NWSCDC

What is it that Spanish capitalists understand about Milwaukee that Metro Milwaukee capitalists don't understand about Milwaukee? A good deal, I guess (get the double entendre?).

Well, hell finally froze on Tuesday when Governor Doyle and Mayor Barrett announced the lease at Tower Automotive to Talgo, the Spanish railroad company, and purchase of trains that will be built at the site.

I am aware that some of high speed rail and this deal with Talgo is controversial. That didn't contribute to global cooling that froze hell. It was that anyone convinced anyone to move to Tower. To the North Side! To da 'hood! Where it is too dangerous for development. Where the broker and developer community said crime would have to go away before anyone would invest. Until hell froze over.

Congratulations to the State, to the City, to Congresswoman Moore and to Talgo for the vision and good business acumen to move to one of Wisconsin's hottest neighborhoods!  OK, so that's a bit of an exaggeration. But still, we're moving in the right direction.

And while I am at it, congratulations to The Corridor, Livable Milwaukee, the many churches and block groups, and yes, to Northwest Side CDC for belief, advocacy and cheerleading for Milwaukee's North Side. Before anyone, the community and community-based organizations knew this was a good place to do business. It was before. It is again.

But now the real work begins. It is critical to match Talgo and others that will be recruited to Tower to training and jobs. It is critical to match opportunities to existing small businesses and independent retailers on, and near Capitol Drive. It is extremely important to continue to drive crime down, not just away from the area.

As Rick said to Captain Renault in the final scene of "Casablanca", "Louie, this could be the start of a beautiful relationship."