April 21, 2010 from FRANKLIN TODAY

Written by Greg Kowalski

Common Council deadlocked on Drexel Interchange
What an interesting debate last night at the Common Council in relation to the future interchange at I-94 & Drexel Avenue! For many years, both Ted Grintjes and Jim Rhiner served on the 27th Street Steering Committee (Grintjes was Chairman), Community Development Authority and Economic Development Commission. Two years ago, both of them abruptly decided to call it quits on a public level amid mounting scrutiny and frustration among the public with regards to the Boomgaard District naming of the 27th Street Corridor and the associated dollar amounts. Even though Grintjes and Rhiner departed Franklin committees and commissions, it remains apparent that they didn't give up their influence. Last night, both Grintjes and Rhiner were present in full support of the construction of the interchange. The issue last night though was a little more serious than simply saying, "you got my support." At issue was whether or not the City of Franklin would commit an additional $500,000 for lighting on 27th Street - lighting the Wisconsin Department of Transportation was already intending to foot the bill for. By relieving the DOT of their $500,000 obligation on Franklin's half of 27th Street, it opens those DOT dollars to be transferred over to the Drexel Interchange project in Oak Creek. Grintjes made several notes to the council:

The council should do everything in their power to make it happen "Everyone" - aka YOU, the residents of Franklin, is interested in the interchange Supporters of the interchange include State Representatives Honadel (R-Oak Creek) and Stone (R-Greendale), Milwaukee County, the City of Oak Creek, US Representative Paul Ryan, and the City of Franklin's Community Development Authority & Economic Development Commission Prime companies locate in and need prime locations - Northwestern Mutual is one of those prime companies The interchange @ Drexel is critical to development west of the now-barren four lane 31st Street The DOT & Oak Creek are willing to work with us Forecasted tax revenue from full development of 27th Street: $20 million Forecasted job creation from full development of 27th Street: 40,000 jobs

While Grintjes made those "positive" remarks, later in the council discussion about the interchange, Alderwoman Kristen Wilhelm (who represents lands north of Drexel along 27th Street) made several strong arguments against the proposal:

Increases traffic on Drexel Avenue - a road whose construction costs are 100% covered by city taxpayers...no other entities

Decreases traffic on Rawson Avenue - a six-lane county trunk road in which the City of Franklin presumably would like to see additional businesses locate along, especially in the Fountains of Franklin/Sendik's Food Market area The interchange is needed by Oak Creek for their Delphi plant redevelopment @ Drexel & Howell. What does Franklin need the interchange for?

When it comes down to it, who seems to care more about decreasing taxes via economic development - Ted Grintjes or Alderwoman Wilhelm? 27th Street's development solely benefits Oak Creek-Franklin Public Schools. Taxpayers in the Franklin Public School District, which I'm sure the majority of readers on this site are taxpayers for, receive NO benefit/relief on their school district taxes from 27th Street development. Residents in Franklin have been asking for higher quality businesses and dining amenities closer to home - in Franklin. The Drexel interchange facilitates increased retail/restaurant development along Howell Avenue - in Oak Creek. At the end of the debate, it became somewhat clear as to who was on the side seeking both relief and additional commercial development in the Franklin Public School District, and who was only seeking to fulfill planned forecasts that quite frankly could take another 25-50 years to fully come to fruition. Do you as a resident and taxpayer of Franklin really want to wait that long for projected tax "relief"? Those voting in FAVOR of the Drexel Interchange expenditure were Aldermen Olson, Schmidt and Solomon. Those voting in OPPOSITION of the Drexel Interchange expenditure were CCP Taylor and Aldermen Skowronski and Wilhelm. Mayor Taylor refused to cast a deciding tiebreaking vote and called it a failed motion due to a lack of majority vote. I think it is fair and reasonable to assume that the mayor refused to cast the vote in part due to Northwestern Mutual sending two of their legal counsel to the meeting last night. As you know, Northwestern Mutual intends on coughing up $1.6 million to aid in the local cost-share of the interchange, in which the Cities of Franklin and Oak Creek would cover the remainder of the cost-share. Subsequently after the vote failed to gain a majority either way, the council voted unanimously to allow Mayor Taylor to work with the other powers-that-be, including Northwestern Mutual, to find a solution and to call a special council meeting prior to May 1st. May 1st is the DOT deadline for the local cost-share to be finalized. This approaching special council meeting will provide a better image on the stances of the aldermen. CCP Taylor, as an example, made several references to Northwestern Mutual's continued expansion in Franklin, noting that if the interchange was built and Northwestern Mutual in return put expansion of their campus (aka Building #3) on a faster track, he could "sell that" to his constituents. CCP Taylor noted that Building #3 could easily pay off the $500,000 commitment from Franklin in 1-2 years via their property taxes. If CCP Taylor backs Olson, Schmidt, and Solomon, the votes will be there to approve the commitment of Franklin taxpayer dollars to support an interchange in Oak Creek.