Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Requirements for a revolving loan program designed to encourage job creation has the city concerned over what that could mean for businesses and future employment opportunities.
The city has apparently not been in compliance with a loan program offered through the state's Community Development Block Grant program(CDBG), and the requirements have some concerned over its impact. A letter from the Wisconsin State Department of Administration to the city said that to continue to be eligible for the low income loans through its CDBG program, it would need to require at least 51 percent of candidates for jobs created to be lower to middle income (LMI) earners, and that these candidates be given "first consideration" for them. The revolving loan program is designed to encourage job creation for businesses as they expand. In addition, requirements state that businesses that borrow money for job creation must document that…
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Expansion of TIF district praised as a chance to revive Muskego's downtown by review board.
As many as 17 new parcels, representing about $5 million in property value, will have the opportunity to take advantage of the city's downtown tax incremental financing, with the hope of planners being that the newcomers to the district will help to spur economic revival in Muskego's downtown. The Community Development Authority gave the green light on the final changes to the district map Monday night, and although a public hearing was held, no one came to offer input. Community Development Director Jeff Muenkel said the first meeting of a joint review board, which is comprised of county and city representatives, "praised the city for trying to revive the district" by the expansion. While there remains $375,000 in loan funds the board …
Thursday, October 18, 2012
A $1 offer from the county makes the property at the corner of Janesville and Lannon too good to pass up, as financing district downtown could expand.
The expansion of the tax incremental financing (TIF) district along Janesville Road could mean a shot in the arm as Janesville Road reconstruction nears the midway point. The Community Development Authority, buoyed by the OK from the Common Council to pursue the expansion of the downtown TIF district, set a public hearing date for Nov. 22 to get further input on the matter. In addition, the CDA also looking to purchase a prime corner of land within the proposed new boundaries to tap into the TIF funds in order to improve the property for resale. Properties like Muskego Beer and Liquor, Delta Family Restaurant, and possibly the Westwood Centre Mall would be included on the western end of the TIF district. Businesses from the corner of Bay …
Friday, September 21, 2012
Interest in business renovations accompanies Janesville Road facelift, prompting city planners to consider extending special taxing district so businesses would be eligible for loans.
Some businesses along the Janesville Road corridor have come under fire for looking like eyesores, so the city is considering helping them out by extending a special taxing district - which would make them eligible for low-interest loans. Tax incremental financing districts are set up by cities to encourage business development. Typically, TIF districts are used to fund public improvements, like sewers and roads, on new development. However, Muskego and other cities also use TIF funds to make loans to businesses within a TIF district, Owners use that money to make improvements to their businesses, which should boost their property values. The additional tax revenue generated by the improvements then goes toward paying off the loans. …
Saturday, June 23, 2012
We began the week hot, and ended on a frosty note; here's what folks were talking about in the past week.
If it felt like a long hot week, it was: temps in the 90s for much of it, and a lot more news than first thought happened. Let's catch up! June 18 We recapped the Parks meeting, and included the list of items on the parks' maintenance list: 2013 Wish List For Parks is a Long One Developments in the case against a Waukesha man accused of sexually assaulting a Muskego teen could keep the man in prison for the rest of his life: $225K Bail Set For Skout Sexual Assault Suspect June 19 The hirings at Muskego-Norway continue, as internal promotions keep the school board busy: O'Bryan to be New Principal at Lake Denoon; Tess Corners, Mill Valley Will Have Slots to Fill June 20 The dry weather is starting to impact burning ordinances, but not in …
Thursday, June 21, 2012
In a recap of CDA's meeting, Muskego's eastern 'entrance' may not see additional improvements as $118,000 price tag puts off projects for a later date; DJ's land will be recommended for rezoning to allow business to rebuild.
Earlier discussion about Janesville Road streetscaping had some wondering if there was an opportunity to include additional lighting at Muskego's far eastern gateway on Janesville, between College Avenue and into the Tess Corners area. Presently there are no street lights in that stretch of roadway, and Alderman Rob Wolfe had asked city planner Jeff Muenkel to look into what the cost would be to add those fixtures into the streetscaping plan. The Janesville Road project does not include that portion of roadway, but it was thought that there could be some efficiencies in adding the same lights. The plans for streetscaping the area to match the rest of Janesville Road currently are budgeted at $72,500, which Muenkel said they would meet, but…
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Muskego officials hope to stay proactive as development area near I-43 will likely blossom in the next decade.
A public hearing at the Community Development Authority meeting Tuesday night drew a small gathering of residents who live in the Mill Valley area of the city to see what creating a redevelopment district will mean to them. Development Director Jeff Muenkel explained that the newest redevelopment district, which includes parcels along Racine Avenue from Tans Drive to College Avenue, has been targeted because it is the city's northern gateway and also because New Berlin has the quarry across the street in its plans for future commercial development. Creating districts like these allow for revitalization and to spur reinvestment in the community, Muenkel explained. Howard Schneider, a member of the Muskego Lakes Conservancy, expressed some …
Friday, May 18, 2012
Janesville Road reconstruction has looked carefully at streetscaping plan, but earlier upgrades in Tess Corners didn't receive the same treatment; city planners look to see what can be done to incorporate more detail as current road project begins.
Jeff Muenkel admitted to the Community Development Authority that when Tess Corners - specifically the area from Durham Drive to the city's east border on Janesville Road - was upgraded, not as much detail was reflected in the streetscaping and medians. With the focus on these aesthetics being sharper in regard to the Janesville Road project, Muenkel told the CDA that they were trying to right that wrong by revisiting what could be done to add features in Tess Corners to mimic what is planned just down the road to the west. "We are looking at what can be continued to mimic the streetscaping, including adding lower-cut plantings in the medians and adding nicer landscaping on either side of the street there," he said. The addition of banner …
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Downtown wayfinding signs and others along main arteries in the city would direct visitors and residents alike to city resources.
Chances are, if someone asked you where Kurth Park was, you may be able to answer that question if you lived near Kurth Park. Or Idle Isle Park. Or Lake Denoon Middle School. You get the picture. This is the point behind City of Muskego planners' presentations to various committees to review a wayfinding signage plan, which would assist motorists to find area destinations. Jeff Muenkel with the planning department has worked with Lemberg Signs, which has created the other gateway signage and the signs at the city hall complex, to create a concept for review. About 28 large signs as well as 16 smaller signs would direct people to such resources as the library, schools, government facilities and parks. Some would be pole-mounted and provide …
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Plans made by New Berlin just across Racine Avenue are prompting the Muskego Community Development Authority to take a look at its current plans for the area's future.
The Mill Valley redevelopment district along Muskego's north side is going to get more attention by the Community Development Authority, as plans in New Berlin to develop the quarry as a business park just across the street could spark commerce on the Muskego side, if the city is prepared. Previously, Executive Director Jeff Muenkel provided a draft for the implementation of the redevelopment district asking CDA members to review and to put forth any new ideas they would have for the district. However, as looming elections meant that members would change on the board, it was deferred to Tuesday night. A public hearing process would be required to establish the district, which extends just south of I-43 along Racine Avenue and east from …
Gregory Kluck
3:36 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
I would like to see an independent shop go in there. A hobby shop would make me happy, but anything that is not offered nearby would be nice. Another chain restaurant we do NOT need...or a bank! LOL more ›