From the Franklin Citizen (no web site, unfortunately):
By Andrew C, Westbrook
Franklin Citizen staff writer
The City of Franklin Common Council approved further investigation of a potential new commercial development near Lions Legend Park, Tuesday.
The potential development was discussed as a mixed-use, community-based coffee shop with "co-working" space.
John Michlig asked the council to place the item on Tuesday's agenda after it was discussed at length at the April 26 meeting of the Economic Development Commission, of which he is a part.
Michlig said the idea would be for the project to potentially be a community incubator that could involve various educational groups, such as the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee Area Technical College or Franklin High School.
The development, Michlig wrote in a letter to Mayor Tom Taylor, was suggested to also involve private commercial entities, as well, including possible philanthropic grants to co-fund and operate facilities.
The suggestion discussed at the meeting was that students entering into businesses could learn in a hands-on way.
"If you want to learn business, you can run a business," Michlig said.
The idea is still in the experimental phase, and the EDC only sought, and was given by the council, permission to continue investigating to see what potential is truly there by meeting with various groups,
However, the issue of location became a concern, as the initial site talked about would be between the Franklin Library and Fire Station 1, an area the Fire Department listed as one they would like to expand their already cramped facility.
It was suggested by Alderman Steve Olson that, as the fire department pro- posed expanding for dorms and office space on that side of the building and because their current dorm and office spaces are on the east side of the building, a potential alternative would be expansion of the tire station to the southeast side of their property instead.
Most in attendance were in favor of the idea.
Mayor Taylor noted that the idea could potentially help create a greater sense of community.
Franklin Citizen staff writer
The City of Franklin Common Council approved further investigation of a potential new commercial development near Lions Legend Park, Tuesday.
The potential development was discussed as a mixed-use, community-based coffee shop with "co-working" space.
John Michlig asked the council to place the item on Tuesday's agenda after it was discussed at length at the April 26 meeting of the Economic Development Commission, of which he is a part.
Michlig said the idea would be for the project to potentially be a community incubator that could involve various educational groups, such as the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee Area Technical College or Franklin High School.
The development, Michlig wrote in a letter to Mayor Tom Taylor, was suggested to also involve private commercial entities, as well, including possible philanthropic grants to co-fund and operate facilities.
The suggestion discussed at the meeting was that students entering into businesses could learn in a hands-on way.
"If you want to learn business, you can run a business," Michlig said.
The idea is still in the experimental phase, and the EDC only sought, and was given by the council, permission to continue investigating to see what potential is truly there by meeting with various groups,
However, the issue of location became a concern, as the initial site talked about would be between the Franklin Library and Fire Station 1, an area the Fire Department listed as one they would like to expand their already cramped facility.
It was suggested by Alderman Steve Olson that, as the fire department pro- posed expanding for dorms and office space on that side of the building and because their current dorm and office spaces are on the east side of the building, a potential alternative would be expansion of the tire station to the southeast side of their property instead.
Most in attendance were in favor of the idea.
Mayor Taylor noted that the idea could potentially help create a greater sense of community.
Who is this John Michlig? He has a fresh concept.
Posted by: Janet Evans | May 11, 2009 at 06:01 PM
Michlig is a madman.
Posted by: John Michlig | May 11, 2009 at 07:08 PM