Happy Friday! It was a big week at City Hall, with some significant news from the Common Council's committee meetings. A full council meeting is set for next Tuesday. The governing body is getting busy before taking the month of August off.
The biggest news was the preliminary vote on Option 4 for the Civic Center complex. That option involves tearing down the existing City Hall and library and building a new City Hall and new library in their place at an estimated cost of $107.2 million. The council intends to push for more non-tax funding of that project to lower the impact on property owners.
That could require an aggressive fundraising campaign by the Library Foundation and/or some big-dollar donors interested in putting their names on the new building or a portion of it.
David Paulsen
The council also appears likely to leave the vacant District 6 seat vacant until a special election in April 2027. That would mean the district would be without direct representation for nearly a full year. Details on that plan can be found here.
The main argument against filling the seat temporarily by appointment is that the council could be perceived as tipping the scales toward its preferred appointee when that person runs for election. Appointees typically are favored to win. If so, voters effectively would be endorsing the council's choice rather than selecting their own brand new representative.
The downside of not appointing someone, obviously, is a prolonged vacancy.
David Paulsen
Do you live in the Tosa East Towne neighborhood but don't have access to off-street parking? You might be eligible to apply for a permit to park on the street overnight, if a pilot program is approved by the council.
Wauwatosa does not allow parking on its streets from 3 to 6 a.m., partly to allow municipal crews to do their work, sweeping streets and plowing snow. Those restrictions would continue, but if a pilot program is successful and deemed viable, permits could be expanded to eligible residents citywide.
Congrats to the Wauwatosa Veterans Memorial committee on getting its final zoning approval for the site at Harwood and Milwaukee avenues.
Congrats also to Wauwatosa Police Deputy Chief Luke Vetter, who was promoted from captain this week. He is the first person appointed to the newly created position of deputy chief.
"This promotion also marks the completion of the department's organizational restructuring, designed to strengthen leadership, improve coordination and better support officers, as we continue to deliver high-quality public safety services for our community," the department said in a social media post announcing Vetter's promotion.
More information on the department's restructuring can be found in this news release.
The Milwaukee Business Journal just posted this story taking a closer look at Wauwatosa's experimentation with "accessory dwelling units." The cost of building those units turned out to be higher than expected, which may have decreased participation with the city's loan program.
And local history enthusiasts are advised that the Wauwatosa Historical Society will hold a walking tour of the Wauwatosa Cemetery at 7 p.m. July 30. Details and tickets are here.
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