Milwaukee-based Zizzo Group Advertising and Public Relations announced that it was selected recently by the cities of Franklin and Oak Creek to create a marketing strategy for the development of the South 27th Street corridor, which is the border for the two communities. Officials from Oak Creek and Franklin hope to attract a mix of uses to the corridor, which is currently anchored by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.’s Franklin campus. Planning for the corridor’s development began in 2004 and a streetscape design was unveiled earlier this year. Marketing of the corridor is the third phase of the project. "This corridor is going to be the desired place that corporations want to locate their headquarters or regional offices," said Ted Grintjes, chairman of the South 27th Street Steering Committee. "It’s where retail business owners will want to open their shops and it’s where people will want to live." Zizzo Group’s first step will be to develop an identity for the corridor, which will consist of naming the corridor and designing a logo and tagline that represent that identity, said Zizzo Group creative director Joe Ban. The firm plans to present three logo options to the committee, which will then hold a public meeting to receive input on the options. Preliminary plans also call for Zizzo to design a DVD, Web site and printed materials to help market the corridor to potential developers, Ban said. Zizzo will also launch a comprehensive public relations campaign, which will attempt to create awareness of the corridor and build momentum, said Jeff Fleming, vice president of public relations for Zizzo Group. For more information on the corridor go to: www.saa-madison.com/27thcor.htm
Milwaukee-based Kahler Slater Architects recently received a Merit Award in Historic Preservation from the American Institute of Architects for its work on the renovation of the Skirvin Hilton Hotel in Oklahoma City. The Skirvin is the oldest existing hotel in the state and had been shuttered since 1988 before undergoing a more than $55 million renovation to modernize the hotel while carefully retaining its historic details. The Skirvin renovation was recognized earlier this year with a Citation of Merit from Oklahoma’s State Historic Preservation Office. Marcus Hotels and Resorts, a division of Milwaukee-based The Marcus Corp., oversaw the renovation and is operating the 225-room hotel. The hotel is owned by Skirvin Partners, LLC, a partnership between Marcus Hotels and Resorts, the majority equity owner, and Skirvin Partners in Development.
Butler-based Berghammer Construction Company will recognize subcontractors throughout southeastern Wisconsin in its first Golden Hammer Awards Program, honoring premier subcontractor performance on building projects in 2007. The event will be held from 5-7 p.m. at Berghammer’s offices at 4750 N. 132nd St., Butler.
MLG Communities, part of the Brookfield-based MLG family of companies recently launched a redesigned Website (www.mlgcommunities) to serve customers in the home site buying process.
Wisconsin Commercial Real Estate Women (WCRE) recently announced the nominees for its 7th annual Real Estate Development Showcase Awards program, which recognizes significant real estate development and redevelopment projects in Wisconsin. Eligible projects must be substantially completed for occupancy or open between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007. The nominees are: The Agora, American Family Insurance Claims Division Office, Bayshore Town Center, Blood Center of Wisconsin Blood Research Institute, Bucyrus International, Centennial Place, Cherry Court Midrise, Dr.Wesley Scott Senior Living Community, Forest County Potowatomi Cultural Center and Museum, Forest County Potawatomi Executive Building, General Mitchell International Airport – Concourse C, The Good Life Restaurant, Hunzinger Construction Office LEED-DI Renovation, Johnson Health Tech Corporate Campus, The Majestic Cinema, The Marine Terminal Building, Mason Temple Church of God in Christ, Medical College of Wisconsin / Children’s Research Institute, Translational and Biomedical, Moritz and Winter Building, Mo’s Irish Pub, Northland Pines High School, Palermo’s Pizza Manufacturing Facility & Corporate Headquarters, Park East Enterprise Lofts, Pilgrim Glen Condo Development, Proteus Packaging & Transpak Corporation, Rexam, Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church, Schuster’s Lofts, Simon Office Condominium, Torke Wirth Pujara, Ltd. Corporate Offices, Tri-North Builders Inc. New Corporate Office Building, UWM Kenilworth Square/Peck School of Arts, UW River Falls Student Union, Whole Foods Market, Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation (WECC). The winners will be announced at the Real Estate Development Showcase Awards program and gala dinner at on October 18th at 5 p.m. at the Italian Community Center. For more information or to attend this event please contact WCREW, Patty Fenstad at pfenstad@aol.com.
