Photos: Archway Construction Begins at Entrance to Downtown
Construction crews began working on erecting an archway that reads "Historic Downtown Greendale" this week.
Construction crews began working on erecting an arch that reads "Historic Downtown Greendale" this week.
The arch extends over Northway near Grange Avenue. A portion of the street was closed Tuesday and Wednesday and lane closures are likely through the completion of the project.
Village Manager Todd Michaels said crews still need to complete the brickwork on columns that hold up the arch. He expects the project to be completed in 7-10 days.
Jason Patzfahl
10:18 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
I have to admit that the arch looks very nice and seems to fit the decor of the rest of downtown Greendale, but let's not forget that the reason the arches are being built is simply to bring in more consumer traffic to village retail shops. The total cost is $90,237, half of which will be paid by Grandhaven, LLC, landord to the Village Center merchants. This leaves the Village of Greendale (and the residents) to finance the remaining $45,118. I think the Greendale Chamber of Commerce should have paid the remaining balance instead of pawning it off on the taxpayers.
And lets not forget about the $30,000+ LCD sign sitting in Trustee Greg Turay's yard (paid for by the taxpayers) - which was also designed to draw shoppers to downtown, and does NOT adhere to strict Village Sign Ordinances or match the old time decor of downtown Greendale. From what I understand, this too was pushed through by lobbyists from the Chamber of Commerce and Grandhaven.
Maybe we should change our name to the "Incorporated Village of Grandhavendale." Maybe then nobody here will have to pay any taxes since we will be a corporation, automatically lowering our tax rates and giving us more rights than we would have as say, regular citizens.
CowDung
11:27 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
The village of Greendale incorporated in 1939. Do you think that having an incorporated village means that they cannot collect taxes?
Bren
6:12 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
The arch looks quite similar to those erected by the Third Ward Association in Milwaukee. If we are adding an anachronistic arch, it should have at least had a 1938 era "feel." This is what a professional branding firm would have recommended, I have no doubt. Not to mention the fact that village degradation in the form of new construction/renovation within the original village borders should never have been allowed. It's a shame that people are making expensive design decisions without consulting professionals. For little extra money it could look so much better.
Spate Cooley
7:38 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Seeing as everything the village does irritates you why don't you all pack your crap and move to Milwaukee next too empty suit Mayor Barrett.
Help Our Kids
2:28 pm on Sunday, January 27, 2013
I came to this community based on talking to many residents, good school reviews, low crime etc. However latley some of those reasons I came here have started to turn in the wrong direction. It is quite easy to say "pack you crap and move". Harder to actualy do. Pointing out things that may or may not need community attention is hardly a reason to get all mad and talk smack. I am finding out that "from in the bubble" there are alot of nice folks, unfortunatly just many concieded a holes who actually believe their own hype as any where else.
Greendale mom
9:53 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Right Spate! Who cares and you should be grateful for all the Reiman's do for this community!
Bren
10:34 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
"..should be grateful..." Written like a loyal subject. ; )
Jason Patzfahl
12:01 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
But they don't have to OWN this community. If the residents are going to chip in $45,000 here and $30,000 there it should be for things like education and infrastructure, not to help fatten the Reiman wallet by dragging traffic into the downtown shops - that is the responsibility of the Chamber of Commerce and the businesses themselves.
The Reimans may have renovated the shopping district 25 years ago, but that was because he had a love for Greendale, yes, but also because he had personal business interests in doing so (his publishing company), which since it was sold to Reader's Digest, has cut ALL of the warehousing positions.
I'm sure the Reimans are fine people and care about the community, but does the Village have to do whatever they beckon? Goofy, out of place statues, LCD signs, arches...
jeff ircink
9:51 am on Saturday, January 19, 2013
1) just because someone questions the going-ons in the community, doesn't mean they dislike the communityand should "move away".
2) how exactly is the sign lit?
3) still unsure of what i think about this.
4) still definitely disagree with the LED sign and arch built on top of each other.
5) still do not like the LED sign. aside from a few things it repeats ad nauseum and some special events, i don't understand how this is drawing anyone to the Village.
jeff ircink
6:37 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
...and i don't think the sign - which looks nice - fits the decor of the Village.