The Brookfield Scene

Under Construction

As we all know, a TIF district was created to help redevelop the Brookfield Square Mall and to develop the Fountain Square Mall.

The gas station and McDonalds on Moorland and Bluemound Roads are gone. Both will be fashioned into two-story buildings in keeping with Brookfield’s required facade for the city’s “Gateway” areas. When it reopens, McDonalds will no longer have its familiar golden arches. The powers that be even refused to allow an “M” etched into the second story glass.

What a contrast to Fountain Square at Main Street and Bluemound Road. A prized tenant, Fidelity Investments, has a lime-green banner around its first floor windows – from front to back. Until this week, a similar banner also extended around its second floor windows. I’m hoping now that permanent signage is on the building the lime-green banner will disappear. Quickly.

Green has never been a favorite color. Lime green is particularly offensive. Etched glass pales in comparison.

Now, let’s return to the three-block construction zone along Bluemound.

Here’s what a reader wrote:

“I just returned from a futile attempt to run into Boston Store on a Saturday afternoon. I must be nuts. What a mess.

I think the mayor, aldermen, city staff and engineers who keep insisting on more and more development should be required to drive down Bluemound Road, Moorland Road and into Brookfield Square every Saturday afternoon. I’ve got to believe these guys never go anywhere in Brookfield. They must hole up in their backyards.

They should look at what they are creating (I mean destroying). I never found a parking spot and it took me another 15 minutes to get out of there. “

Once the restaurants and other new businesses open, a parking structure like that at Mayfair will most likely be needed.

Last week's Journal/Sentinel editorial urged governmental consolidation. Here are some comparisons of small communities and a larger community in our area.

The Town of Brookfield and the Village of Elm Grove are very similar in geographic size and population. The Town has room for growth, but the Village is virtually 100% developed. The Town of Brookfield has a town government; Elm Grove is a village.

The town is in a redevelopment mode which will raise the town’s tax base. The village's tax base is raised by owners wanting larger homes.

The Town of Brookfield is smaller than the City of Brookfield. Although the town and city share the same sewerage treatment plant, the town’s sewage rate is 30% less. The town’s tax rates and water rates are also lower than the city’s.

The town’s fire department (on 195th & Bluemound) is closer to some city residents than the city’s own fire department, yet the city has declined offers of mutual aid.

In terms of population, Milwaukee and Madison hold the number one and two spots. The city ranks #16 and the town is #142. Brookfield's has the third highest paid mayor in the state. His salary dwarfs the town chairman’s. The city’s mayoral position is full-time but the town chairman is part-time.

“When government gets too big, it loses touch with the public.”

I read the city's newsletter last week and came to some conclusions:

The Community Survey

In addition to an explanation of community development projects / proposals, it talked about the June 2006 survey results. Residents were asked to prioritize several factors. One dealt with “maintaining the quality of the area’s public schools.”

According to property tax bills, the school districts are separate and distinct from city government. Why would city government ask residents to prioritize something it (as a governing body) does not control?

The separation between these two entities is blurred on occasion. Recall the Swanson School proposal? The school board tried convincing residents that relocating the school (to accommodate a developer’s proposal) would best serve the public need. Both city government and the school district were unhappy that the proposal was defeated.

The city’s motto is community service.


Median Landscaping Beautification Projects

Now that Calhoun Road (north of Bluemound) is wider, Brookfield is beautifying the new medians. Perennials, shrubs and trees will be added, along with additional trees within the right of way. Tree species amenable to fall plantings will be added this year. Other plantings will wait until 2007.

Median plantings will temper the harshness of the concrete lanes. There are, however, costs associated with beautification. A smaller neighbor to the west can attest to that.

The city of Delafield put extensive plantings in their downtown area as part of a TIF (tax incremental financing improvement) district. Downtown Delafield has beautiful planting areas between the street and sidewalk. The TIF covered the plant materials and installation but the community failed to budget for the ongoing care, maintenance and replacement of the plants.

I'm sure Brookfield won't overlook budgeting the care of the medians.

Children under 16 can enter the Scarecrow Building Contest sponsored by the Elmbrook Historical Society. Frames and hay will be provided. Kids will provide the creativity and clothing. Register for the contest by September 10 . Call 262 782-4057.

The scarecrow contest is part of a day-long, fun-filled event celebrating Brookfield’s agrarian history on the grounds of the Dousman Stagecoach Inn).

Scarecrows need to be in place by 11 a.m., Sunday, September 17. Scarecrows will be judged at noon.

“Days Gone By” features antique farm tractors, Laura Ingalls Wilder stories and a one-room school room. A farm-hand lunch will be served from 11:30-1:30. The 1843 inn is at 1075 N. Pilgrim Parkway, (between Bluemound and Gebhardt Rds.) in Brookfield. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 adults and $3 children.

Historical society members will be available September 16 so kids can assemble their scarecrows.