Public Comments and Questions from Meeting on UWM Dorms by Sura, July 31

3rd District Town Hall meeting on UWM Dorms, July 29, 2008

From the Chalk Board:
What’s the rush? Wait for Master Plan
Dorms Downtown (all)
Engineering School Dtown (all)
Protect River Corridor (all agree)
Better public Transportation
“Code of Conduct” expectations/ agreement
Chapter 17 & 18 changes * Fast
Increase Minority Enrollment – Reach out into inner city (west of Holton) Pabst, Tower Automotive
Explain how UWM is taxed
Limit size/beds as sites dictate
So Milwaukee: Drinking Overlay Zone
What is the TRUE need & timeline for beds/sites
Temporary Enrollment Cap?
Are “Buffer Zones” effective for UWM locations
Has Riverview existed long enough to judge true impact?
Adeq. Parking – it’s site dependent
Green Built
Do dorms residents get a night parking permit?
Why/what proof do they need 1,500 beds?
What about UWM’s Lake Dr. properties for dorms?

Comments from index cards:

• No moratorium on dorms! Why do we treat students like an enemy and not an asset?
• Concerns and Expectations: - Protect River corridor and viewshed  -“green building”  - adequate parking and public transportation  - reasonable “code of conduct” expectations for students  - university oversight over conduct with penalties for noncompliance  -community input on location, design, and compliance
• Criteria for sit selection: It’s very important that the site be buffered from existing residential neighborhoods. Noise, litter, student foot & car traffic can be very disruptive.
• Comments and Concerns :
  - Impact on environment with construction & then occupancy
  - Traffic impacts, parking for residents and visitors
  - Building design that will compliment the neighborhood it is built in
  - Construction lead the way with “green” building materials and maintenance
  - Better communication and interaction with UWM planners and neighbors in the development site/sites. Follow the vision/planning of SE WI Regional Planning Commission in preserving the river corridor.

• Consider large parking fees and use proceeds to fund free public transportation.
• Respect the Milw River Overlay District requirements, both in letter and in spirit. No new building on the river!
• 400 fewer new or freshman students enrolled this year. If they are having a lower enrollment, why are they building more dorms? We should wait to see if there is still a need in 2 or 3 years
• Extension of Memo of Agreement that WTLT has with UWM & Kenilworth Dorm to all new dorms. Chapter 17 expedited to occur in 2009
• Would encourage the “clustering” of students to encourage more active, urban lifestyles and reduce need for cars. So – Columbia Hosp, Prospect Mall, Park East, Hometown or Riverworks sites – where there is already student presence.
• We need neighborhood approved building design standards – should fit with the neighborhood.
• Slow this process down. What is the rush? They have been waiting years. They can wait 2 more years while good planning and neighborhood involvement will find well thought-out locations with good design.
• What is Bob Greenstreet’s role in dorm building? It seems to me that due to his relationship to the University, he should recuse himself from participating.
  Continue reading ‘Public Comments and Questions from Meeting on UWM Dorms’

  31 Jul 2008 | 8:15 pm | Environmental Sustainability, 3rd District | No comments yet - Add your comments