Mahoney Joins SVN

OPINION - Agency overseeing Allied projects lacks staff, official budget

9/24/2008 - It's just piles of rubble now, but hopes are high that the long-planned redevelopment of a block of worn-out apartments on Allied Drive will jump-start a transformation of what has been Madison's most notorious neighborhood. That project -- complex, expensive and crucial -- is in the hands of the city's Community Development Authority, a quasi-governmental agency that for years has operated under the radar -- too free of scrutiny, say some city officials -- without a written budget or single development staff member of its own...

Ken Notes: I want Allied to succeed - but I am concerned that the goal is to hit the time line for the funding with little comprehensive planning for the long range success of the project. I continue to suggest that a public private partnership for the project is in everyones interest - especially those who will call Allied Drive home...

First Weber's View Of Market

Sunday, September 21, 2008 - First Weber Group Realtors came together more than a dozen years ago over coffee with Jim Imhoff, then head of First Realty, which began in 1971, and Bob Weber, then president of Weber Realty, which began in 1972. "We did the napkin thing and asked why we were beating each other up when philosophically we ran about the same," Weber said. Since the two companies merged in 1996, First Weber has grown to Wisconsin's largest real estate firm with about 8,800 homes sold...

Ernst & Young Donates $840,000 to University of Wisconsin-Madison

MILWAUKEE, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The professionals of Ernst & Young LLP, together with the Ernst & Young Foundation, have announced a donation of $840,000 to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The donation will be used to create a new Accounting Student Computer Lab in the School of Business and complete the funding of the Ernst & Young endowed chair in the Accounting department. "This gift underscores our commitment to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the talented students who are attending the School of Business' Accounting program," noted Keith Burns...

Wall Street woes hit home

9/24/2008 - Anybody who thought Wisconsin was somehow immune from the crisis gripping the nation's financial system had better wake up and smell the dark roast. The party line since the housing bubble started to burst here in 2007 was that Wisconsin by its conservative nature was sheltered from the worst damage. No boom-bust stuff in the Heartland. Leave that to Florida, California or Arizona. But the complex world of money and investing doesn't respect state borders anymore than it does international...

Ken Notes: The “sheltered” argument won't help us if on the recovery side we are not aggressively seeking new jobs and businesses. In fact our stability may put us in the we can help the big losers category...

Kraft replaces AIG in Dow Jones Industrial Average

9/22/2008 - Kraft Foods Inc., which includes Madison-based Oscar Mayer, became a part of the Dow Jones Industrial average when trading began Monday. Dow Jones & Co. announced last Thursday that Kraft Foods would replace struggling insurer American International Group Inc. in the Dow Jones Industrial Average when trading began Monday...

Ken Notes: Kraft / Oscar Mayer has been one of those companies that we tend not to think much about, but they are an important part of our economy and will need our help as they continue to grow and retool...

UW Hospitals on 'best of' list for working parents

9/24/2008 - The University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics is one of the 100 best places for working parents to work, according to the annual "best of" list released by Working Mother magazine. The hospital was the only Dane County company to be so honored, but Kraft Foods, owner of Madison-based Oscar Mayer, is also on the list...

New “FutureCommunity” Model Allows More Borker Exposure

Wisconsin Commercial brokers will soon have a new resource to showcase their key properties. A test is being conducted on the FutureMadison.com and FutureVerona.com websites that allows key brokers to feature both their properties and firms on the sites. The feature will soon be added to the more that 50 “Future” community websites. Each Future Site provides one stop for comprehensive development data for national site selectors, investors, developers, and company decision makers, seeking new options for their projects ...

Developers Feeling Tighter Loan Market

Tuesday, September 23, 2008 - Bad loans on a handful of high profile projects have caused Wisconsin banks to toughen credit standards for developers. The banks haven't stopped making commercial loans, but they're demanding higher interest rates, more sales or leases prior to construction and lower loan-to-value ratios, which requires more investment capital. "Commercial credit is getting much harder to find, especially real estate related credit because of the fallout in the mortgage markets," said James Johannes, director of the UW-Madison Puelicher Center for Banking Education. "It is still available for the right price and security, just not at yesterday's terms." Longtime Madison developer George Gialamas said the credit problems of some developers have made banks more cautious...

Liquidation May Force Changes At Overture Center

Saturday, September 20, 2008 - City officials are saying the liquidation of the Overture Center trust fund will not have an impact on the Center or Madison's taxpayers anytime soon, but that doesn't mean they're going to wait on finding ways to protect them in the future. "The liquidation of the trust fund will have no noticeable effect on the Overture Center whatsoever in the short term," said Ald. Mike Verveer, who is a member of the Madison Cultural Arts District board that runs the Overture Center. "It's not as if there will be any theaters going dark, performances being canceled, wedding receptions and other parties needing to scramble to find new spaces." Officials from the Overture Center announced Friday night that the trust fund would be liquidated to pay off a substantial portion of the building's debt...

Ken Notes: Here is my outside the box solution. 1) Tie the Overture Center in with the Monona Terrace to enhance meeting space and very special venues for larger conventions. 2) Dedicate new room tax to support both venues. 3) Add 1000 rooms downtown to increase revenues and support larger events. 4) Develop a modern, green, user friendly transit system to tie it all together. Of course it is much easier from my seat...

Public Market On The Shelf After City Balks On Funding

Tuesday, September 23, 2008 - The idea for a public market in Madison may be shelved for at least a year after the city's financial committee voted narrowly Monday night not to give the project funding in the 2009 capital budget. Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, who broke a 3-3 tie among Board of Estimates members against adding $250,000 in funding, said he still supported the project, which would bring more than 40 permanent vendors as well as day tables selling everything from produce to cheese to arts and crafts in a daily indoor market. But with big-ticket items such as the Central Library, Central Park, Allied Drive and the Villager Mall redevelopments in this year's budget as well as in future years, Cieslewicz said he was afraid of the city "spreading itself too thin." "I used to take the attitude that you plant a thousand seeds and see which ones will bloom, and I think that was fine for a robust economy, but we're not in a robust economy anymore," he said. "Now my concern is that if you plant a thousand seeds, you may waste a lot of resources on several different projects, none of which actually get the critical mass to go forward."...

Ken Notes: I too still like this project and encourage everyone to see markets in other communities to get an idea of how nice they can be...

EDITORIAL - Bring back more Badger brains

MON., SEP 22, 2008 - Wisconsin will never stop the "brain drain" of recent college graduates who leave the state to chase their dreams in big cities such as Chicago, Minneapolis and New York. Wisconsin can and should, however, do more to promote "brain gain" by luring back talented and experienced Badgers when they're ready to settle down. That's precisely what a group of economic boosters is vigorously attempting this fall, having done their homework and sharpened their pitch. The first-ever Badger Career Expo is set for Oct. 16 in Minneapolis. The goal is to match highly-educated UW-Madison graduates living in the Twin Cities with high-wage jobs back here in Wisconsin...

Ken Notes: I still advocate for low cost tuition loans to keep them here in the first place and in the end it is all about jobs and oppertunity...

New Commercial Listings from PropertyDrive

All Commercial Properties By Community (an interactive map)

Property Transactions in Madison

Ken Notes: This searchable database includes property transfers that were recorded in Madison since June 2007. Search by month the transaction occurred, by street name or by price.

Dane County Foreclosures (WDN does not support or endorse this fee based website)

Exciting Development Plan Is 'alive' But Smaller

Three years ago, Curt Brink stirred Madison's imagination with the tallest, biggest and most expensive development project in city history. But Brink never submitted a formal plan for his proposed $250 million, 570-foot-tall, mixed-use Archipelago Village. The 27-story development would have offered a staggering 1.4 million square feet of commercial space, housing, a health club, grocery store and maybe a water park on the old Mautz Paint site and other properties on the 900 block of East Washington Avenue. After Brink offered the proposal, the city undertook a planning process and in February adopted the East Washington Capitol Gateway Corridor Plan, which capped the height of buildings on the street at 12 stories - 15 stories under...

Ken Notes: Curt let me know if you want to get rid on the model...

Farm and Fleet brings big names to Verona for grand opening

Five weeks after Blain's Farm and Fleet opened on Verona's east side, the store is hosting a three-day party that will feature some big names and big crowds. The three-day grand opening from Sept. 25-27 will include appearances by NASCAR driver and Cambridge native Matt Kenseth, University of Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez, UW-Madison basketball coach Bo Ryan and former Green Bay Packers president Bob Harlan. The company is also giving away $25,000 in gift cards and shopping sprees, and entertainment will range from a...

Milwaukee Urban Farmer Wins $500,000 'Genius Grant'

September 23, 2008 - CHICAGO -Allen Is Founder, CEO Of Growing Power - A Milwaukee man who works to develop city lots into urban farms, providing healthy food to city residents, has been awarded a big prize. Will Allen is among the 25 recipients of so-called "genius grant" fellowships worth $500,000 from the Chicago-based John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Each recipient receives $500,000 over the next five years to use however they wish. Allen is the founder and chief executive officer of Growing Power...

Ken Notes: I have to tell you I had a tomato grown by my wife in a pot on my porch that reminded me what tomatoes are supposed to taste like...

WPPI seeking grant proposals under GreenMax Home program

9/20/2008 - Wisconsin Public Power Inc. is seeking proposals for grants to help fund the construction of up to three net zero energy homes within WPPI member utility service areas through its GreenMax Home program. The Sun Prairie-based utility co-op's GreenMax program will help customers build highly efficient, environmentally friendly homes. Grants will be awarded to cover part of the incremental cost of designing and building a GreenMax Home over the cost of constructing a conventional house in this area...

Alliant hosting economic development workshop

9/20/2008 - Wisconsin Power and Light Co., the state utility unit of Alliant Energy, is hosting an interactive, one-day workshop "Economic Gardening: Growing Your Own Jobs and Wealth" on Wednesday at the Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall in Madison. The session, which also will be held in Belmont on Tuesday, is designed for elected officials, economic development professionals and boards and community/business leaders in Midwest communities...

Copps Store Planned For Sun Prairie

Friday, September 19, 2008 - Sun Prairie may be getting another Copps grocery store. Milwaukee development company General Capital has been given approval for a 61,000-square-foot store on the city's east side at the intersection of Highway N and East Main Street. The $8 million project is scheduled to open in July and be located on property that is home to a Dane County highway garage. The store, operated by Roundy's Supermarkets in Milwaukee, would replace the Roundy's Pick n' Save store on the city's west side

Ken Notes: You may want to get a plan in place for the old building, they tend to let them sit unless you push a little...

Cottage Grove residents grapple with growth-related issues

WED., SEP 24, 2008 - COTTAGE GROVE — This election Cottage Grove residents will be asked to spend millions on a new library and recreation center. After these two referendums, they'll have to decide how to deal with an overcrowded village hall, a police department that will eventually lose its lease and a public works department that has so little space they've got to truck the road salt in from Madison...

OPINION - Missing Step: Control Spending

Friday, September 19, 2008 - Wisconsin received more evidence this week that its taxes are too high. This time the evidence arrived in a study suggesting that Wisconsin may be just a few tax cuts away from becoming one of the nation's economic hot spots. The study, from the Pacific Research Institute in association with Forbes magazine, should give state and local policymakers new incentive to control spending so that taxes can be reduced. The study of all 50 states, called the economic freedom index report, considered a variety of factors from tax levels to justice systems to make conclusions about how much economic freedom each state allows...

Ken Notes: We also need to focus on the value factor. Wisconsin business gets a lot of bang for its tax buck. Great schools, well maintained infrastructure, public safety, wonderful parks and venues, and good services. We can become more efficient, but any good business looks at the overall value of the product in the marketplace. Wisconsin is a good product at a reasonable price – with some room for improvement...

Fitchburg firm Team Cos up for businesses

WED., SEP 24, 2008 - You can't just walk in the door and saunter down the hallway at the Team Cos. new data center at the Fitchburg Technology Campus. In fact, unless you are on an approved list, the security guard won't even let you walk in through the locked entrance doors. Signing in at the front desk requires not just a signature and date, but also your driver's license number. Then once you're inside, to progress from the hallway into a sensitive area, your chaperone has to go through yet another round of security: an iris scanner.

Ken Notes: I got in with a Rush T shirt, an autographed picture of Steve Jobs, and signing a loyalty oath to open systems software...

Virent nabs sweet success

September 24, 2008 - ‘Green’ sugar fuel can be made competitively. A Madison-based biofuels start-up company has reached another milestone in its quest to produce gasoline from the sugars found in plants such as switchgrass and trees, a company founder said Tuesday...

Need a Speaker

Ken Harwood is available to speak to your group on a variety of Economic Development topics. He is a strong advocate for planned development in the Greater Madison Area. He may be reached at Editor@WisconsinDevelopmentNews.com Or (608) 334-2174. He also juggles...

Roundy’s plans Metro Market

September 25, 2008 - Building would be 60,000 square feet, replace Pick ’n Save. Roundy’s officials hope to replace the 40,000 square-foot Pick ’n Save grocery store in Mequon with a 60,000-square-foot Metro Market a few blocks north on Port Washington Road...

Pleasant Prairie approves TIF amendment for Uline HQ

Published September 24, 2008 - The Pleasant Prairie Village Board recently approved a $25.3 million increase in its tax incremental financing (TIF) district #2, brining the revised total TIF investment in the district to $79.2 million. Of the $25.3 million in additional TIF funding, $11.2 million will be used for site-related improvements for the new Uline Inc. headquarters that will be built southwest of I-94 and County Highway Q, $8.5 million will be used for roadway and utilities related improvements, $3.1 million will be used for land acquisition and $2.5 million will be used for additional costs...

Support for preserving local woods growing

September 25, 2008 - Support for preserving local woods growing. Group awaits results of grant applications. More grants are being sought to protect Seminary Woods, a 60-acre nature and wildlife preserve that some worry is in danger of being sold for development...

Eatery will be first course in center’s third phase

September 25, 2008 - Architectural style raises some questions. The next phase of the New Berlin City Center project will start with the construction of a Mexican restaurant...

Apartment living beats out retail

September 25, 2008 - Plans for a 22-unit apartment complex in the same building as 15,000 square feet of retail shops in the Brookfield Junction project have been scrapped in favor of an all-residential building...

Panel OKs rezoning of Percheron Square development

September 25, 2008 - A large-scale development proposed for the 66-acre former Ruby Farms parcel along Calhoun Road took another step forward this week...

Farmland would be preserved to increase density of project

September 25, 2008 - The Mequon Planning Commission approved a conceptual plan for a single-family home and condominium development for Wauwatosa Road at its Sept. 22 meeting...

Settlers Square office building plan stuck in zoning muck

September 25, 2008 - Two-story building would be too large for Cedarburg Road. A conceptual plan for a 10,000-square-foot office building at Settlers Square fell into a zoning limbo at the Mequon Planning Commission’s Sept. 22 meeting...

Barrett suggests replacing library

September 25, 2008 - Barrett suggests replacing library. Villard site would also have housing. The Villard Avenue Library could be replaced by a new building that combines affordable housing with computer-oriented learning facilities, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said Wednesday...

Stark Investments postpones new buildings in St. Francis

September 23, 2008 - Stark Investments postpones new buildings in St. Francis. Hedge fund operator Stark Investments has postponed plans to expand its St. Francis corporate campus by developing new office buildings overlooking Lake Michigan, a company spokeswoman said Monday...

Revamped downtown sparks interest in grants

September 23, 2008 - New streets, sidewalks, trees and other streetscaping has downtown merchants excited and now even interested in improving their own buildings with the help of a community block grant.. New streets, sidewalks, trees and other streetscaping has downtown...

Biotech cluster should create more start-ups

September 21, 2008 - Jim Leonhart has a great job. As head of the Wisconsin Biotechnology Medical Device Association, Leonhart serves as head cheerleader for what may be the fastest growing cluster in the state. One knock on that emerging Wisconsin cluster has been that...

Development serves the public good

September 21, 2008 - Owners of luxury condominiums at 1522 N. Prospect Ave. are objecting to the construction of a $65 million, 26-story, 35-unit condominium project next door at 1550 N. Prospect Ave. The principal objection is that the new building will interfere with some...

How Cowboys new stadium will change the NFL

September 21, 2008 - Opening next year, football palace raises the stakes in revenue game. Jerry Jones, the owner, president and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, is a former oilman, so he knows a little something about risk...

Pabst Farms road plan advances as mall’s sizzle fizzles

September 19, 2008 - County may withhold funds over lack of upscale retailers. Despite new signs that a planned shopping mall at Pabst Farms will include such common names as Target and Kohl's, state highway planners are proceeding with a $25 million freeway interchange...

City has little control over vacant buildings

September 18, 2008 - Citations issued based on resident complaints of unsightly properties. More than 300 times a year, it becomes bad enough to pick up the telephone...

City to present development plan for southeast side

September 18, 2008 - A combined retail, office and housing development near Mitchell International Airport is among the potential major projects envisioned in a newly proposed comprehensive plan for Milwaukee’s southeast side...

Developer-funded TIF proposed for Cudahy Station

September 18, 2008 - Development’s taxes would be diverted until 2031. Although Cudahy Station will cost $9.3 million to build, and its developers hope to use tax-incremental financing dollars to accomplish the project, the city will be asked to fund only a portion of the...

www.WisconsinDevelopmentNews.com

Mustard Museum to Middleton?

The city of Middleton has met behind closed doors over the relocation of the Mustard Museum from Mount Horeb to the vacant Middleton Antiques Mall Building at the corner of Parmenter Street and Hubbard Avenue. Discussions also took place regarding public funding for the project. Officials with the Plan Commission and Community Development Authority last week heard a presentation from museum curator Barry Levenson and his architect on the project. They then granted it conceptual approval...

Ken Notes: I love both the Museum and Middleton, but Barry Mt. Horeb and the Museum are a destination, an icon, a shrine. I actually make a big deal about taking visitors to the Museum I can't imagine one with out the other. You do need to add a hot dog stand and beer garden to the to mix though. Call me we'll talk...

New owner plans to expand, refurbish Madison Edgewater Hotel

WED., SEP 17, 2008 - The venerable Edgewater Hotel in Downtown Madison may be refurbished, expanded and offer more public access, becoming perhaps a "Union Terrace for adults." Robert Dunn, president of the Hammes Co., a prominent international developer with Wisconsin roots, is buying the art deco-style hotel — host to notables from Elvis Presley to George Bush Sr. — with an intent of returning the property to its former glory and more. "It's a unique piece of property in the market," said Dunn, whose company has handled projects from Lambeau Field to Beijing Olympic National Stadium...

Ken Notes: This will be a great project, and who knew that at 51 my hanging out a Union Terrace was “childish”...

UW School of Music gets $20M for performance center

As part of a plan to create an arts hub on the UW-Madison campus, the "East Campus Gateway," the School of Music has received $20 million from anonymous donors to build a performance center at the northwest corner of Lake and University avenues. If all goes well raising the additional $18 million necessary to build the facility, School of Music director John Schaffer hopes to open within five years. "Part of the design process will go on while we're raising the money," Schaffer said. "We hope to break ground in about three years."...

Plan For Glass Building Gains

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 - The Proposed Changes For The Us Bank Plaza Building On Capitol Square Clear A Major Hurdle. Urban Land Interests has cleared a major hurdle in its bid to update the iconic US Bank Plaza building on Capitol Square. The city's Plan Commission on Monday decided that the proposed changes can be approved administratively, meaning staff can give the final go ahead. Mark Olinger, the city's planning and development director, said he intends to approve the changes, which would update the structure, cut its energy consumption by perhaps 25 percent and bring it closer to its initial vision. Katherine Rankin, the city's historic preservation planner, has endorsed the changers and the Urban Design Commission has approved the plans...

MillerCoors donates microbrew system

WED., SEP 17, 2008 - Brewing company MillerCoors has donated new brewing equipment valued at $100,000 to UW-Madison's bacteriology department. The 10-gallon microbrew system will serve as the centerpiece of a new course on the science of brewing and fermentation...

Ken Notes: I hope the graduates think micro rather than macro and stay local...

Verona trumps Madison

Another company has chosen to expand outside the city of Madison. St. Louis-based SAFC, which purchased the former Tetrionics in 2004, is breaking ground in October on a new building at 1101 Kettle Moraine Trail in the Verona Technology Park. The $30 million project will include a 45,000-square-foot manufacturing building. The company already operates a 63,000-square-foot building at 645 Science Drive in the University Research Park, which will continue to make pharmaceutical ingredients...

Ken Notes: This is neither a contest or a win loose, in fact it is a win win. We can only be strong as a region if we think regionally! I do hope the next pharmaceutical expansion is a company abandoning the burbs of Chicago for the greener pastures of Greater Madison, but working together we all win...

What's in Your Future

Forty Six Wisconsin communities now have a Future Wisconsin Website. Please take a second to check the commercial listings, business cards or links for your community. You can add your info free. If you need a Future call we can hook you up...

UW Considers Condemning 2 Downtown Properties

September 18, 2008 - MADISON, Wis. -- It is a seldom used power that the University of Wisconsin-Madison says it is considering using again. WISC-TV first reported on Tuesday about the possibility that the university could condemn private property owned by Brothers Bar and Grill. Because it is an arm of state government, the UW Board of Regents granted the university the power of eminent domain. This means if negotiations between the university and the two property owners don't lead to a sale agreement, the university could condemn two private properties, WISC-TV reported. "This (eminent domain) is an option of last resort...

Ken Notes: A tough call and often an expensive option, but the need for the space is clear...

New Commercial Listings from PropertyDrive

All Commercial Properties By Community (an interactive map)

Property Transactions in Madison

Ken Notes: This searchable database includes property transfers that were recorded in Madison since June 2007. Search by month the transaction occurred, by street name or by price.

Dane County Foreclosures (WDN does not support or endorse this fee based website)

Union Corners Development Project Shelved Indefinitely

September 18, 2008 - MADISON, Wis. -Condo, Business Project Facing Economic Struggles- It's not just the banks ratcheting down financing for building projects. If a city of Madison plan passes, there will be no more tax incremental financing or TIF loans for residential projects like condos. Meantime, one of the last big condo projects that had been slated to get millions in TIF dollars is stalled indefinitely. One city planner who specialized in TIF funding said a "perfect storm" of problems in the national housing market and an overbuilding of local condo units have shelved indefinitely the "Urban Village" planned for the Union Corners project...

Mazomanie seeks tenant for Synergy printing company plant

WED., SEP 17, 2008 - The printing industry in Mazomanie may be over but one village official is confident that a new industry could blossom. An auction is scheduled for next week to sell the equipment and other assets of Synergy Web Graphics, a commercial printing company that is in its final days of operation after going into receivership due to debts of more than $18 million. The company stopped taking orders last week and is scheduled to close Friday. Employees of the company, based in Plymouth, Minn., are working this week to prepare for the auction, which will be Sept. 26 at the Concourse Hotel in Madison...

Goben's proposal to open used car lot hits wall

9/17/2008 - Like blue smoke from a blown engine, controversy seems to follow Goben Cars. Three years ago, the used car dealer had to battle neighbors on the city's east side before getting approval to locate a lot at the corner of Pflaum and Stoughton roads. Now, Goben is fighting the city of Middleton over trying to open a new location on one acre of land it owns at the corner of Airport Road and Nursery Drive...

Former Home Of Toilet Paper Collection Razed

Late Monday morning, I watched them tear down a great Madison landmark. "It's tragic," Carol Kolb said, when I reached her in New York City. Kolb had already received the sad news via a text message from a friend. Kolb is currently the head writer for the Onion News Network, a daily Web video broadcast launched by the Onion in March 2007. But for much of the 1990s, Kolb lived in Madison and was curator of an unusual museum that received national attention, including a 1997 write-up in Time magazine...

Ken Notes: Maybe they could hook up the T.P. Inventory with the Mustard Museum...

Plans Idling For Proposed Far East Side Honda Dealership

Monday, September 15, 2008 - Plans from the Wilde Automotive Group of Waukesha for a new Honda dealership on Madison's far east side have hit a few snags. The Madison Plan Commission on Monday night delayed action until at least November on the proposed $10 million, 45,000-square foot facility at the intersection of High Crossing Boulevard and Nelson Road. If constructed it would provide the first local competition to Zimbrick Honda for the popular and fuel-efficient vehicles. Concerns about access to the site, along with conflicts over the existing land use plan, brought the delay. The property has been designated in neighborhood land use plans as office or service space. But those plans have...

Middleton Connection

Sunday, September 14, 2008 - City administrator Mike Davis says Electronic Theatre Controls has had "a very good effect on Middleton, both with employment and (with) contributions to our library and charitable events." Middleton provided a $2.6 million incentive package to the company in 2002 to build its headquarters and the Middleton Area Development Corp. came through with a $1 million loan...

Verona seeks opinions on downtown plan

There's no shortage of opinions in Verona about the future of the city's downtown district. Finding a way to bring more restaurants, more shops, a stronger identity and ease traffic problems is a frequent topic of discussion. The city's Comprehensive Planning Committee will share its own opinions on the subject next week, then seek out everyone else's later this month at an open house. The committee will use whatever comments it receives to help build the city's comprehensive plan...

Consultants: TDR program won't work here

It won't work in Fitchburg. That's the assessment of consultants evaluating the feasibility of a program to transfer development rights. The report may be the death knell for the program, although proponents insist the consultants didn't adequately consider the city's objectives. Relatively few eligible rural landowners interested in participation, a skewed ratio between sending and receiving areas and unrealistic expectations made it unlikely that a TDR program would be successful here, according to the consultants...

Village creates TIF district

The Oregon Village Board Monday approved the creation of a new Tax Incremental District - TID No. 4 - in the Park/Janesville Street area, with an eastern boundary at Hwy. 14. A proposed new hotel and the opening of Hawthorn's Dining & Celebrations on Park Street prompted officials to begin planning for the Tax Incremental District last spring. The Village hired financial advisors Ehlers & Associates to oversee the creation of the TID at a cost of $13,000. Now that the Village Board has approved creating TID No. 4...

Mayor's Plan Moves Forward

Sunday, September 14, 2008 - Mayor Dave Cieslewicz's plan to disperse Madison's pockets of poverty around the county is moving forward this week, though legal issues could limit the mayor's proposal to merge city and county public housing operations. Cieslewicz in April floated the idea to create a regional housing authority by joining the Dane County Housing Authority and Madison's Housing Operations division, which is overseen by the Community Development Authority. A regional authority could ensure that poor families aren't concentrated in Madison's public school system and would save money by reducing duplicated services, Cieslewicz said during his state of the city address...

Madison church adds to Frank Lloyd Wright's legacy

WED., SEP 17, 2008 - In the mid-1940s, when Frank Lloyd Wright was being considered to design a new church for Madison's First Unitarian Society, the choice of architect prompted considerable disagreement among congregation members. One member called Wright "arrogant, artificial, brazen ... a publicity seeker, an exhibitionist, egotist ... unscrupulous, untrustworthy, erratic and capricious." And, she added, she didn't like his architecture very much either...

Ken Notes: Wow and I thought I had enemies...

Need a Speaker

Ken Harwood is available to speak to your group on a variety of Economic Development topics. He is a strong advocate for planned development in the Greater Madison Area. He may be reached at Editor@WisconsinDevelopmentNews.com Or (608) 334-2174. He also juggles...

Local investors buy a second Pabst building

September 12, 2008 - Local investors buy a second Pabst building. A local investors group has purchased its second building at the former Pabst brewery complex...

Sale completed for Pabst brewery building

BC Pabst Holdings, whose principals are Matt Chmura, former Green Bay Packer Mark Chmura and Sonny Bando, recently closed on their purchase of the 14,000-square-foot former wagon room/research lab/paint shop building at the former Pabst brewery complex from Zilber Ltd. founder Joseph Zilber. The three-story, 14,000-square-foot building is adjacent to the three-story, 28,000-square-foot former research lab building that BC Pabst Holdings purchased in June and has been renovating. " Since the buildings are connected, it was a very logical step to acquire (the 14,000-square-foot building)," BC Pabst Holdings said in a statement...

Park East developer takes TIF request back to the drawing board

Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - City officials were preparing legislation for a $2 million tax incremental financing (TIF) proposal for a hotel, retail and condominium development planned by Dallas-based Gatehouse Capital Corp. for a vacant block in Milwaukee's Park East corridor. The TIF proposal was expected to be introduced and begin moving through the approval process this month, said Gatehouse president and chief executive officer Marty Collins. However, Collins says Gatehouse is reconsidering its TIF proposal and will come up with a new proposal for the city. "We're re-thinking the tact we want to take with the city on the TIF...

City has little control over vacant buildings

September 18, 2008 - Citations issued based on resident complaints of unsightly properties. More than 300 times a year, it becomes bad enough to pick up the telephone...

Council urged to improve business relations

September 18, 2008 - Mayor wants issues with Village Square resolved. The mayor and members of the Common Council indicated Monday night they want to improve relations between city officials and business owners and operators, including the Village Square shopping center.. The mayor and members of the Common Council indicated...

City to present development plan for southeast side

September 18, 2008 - A combined retail, office and housing development near Mitchell International Airport is among the potential major projects envisioned in a newly proposed comprehensive plan for Milwaukee’s southeast side...

Brookfield has a blue-collar community

September 18, 2008 - Manufacturers, tucked away on the city’s edges, are integral to the area’s economic health. Quick, name a major commercial center in Brookfield...

Court approves First Place redevelopment plan

Published September 17, 2008 - A recent Milwaukee Circuit Court ruling will allow Milwaukee-based Mandel Group to complete the First Place on the River development. The 152-unit condominium development at 106 W. Seeboth St., Milwaukee, was millions of dollars in debt, the project was placed into receivership and the original developer, KeyBridge Development, was removed from the project...

Panel: Culver’s approval unlikely on Highway 83

September 18, 2008 - In his second appearance before the village Plan Commission to seek an informal go-ahead for a plan to build a Culver's on Highway 83, Tim Karbler was once again given a less-than-enthusiastic reception.. In his second appearance before the village Plan...

Developer-funded TIF proposed for Cudahy Station

September 18, 2008 - Development’s taxes would be diverted until 2031. Although Cudahy Station will cost $9.3 million to build, and its developers hope to use tax-incremental financing dollars to accomplish the project, the city will be asked to fund only a portion of the...

City, village hire Town Center economic development specialist

September 18, 2008 - The Mequon Common Council and Thiensville Village Board have agreed to hire Templar Communications and Consulting Inc as the Town Center economic development specialist...

Number of condos reduced in project

September 18, 2008 - The Mequon Common Council on Sept. 10 approved changes to the plan for Winding Hollow, a condominium development being built on 40 acres at Market Street and Mequon Road, south and east of the Sarah Chudnow Campus...

Another downtown project delayed

September 17, 2008 - Developer will still pursue Catalyst complex. Plans for a major downtown dining and entertainment complex have been delayed by a slowdown in the nation’s retail sector, as well as continued tight conditions among commercial real estate lenders...

State sues Waukesha County over proposed lakefront property

September 17, 2008 - For the second time in recent months, the state has filed suit to protect a Waukesha County lake against the perceived threat of encroaching shoreline development...

Pheasant Farm developer avoids $1,000-a-day fine

September 17, 2008 - Pheasant Farm subdivision developer Mike Schutte's engineering firm, Yaggy Colby Associates, filed an erosion-control and stablization plan with the village Friday, avoiding a $1,000-a-day fine.. Pheasant Farm subdivision developer Mike Schutte's engineering...

City panels back condo plan, despite objections

September 16, 2008 - A 26-story condominium tower, proposed for a site directly behind a historic mansion on Milwaukee’s east side, received approval from two city panels Monday despite opposition from the development’s future neighbors...

www.WisconsinDevelopmentNews.com

Commerce chief has familiar name

September 06, 2008 - New secretary must navigate tough climate. Wisconsin’s new commerce secretary — the state’s chief liaison to state, national and international businesses — is someone who Joe Six-pack likely can appreciate...

Ken Notes: It's not Capitol Wheat or Spotted Cow, but he'll do. A few months too late to keep the Miller Coors Headquarters in Wisconsin (they own Leinenkugel) but he clearly knows the State is a great place to start and grow a business and my guess is he will pay for his own hotel rooms...

East side home gets green makeover with help of local builders

9/10/2008 - George and Jennifer bought their first house a year ago, but their dream home soon turned into a nightmare. The worst problem was lead, because they have a toddler named Myles, now 2, and Jennifer became pregnant with their second child. Then they contacted Project Home, an organization that provides low or free home repairs and other services to low-income residents of Dane and Green counties. The young couple's house was chosen, and the association will start the renovation project on Sept. 12, with work expected to conclude about a month later. Association members are donating materials and labor for improvements that would have cost about $40,000, with Madison Gas & Electric covering half that cost, said Abe Degnan of Degnan Design Builders, who is managing the project with AnneMarie Dresen of AnneMarie Design...

Ken Note: Madison Area Builders Association, MG&E and area builders make a huge difference in our community. Even when times are tough!...

Vision from the Forests of Germany

Mayor Dave Cieslewicz recently talked about his visit to Madison’s sister city of Freiburg, Germany, where car-light neighborhoods provide parking on the periphery and people walk to their homes. He suggested that these neighborhoods could find a place in Madison... We need to step outside the box, or in this case, the country, for creative ideas to attract new residents and businesses, provide options for existing citizens and provide the destination attractions that will place Madison back at the top of list of the greatest places to live. We just need to be slower to judge and more open to new ideas. I am glad Mayor Dave is bringing visions from the forests of Germany back home. I can’t wait for the story from some faraway land headlined “Look What They Are Doing in Madison.”...

Ken Notes: If someone could share this with Mayor Dave I would appreciate it, my inside contact moved to Vermont...

Economic Development Toolkit

Wisconsin has a plethora of resources for companies wishing to start or expand a business in the state. Unfortunately, it can be a challenge to easily identify and explore all the tools available. Here is a quick guide to the basics...

Ken Notes: I also wrote this article feel free to link to it as a resource for clients... Also the whole BusinessWatch issue is an economic development primmer - worth a look...

Shopko looking at downtown

September 08, 2008 - Interested in Milwaukee, retailer starts with Sussex. Downtown Milwaukee is on the list of places that Shopko is considering for future store expansion, according to Douglas McHose, vice president of operations for the Green Bay-based discount chain...

Ken Notes: If Shopko likes downtown Milwaukee what about downtown Madison, University Square, and Met Place II come to mind. Students and seniors would love this..

Local home building remains in doldrums

9/08/2008 - Home building in Dane County in August remained at the lowest level since MTD Marketing began keeping records in 1999. Just 68 permits were issued for new homes and duplexes in Dane County in August, well below the 124 and 111 in August the last two years, as well as the range of 162 to 219 for August from 1999 to 2005. For the first eight months of the year, there were 498 permits, down from 840 and 1,048 the last two years and the range of 1,307 to 1,763 from 1999 to 2005...

Ken Notes: The market will recover, but to really be in full gear when it does we need to attract new businesses, and new demographics of residents. I'm getting older and I'm on the back end of the baby boom...

Seizure of Fannie, Freddie may boost housing market

SUN., SEP 7, 2008 - WASHINGTON — The Bush administration's seizure of troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is potentially a $200 billion bet that it will help reverse a prolonged housing and credit crisis. The historic move announced Sunday won support from both presidential campaigns...

Ken Notes: It may take more that lower rates, but I'm betting on a slow sustained recovery...

Dropping Anchor: Bank's stock plummets, but officials optimistic about recovery

9/10/2008 - Madison's largest home-grown bank is smarting. Stung by a series of problem loans -- including $48 million in a bankrupt downtown Milwaukee condo project -- AnchorBank has seen its stock price plummet and its balance sheet deteriorate. Shares of AnchorBanCorp Wisconsin (ABCW) have fallen around 60 percent over the past year, making the stock among the state's most battered during the current bear market downturn. While no one is suggesting the bank is in any danger of failing -- deposits are guaranteed up to $100,000 by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. -- analysts are warning that under federal rules, Anchor will need to raise additional money to have adequate cash on hand...

Ken Notes: Please lets all remember that Anchor has partnered wit a number of great projects that help keep our state on the map. This is a bank that has consistently believed in development and developers. If we are to Thrive in a weak market we need to work together...

CVS project may jump-start Union Corners

9/10/2008 - With construction at Hilldale on indefinite hold, attention is now turning to the empty landscape at Union Corners. That stalled project could be moving forward with a proposal from CVS Pharmacy to put its first Madison store at Milwaukee Street and East Washington Avenue. Initially billed as a $100 million "urban village," Union Corners was meant to energize the entire east side. Developers envisioned a mix of housing, shopping, offices and green space just three miles from the Capitol Square. The city was prepared to chip in with nearly $5 million in funding. But the 15-acre site fell victim to a bursting housing bubble and economic downturn that brought private-sector development...

Ken Notes: I hate to think that CVS is the savior of urban development, but these and other neighborhood retailers can bring new interest in an area. Also as an alderman, the tax base is nice. Just be sure there is an agreement as to value before issuing the permits...

What's in Your Future

Several more Future Sites (“One Stop” portal to the information you need to start, expand, or relocate your business in 33 Wisconsin communities) are now available with even more in the works. Please check out you community and if you are not on the list give us a call...

Phillips named executive director of Stoughton Chamber

David Phillips, a veteran management and marketing executive whose previous experience includes serving as chair of the Madison Economic Development Commission as well as executive director of the Verona Area Chamber of Commerce, has been hired as the executive director of the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce. Phillips, who succeeds recently retired Ed Bieno, starts working at the Stoughton Chamber on Sept. 22. "Clearly, his management and marketing experiencing and his work with other chambers, including as the executive director of the Verona Chamber of Commerce, made him really stand out," ...

Ken Notes: A brilliant choice and a great community...

Johnson Health Tech Combines Subsidiaries

Friday, September 5, 2008 - Four Dane County exercise companies have become more lean. Johnson Health Tech, based in Taichung, Taiwan, said Thursday that it has merged its four U.S. Subsidiaries. The new entity, named Johnson Health Tech North America Corp. and based in Cottage Grove, combines Horizon Fitness, Matrix Fitness Systems, Vision Fitness and Johnson Health Tech Research & Development into one fitness equipment company. "This move enables us to streamline the organization to better leverage our existing resources and improve product distribution through shared warehousing," said Chris Clawson, the former president of Matrix who was named president of the newly formed company. "The result will be a greater ability to meet customer needs across all of our markets as well as a more efficient organization, which will allow for substantial cost savings."...

Ken Notes: This is an expanding market and these are great products. As we age will will realize that we need a good treadmill. Or a Jump rope - and before you skip the next story did I mention annual sales of 200 Million...

Hinds, 78, Lucky, Healthy

Thursday, September 4, 2008 - Madison Exercise Equipment Maker Bobby Hinds Started With Just A Jump Rope. Bobby Hinds is the best advertisement for his own products. At 78, he's energetic and enthusiastic about exercise. Once a rebellious, poor kid from Kenosha and later a boxer at UW-Madison, Hinds has parlayed his personality and a product, his original jump rope, into a thriving business that sells exercise equipment. "So much of what happened in my life was just pure luck," Hinds said. Lifeline USA sells portable, adjustable exercise equipment and, of course, the jump ropes that propelled Hinds from a struggling insurance man to the entrepreneur known as the jump rope king...

New Commercial Listings from PropertyDrive

All Commercial Properties By Community (an interactive map)

Building Permits

Property Transactions in Madison

Ken Notes: This searchable database includes property transfers that were recorded in Madison since June 2007. Search by month the transaction occurred, by street name or by price.

Dane County Foreclosures (WDN does not support or endorse this fee based website)

Dunkin' Donuts wants back in Madison

9/10/2008 - The firm which bills itself as America's favorite everyday, all-day stop for coffee and baked goods has not been in Madtown for the past several years but now wants to sell franchises here. "The company is actively seeking new franchisees to own and operate a minimum of five new restaurants in Madison...

Ken Notes: I probably do not need more donuts but I miss the counter and coffee so...

SEQUOYA COMMONS Grand opening set for condo units

MON., SEP 8, 2008 - The first part of a retail and housing development on the West Side is nearing completion. A grand opening for the 45 condominium units in Phase 1 of Sequoya Commons, 555 S. Midvale Blvd., will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Eight of the units have been sold and another sale is pending, said Don Knutson, who is part of a marketing team for First Weber Group Realtors. The project also includes the 20,000-square-foot Sequoya branch of the Madison Public Library, scheduled to open Oct. 1. Five retailers, including the Chocolate Shoppe and a coffee shop are among the businesses that are part of 7,000 square feet of retail in Phase 1...

Ken Notes: This has been, and is one of my favorite projects. Great urban infill, public private partnership, lifestyle, density, architecture...

Incubator plans innovation meetings

The Milwaukee County Research Park's incubator will begin holding lunch meetings beginning tomorrow to help tenants network and learn about how to grow their businesses. The "Innovation Thursday" events will be held once a month at the Technology Innovation Center, organizers said...

Ken Notes: Another Milwaukee idea worth stealing. I'll host one in Verona. In fact if someone want to sponsor the promotion costs we'll (WisconsinDevelopment.com and FutureWisconsin.com) do one a month at various locations with featured speakers second Tuesdays maybe...

Jobs Have More Than Doubled In Madison Region Since 1970

Sunday, September 7, 2008 - Often, both economic growth and economic development are measured in terms of new jobs and income. However, economic development is much more than just jobs and income. Economic development can be defined as the process of adding, retaining, and enhancing jobs, income and wealth in a way that improves individual economic opportunities and the quality of human life. Thrive, the Madison Region Economic Development Enterprise, recognizes and addresses these important distinctions...

July Sales Down In Most Area Counties

Saturday, September 6, 2008 - Existing home sales in Dane County were down nearly 16 percent in July, according to a report by the South Central Wisconsin MLS. The county's 688 sales during the month were down from 818 a year ago. The median sale price of $220,000 was down 1 percent from last year. Existing home sales also were down in Columbia, Dodge, Green, Iowa, Rock and Sauk counties, but up slightly in Grant County...

Ken Notes: Lets look at Grant County and see whats attractive...

OPINION Bidding War Wrong For Wisconsin

Friday, September 5, 2008 - Concentrating On State And Regional Strengths Is The Better Strategy. Don't assume America's auto plant jobs are going to Mexico. The reality is that those jobs are going to the highest bidder. And increasingly, that means southern states such as Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia. It might be tempting for Wisconsin, which is losing a General Motors plant in Janesville, to jump into the rapidly-escalating bidding war for a new plant. But that would be risky, expensive and unwise. Instead, south-central Wisconsin needs to concentrate on growing its economy using the strengths and advantages our region already has. That includes a growing high-technology sector, a world-class university, prominent health care providers, strong agricultural production, bio-energy innovation and an attractive quality of life...

Ken Notes: I agree -- sort of, BUT we also need to do a cost benefit analysis of attracting any new project and remember our ultimate success will be determined by our ability to create a diverse work force with diverse job opportunities. In fact we could combine our talents to design and build the next generation alternative fuel vehicle or power generation system...

Parkway routes worry some farmers

9/4/2008 - John Wagner took over operations at his 300-acre dairy farm in the Town of Springfield from his father decades ago. He has lived there for 48 years - all of his life - and says his son plans to step in once he retires and keep the family farm in business for another generation. But the proposed North Mendota Parkway - a major road in the works to Middleton's north - could take away his land, limit his field access and generally jeopardize those plans, Wagner said. "If we lose any acres, we'll have to downsize our operations...

Council OK with changes at West End

9/10/2008 - T. Wall gets the usual questions about timing. Despite showing some initial trepidation, the city's Plan Commission and Common Council have unanimously supported the latest proposed changes to the West End. As Ald. Steve Ritt (Dist. 2) put it Monday, the strong yes from the city should only help make the long-awaited "urban village" sprout out of the ground that much sooner. "If you don't have any serious concerns ... about reorienting (the big box stores to face the highway), we need to demonstrate the general development plan is acceptable to us," he said. And they did, voting 7-0 Thursday at Plan Commission and 7-0 Monday at Common Council. The general development plan amendment even got a yes from...

Need a Speaker

Ken Harwood is available to speak to your group on a variety of Economic Development topics. He is a strong advocate for planned development in the Greater Madison Area. He may be reached at Editor@WisconsinDevelopmentNews.com Or (608) 334-2174. He also juggles...

Wausau Equipment Company to expand in Wisconsin

New Berlin-based Wausau Equipment Company Inc. plans to build a satellite facility for research and development, testing, final assembly and product installations in the Town of Fond du Lac. The firm plans to build a 22,050-square-foot facility. "Wausau Equipment Company Inc. will continue to be based in New Berlin. We currently employ about 100 people in New Berlin. We are projecting 34 employees within three years at the new Fond du Lac facility," Rod Winter, president and chief executive officer of the company, told SBT...

Pleasant Prairie to put prime sites on the market

Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - In the next one to two months, the Village of Pleasant Prairie will put a pair of prime development sites on the market, said Village Administrator Michael Pollocoff. The two sites are located near the rapidly developing I-94 and Highway 165/Q interchange. One is a 33-acre site southwest of the interchange. The other is a 40-acre site further south, and separated from the 33-acre site by a vacant parcel of land where Jockey International had planned to build a new headquarters, but has not moved forward with those plans. The village wants to see a hotel, restaurants and mixed-use retail or office development on the 33-acre site, Pollocoff said...

Eau Claire one of the nation's most affordable housing markets

Eau Claire is the 10th most affordable housing market in the nation, according to Parsippany, N.J.-based Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC's 2008 Annual Home Price Comparison Index. Comparing the cost of four-bedroom 2,200-square-foot homes in 315 U.S. markets, eight of the 10 most expensive markets are in California. The most expensive market is La Jolla, Calif., where a 2,200-square-foot home costs $1.84 million, according to the index. The most affordable market was in Sioux City, Iowa, where a 2,200-square-foot homes costs $133,459, according to the index. The same home costs $147,300 in Eau Claire, the 10th most affordable market...

Waukesha, Racine counties team up on business loans

September 05, 2008 - In a new regional partnership for economic development, Waukesha County and Racine County are teaming up in a loan program that supports suburban business expansion...

Marquette Starts Real Estate Center

Monday, September 8, 2008 - Marquette University has started a center to research real estate trends and provide education for Wisconsin businesses. Marquette has focused on real estate since 2002 when it created a major that it says is the only commercial real estate program taught at Jesuit colleges and universities...

Gehl sale won’t affect new headquarters

September 10, 2008 - Gehl Co.’s development of a new headquarters building in West Bend will not be affected by its pending sale to a French firm, a company executive said Tuesday...

St. Michael plan cut by $9 million

September 08, 2008 - Developer hoping for deal with county offers reduced price. A developer hoping to sign Milwaukee County to a long-term lease on a remodeled St. Michael Hospital as a new home for the Mental Health Complex is cutting his price by $9 million...

Shopko looking at downtown

September 08, 2008 - Interested in Milwaukee, retailer starts with Sussex. Downtown Milwaukee is on the list of places that Shopko is considering for future store expansion, according to Douglas McHose, vice president of operations for the Green Bay-based discount chain...

West Pointe was dead end

September 07, 2008 - Redevelopment project saddled agency with debt. More than seven years ago, West End Development Corp. embarked on a bold effort to build and sell condominiums on the corner of N. 27th and Wells streets, then a distressed area...

Denver’s lessons for Milwaukee

September 07, 2008 - The Brewers may be better than the Rockies, but in job growth, the Mile High City wins. The Democratic Party National Convention brought new attention to Denver. And in almost every television picture of the Denver skyline, there was one feature: a construction...

OPINION The state must be willing to take risks to be ‘great’

September 07, 2008 - Enlightened public policy can help push Wisconsin from simply “good” to “great.” But we must be willing to take the appropriate risks...

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A single source for all economic development news for Greater Madison and beyond.

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Editorial Learn schools' value to economy

TUE., SEP 2, 2008 - Today is one of the most important days of the year for Wisconsin's economy. It's the first day of the school year. The state's families and policymakers should take the opportunity to remind themselves of the link between education and economic success. Education and the economy have long been related...

Ken Notes: sorry for opening with an editorial, but this one is accurate. Madison, the region and the state benefit immensely from all levels of education. The UW alone will keep us on the map globally for many years to come. Education is a small investment when we take the returns into account... By the way I should use this opportunity to suggest that my “typos” are not a reflection of a poor educational system, but rather trying to put this newsletter out in six hours...

A special note: If you want to contact me, replying to this email has it's limitations. Your email gets lost among 100's of “out of office” auto replies and can be hard to find. Please use Ken@WisconsinDevelopment.com for better response time and less likelihood of getting lost...Thanks and I do appreciate the comments.

Wisconsin spends millions to bring new business here. Does it work?

The corporate press release made it sound like the business coup of the decade: "State Initiatives Yield Positive Results: Florida Pharmaceutical Company Moves to Wisconsin." But upon further review, it turned out that the Florida company has just one employee, no revenues and no product ready for market. Still, NanoMedex recently received $290,000 from the Department of Commerce under programs designed to grow the technology sector in Wisconsin. The funding is based on possible approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2010 of an anesthetic that dissolves in water, making it easier to administer to patients. "It's a project we're very excited about," said Tony Hozeny...

Ken Notes: For my two cents, Wisconsin needs to work more closely with communities who are often the first point of contact for businesses looking at an area. If a team approach were available to create an incentive package for new or expanding employers we would level the playing field and have less big winner big looser scenarios...

First Phase Of Data Center Is Completed

Thursday, August 28, 2008 - A new computer data center is opening in Fitchburg. Team Cos. of Cedar Falls, Iowa, built the 20,000-square-foot center at 5515 Nobel Drive in the Fitchburg Technology Campus. CDW Berbee is the main tenant. The center is the first of a three-phase project that is expected to be 60,000 square feet with a total cost of $40 million. No date has been announced for the start of the next phase. Ten jobs will be created with the opening of the first phase...

Lintons pledge $1 million for Fitchburg library

9/3/2008 Bill and Mary Linton have agreed to donate $1 million toward the construction of a new library in Fitchburg. Bill Linton founded Promega Corporation, a privately held biotechnology company that develops and manufactures biological reagents and systems. Linton founded the firm in Fitchburg in 1978. Promega's annual sales now exceed $200 million annually. He is also president of Fitchburg Center, which donated the land for City Hall and the Community Center. The new library will also be constructed on the same site if voters approve Nov. 4 refererndums authorizing constructionand operation of the library...

Ken Notes: As a former Mayor, I found that these types of contributions often go unrecognized by the public so do me a favor, drop Bill and Mary a note or email and say thanks. The email for customer services is custserv@promega.com.

Waupaca has a “Future”

It only took one email and a couple of phone calls for the Future Waupaca site to be up and running. The list of Future Communities now exceeds 30 with more on the way. Each Future website offers a “One Stop” resource for available commercial properties, access to community websites and Key contact information. If you need a “Future” or want to be a part of an existing community give us a call 608.334.2174 – It only takes one and it's free just ask April...

When will Whole Foods finish what it started at Hilldale?

9/03/2008 - It's anybody's guess when developers might start filling that big hole in the ground behind the Hilldale Shopping Center. Officials with Joseph Freed and Associates, the Chicago-based firm heading Hilldale's redevelopment, are meeting Wednesday, Sept. 3, with Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and staff about where to go next. "These things take a long time to work themselves through, but we hope to know more after we meet with the city," said Dennis Harder, vice president of development at Freed, in an interview last week. "Obviously there are a lot of implications." The initial plan was for Whole Foods to open a new, 65,000-square-foot store at Hilldale with structured parking. But earlier this summer, Whole Foods CEO John Mackey said the company was cutting back on the number of stores expected to open in 2009. Since then, everything has been up in the air...

Ken Notes: I believe the project will get done - but times are tough. In the meantime check out the Mecalfe's Sentry that is already there a great shopping experience, not to mention the less crowded farmers market, great restaurants and Sundance...

Madison Flights More Expensive

Saturday, August 30, 2008 - The Dane County Regional Airport isn't immune from airline industry trends of higher fares, more fees and fewer available seats. Fares are going up. Average fares at the Madison airport rose 7 percent to $454.91 during the first quarter of 2008 from the previous quarter, according to the federal Transportation Department's Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The national average increase was 1.5 percent. In addition to higher industry fees for extra checked baggage and rescheduling flights, a new $15 fee by Northwest Airlines for a passenger's first checked bag took effect on Thursday. "Until the economy improves and oil prices go down, the airlines are going to continue to look for where they can find efficiencies," said airport spokeswoman Sharyn Wisniewski...

Ken Notes: We may want to look at securing a new regional carrier or becoming a hub for one of the expanding airlines. A marketing campaign, like Rockford's, would also help. Our new facility is “first class” but will only work for us if we have the connections...

New Commercial Listings from PropertyDrive

All Commercial Properties By Community (an interactive map)

Large Property Transactions

Building Permits

Property Transactions in Madison

Ken Notes: This searchable database includes property transfers that were recorded in Madison since June 2007. Search by month the transaction occurred, by street name or by price.

Dane County Foreclosures (WDN does not support or endorse this fee based website)

Cogdell Spencer touts 1st project stemming from Marshall Erdman merger

9/03/2008 - Cogdell Spencer Inc. on Tuesday announced its first project stemming from its merger in March with Madison-based Marshall Erdman and Associates. The Charlotte, N.C.-based real estate investment trust said in a news release that it has signed a definitive agreement to develop and manage a $22.4 million, 75,985-square-foot medical office building and outpatient treatment center in Pensacola, Fla. - a new market for the company. The project will include design/build (architectural, engineering and construction), development and property management services. The former Marshall Erdman and Associates -- now known as Erdman, a Cogdell Spencer Company -- specializes in health care facilities...

Famous Footwear HQ exit from Madison hits Brown Shoe earnings

8/28/2008 - St. Louis-based Brown Shoe Co. on Wednesday reported a 77.4 percent drop in its second-quarter profits due primarily to the cost of moving Famous Footwear's headquarters from Madison to St. Louis. Brown Shoe reported a second-quarter profit of $2.2 million, or five cents a share, down from a profit of $9.8 million, 22 cents a share, a year ago. Brown Shoes said its second quarter sales fell 1.3 percent to $569.2 million from $576.6 million a year ago. This year's second-quarter results included costs of $6.2 million, or 15 cents per share, for relocating the Famous Footwear headquarters. The move, which will eliminate nearly 300 jobs here, is scheduled to be completed by the end of the third quarter, and is expected to result in charges totaling nine cents per share after the gain from selling its real estate in Madison...

Ken Notes: We need a great new company to fill this space so call your friends from points elsewhere and invite them to a Badgers Game, drive by the place and tell the tail of Famous Footwear. Also lets get the new owner to replant the willows...

Northeast Neighborhood plan finally addresses a new issue

9/3/2008 - After several months, the Northeast Neighborhood Land Use Committee has moved on to a different topic, having spent several months on two of the seven topics it is supposed to address. The committee rejected a proposal by Ald. Bill Horns to define exactly what a neighborhood plan entailed. Ald. Jay Allen said the Plan Commission had clearly indicated it wanted a completed plan, based on "understood criteria," and without any specific deadlines except to keep working until "the vast majority of issues are resolved." City planner Tom Hovel agreed. "The Plan Commission really wants a document that provides solutions to the issues it identified," he said...

Still Living 'the Good Life' 60 Years Later

Sunday, August 31, 2008 - It was the magazine issue that launched a hundred others. Sixty years ago Saturday, on Sept. 6, 1948, Life magazine - arguably the most visible media outlet in the world at the time - published a cover story in which the editors sought to find the best place to live in the United States. "If a group of Americans were asked," the Life story began, "to define the kind of city they would like to live in, they might mention some such qualities as these: scenic beauty, nice homes, good job opportunities, a wide variety of healthful recreation near at hand, first-rate schools, good hospitals and plenty of cultural activities." The story continued: "Recently some of Life's editors set out to determine what American city comes closest to this ideal. After considering many candidates, they came up, somewhat brashly, with an answer: Madison, Wisconsin."...

Ken Notes: 60 years later we are still often found at or near the “Top of the List” and we should be. We are arguably one of the most well rounded places to live in the country, and the contributions of surrounding communities offer great lifestyle options...

Feingold will work to renew innovation funds

WED., SEP 3, 2008 - Two programs that since 1983 have provided millions of dollars and helped create hundreds of jobs for Wisconsin companies are scheduled to end later this month but could be reinstated. Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold, a Democrat, said Wednesday he will introduce legislation next week to reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology Transfer programs, established to promote small business innovation and commercialization...

Common Council Approves Land Swap With Porchlight

MADISON, Wis. -- The Madison Common Council on Tuesday night approved a plan to give Porchlight city land on the far East Side to build transitional housing. The approval means the city will likely get land where the Truman Olson Army Reserve Center sits on Park Street after it closes in 2011. Porchlight, a group that helps the homeless, will now base its operations out of a now-vacant lot on Nakoosa Trail by the East Side Wal-Mart. However, if there are any problems or additional costs, the Common Council would have to approve them first. Additionally, if any larger problems develop with the site, the project could revert back to the Park Street location and the city would keep the East Side land. Porchlight said it hopes plans keep moving forward. "Probably the major reason why we're interested in engaging...

A major setback?

A new water body management project being pursued by Dane County has local officials concerned that proposed building setbacks will hinder economic development and are superfluous to conservation programs already in place at the city level. Representatives for the county say the plan is still being shaped and will be malleable enough to alleviate concerns once complete. The Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission is putting together the Dane County Shoreline and Riparian Management Plan, a comprehensive document intended to protect water and wetlands across the region. The plan's primary goal, according to Brian Standing, a senior planner for the county, is to protect three things: water quality, habitat and natural scenic beauty...

Ken Notes: This, like the sewer extensions that came before it, could have a major impact on both the development of the region and the message we sent to firms looking to locate here. Wisconsin is upset about loosing paper industry jobs yet it is a sin to mention the 500 million dollars the state charged the industry to clean up the Fox River. Lets not make the same mistakes in Dane County and then lament the loss of jobs and new business because of concerns over conforming to bureaucratic mandates. Lets get businesses to the table then work with them to create environmentally sensitive projects that benefit everyone...

T. Wall asks to revise plans

Developer: Kohl’s wanted new setup on West End site. The dirt that's been shuffled to and fro at the West End finally is finally taking the form shown on its plans, but those plans could be in for some significant changes soon. T. Wall Properties has submitted a revision for review at next week's Plan Commission meeting that would, among other things, turn the large anchor stores sideways, combine the two hotels into one and phase in the big-ticket items in the public "Storybook Commons" area. The Middleton developer this month sent a public relations brochure about the changes to the 62-acre development on West Verona Avenue to some city officials and Verona Area Chamber of Commerce members. It indicated that the "improvements" stemmed directly from discussions with anchor retailers, and project manager Sean Robbins confirmed that last week. He acknowledged what had been one of the worst-kept secrets in Verona over the past year, that Menomonee Falls-based Kohl's has been a prime target, just as it has been for proposals on the opposite end of the city. The Kohl's building would have a footprint of 87,000 square feet...

10 Local Firms On List Of Fastest Growing

Thursday, August 28, 2008 - Eighty-five Wisconsin companies - including 10 from the Madison area - are on the Inc.com 2008 list of the 5,000 fastest growing privately owned companies in the U.S. The rankings measure revenue growth from 2004 through 2007, with a starting point of at least $200,000 in revenue in 2004. New Glarus Brewing is the highest ranking local company, at No. 2017. Other area businesses on the list are Cascade Asset Management, Madison, No. 2809; Hartung Brothers, Madison, No. 3294; Dane Manufacturing, Dane, No. 4266; Tri-North Builders, Fitchburg, No. 4580; Freedom Personal Development, Madison, No. 4633; HospiceCare, Madison, No. 4763; Wisconsin Built, Deerfield, No. 4801; Edgerton Gear, Edgerton, No. 4803; and Natural Resources Consulting, Cottage Grove, No. 4922...

Need a Speaker

Ken Harwood is available to speak to your group on a variety of Economic Development topics. He is a strong advocate for planned development in the Greater Madison Area. He may be reached at Editor@WisconsinDevelopmentNews.com Or (608) 334-2174. He also juggles...

Apartment development swells in Third Ward

Construction began this week for one apartment development project in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward, and construction of another apartment complex in the neighborhood is expected to break ground next month. Site work began this week for developer Robert Joseph's Jackson Square project, an 81-unit apartment building with 9,000 square feet of retail space, which is being built at the...

Ken Notes: This may be proof that if you create a great place to live and work people will want to live and work there... go figure...

High-Tech Industry Booming In Western Wisconsin

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. -- The Chippewa Valley area of western Wisconsin is experiencing something of a high-tech economic boom and support of that industry for some companies is a swing issue this election season. Some people call Eau Claire and nearby Chippewa Falls is some call it the "Silicon Valley" of the Midwest. The picturesque landscape of the Chippewa Valley leaves you with the feeling it would be a good place to grow crops or a family but instead, they grow supercomputers. "Cray is known as the supercomputer company. We build very high performance computers to solve challenging national security, environmental, science manufacturing sorts of problems," said Steve Scott, chief technical officer of Cray Inc. Cray Incorporated traces its roots back to Cray Research founded in the 1970's by Chippewa Falls resident Semour Cray. The company now makes computers for NASA...

Land Intended For Water Ski Complex For Sale

September 3, 2008 - VILLAGE OF PLOVER, Wis. -- Central Wisconsin land intended for a world-class water ski complex will be sold to the highest bidder next month. Centre Lakes AquaPlex was to be developed on nearly 450 acres in the village of Plover. But managing partner Scott Neale of H2O Development never secured all the funding necessary for the project. H2O Development owes about $3.6 million to Kennedy Funding of Hackensack, N.J., as well as more than $150,000 in back property taxes to Portage County. Neale made only a few payments on his loan from Kennedy before the property went into foreclosure. The village paid H2O a $1 million developer's incentive for preliminary work done on the site. Village Administrator Dan Mahoney said the community will recover that payment from future developers. An auction on the property is scheduled Oct. 13...

Marquette’s business college to house real estate center

September 04, 2008 - Marquette University has approved a new Center for Real Estate to be housed in the College of Business Administration, officials announced Wednesday...

Does Pabst Farms road plan violate civil rights?

September 04, 2008 - A federal complaint filed against the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission states the commission has discriminated against minorities in the Milwaukee area by continually pushing aside public transit projects that extend out of the city...

Brookfield Input on 2035 plan needed

September 04, 2008 - Input on 2035 plan needed. A task force updating the city’s master plan will have an opportunity to get feedback from residents in the coming weeks...

Going gangbusters in tough economy

Going gangbusters in tough economy. Newcomers to list of state’s biggest private companies take different tacks but buck trend. Slowdown? What slowdown? Softness in the economy isn’t stopping some of the state’s largest privately held companies from continuing to expand...

The Iron Horse Hotel's 'Rev it Up' Rate Jump Starts Milwaukee's Newest Hotel

September 03, 2008 8/30/2008 MILWAUKEE -- The industry's first modern boutique hotel geared toward business travelers and motorcycle enthusiasts alike is offering a special "Rev It Up" rate. Guests can test drive Milwaukee's first true boutique hotel at a special introductory rate from October 1 through October 31, 2008. Each guest room in The Iron Horse Hotel has luxurious bedding and linens, custom furnishings with a generously scaled desk and a lavishly stocked Perlick beverage refrigerator with 750ml wine bottles. Rooms are equipped with a 42" LG(R) LCD flat screen TV with on-demand movies, wireless and hard-wired Internet and feature remarkable artwork and decor. The Iron Horse Hotel is offering its Custom Deluxe rooms, which are suite size by industry standards at 450 square feet...

Ken Notes: Guys I usually don't run this type of release but the hotel sounds way cool. In fact if you put me up for a night or two I'll review it...

Hampton Inn & Suites planned in Sheboygan

Published September 3, 2008 - DeForest-based Main Street Builders Inc. plans to build an 81-room Hampton Inn & Suites hotel in Sheboygan. The four-story, 16,300-square-foot building would be constructed on a vacant site on the east side of Taylor Drive, just north of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. The site is on the south side of Sheboygan, near the city's south side industrial park and I-43. "It's a nice site," said Steve Sokolowski, manger of planning and zoning for the city. "It's going to be very visible from I-43." There are about 1,500 Hampton Inn locations. The hotel chain is part of Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Hilton Hotels Corp...

TAPCO to move to Brown Deer

Published September 4, 2008 - Traffic & Parking Control Co. Inc. (TAPCO) has outgrown its plant in Elm Grove and plans to move its headquarters to Brown Deer. The company will receive a $5.1 million Industrial Revenue Bond allocation from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce to acquire and equip an existing 128,000-square-foot production facility at 5100 W. Brown Deer Road. With the move, the company will double its square footage, create 15 new jobs and invest more than $1 million to upgrade the site. TAPCO manufactures and distributes...