UWM and columbia

(whoops- realized I posted this backdated. Here it is as the correct date, 6/4.)
This article in the May 29, 2009 Journal-Sentinel discusses the possibility of UWM's expansion onto what will be in 2010 the former site of Columbia Hospital.

"Columbia St. Mary's Inc. has agreed to sell its buildings next to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to a local developer, and university officials are eager to meet with him to discuss their interest in leasing space for student housing and other uses.

Milwaukee developer Doug Weas said Wednesday he's signed a contract to buy the buildings, which will become available for development in 2010 after the hospital complex closes. UWM Chancellor Carlos Santiago said university officials plan to meet soon with Weas to discuss their interest in using some of space for student housing, student health care, child care and other purposes."

"The university has long eyed the Columbia complex, which covers more than two blocks just across N. Maryland Ave. and E. Hartford Ave. from UWM's campus..."

..."A year ago, more than 20 members of the Mariners Neighborhood Association picketed outside the UWM Union, where the UW System Board of Regents was meeting. Among other things, the neighbors wanted UWM to promise not to use the Columbia site for student housing." This seems a little sad to me.

"Mariners President Michael Rosen said then that students flood the neighborhoods every weekend, attending parties, urinating on lawns and knocking over trash cans."

Personally, I lived in that neighborhood for three years- two years across the street from the Sandburg Halls, on Newport, and one year across the street from the Student Union, on Kenwood Blvd, and I didn't see that kind of behavior. Sure, there was some occasional street noise, but never anything like "students flooding the neighborhoods" and creating a huge level of mayhem. It's by and large a commuter campus. Did the article interview any neighbors who enjoy a proximity to the campus and its benefits- being able to walk to free concerts and art movies, auditing classes, attending lectures... Brain and I go to some of these things. Some of the neighbors do too.

What about this: what if the drinking age were 18? What if there were on-campus bars? Students will drink. Students will go to parties. What if there were safer, more contained places for them to do so? What if?

Summer recreation- swimming and baseball

The Aquatic Center in Lincoln Park is finished! This is what I saw last night when I was walking the dog, above. It was as if suddenly I was in Florida. Its grand opening is this Saturday, June 6, at 11am. For more information including hours and admission prices, click here.

Lincoln Park also offers an excellent chance of baseball every evening. The Henry Aaron Field is home to the UWM Panthers and also the MSOE baseball teams, and hosts high school baseball games also. Brain loves baseball. Not the best shot; it was hard to get an action shot with the dog in tow. This is just a warmup anyway.

With the game about to start, fans are showing up to cheer. The Henry Aaron Field is just such a cool place to watch a game. It's so intimate, even though it's a regulation-size field, because you can watch from up close.

UWM's Freshwater Sciences- PRO!

Below is the body of an email I sent the Harbor Commissioners.

I am writing as a citizen concerned about our city, our region, and our waters. I feel that the proposed site for the UWM School of Freshwater Sciences on the Lake Michigan shore is perfect for several reasons: first, it makes logical sense to have it located there, directly on the water. Second, although it is offsite, it is close to the main campus- within easy walking distance. Third, it is a chance to show off our shoreline. Cities like NYC and Baltimore have beautiful, amazing structures on their shorelines, showcasing both the architecture and the water. An innovative and well-designed structure would build on the momentum started by the Calatrava. Make it a green building that uses passive solar for heating and light- or that could even generate extra power to add to the grid, like the Aktivhaus, and we will have something amazing for future generations.

Sincerely,

The River Otter

You can email the Harbor Commissioners before tomorrow evening to support the School of Freshwater Sciences on lakefront site - here are the addresses. I got one response right away. http://cli.gs/1HWNTQ. There's a meeting tomorrow night, too: attend the Public Hearing on May 28th at 6 PM at City Hall in Room 301-B and share your opinion. I would attend if I were able.

Why is this different than the County Grounds issue? See above.

UWM again

In another fine post today, Capper discussed (in a long post, which I invite you to read for yourself) the whole UWM invasion onto the County Grounds, stating that "the so-called County Board Economic and Community Development Committee foolishly voted to recommend all but giving away the county grounds to a private developer." One reason that it just rubs me the wrong way- besides the idea of developing the County green space that was supposed to remain open in perpetuity- is that I worked for Columbia Hospital for so many years and (overall) loved it. It's closing- gradually, slowly dying; my former unit already closed last year. Some of the buildings are historic, and rather ornate. It would be the best possible thing for everyone concerned if UWM bought the Columbia property.

Look at this map- the Columbia property is situated perfectly within the L-shaped UWM campus. (Yes, I know it is supposed to say "Downer Woods"; it's not the worst error ever made on an online map.)

There it is- perfectly nestled, just waiting to be repurposed as university space.