Franklin Today

Aldermen look for 27th Street spending options while Mayor points out the unknown

Last week, the Common Council authorized staff to explore funding options for the city as they continue to make developing 27th Street a high priority. This continuation of spending comes at no surprise to some, given that the city has pumped in millions of dollars from a variety of public funding sources to this commercial corridor. When the spending began back in the 1990s, Franklin officials believed strongly that our neighbor to the east, Oak Creek, would be an equal partner sharing an equal high interest in seeing the corridor develop to its maximum extent. However, as years turned to decades Oak Creek's interest went from a nice high to perhaps an all-time low. This was evident as Mayor Taylor mentioned prior to the Council's vote that with a new mayoral administration in Oak Creek coming soon, their commitment to the corridor was up in the air.

More public funds for 27th Street?

Tonight's Common Council agenda includes two development topics: the Crossroads intersection (Hwy 100 & Loomis) and the 27th Street Corridor. What stands out is how those two topics part ways in terms of priorities and vision.

Danny Gokey shoots commercial in Franklin's Moondance Cafe

A couple of hours ago, Franklin's very own Moondance Cafe posted an update on their Facebook page thanking American Idol-turned-Country star Danny Gokey for filming part of his Wisconsin Vision commercial at their business. For those who might not be aware of this, Gokey actually has family ties in Franklin, and while being a sensation on American Idol made a stop at Robinwood Elementary School, where his relatives attended school, for a special performance.

It's great to see Gokey back in Franklin, this time showing support for one of our local businesses. 

Pictured Above: Gokey with Moondance Cafe owner Hatem (Harry) Shata.

Oakwood Road resurfacing on the Council agenda

This Tuesday the Common Council will be voting on a couple major items. Two of those involve Oakwood Road, on the city's south side. Two separate items are on the agenda, one for the resurfacing of the road and one to include the installation of a water main along the road. These two items are very significant to the future of the southern portion of our community.

Resurfacing the road at the same time as installing the water main, I'm assuming, will save taxpayer dollars by not doing the projects at separate times. The water main has been argued as very important for two things - the future of the Franklin Business Park and the continued growth and development of lands surrounding it. It is no secret that the city has thought about and planned for a southern entrance into the business park; I saw some plans myself posted up on a wall in City Hall's Hearing Room where the Trails Committee meets. A southern entrance provides better access to business park properties located at the southernmost points and along with 27th Street's growth, Oakwood Road will likely be a busier road between 27th and 60th Streets.

The only significant downside I'm seeing to this is that Oakwood Road is only maintained and funded by the City of Franklin and no other taxing authorities like the county or state. Therefore, any work done on the road now or in the future comes directly from Franklin taxpayers. This concerns me not today, but several years down the road when the economy truly bounces back. It also troubles me that the city still seems to be bent on NEW development instead of REdevelopment. Many areas in the city are currently served by sewer and water and are in need of REdevelopment, but there doesn't seem to be much interest by city officials in helping get that done. Instead, taxpayers are footing bills for projects that will aid in more growth and more development while not addressing the present conditions of many commercial sites in our community that are vacant or need tenants.

Franklin restaurant gets a Journal Sentinel review

Two Brothers restaurant, located just north of Ryan Rd (Hwy 100) on 27th Street received a positive review from the Journal Sentinel's dining critic, Carol Deptolla. You can listen to her review and enjoy some of Two Brothers menu offerings by viewing the video below.

"Historic 41" on full display

It took about a year-and-a-half since Milwaukee & Greenfield announced a partnership to revamp a portion of 27th Street from St. Luke's Medical Center to College Avenue for it to be almost complete. A friend of mine at work commented before she went home to go check it out, and so I did. While it looks like there's still some finishing pieces to the overall project, the good bulk of it is now up.

Dental Associates begins construction

The Cash 4 Gold business is down, and now the new building which will house the corporate offices of Dental Associates, as well as 12-15 full-time dentists, is being built to take its place.

The article on FranklinNOW.com notes that the new dental building should be completed by Summer, 2011. This is a huge plus for the 27th Street Corridor between College and Rawson, which during the economic recession seen several businesses close. Fortunately, that's turning around with this new facility and Steinhafels Mattress opening up in the strip mall near Moondance Cafe.

Hopefully additional retail growth on top of this will occur in the coming months, as well.

Some updates from Alderwoman Kristen Wilhelm

Ald. Wilhelm Nov. End Updates

Scott Walker's donations from "South of the Border"

Working on a story about campaign contributions to political candidates from Franklin, I downloaded the July, 2010-continuing reports from the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board's website from Wisconsin's "Big Three" in the gubernatorial race - Tom Barrett, Mark Neumann and Scott Walker. What I didn't expect from this was to be amused by politics the day before Walker's campaign event at St. Martin's Fair tomorrow morning.

Another good commission meeting tonight!

This month has had its share of some really good agendas for city commissions. Tonight's Economic Development Commission meeting is no exception, thanks to Commissioner John Michlig. Michlig has several items on the agenda, from discussion on promoting local businesses to the impact of the Drexel Interchange to the City of Franklin's economic development. Bravo! I'll be doing my best to be in attendance. Below is the full agenda:

EDC Agenda 8-23-10