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The East Tosa North Avenue commercial district has had numerous studies over the years to address specific issues from parking to streetscape, yet it lacks a cohesive, strategic plan or “road map” to articulate the vision. As such, this area lacks a coordinated approach.

East Town North Avenue is one of several neighborhood oriented commercial districts that need some revitalization.

The Grant Task Force, made up of neighborhood residents, area alderman, commercial property owners, area business managers and Wauwatosa Community Development personnel, crafted a Request for Proposal for development of a road map intended to provide guidance in promoting successful business district which more appropriately reflect the character of the neighborhoods through which it passes thereby improving the quality of life in the adjacent neighborhoods that has made Wauwatosa one of the area’s most desirable communities.

The Request for Proposal was issued on November 10th. There is a desire to have consultants secured by early 2010 to begin the planning process.

Board Meeting dates are listed on the calendar under “Upcoming Events.”

Volunteers should walk to their nearest North Avenue corner at 9am on June 20th with gardening/ work gloves in order to weed out the cracks and pavers.  Trash will be placed in black garbage bags, which will be provided, and plant material in the provided clear bags.  The city will pick up and dispose of the filled bags. 

We hope you join us to make North Avenue Clean & Green!

This event is hosted by Tosa East Towne Neighborhood Association.

Planning Task Force

If you are interested being part of the Planning Task Force, feel you have experience that will help in this process, and can commit to the meeting schedule, please complete the form below.  Note, we will limit the size of the task force to ensure it is a workable size.

Though this group’s focus is on East Town Tosa,  we were overwhelming disappointed with the entire plan; it seemed to simple fill a perfunctory role to meet a mandate.

We would like to see the plan address the opportunity focus on reconnecting our communities and individual neighborhoods. We recommend the plan celebrate the unique personalities of these neighborhoods by:

− Considering opportunities to address “main street” areas like North Avenue in East Town Tosa
− Focusing on the unique personalities of each, individual neighborhood community.
− Incorporating walk ability and bike ability into the infrastructure as a means of transportation.
− Addressing the need for consistent solicitation and support for small business and small business infrastructure. Though there are great opportunities for larger developments, many residents live within walking of small commercial districts. There must be a plan to solicit and support small business in order for these neighborhoods to maintain their unique draw and grow.
− Addressing and conveying the vision of Wauwatosa as a series of unique neighborhoods that, together, create a vibrant, diverse, urban community.

We appreciate the opportunity to share our thoughts of the plan and hope to see more focus on these aspects in the approved plan.

Focusing on North Avenue: Tosa’s Main Street

Running east-west through the City, North Avenue functions as one of Wauwatosa’s most important neighborhood-oriented commercial corridors. In addition to providing convenient and accessible goods, services, and community facilities to the surrounding neighborhoods, North Avenue has the potential to better unify east and west town Tosa. To maintain and enhance the character of North Avenue, the City intends to work in collaboration with ETBMA, WEDC, business owners, and nearby residents to develop a corridor plan for North Avenue. Such a plan should address the following:

• Enhancing pedestrian friendliness and safety along the corridor. This may involve the installation of public improvements to more clearly define and regulate pedestrian and traffic zones, including the installation of medians, modified on-street parking regulations, alternative pavement types (e.g. brick) and additional traffic lights.
• Define a unified streetscaping and signage theme that helps to connect the area west of Mayfair Road with the area east of Mayfair Road and East Town Tosa but that also helps to signal transitions between unique segments of the corridor such as East Town Tosa, Mid-Town Tosa, and West Town Tosa.
• Promote and support the establishment of business associations in areas like Mid-Town and West Town Tosa.
• Address strategies for shared public parking in key locations to encourage people to get out of their cars and walk between destinations.
• Ensure the long-term viability and visual appearance of buildings along the corridor.
• Advance the redevelopment of key sites and the rehabilitation of certain buildings to preserve and enhance the character of the corridor.
• Consider ideas for programmed events along the corridor.
• Develop an implementation strategy that defines opportunities for the City, RDA, and WEDC to actively assist in the redevelopment and revitalization process (e.g. land acquisition, establishment of public parking, land assembly).
• Promote the establishment of more commercial block watch efforts, especially along North Avenue and potentially Bluemound Road. Coordinate these efforts with the Community Support Division of the Wauwatosa Police Department.

Excerpt from pages 123 – 124

To download a complete plan and associated maps click here.

For those interested in discussing the plan and providing feedback jointly, please meet on Saturday, September 6, 9am at Cranky Al’s. Please review the plan in advance and be prepared to provide your input at the meeting. We will compile the notes and send them to Megan as well as make sure there is a representative at the September 17th meeting at City Hall.