The Daily Reporter articles from March 2003

The Daily Reporter archives from March 2003

Commentary: Gov. Doyle's transportation budget of great concern.
March 3, 2003... Byline: Reince Priebus Gov. Jim Doyle's proposed 2003-2005 budget recommendations are of great concern to the lifeline of commerce in Wisconsin -- its roads and highways. It appears that Doyle is recommending the state transfer more than...

Developer plans mixed-use project in former Pabst Brewing Co. site.
March 3, 2003... Byline: Mark Kass A phone call from Milwaukee Bucks Coach George Karl was the key for a prominent Cleveland developer to decide to undertake his first development foray in Milwaukee on a project that could change the face of the city's...

Lunda Construction's dispute over lead citations comes to close.
March 3, 2003... Byline: Chris Thompson Lunda Construction Co. on Wednesday wrapped up its dispute over lead citations on the completed Sixth Street Viaduct project, agreeing to pay $35,500 in fines, but the firm could face more time in court. The...

CD copies of 2002 Wisc. building codes available.
March 4, 2003... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff Commercial building inspectors, architects, engineers and contractors who use the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code may now purchase a CD copy of 2002 Wisconsin Commercial Building Enrolled Code with search...

Timber Technologies to receive $100K loan.
March 4, 2003... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff Gov. Jim Doyle announced that Timber Technologies LLC, Colfax, will receive a $100,000 loan from the Economic Development Program administered by the Department of Commerce. Timber Technologies LLC is a...

Atty. General's office files environmental lawsuit in Monroe County.
March 4, 2003... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager announced that her office has filed an environmental lawsuit in Monroe County against Peter Thorson, in association with Construction Management Inc. and Managed Investments...

Wisc. OSHA Citations March 4, 2003.
March 4, 2003... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff February Mike Olsen Trucking & Excavation Inc., Belleville, must pay a $375 requirements-for-excavation-protective-systems citation and two general-excavation citations, totaling $675, because the period to...

Milwaukee's Private Industry Council names new board.
March 4, 2003... Byline: Sean Ryan Ten new members, two from the construction industry, were named to Milwaukee's Private Industry Council, which is looking at a tighter budget in 2003 after proposed cutbacks in its public funding. The 10 newcomers...

Dane County, Walworth County courthouse projects back on track.
March 4, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell Construction on two major county courthouse projects is coming into clearer focus after initial bids for both jobs came in over the governments' approved budgets. In Dane County, Miron Construction Co. Inc.,...

Industry welcomes tribal construction in Wisconsin.
March 5, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell American Indian tribes in Wisconsin have pledged to build $1 billion in projects if the state approves long-term gaming compacts, and the boom could help an ailing industry. Jeff Crawford, attorney general for...

Wisc. environmental group criticizes highway funding.
March 5, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell The state Department of Transportation is spending too much on highways and not enough on local road and maintenance projects, according to a report issued Tuesday. "It's an issue of accountability," said Lisa...

Two aging Madison malls slated for renovations.
March 5, 2003... Byline: Chris Thompson The two aging malls that bookend Madison are scheduled to inhale a breath of fresh air in the coming months. Both East Towne and West Towne malls, owned by CBL & Associates of Chattanooga, Tenn., for the past two...

Wisc. Construction Briefs March 6, 2003.
March 6, 2003... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff Black Diamond John Krinke has joined the Sales Department of the Black Diamond Group Inc., Oak Creek. Krinke brings more than six years of asphalt experience to the position. Black Diamond is an...

Wisc. lawmakers pursue gaming compact authority.
March 6, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell Undaunted after failing to override a gubernatorial veto Tuesday, state Republican lawmakers announced plans to write another bill giving the Legislature final approval of gaming compacts. The measure's aim is...

U of Wisc.-Madison to build $5M addition onto Weeks Geology Hall.
March 6, 2003... Byline: Chris Thompson The state is in a budget crunch, public projects have been frozen and scrutiny before construction is at its peak. It's gotten to the point where it would take a guardian angel to usher a state project through...

Commentary: Environmental group's criticism of WisDOT is unfounded.
March 7, 2003... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff Accountability -- that's what 1000 Friends' policy director called for when criticizing the state Department of Transportation's spending. "It an issue of accountability," said Lisa MacKinnon, who with...

Task force proposes budget reductions.
March 7, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell State lawmakers preparing for upcoming budget negotiations are reassessing aspects of the state building program to help reduce the state's $3.2 billion deficit. "I think we've come up with some suggestions that...

Commentary: Construction Onsite Insite March 7, 2003.
March 7, 2003... Byline: Dick Snow Dose of reality We're watching our own reality show as we settle in with snow and cold after a month in Florida. We submit several construction observations from the 1,590 miles north from Marco Island, Fla., to...

Wisc. Republicans to fight for transportation dollars.
March 10, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell Republicans who control the state Legislature will likely block the governor's plan to take $500 million from the transportation fund to pay for shared revenue and public schools. Instead, the lawmakers said...

Commentary: Onsite Insight March 10, 2003.
March 10, 2003... Byline: Dick Snow Upon further review Just where were we before our 30-day furlough from creating the prose we lovingly refer to as Onsite/Insight? The proposed newest parking structure for St. Luke's Medical Center near 27th...

Commentary: Legal terms, both simple and complex, can cause confusion.
March 10, 2003... Byline: David Krutz and Joseph E. Tierney IV Most people understand that, in preparing a contract, it is important to carefully choose the correct words and terms. A common misconception is that the sophisticated legal terms are the most...

Wisc. OSHA Citations: March 11, 2003.
March 11, 2003... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff February M&H Builders, Wisconsin Dells, reached an informal settlement with OSHA on Feb. 13 to reduce a $225 ladder citation to $157.50 and two fall-protection citations, totaling $525, to $367.50. The...

Wisc. lawmakers try again for gaming compact oversight.
March 11, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell State legislators on Monday restarted the previously failed process to gain oversight of tribal gaming compacts, despite objections from the governor's administration and state American Indian nations. "(It's)...

Dept. of Transportation secretary confirmation hearing set.
March 11, 2003... Byline: Mark Kass A Wisconsin Senate committee will hold the long-awaited confirmation hearing for Department of Transportation secretary appointee Frank Busalacchi on March 19. Marquette Interchange an issue Leibham said he also...

Commentary: Patience wearing thin on situation in Iraq.
March 12, 2003... Byline: Donald Croysdale Where does patience end and procrastination begin? My dictionary defines patience as "bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint," "not hasty or impetuous" and "steadfast despite opposition, difficulty or...

Wisconsin Construction Briefs March 12, 2003.
March 12, 2003... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff Veterans' homes projects get funding Federal authorities have set aside funds to expand and renovate state veterans' homes in King and Union Grove, Gov. Jim Doyle announced Monday. The state Department...

WisDOT unveils spring road projects.
March 12, 2003... Byline: Sean Ryan This spring, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's southeastern region will begin work on road projects including resurfacing the Marquette Interchange and Interstate 894. "This completes the resurfacing this...

WisDOT bid letting heats up.
March 12, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell The state Department of Transportation's March bid opening on Tuesday was a monster, with the agency soliciting bids on 50 projects and deferring 10 others. Half of the bidding was given over to bridge projects,...

Seminar offered on Wisconsin's no-call law.
March 13, 2003... Byline: Matt Moroney On Jan. 1, Wisconsin's new no-call list law went into effect. Since that time, the Metropolitan Builders Association has received numerous phone calls about the law's requirements. In response to these questions, the...

Wisconsin Business People March 13, 2003.
March 13, 2003... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff Bukacek Construction Inc. Bukacek Construction Inc. announced that James Cairns and Gregg Thompson have been named co-presidents and Nick J. Bukacek, former president, is now the chief executive officer....

New International Building Code presents some hurdles.
March 13, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell The recently adopted International Building Code got mostly favorable reviews at a Wednesday checkup, but industry representatives and others said there's still room for improvement. The state Department of...

Few object to St. Francis's building moratorium.
March 13, 2003... Byline: Sean Ryan St. Francis put an eight-month suspension on new construction so it can draw up a new comprehensive plan to coordinate future development, especially in a 120-acre We Energies property. "The plan is comprehensive and...

New U of Wisc. Children's Hospital planned.
March 13, 2003... Byline: Candy Doyle A new 80-bed, six-story, $55 million University of Wisconsin Children's Hospital will break ground in late 2004 thanks in large part to a $10 million gift from American Family Insurance, Madison. To be named...

Candidate's ads attack Milwaukee freeway plans.
March 14, 2003... Byline: Mark Kass A candidate running for state Senate has begun running radios ads that say the planned massive renovation of the Marquette Interchange and other expensive freeway work in southeastern Wisconsin is taking funds away from...

Commentary: Representative from Alaska may have answer to transportation funding problems.
March 14, 2003... Byline: Chris Thompson Some say the federal government is going to need $375 billion over the next six years to fund transportation and transit projects. Now, they argue, it's up to Congress to decide how to dig up the new money, which...

Commentary: Construction Onsite Insite March 14, 2003.
March 14, 2003... Byline: Dick Snow How bad is it? The way we read it, the nation's economy has rendered the construction industry only a small jab to the chops at this point. Who says so? Well, a recent communiqur[umlaut] from Ken Simonson,...

Milwaukee Democrat leading charge for Marquette Interchange funds.
March 17, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell A member of the Wisconsin Congressional delegation is criticizing a move by other state lawmakers to earmark $150 million in federal funds for the Marquette Interchange project. Milwaukee Democratic U.S. Rep....

Commentary: Construction Onsite Insight March 17, 2003.
March 17, 2003... Byline: Dick Snow Panthers win more than tourney The ball is certainly bouncing the right way for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Panther basketball team. The team not only won the Horizon conference tournament and is advancing...

Commentary: Digital camera is important tool in construction industry.
March 17, 2003... Byline: Ted Wisnefski A digital camera is a relatively inexpensive tool that assists contractors with accurate record keeping, facilitates problem solving by increasing communication and reduces the potential for costly lawsuits. Depending...

New bathroom building codes sparking debate.
March 17, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell It might be too much to say that a building-code problem concerning bathrooms is raising a big stink, but state code regulators are evaluating the debate and plan to resolve it soon. The topic at issue deals with...

Coalition's study predicts that building natural gas power plant is cheaper than a coal-fired one.
March 18, 2003... Byline: Sean Ryan The coalition opposing We Energies' plan for a coal-fired power plant in Oak Creek released a study Monday predicting it would be much cheaper to build a natural gas plant instead. Responsible Energy for Southeastern...

Commentary: Taxes - the BIG budget question.
March 18, 2003... Byline: Jerry Deschane The biggest question of the state budget debate is not about gaming compacts. Nor is it about whether the federal government will give a thumbs up or thumbs down on increased Medicaid payments to Wisconsin. It's not...

OSHA Citations March 18, 2003.
March 18, 2003... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff JANUARY Lakeland Construction Co., Manitowoc, reached an informal settlement with OSHA on Jan. 28 to reduce a $1,200 elevated-work-platform citation to $840. The company was issued the citation on Jan. 14...

Marotta defends moving $500M from state's transportation fund to public school education.
March 18, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell The rift growing between Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle and legislative Republicans over transportation spending widened Monday, with sides trading shots over priorities. At the center of the debate is Doyle's...

S.E. Wisc. Regional Planning Commission shifts gears in highway projects.
March 19, 2003... Byline: Sean Ryan Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission staff will recommend its Advisory Committee scratch plans to widen some of Milwaukee County's highways when it meets to draw a final reconstruction proposal on April 2....

State Building Commission's budget severely scaled back.
March 19, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell The State Building Commission began work Tuesday on a scaled-back budget for the next two years with few new buildings and an emphasis on maintenance and repairs. The total proposed capital budget for 2003...

Commentary: Proposal to reduce retainage needs contractors' support.
March 19, 2003... Byline: Donald Croysdale At last month's American Subcontractors Association chapter meeting, we talked about state laws that help you get paid. Up-front was the cautionary caveat that these laws won't obtain payment for you all by...

Busalacchi sails through confirmation hearing to head state Dept. of Transportation.
March 20, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell Frank Busalacchi, Gov. Jim Doyle's choice to run the state Department of Transportation, underwent a fairly smooth confirmation hearing Wednesday. None of the five members of the Senate Transportation and...

$52 million in bonds sought by Milwaukee's Redevlopement Authority.
March 20, 2003... Byline: Sean Ryan Milwaukee's Redevelopment Authority on Thursday will vote on whether to grant bonding authority to fund a number of city education and manufacturing projects, perhaps facilitating more than $52 million toward...

Commentary: Taping conversations - Is someone listening?
March 20, 2003... Byline: Jim Pease It is generally well known that federal and state laws prohibit the interception and recording of any wire, electronic or oral communication, and they prohibit the disclosure of information obtained through the improper...

Wisconsin Business People March 20, 2003.
March 20, 2003... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff ABC of Wisconsin Safety awards were presented to 29 members of Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin at its annual Construction Workers' Safety Conference held last month. Receiving the Safety...

Plans narrow for Tosa landfill in Wauwatosa.
March 20, 2003... Byline: Mark Kass The city of Wauwatosa will select a developer in the next several weeks to undertake up to a $35 million recreational or residential development on a former landfill on North 116th Street near the Wauwatosa Police...

Marathon County area is road builders' heaven.
March 21, 2003... Byline: Seth Ansorge Look at any map of Marathon County, and you'll see it: the X marking the spot for one of the state's largest anticipated road projects next year. Running south from Wisconsin's north woods down into Illinois is...

Commentary: Cowles doing disservice to the State Building Commission.
March 21, 2003... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff At his very first State Building Commission meeting last month, Sen. Robert Cowles said, "This committee needs to go out of business for awhile." The Green Bay Republican, who is starting his first term on...

State Building Commission approves all budgeted projects.
March 21, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell Despite criticisms that the State Building Commission is spending too much money, the panel on Wednesday approved all the projects included in its $807 million, two-year capital budget. Gov. Jim Doyle, the...

Municipal officials and real estate developers realize they must work together.
March 21, 2003... Byline: Mark Kass As municipalities in southeastern Wisconsin implement Smart Growth plans aimed at stopping urban sprawl, developers and municipal officials must learn to work together to bring about new development and redevelopment...

Commentary: War and construction.
March 21, 2003... Byline: Dick Snow War and construction It's a little mind-boggling to comprehend a decade has gone by since this country found itself in a full-fledged war against Iraq's Saddam Hussein to liberate Kuwait. And it was just a little...

County Exec. Walker vetoes board's freeway widening opposition.
March 24, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell Milwaukee's City Hall blasted the county executive's veto last week of a County Board resolution opposing the widening of key stretches of interstates 94 and 43 from six lanes to eight lanes. A top aide to...

Commentary: Who gets to choose your lawyer - you or your insurer?
March 24, 2003... Byline: David Krutz A major lawsuit can be a difficult experience for the owner of a construction business. Most contractors want to be defended by an attorney whom they choose and whose judgment they trust. However, liability insurers...

WisDOT, Dept. of Natural Resources continue partnership.
March 25, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell The state's road-building arm last week reaffirmed an agreement with environmental regulators to streamline construction projects and make business smoother for contractors. "This cooperative agreement is very,...

Commentary: Who can you trust on the Web?
March 25, 2003... Byline: Lisa Johnson There is so much information available on the Web. How do you sort through it all and know who you can trust to give you accurate information? A good place to start is with the institutions you already know and...

OSHA Citations March 25, 2003.
March 25, 2003... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff FEBRUARY * Specialty Associates Inc., West Allis, reached a formal settlement with OSHA on Feb. 14 to reduce a $5,600 fall-protection citation to $2,000. The company was issued the citation on Nov. 13...

Opposition to Marquette Interchange reconstruction plan grows.
March 25, 2003... Byline: Sean Ryan Wisconsin's municipal officials are questioning state engineers' Marquette Interchange reconstruction plan, with one group already calling for an independent review of the proposal. "It just doesn't make sense to go...

Redeveloped Milwaukee shopping center thrives.
March 26, 2003... Byline: Mark Kass Robert Schmidt knew that redeveloping the Capitol Court Shopping Center would be difficult given its deteriorating condition, its 75 percent vacancy rate and its growing reputation of not being a safe place to shop. ...

Commentary: Look at the 'big picture' of war in Iraq.
March 26, 2003... Byline: Donald Croysdale Over the past week, there has really been just one story. In ordinary times, two Wisconsin teams in the Sweet Sixteen would be the story. But our sons' and daughters', brothers' and sisters' willingness to...

Construction trades see union membership decline.
March 26, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell National union membership in the construction trades declined last year, but local labor leaders are reporting mixed numbers for Wisconsin. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, late last month, issued its...

Milwaukee mulls paving moratorium.
March 27, 2003... Byline: Sean Ryan Milwaukee has frozen all its paving projects until state legislators decide how much money they will allocate to the shared-revenue program in the next biennial budget. "We're looking at placing a moratorium on our...

Gov. Doyle rejects third-party review of Marquette Interchange reconstruction.
March 27, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell Gov. Jim Doyle said Wednesday that his administration is examining options for the Marquette Interchange reconstruction, but that probably won't include a third-party review of the project. "We have been very...

City of Oak Creek now backs coal-fired plant.
March 27, 2003... Byline: Sean Ryan Oak Creek city staff inked a tentative deal with We Energies to support its coal power plant proposal in return for heavier environmental regulations, annual payments and brownfields redevelopment. "There will be...

Wisconsin Business People March 27, 2003.
March 27, 2003... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff Kahler Slater Architects Kahler Slater Architects is pleased to announce that Matt Rinka has rejoined the firm after a one-year hiatus at DaSilva Black Calcagni Chesser Architects P.C. in New York City....

Commentary: Businesses need to support freeway expansion.
March 27, 2003... Byline: Matt Moroney The Waukesha Area Chamber of Commerce recently formed a coalition of businesses and industries from the greater Milwaukee area that supports the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission's original...

Increase in hotel, motel tax on hold in Milwaukee County.
March 27, 2003... Byline: Mark Kass The Wisconsin Center Board is likely to again put off implementing a planned increase in the Milwaukee County hotel tax as it desperately searches for ways to finance the cost overruns on the Milwaukee Theater project...

Wisconsin Construction Briefs March 28, 2003.
March 28, 2003... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff Local housing aids announced Gov. Jim Doyle announced that state grants totaling more than $7.4 million will be distributed to 17 local governments to improve housing conditions for Wisconsin families and...

Wauwatosa general contractor closing shop.
March 28, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell A Wauwatosa general contractor has decided to voluntarily close shop, but the soft construction economy could force other businesses into insolvency, industry observers said. Guenther-Wagner-Johnson Inc., a...

Milwaukee places moratorium on paving projects.
March 28, 2003... Byline: Daily Reporter Staff The city of Milwaukee this week placed a moratorium on $8.5 million worth of paving work scheduled for 2003. The city's argument is that with state shared revenue levels very much in doubt, it would be...

Legislative committee questions asbestos citations.
March 28, 2003... Byline: Jeremy Harrell The state Department of Natural Resources' push to gain authority to issue citations for improper asbestos abatement met with some resistance in the state Legislature on Thursday. In January, the Natural...

Commentary: Construction Onsite Insite March 28, 2003.
March 28, 2003... Byline: Dick Snow Leave it to the Pentagon to help shape our use of written and spoken English. Reporters and correspondents in Gulf War II are now deemed to be "imbedded" as a method to describe their relationships with the coalition...

Commentary: Employers must observe military leave rights, obligations.
March 31, 2003... Byline: Charles Palmer As more military reservists are called into action, employers must consider their patriotic and legal obligations to them. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act forms the foundation of the...

Road builders fear projects will be siphoned off.
March 31, 2003... Byline: Sean Ryan Public works contracting has become a nerve-racking business this spring for both builders and municipalities. Many public works contractors, coming off a slower-than-average spring 2002, are bidding against more and...

Multimillion dollar developments on hold in Milwaukee.
March 31, 2003... Byline: Mark Kass Three Milwaukee-area developers are eagerly awaiting an April 15 decision by the Franklin Common Council that could open the door to several multimillion dollar office and retail projects at the intersection of South 76th...