Another Downtown Beloit Facade Facelift
August 26, 2009 by RickM
Filed under City of Beloit, Historic Preservation, Neighborhood Discussion
Work has begun on yet another downtown Beloit facade. Have you seen it?
It’s exciting to see the ongoing renovation of downtown Beloit. The Zilley building circa 1912 is just the latest in a series.
The Downtown Beloit Association (DBA) offers design assistance, as well as facade and sign grant programs to encourage successful, historically sensitive design. (italics ours)
From the DBA “News on the Street” – fall 2008
Does anybody know anything about the history of the Zilley building or who the Zilley’s were? Curious.
For more information on these grant programs, please contact Kathleen Braatz – kathleen (at) downtownbeloit (dot) com
Richardson House Turns 100 Years Old
February 24, 2009 by BeckyM
Filed under Church Street, City of Beloit, College Park Historic District
My newest favorite author – Richard Florida
February 23, 2009 by RickM
Filed under City of Beloit, Neighborhood Discussion
I heard Richard Florida interviewed on NPR about his article in the Atlantic and that was the start.
He presents fascinating research and insight into where we live and why. Additionally and importantly he projects the impact of current economic shifts on where populations will be moving to and away from and why. Its a longer presentation but it’s very rich. I highly recommend it. I find encouraging news for Beloit and direction in much of what he has to say.
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Stimulus Watch – Beloit WI
February 18, 2009 by RickM
Filed under City of Beloit, Neighborhood Discussion
The internet is an amazing thing, as are wiki’s.
Below are the “shovel-ready” projects for which this city has requested federal stimulus funding. You can click on a project to read (and add to) its description. You can also discuss the project and vote on whether you believe it is critical or not.
The total cost of all the projects submitted by Beloit is $34,450,226
Here’s how the above site works…
A quick look, as for those projects directly relating to the historic districts…
- 2010: East Side Neighborhood Initiative Streets – Central from Chapin to Emmerson and Chapin from Central to the dead end, Construct 2010.
- 2009: Park Avenue Street Lighting
I don’t recognize anything specific for the Bluff Street corridor. fwiw, I see that there is nothing listed for South Beloit IL, Janesville has $74,374,100 in submitted projects.
Downtown Beloit Association – “Historic Preservation and Sustainable Development:”
February 3, 2009 by RickM
Filed under City of Beloit, Historic Preservation, Neighborhood Discussion
Have you seen the the Downtown Beloit Association’s “News on the Street” publication? I’d missed it until just days ago. It’s very well done. Very interesting with great content! I was reading the Fall 2008 edition which is still available and what jumped out at me was:
Historic Preservation and Sustainable Development: What does it mean for Main Street?
by Joe Lawniczak, design specialist for the Wisconsin Main Street Program.
It addresses
- The relative value of new construction -vs- Existing structure rehab in terms of what in fact is “Green”.
- What sustainable development is… and is not
- How historic building are inherently green.
- Preservation as Smart Growth
- Simple ways to make your business, neighborhood (Hey! That’s us!) and community more “green”.
School Board Nominees – Invite to Speak?
January 21, 2009 by RickM
Filed under City of Beloit, Neighborhood Discussion
Regardless of if you/we have children in the local schools, the quality of education serving our neighborhood is of fundamental import. It impacts directly the viability or our neighborhood. We’ve not just one but two neighbors generous enough to be willing to volunteer their time and talents for the benefit of everyone. What would folks think of asking all candidates to meet with us. Think about it.
The election is not until April so we’ve some time but sooner/better I’d think. As you likely know there are three seats open and five candidates. I’ll add this to our next meeting’s agenda.
Tree Trimming
January 20, 2009 by RickM
Filed under City of Beloit, Neighborhood Discussion
All,
I just saw that the city or utility co. is beginning to cut trees around power lines along Milwaukee, south of White. You’ve likely seen how poorly (IMO) they managed this near East Ridge & the cemetery. Who do we contact? Is this of interest or concern to others or am I being alarmist? I wouldn’t want what they did on Milw a couple months ago on our street.
[UPDATE] Wow! I just got a call from BruceS from the city public works. How’s that for being responsive? They’re aware. They were already on it. They appreciate where we’re coming from with this.
I’d posted this this morning and sent word out. I’d simply hoped to find out who to contact and initiate an exchange. Evidently some unknown friend among our group was kind enough to contact the city for us. Who ever you are… thank you!
So later the same day I got a call. Wow again!
In the private sector the goal is to exceed customer expectations. That was the case here and a pleasant surprise.
New jobs & business technology requirements also require new construction… NOT
January 19, 2009 by RickM
Filed under City of Beloit, Historic Preservation, Neighborhood Discussion
Just saw this. IBM is opening up a ‘new’ facility in downtown Dubuque Iowa. With it is planned over 1,000 IT jobs. It’s a great story and a huge win for this city. What I found interesting is that this technology dependent company is moving into an ‘old’ building. A building that will certainly need to meet the technology, OSHA and other infrastructure demands of this tech company.
The term is ‘adaptive reuse’. Its when old buildings are renovated for contemporary uses often very different then their original purpose. It’s often too easy simply to declare that an old building is unsuitable for the fiercely competitive demands of contemporary business and industry. Adaptive reuse is cast as pollyanna or for luddites. The expedient solution lobbied for is often demolition or new development over existing open land requiring additional investment in the expansion of infrastructure.
In the case of Dubuque it would seem part of the draw for IBM was proximity to the city’s colleges/universities along with proximity to other city services, retail, restaurants, lodging, arts & entertainment. We’ve some wonderful examples of adaptive reuse here in Beloit most notably ABC Supply and the Visit Beloit building but also the Arts Incubator, the library and others. It would seem there’s been a lot of demolition in Beloit’s past. I look forward to more adaptive reuse in Beloit’s future.
Thanks to Dr.Bob for pointing out the IBM/Dubuque story to me.
Meeting Minutes 1/12/09
January 16, 2009 by RickM
Filed under City of Beloit, Completely Different, Meeting notes, Neighborhood Discussion
Once again we got hit with nasty weather the evening of our meeting. All the same over twentyfolks braved the snow and cold including a half dozen new faces which is particularly gratifying. Things continue to come together for us.
Items discussed:
The City Getting It Right – Street Lamps
January 11, 2009 by RickM
Filed under Church Street, City of Beloit, College Park Historic District, Historic Preservation, Landmarks Commission, Neighborhood Discussion, Personal Notes
Yeah, it’s old news. We’ve all seen the ‘vintage’ street lamps that have been going up as streets in the older neighborhoods get new sewer, utilities and general reconstruction. You’ve surely seen them on Harrison, Bluff, Wisconsin and elsewhere. What I wasn’t aware of though was that Church street was likewise upgraded though sans the vintage lamp posts. I understand that Church street was among the first to receive the infrastructure upgrade and reconstruction. This was done though under prior administration.
