Lakefront Redevelopment plan hearing Tu., Oct 18, 5-6:30pm

Milwaukee County Supervisor Gerry Broderick has announced that the County Board’s Parks, Energy & Environment Committee will hold a public hearing on the recommendations from Milwaukee County’s Long-Range Lakefront Planning Committee.

The Planning Committee, chaired by Parks Director Sue Black, forwarded the recommendations to the County Board in August. The plan includes a vision for the lakefront near downtown Milwaukee, including possible redevelopment of O’Donnell Park, the Downtown Transit Center and access to Lincoln Memorial Drive from the Hoan Bridge and I-794. Click here to view the entire report.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011, 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. 

Downtown Transit Center, Harbor Lights Room 

909 E. Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 

The resolution establishing the Committee was authored by County Supervisors Patricia Jursik and Gerry Broderick.

The Committee will also hear comments on a proposal for a communications tower in Veterans Park. Here is the text of the proposal:

Date:                        October 7, 2011

To:                        Chairman Lee Holloway, Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors

From:                        Sue Black, Director, Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture

Subject:            Telecommunications Tower in Veteran’s Park – ACTION

POLICY

AT&T is requesting that Milwaukee County permit it to locate a telecommunications tower in Veteran’s Park.  The tower would be part of a proposed restroom-shelter building and encased in a stealth pole with a nautical mast theme.

 

Background

On June 6, 2011, Matt Collins of Collins Wireless Management (Collins), representing AT&T, contacted the Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture (DPRC) to discuss the possibility of locating a new telecommunications facility along the lakefront in the area of Veteran’s Park.

 

On June 24 DPRC staff met with Collins at Veteran’s Park.  The team reviewed potential sites, including the current restroom-shelter building and the area around the existing parking area.  The current restroom-shelter building was planned to undergo a restroom remodeling project earlier this year.  In the design process, however, it was discovered that improvements were also needed to the roof, shelter support beams and columns, and the facade.  With the additional work, the cost estimates rose above the budgeted amount of funding.  DPRC was considering alternatives to the restroom-shelter project when it was approached by Collins with this opportunity, one that could be leveraged into a new building at this prominent park location.

 

The proposed building would include new accessible restrooms, a double-winged shelter to offer increased reservation opportunities, a concession serving area, a mechanical room, a telecommunications equipment room, and storage area.  The double-winged shelter would take advantage of beautiful lake views to the northeast and southeast.  The tower would be encased in a stealth pole with a nautical mast theme, which would complement this site, adjacent to the marina.  The tower is proposed to be sixty feet high, with capability to support up to four providers within tower.  The tower’s ability to hold other providers would ensure a clean look.  At ground level, AT&T and future providers will need up to 300 square feet of space per provider within the proposed building to accommodate a generator and communications equipment.

At the July PEEC meeting, this item was discussed as Informational only, and the committee referred it to the Lakefront Development Advisory Commission (LDAC).  On August 30, 2011, DPRC presented this item to LDAC, which reviewed and approved AT&T’s proposal.

AT&T has provided a sample lease, which has been reviewed by Paul Kuglitsch, Contract Services Officer.  The current terms of the lease include: a $100,000 down payment, and a rental payment of $1,000 per month for up to 25 years.  The lease will be reviewed and approved by DPRC in coordination with Corporation Counsel and Risk Management prior to execution.

Recommendation

The Parks Director respectfully recommends that the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors authorizes the Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture to negotiate a lease agreement with AT&T for the placement of a Telecommunications Tower in Veterans Park, and bring back the lease in the October cycle for approval prior to execution.

Prepared by: David Burch, Chief of Planning and Development

Recommended by:                                                Approved by:

James Keegan, Chief of Administration and External Affairs

Sue Black, Parks Director

Cc:            County Executive Chris Abele

George Aldrich, Chief of Staff, County Executive’s Office

Terrence Cooley, Chief of Staff, County Board

Supv. Jason Haas, Vice-Chair, Parks, Energy & Environment Committee

Sarah Jankowski, Fiscal Mgt. Analyst, Admin & Fiscal Affairs/DAS

Linda Durham, Parks, Energy & Environment Committee Clerk

Glenn Bultman, Research Analyst, County Board

 

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