Number
071708
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. D’AMATO, ZIELINSKI AND BAUMAN
Title
Resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee’s support for the expansion of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the downtown Milwaukee area including the proposed School of Public Health, the College of Engineering and Applied Science, and other planned academic research facilities.
Analysis
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee began a process on April 4, 2008 to develop a master plan for growth that includes, among other initiatives, the creation of a School of Public Health, relocation and expansion of the College of Engineering and Applied Science, and the development and expansion of other academic research programs.
One fundamental consideration in this planning process is the need to find additional space outside the confines of the University’s East Side campus. The University is currently engaged in negotiations with Milwaukee County that could lead to acquiring 83 acres of County land in the suburb of Wauwatosa, more than 10 miles from the present campus.
This resolution expresses the City of Milwaukee’s support for the expansion of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the downtown Milwaukee area. The resolution identifies the following advantages of a downtown location:
1. Ease of transportation and availability of mass transportation for students, faculty and staff moving between the East Side Campus and downtown.
2. Availability of a wide variety of housing options for students, faculty and staff.
3. Many thousands of square feet of existing and potential office space with a wide choice of size, layout, functionality and price structure for research and spin-off companies to grow.
4. Redevelopment of urban areas is environmentally-friendly and efficient when compared to other options such as suburban expansion.
5, Infrastructure, including roads, sewer, water, and other utilities are in place.
6. Marquette University, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and the Milwaukee Area Technical College are all located in the downtown area providing a cluster of engineering, research and related fields that are attractive for locating corporations and will provide academic and research synergies.
Body
Whereas, The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee ("UWM") has begun a 16 to 20-month process to develop a Campus Master Plan outlining university needs, current campus capacity and future expansion opportunities; and
Whereas, UWM's mission statement states, “To fulfill its mission as a major urban doctoral university and to meet the diverse needs of Wisconsin’s largest metropolitan area”; and
Whereas, Higher education is vitally important to the future of the City of Milwaukee and the entire Milwaukee metropolitan area in competing in the global economy; and
Whereas, The goal of enhancing the research capabilities and profile of UWM is consistent with goals and mission of the City of Milwaukee; and
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee has numerous suitable locations for expansion of UWM to a second campus that would provide a catalyst for economic development, revitalization of neighborhoods, reuse and improvement of existing developed land and infrastructure; and
Whereas, Locations that should be considered in discussions of the UWM Master Plan include, but are not limited to, the former Tower Automotive site, the former Northridge Mall site, the site at East Capitol Drive and North Humboldt Boulevard known as the “Blue Hole,” and the site of the former Louis Allis facility; and
Whereas, Among locations in the City of Milwaukee that should be considered, the Milwaukee Downtown would provide an optimal environment for UWM growth and the benefits of a downtown location for UWM expansion include:
1. Ease of transportation and availability of mass transportation for students, faculty and staff moving between the East Side Campus and downtown.
2. Availability of a wide variety of housing options for students, faculty and staff.
3. Many thousands of square feet of existing and potential office space with a wide choice of size, layout, functionality and price structure for research and spin-off companies to grow.
4. Redevelopment of urban areas is environmentally-friendly and efficient when compared to other options such as suburban expansion.
5. Infrastructure, including roads, sewer, water, and other utilities are in place.
6. Marquette University, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and the Milwaukee Area Technical College are all located in the downtown area, providing a cluster of engineering, research and related fields that are attractive for locating corporations and will provide academic and research synergies; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the City of Milwaukee supports the expansion of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the downtown Milwaukee area, including creation of a School of Public Health, relocation and expansion of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and development of other academic-driven research programs; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk is directed to send copies of this resolution to Governor Doyle, the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, UWM Chancellor Carlos Santiago, members of the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly representing residents of any portion of the City of Milwaukee, and all members of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB08179-2
RLW
4/8/2008