is they, and other schools in the Horizon League can’t hang on to top coaches.. For coaches, the league is a spring board to better opportunities. Until that changes, no stadium is going to do anything for UWM basketball. By the way this argument surfaces in Green Bay about every four years or so, when attendance is down.

Comment on No no no… No! by Mitch

Mitch — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:05:00 +0000

Dave
I know these buildings very well, having explored them, surveyed every square foot, researching and proposing facade renovations. With that said I also am strongly opposed to their destruction, but they also cannot continue to sit vacant. It might be possible to fill the lower floors, but many of the upper floors have sat empty for DECADES; some of the upper floors where abandoned in the fifties or sixties. They do not have parking and the costs of renovations and code upgrades are huge. The market that these buildings where created for simply no longer exists. We need to find a way to save not just important facades but great buildings as well.

Comment on Free Bus Rides on March 17th in Milwaukee by Jeramey Jannene

Jeramey Jannene — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:32:04 +0000

@Pete

Shouldn’t be a problem unless the bus is full. Driver might look at you weird, but unless the bus is standing room only, you should be good. Getting them on the bus might be a different story, depending on their size.

Comment on Waukesha County Will Love High-Speed Rail by Jeramey Jannene

Jeramey Jannene — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:30:39 +0000

@Pete

By the time you get to 4, I can see how it can be cheaper to drive. Not more comfortable and laid back, but certainly cheaper.

I don’t think the service will ever be priced to be cheap from Brookfield to downtown Milwaukee, that’s not the type of passenger they are seeking. If commuter rail was put in place, that’s the ideal case where the pricing will match. Likewise you don’t see anyone take the train from downtown Milwaukee to the Milwaukee airport, the pricing and service just isn’t setup in that fashion.

Comment on Waukesha County Will Love High-Speed Rail by Pete Prodoehl

Pete Prodoehl — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:14:35 +0000

The last time 4 of us went to Chicago we looked into taking the train, but it was cheaper to drive there. If the train was a reasonable price, I’d consider it for going from Waukesha County to downtown Milwaukee… as long as I can take my tripod and 2 large cases with equipment (and 2 grips!) for cheaper than driving…

Comment on Free Bus Rides on March 17th in Milwaukee by Pete Prodoehl

Pete Prodoehl — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:58:04 +0000

Good news! Do you know if you have to pay for extra seats if you’ve got a tripod and 2 large cases full of filming equipment?

Comment on Bring the Panthers Back to Campus by Pete Prodoehl

Pete Prodoehl — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:56:07 +0000

In the 7 years I attended UWM I guess I never noticed that basketball was missing… or was there, or whatever. Of course, I commuted, so maybe that’s why…

Comment on Bring the Panthers Back to Campus by Peter

Peter — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:09:36 +0000

@Tracy the Master Plan is not yet finalized. The most recent draft illustrates the Klotsche being expanded, but they probably won’t release the final draft until they A) know whether they want a new arena or to stick with expanding the Klotsche B) finalize their plans on the County Grounds and C) finalize their plans for the new Freshwater school. I’m actually super excited to see the final draft and can’t wait till it’s out.

Also, the $25 student fee per semester will yield about $1.5mil per year. I’m not saying that isn’t a decent amount of cash, but I’m wondering how much they are planning on spending on this facility. I certainly don’t expect them to build a Kohl Center, but in comparison, Wiki states that it cost over $76mil to build (all donated, obviously). That was also built twelve years ago. It would take 25 years to pay off building something even half as nice/big as that, using 1998 dollars. I guess what I’m trying to say is that if they’re going to do this, I hope they have enough funds to make it a relevant, inviting, and somewhat unique facility. Do it right or don’t waste your money. They stated they want the arena to be 6,000-8,000 seats, which I believe is a great size for us. I just don’t want to see some generic, poor excuse for a field house. Take a look at some of the new buildings around campus and you’ll know why I’m a little worried.

Comment on Bring the Panthers Back to Campus by Dave Reid

Dave Reid — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:01:23 +0000

@Patrick.. choo-choo no.. Streetcar yes. But we’ve long advocated for that.

As far as the arena it is my understanding it would be financed with student fees and fund raising. And possibly actually save the school money.

PS Also I did want to say welcome to UrbanMilwaukee.com Patrick.

Comment on Bring the Panthers Back to Campus by Patrick Dorwin

Patrick Dorwin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:34:36 +0000

Let me guess…. Next you will want us to pay for the choo-choo to go to the campus to bring in fans, since there is no parking in the area.