Status of Proposed Observation Tower Still Up in Air

Port Washington city officials haven't heard from the group interested in donating an observation tower for Upper Lake Park since January.

City officials have not heard from the group that proposed an observation tower for Upper Lake Park since late January, according to the Ozaukee Press. At that time, the Port Washington Common Council had postponed any further action on the tower until members from the Friends of the Port Washington Tower could be present at a meeting — though city officials also made clear they were mostly against the proposed location. "I don’t want to discourage people who want to give to the city," Ald. Paul Neumyer said during the Jan. 24 meeting, "but I’m not a fan of the location — I wish (the group) could be inclined to consider (the tower) on the coal dock." Since then, city officials "haven’t heard a word" from the group, City Administrator Mark …

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City Officials Not Sold on Observation Tower Location

Friends of the Tower hope to build an observation tower in Upper Lake Park, but Port Washington officials aren't sure the suggested location is the best place.

City officials have questioned several specifics about an observation tower proposed for Upper Lake Park, and the latest detail on their mind is the structure's location. The Port Washington Fire Department raised a fire ladder in the proposed location on Upper Lake Park as a way to get a sample of the view both from 80 feet up as well as an idea what the protruding tower would look like from other areas in the city. (Patch got a ride in the bucket, here's some photos of the view.) And what they saw left aldermen mostly convinced the tower doesn't belong on top of the bluff. "I was expecting more," Ald. Dan Becker said during the Common Council meeting last week. "I was hoping to be able to see into the downtown but you couldn’t do that…

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Robert B.

2:07 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012

I agree. I'm all for the tower but I was underwhelmed with the pictures as well. I guess we're spoiled by the great view already.   more ›

PHOTOS: Fire Truck Ladder Offers Sample View for Proposed Tower

Friends of the Tower hope to build an observation tower in Upper Lake Park, something some alderman are behind but the mayor opposes.

In debating the merits of an observation tower proposed for Upper Lake Park, a central question has been whether the suggested 80-foot height offers a view worth the possible obstruction to neighbors and liability to the city. For a firsthand observation, aldermen took a bumpy ride 80 feet up in a bucket at the end of a Port Washington fire truck ladder Saturday afternoon. "I couldn't see downtown as much as I thought I would, but the harbor looks awesome," Ald. David Larson said after his trip up. "I think it would be a draw for the park." In December, the Port Washington Plan Commission recommended approving the tower — which would be donated by a group who calls themselves the Friends of the Tower; the proposal could come before Common …

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Port Just Steps Away from 80-Foot Observation Tower

The Port Washington Plan Commission recommended the donated addition to Upper Lake Park for approval; the Common Council will likely discuss the issue in January.

If all goes as planned, Upper Lake Park could soon be home to an 80-foot observation tower — a one-of-its-kind along Lake Michigan. The Port Washington Plan Commission recommended approval of the tower during its meeting last week, and the Common Council will meet in January to discuss the new addition to the city, according to Randy Tetzlaff, director of planning and development for Port. The commission voted 5-1 to recommend the plans, according to the Ozaukee Press, with Mayor Scott Huebner against the tower because of its height. "The Friends of the Tower are proposing an effort similar to Possibility Playground," Tetzlaff said in an e-mail. "They would raise funds, build the tower using a professional contractor and donate it to the …

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80-Foot Tower a Possible Addition to Upper Lake Park?

Local business owner proposes the addition.

Pumpkin Run/Walk Carves Fun into Exercise

Pre-registration for fun run/walk ends today for the annual Pumpkins in the Park to benefit the Port Washington-Saukville Physical Education and Health Departments.

A variety of run/walk events exist in Port Washington and Saukville throughout the year, but Saukville Elementary School physical education teacher Colette Piontek said Pumpkins in the Park offers a unique draw. The event offers a kids' race, and each participant is given a pumpkin for particpating in the run. The event is coming up Sept. 30. In its sixth year, continuing the run/walk is "something positive we can do," for the community, Piontek said. The event was developed as a way to raise funds for the department. More than 150 runners participated last year, said Kris Nonn, a physical education teacher at Port Washington High School, and it has grown every year. “We have a lot of expensive equipment," Piontek said, adding that the …

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Construction Stops Through Traffic on Lake Street

Traffic will be able to access the street from different ends throughout the process of redoing North Lake Street and its parking lot area.

Construction began on Tuesday for the planned makeover for a portion of Lake Street that borders Veteran's Memorial Park on Lake Michigan. Residents are currently unable to access the street from Jackson Street, City Engineer Rob Vanden Noven said; instead, traffic is being detoured through Upper Lake Park for access to places such as north beach, the Port Washington Yacht Club and Veteran's Memorial Park. Vanden Noven said he suspects traffic will be able to enter from Jackson Street in about two weeks — pending sewer and utility work — at which point access from Upper Lake Park will be closed off. Through traffic will not be allowed for the duration of the construction project, Vanden Noven said, as there won't "be room for any car to …

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