UWM Downtown

MMAC Leadership Dialogue with UWM Chancellor Carlos Santiago.

MMAC Offices - 4th Floor
756 N. Milwaukee St., Ste. 400
Milwaukee

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Everyone in the Milwaukee region should support higher education and understand the value that research institutions play in creating jobs and growing the economy. Likewise, it is understood that it is in the best interest of the entire region to have new jobs and investment today, rather than tomorrow.

UW-Milwaukee’s plan to build an engineering and research campus on the County Grounds in Wauwatosa will certainly be a benefit to the region’s economy. However, there are many obstacles that will delay the campus from becoming a reality, and as a result, will delay the economic benefits to the region. Here are just a few of those obstacles (while none of these are necessarily deal-killers, they will certainly cause significant and costly delays):

Opposition to Building on County Grounds. For years, there has been opposition to developing the County Grounds from various groups. The areas that have already been developed were much more commercial in nature. However, the remaining piece being proposed for UWM, between Swan Boulevard and Watertown Plank, is currently open green space. Several environmental groups will oppose construction on the remaining open land.

1. Opposition to University Expansion in Wauwatosa. Wisconsin Lutheran College, located just on the other side of the Medical Complex from the UWM site has been in a constant struggle with neighbors to expand their campus. Residents have opposed expansion for several reasons, including (like on the East Side of Milwaukee) a disinterest in additional students housing in their neighborhood.
2. Site Issues. There have been recent reports about the pauper cemeteries on the County Grounds, many of the remains coming from the tuberculosis hospital that was once there. It is very likely that additional remains are buried on the UWM site. In addition, the site is in the pathway of butterfly migration.
3. Infrastructure and Access. The UWM Site at the County Grounds will need substantial infrastructure put in place before any building construction can begin, which will be costly and will delay construction. Basic infrastructure, such as roads, sewer, water and electric will need to be installed for the entire campus. Since the site is currently pervious , storm water runoff management will require a significant amount of land and additional expense. Finally, the Zoo Interchange is expected to be under reconstruction from 2012-16. That project extends past North Avenue. As a result, access to the UWM site will be impaired during construction and possibly even once the complex is completed. (http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects/sefreeways/zooindex.htm)

In contrast, Downtown Milwaukee has many vacant lots that are ready to be built on as quickly as UWM wants. There will be little to no neighbor opposition and the infrastructure is already in place. In addition to various transit options downtown, the Marquette Interchange will be completed by the beginning of 2009. All of this means that UWM will be able to get in the ground earlier, thus providing our region with needed jobs and investment sooner. Instead of spending scarce university, state and philanthropic dollars on infrastructure in Wauwatosa, those same funds could be put towards classroom buildings, computer labs, research labs, chair endowments and curriculum.

The choice is clear: Putting UWM downtown will provide the greatest benefit to the Milwaukee region because it is cost-effective and it can break ground quickly.