The Daily Reporter articles from February 2002

The Daily Reporter archives from February 2002

Power plant proposal faces challenge.
February 1, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell The Wisconsin Energy Corp. filed a permit application Friday for $3 billion in power plant construction, but independent suppliers have developed competing plans to generate the same energy. Wisconsin Energy sent...

Milwaukee area mall owners/developers spending big money to make money.
February 1, 2002... Byline: Ellen Hickock-Wall Despite some less-than-rosy economic forecasts in the last year, Milwaukee area mall owners and developers spending big money speak with confidence about their ventures. Some of their goals seem unrelated to...

Proposed budget cuts endanger WI power plant projects.
February 4, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell Gov. Scott McCallum's proposed cuts to shared revenue for local governments could damage or stall plans for billions of dollars in power-plant construction around the state. "This is a very serious concern for us...

Wauwatosa's Mayfair Mall voted best mall 11 years in a row.
February 4, 2002... Byline: Ellen Hickock-Wall Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa has a claim to fame that no other metro Milwaukee area shopping center can boast: It was designated Milwaukee's best mall 11 years in a row by area citizens voting in a local newspaper...

Wisconsin Business People February 4, 2002.
February 4, 2002... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff ACEA The Allied Construction Employers' Association Inc. board of directors elected Mark Steigerwald, Steigerwald Construction, as president. He represents the Master Builders Association of Wisconsin. ...

Wisconsin OSHA Citations February 4, 2002.
February 4, 2002... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff DECEMBER JMC Enterprises LLP, Colby, paid a $525 citation on Dec. 26 for violating construction safety training and education requirements. The company was issued the citation on Dec. 21 during a structural...

Wage-claim proposal gains temporary approval.
February 5, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell The state Senate Tuesday approved a measure giving workers first claim to money if a business goes bankrupt, but feuding among lawmakers likely means the Legislature won't approve the bill. The proposal...

Gov. McCallum unveils Marquette Interchange plan.
February 5, 2002... Byline: Ellen Hickock-Wall Gov. Scott McCallum unveiled design plans for reconstruction of Milwaukee's Marquette Interchange Tuesday that he said will give freeway users a smoother, safer and more efficient system. And it will save the...

Contractor discovers human skeleton.
February 5, 2002... Byline: Chris Thompson A Cedarburg construction crew working at an abandoned Milwaukee warehouse last week discovered a human skeleton in a boarded-up room. "The crew opened up a room that had been boarded up since 1997 because they...

Mequon, WI, homebuilder receives probation, fined.
February 5, 2002... Byline: Ellen Hickock-Wall A Mequon homebuilder sued by a client is no longer in the construction business, according to Gerald P. Boyle, the man's attorney. David B. Farina, 44, 11335 N. Rudella Road, is no longer in the industry...

Burglars hit model homes in Menomomee Falls, WI.
February 6, 2002... Byline: Ellen Hickock-Wall Menomonee Falls police have no suspects for three burglaries that occurred in the village sometime Saturday evening or Sunday morning. Three model homes in the $400,000 range were relieved of large...

WI contractors slow to implement OSHA record-keeping rule.
February 6, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell The Occupational Safety and Health Administration implemented a new record-keeping rule on Jan. 1, and an agency official said residential contractors are adapting slowly to the changes. To help building...

Commentary: Assoc. Builders & Contractors Training Center opens doors.
February 6, 2002... Byline: Matt McClone After much anticipation and even more support from Associated Builders and Contractors members, the ABC Training Center opened its doors for use on Jan. 15. In the first week of operation, the center hosted more than...

Commentary: Assoc. General Contractors of Wisc. endorses McCallum for governor.
February 6, 2002... Byline: Jim Boullion Gov. Scott McCallum attended the Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin board of directors meeting on Feb.1 to discuss the state budget crisis and his plans for addressing it. During this meeting, the governor...

New owners reconstruct and revitalize Green Bay mall.
February 7, 2002... Byline: Ellen Hickock-Wall New owners of Port Plaza Mall intend to breathe new life into the ailing 25-year-old center in downtown Green Bay. Six men with strong local ties to the city bought the mall last fall for $4.15 million and...

Building a successful construction business from scratch.
February 7, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell Building a construction business from scratch is difficult, but fortunately for KBS Construction Inc., Madison, the company's leaders bring a wealth of industry expertise to the enterprise. "It's been exciting,...

Union endorses Lautenschlager for WI attorney general.
February 7, 2002... Byline: Candy Doyle The Northeast Construction and Building Trades Council has endorsed Peg Lautenschlager for attorney general. Council President Owen Jones said the endorsement was made because of Lautenschlager's stance in the past...

Madison, WI, halts State Street redevelopment.
February 7, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell The Madison Common Council has stalled a $15 million State Street redevelopment project, and proposed cuts in state shared revenue could put the job on permanent leave. By a 1-vote margin, City Council members...

Commentary: Constructive Comments February 7, 2002.
February 7, 2002... Byline: Dick Snow Biggest accomplishment of the year to date? Easy. It was beating that horrendous weather front down to Paradise South from Paradise North. With the assistance of the Traveling Toshiba, we are constructively commenting...

Univ. of WI's stadium renovation project delayed; construction manager selection narrows to two.
February 8, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell The two companies vying to build the $99.7 million Camp Randall renovation are in a holding pattern as University of Wisconsin officials consider postponing or scaling back parts of the job. The state Division of...

Fall-Safe program effective in eliminating injuries on construction job sites.
February 11, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell Four Wisconsin construction companies are taking part in a national pilot program to eliminate fall injuries, and the results have so far exceeded expectations. "Last year, we had one of the best years we've had...

Construction labor unions endorse U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett for governor of WI.
February 11, 2002... Byline: Candy Doyle The statewide Sheet Metal Workers Union, representing 5,000 members throughout Wisconsin, has endorsed U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett in his bid for governor. Michael Engelberger, president and business manager of the Sheet...

Milwaukee contractor's museum addition receives award for top project of the country.
February 11, 2002... Byline: Ellen Hickock-Wall CG Schmidt Inc., Milwaukee, will be presented an award never before received by a Milwaukee area contractor for its work on the famed Santiago Calatrava-designed addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum. The...

Wisconsin Business People February 11, 2002.
February 11, 2002... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff CG Schmidt Inc. Helena Johnson has joined CG Schmidt Inc. in Milwaukee as an administrative assistant. She has more than nine years of administrative experience and holds a bachelor's degree in political...

Wisconsin OSHA Citations February 11, 2002.
February 11, 2002... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff OCTOBER American Roofing of Wisconsin Inc., Appleton, reached a formal settlement with OSHA on Oct. 15 to reduce a $750 fall protection citation to $420, a $450 ladder citation to $420 and a $600...

Milwaukee symposium spells out survival techniques for construction companies.
February 12, 2002... Byline: Ellen Hickock-Wall Survival techniques for construction companies dominated presentations at a symposium sponsored by the American Institute of Constructors and Milwaukee School of Engineering Tuesday. "The focus is how to keep...

WI fair board approves project to raze and rebuilt Milwaukee Mile grandstand.
February 12, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell The Wisconsin State Fair Park Board Monday approved a $20.5 million project to overhaul the Milwaukee Mile grandstand, and crews began dismantling the bleachers just minutes after the vote. "The board met...

S. Milwaukee undergoes extensive redevelopment.
February 13, 2002... Byline: Ellen Hickock-Wall South Milwaukee is undergoing a revival of its downtown, said Kyle Vandercar, city engineer, and it is doing so by offering incentives to developers. The city, a few miles south of Milwaukee's General...

WI legislature considers budget cuts in Smart Growth planning grants.
February 13, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell Funding for local government Smart Growth planning came under debate Wednesday as the state Legislature began hearings on Gov. Scott McCallum's plan to fix the $1.1 billion budget deficit. The Smart Growth...

Bill Binn named 2001 Builder of the Year by WI Builders Assoc.
February 13, 2002... Byline: Ellen Hickock-Wall The Wisconsin Builders Association named Bill Binn of Wyntree Construction, Lake Geneva, its 2001 Builder of the Year at its annual convention in January. Binn attributed the honor to 10 years of "serious...

Commentary: Public Policy Forum study finds lack of affordable housing may prove costly.
February 13, 2002... Byline: Matt Moroney A study recently released by the Public Policy Forum finds that southeastern Wisconsin must promote more affordable and less segregated housing for minorities if the region hopes to compete economically against other...

Rural WI groups join electrical-licensing argument.
February 14, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell Commercial builders and unions have been hashing out a proposal to mandate licenses for the electrical industry, but rural Wisconsinites are injecting their viewpoint into the debate. "They've been almost...

City of Milwaukee plans $6.5M development project.
February 14, 2002... Byline: Ellen Hickock-Wall The city of Milwaukee and a developer are planning a $6.5 million project that will bring moderately priced housing to the Beerline area. Milwaukee's Mayor John Norquist announced the plan to bring housing...

$20 million hotel planned for Menomonee Falls, WI.
February 14, 2002... Byline: Candy Doyle A $20 million hotel and convention center planned for the business hub of Menomonee Falls is just what the village ordered. Ground breaking is to be held in spring, with the opening of the state's first DoubleTree...

Commentary: Constructive Comments February 14, 2002.
February 14, 2002... Byline: Dick Snow Marco Island, FL. -- Even the news that the Marco police are going to be patrolling the local waters on jet skis has a Wisconsin connection. Marco Island's top cop Roger Reinke is only a year removed from deputy chief...

Milwaukee Amtrak station tagged for renovation by WI DOT.
February 15, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell The Wisconsin Department of Transportation awarded a $3.9 million contract Thursday to reconstruct the Amtrak station in Milwaukee. Milwaukee Intermodal Partners, a consortium of four companies based in Los...

Six engineering designs honored by Wisconsin Association of Consulting Engineers.
February 15, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell The Wisconsin Association of Consulting Engineers kicked off National Engineers Week this week by announcing the finalists for the association's engineering excellence awards. "This year's winning entries cross...

Outstanding Construction Educator of 2002 named by Milwaukee School of Engineering.
February 18, 2002... Byline: Ellen Hickock-Wall Craig Capano, director of Milwaukee School of Engineering's bachelor of science in construction management program, has been named Outstanding Construction Educator of the Year for 2002. Bestowed by the...

Proposal to reinstate WI commission to review hospital construction/expenditures.
February 18, 2002... Byline: Candy Doyle An industry lobbyist is nonplused by a WI legislator's attempt to reinstate the Hospital Rate-Setting Commission, which would review hospitals' capital expenditures. "It seems to me the state's been there before,"...

Wisconsin Business People February 18, 2002.
February 18, 2002... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff APS Bruce Glaser, president of APS Concrete Products Inc., Lannon, has been elected chairman-elect of the National Precast Concrete Association at its annual convention. He is to become chairman of the...

Wisconsin OSHA Citations February 18, 2002.
February 18, 2002... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff DECEMBER A-1 Excavating Inc., Bloomer, reached a formal settlement with OSHA on Dec. 13 to reduce a $2,000 requirements for excavation protective systems citation to $500, a $56,000 general excavation...

State-imposed reductions in local gov't budgets could endanger road projects in WI.
February 19, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell State-imposed reductions in local government budgets could delay and even endanger municipal and county road projects for years to come, transportation officials said Tuesday. "It's pretty obvious to us that the...

Mold contamination seminar in Milwaukee.
February 19, 2002... Byline: Ellen Hickock-Wall Mold is creeping its way into the minds of contractors more than ever, according to Ada Duffey, president of Milwaukee Lead/Asbestos Information Center. And it's a complex subject, she said, compared to some...

Fund-raising woes stall renovation of Camp Randall Stadium/Univ. of WI/Madison.
February 20, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell The University of Wisconsin-Madison has stalled the $99.7 million overhaul of Camp Randall Stadium because the school has had trouble raising money to fund the project. Officials at the UW planned to come before...

Residential contracting positively impacts national, state, and local economies.
February 20, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell Homebuilders both locally and nationally predict residential contracting, with its wide-ranging impact on the economy, will pull the nation out of its current slump. "Things are looking very bright for 2002,"...

Lawsuit against IL construction company settled.
February 20, 2002... Byline: Ellen Hickock-Wall Two men hurt in 1999 when a floor collapsed during construction of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Rennebohm Pharmacy Building have settled a lawsuit against an Illinois company Wednesday. Todd Dobbs of...

Commentary: Free-enterprise advocates should support Bush's agenda.
February 20, 2002... Byline: Ken Adams The last year was volatile on Capitol Hill with turnover of the Senate from Republicans to Democrats and the emergence of two distinct political atmospheres: the "politics as usual" Congress before Sept. 11 and the "new...

Theft at construction sites low police priority.
February 21, 2002... Byline: Sean Ryan A month ago, Bob Anderson, president and owner of Oak Creek-based Bob Anderson Builders Inc., went to work on a Monday and found his job site cleaned out. "They even broke into the general contractor's trailer and...

WI general/subcontractors dispute liability roles.
February 21, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell Far away from the closest construction zone, general contractors and subcontractors Thursday disputed their roles when it comes to taking legal responsibility for job-site accidents. The state Assembly Judiciary...

WI engineering firm's keys to success: honesty, fairness, and expansion into new markets.
February 21, 2002... Byline: Chris Thompson In a world of cutthroat business decisions, massive layoffs and Enron scandals, the leaders of Arnold and O'Sheridan Inc. Consulting Engineers have found success in two simple, guiding values: honesty and fairness....

Commentary: Constructive Comments February 21, 2002.
February 21, 2002... Byline: Dick Snow Marco Island, Fla. - Native or otherwise, Floridians have trouble being decisive -- no wonder they have had dangling and pregnant chads in their elections. For example, one wing of the populace plain doesn't like...

WI GOP wants law to cap state bonding/debt levels.
February 22, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell Assembly Republicans on Wednesday proposed a state law capping state bonding and debt levels, one of several measures aimed at making long-term changes to government finances. "It sends a message about...

Contractors have options that help deter thieves.
February 22, 2002... Byline: Sean Ryan Whether it's surveillance cameras and tracking equipment or padlocks and florescent paint, contractors have a host of options to help them deter thieves from raiding job sites. "I think it is cost effective," said Ed...

Contractor's guaranteed max price affects lawsuit.
February 25, 2002... Byline: Ellen Hickock-Wall In the crossfire of claims and counterclaims between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America and the Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District over construction costs of Miller Park's retractable roof,...

Wisconsin OSHA Citations February 25, 2002.
February 25, 2002... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff FEBRUARYZaddack Roofing & Remodeling, Shawano, reached an informal settlement with OSHA on Feb. 15 to reduce a $525 construction-safety-training-and-education citation to $367.50. The company was issued the...

Wisconsin Business People February 25, 2002.
February 25, 2002... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff CG Schmidt Inc. Kristen Wahamaki has joined CG Schmidt Inc. in Milwaukee as the office assistant. She has a bachelor's degree in communication arts from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Carolyn...

Commentary: Young Constructors Forum provides outlet for young professionals.
February 25, 2002... Byline: Lisa Johnson The Young Constructors Forum is a program that has been put in place to address the needs of young professionals and the industry. This forum functions as a forum for young professionals to network and receive support....

Road projects earn Statehouse scrutiny.
February 26, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell Two state lawmakers have proposed bills allowing the Legislature to circumvent transportation officials' input on specific road-building jobs. Sen. John Erpenbach, D-Middleton, wrote a bill calling for a traffic...

Mitsubishi: Documents refute park district claims.
February 26, 2002... Byline: Ellen Hickock-Wall The Daily Reporter obtained documents Tuesday from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America that MHIA says justifies its claim against the Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District. The two sides...

Bill requiring certification of electrical contractors introduced.
February 27, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell Unions and a contractor organization lined up on opposing sides Wednesday after legislators formally introduced bills requiring certification for electrical contractors and their workers. "I spent a lot of time...

Study of SE WI freeway system nearing completion.
February 27, 2002... Byline: Ellen Hickock-Wall It's been a long journey for the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, but it's finally completing a study of the freeway system that transports traffic throughout Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee,...

Commentary: Ignoring air-quality issues could prove costly.
February 27, 2002... Byline: Matt Moroney There have been several reports in the media about problems associated with mold and other air-quality problems in new and existing homes. Many of these problems can be remedied inexpensively if identified early and...

Carpenters union's reaffiliation terms rejected by AFL-CIO.
February 28, 2002... Byline: Jeremy Harrell A division of the AFL-CIO has rejected the carpenters union's terms for reaffiliating with the national body, despite months of negotiations and appeals to unify construction labor groups. On Feb. 21, Edward C....

Final attempt made to save lakefront landmark.
February 28, 2002... Byline: Ellen Hickock-Wall The long-vacant Coast Guard Station at McKinley Park on Milwaukee's lakefront could see new life if one of a number of proposals is approved by the county. A tour and information session was held Wednesday...

Cement mason workers to vote on representation.
February 28, 2002... Byline: Ellen Hickock-Wall A jurisdictional dispute between the bricklayers and plasterers unions may leave one out in the cold. About 250 cement mason workers at C.D. Smith Construction Inc., Miron Construction Co. Inc. and Oscar J....