Number
130129
Version
Substitute 1
Reference
Sponsor
Ald. Wade
Title
Substitute resolution designating "Three Bridges Park" as the name of the park in the Menomonee Valley, in the 8th Aldermanic District.
Analysis
This resolution approves the Park Naming Agreement contemplated by the Airline Yards Master Agreement governing redevelopment of a Redevelopment Authority owned parcel by a public/private collaboration among the Redevelopment Authority, the City, the State of Wisconsin, Menomonee Valley Partners and the Urban Ecology Center, and designates that the name of the new park shall be "Three Bridges Park."
The new park is located on a portion of Redevelopment Authority owned lands at 610 South 35th Street known as Airline Yards.
A group of project stakeholders, representatives of nearby neighborhoods and community leaders was convened to consider the 777 name suggestions submitted by the community and to recommend a name for the park.
The park is scheduled to open on Saturday, July 20, 2013.
Body
Whereas, A public/private collaboration among the Redevelopment Authority, the City, the State of Wisconsin, Menomonee Valley Partners and the Urban Ecology Center has redeveloped a portion of land owned by the Redevelopment Authority at 610 South 35th Street, known as Airline Yards, into a park scheduled to open on Saturday, July 20, 2013; and
Whereas, This park creates a "car-free" island bounded by the Menomonee River and the Soo Line railroad tracks accessible to pedestrians, joggers and bicyclists only over 3 bike/pedestrian bridges; one over the Menomonee River at South 33rd Court, one at West Canal and South 37th Street, and one over the Soo Line tracks connecting to Mitchel Park; and
Whereas, This park will be owned by the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee and allow extension of the Hank Aaron Trail, be a new habitat for birds, fish and other wildlife, and is expected to include community gardens; and
Whereas, The stakeholders solicited suggestions on what to name this new park from the community, and convened project stakeholders, representatives of nearby neighborhoods and community leaders to consider the 777 name suggestions submitted and to recommend a name for the park; and
Whereas, The project stakeholders, representatives of nearby neighborhoods and community leaders convened to consider suggested names, developed a broad range of criteria to guide the naming process, and carefully considered all submissions; and
Whereas, The name "Three Bridges Park" suggests on the most literal level that the park is accessible by the 3 bike/pedestrian bridges; and
Whereas, While the name "Three Bridges Park" recalls the park area's past when trains were "connected" and sent on their journeys, the name more importantly emphasizes how the neighborhoods surrounding the new park have been "bridges" connecting north and south Milwaukee; and
Whereas, The name "Three Bridges Park" suggests the park can act as a "bridge" bringing people together in a positive, affirming and harmonious setting; and
Whereas, The name "Three Bridges Park" is a reminder of how the new park is part of the City's redevelopment efforts to "bridge" and connect the industrial past of the Menomonee Valley, when manufacturing isolated the region from the surrounding community, to the next generation of industry that seeks to integrate manufacturing with environmental sustainability and vibrant neighborhoods; and
Whereas, The name "Three Bridges Park" suggests how the park is a "bridge" connecting visitors and the surrounding urban community to the rich heritage of the land and its ecology; and
Whereas, the Common Council considered the recommendation of the Citizen Advisory Committee on the Naming of Public Buildings, Facilities and Streets; and
Whereas, The City, the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and UEC/MVP Project, Inc. have negotiatedthe attached Park Naming Agreement, contemplated by the Airline Yards Master Agreement governing redeveloping of this site, in which the parties would agree to the name "Three Bridges Park"; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the "Three Bridges Park" name is approved, and the Park Naming Agreement that is attached to this file, naming the new park "Three Bridges Park" is approved and the appropriate City officers are hereby authorized to sign and cause the City to enter into the Agreement in that form or in materially and substantially the same form and substance.
Requestor
Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee
Drafter
CC-CC
tb
5/14/13
LRB #147020 - 2
Aaron Cadle
June 11, 2013