What we were reading about…
30 years ago, Feb./March 1996
— Planning for Warner Park Community Recreation Center is moving ahead. The Common Council approved funding for the final phase of the planning process. Community meetings will be held to get residents’ feedback. The NPC will continue to advocate with Mayor Soglin and the Common Council to provide funding in the 1997 capital budget. If all goes well, groundbreaking could take place in spring 1997.
— The community gardens on Troy Drive are up for sale as part of a sale of state-owned surplus land. After meeting with the Community Action Coalition, the NPC will sponsor a community task force to explore the options regarding the gardens and the land on which they are located.
— Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Northside businesses: cards at Don’s Hallmark, Paper Haven and Shopko; flowers at Felly’s Floral, Mike’s Flowers, Jung Garden Center and Brennans; dinner at The Esquire Club, Imperial Palace or the Phoenix restaurant; dessert from Triggs Bakery, Dairy Queen or Culvers; and a romantic movie from Video Land or Box Office Video.
20 years ago, Feb./March 1996
— The River Food Pantry, a new, nonprofit, faith-based project, is remodeling warehouse space on Darwin Road with plans to open in March. Founders Andy and Jenny Czerkas said the food and clothing pantry is designed to serve all of the low-income neighborhoods along Northport Drive and the north-east side.
— Pierce’s Northside Market is slated to open in Northside TownCenter at the end of March in the space previously occupied by Discount Books and Curves. A family-owned business, the store will feature produce, bakery, deli, meat, dairy, frozen foods, beer and wine, and a large natural foods section.
— Cherokee Park, Inc. plans to develop an additional 215 acres at North Sherman Avenue and Wheeler Road. Currently, Cherokee Park has 275 single-family homes, 607 town homes, and 168 units at the Cherokee Garden condominiums. The project is described as “a recreationally minded neighborhood of moderate to high-end housing.” Marketing will be oriented towards older people, not families with children. The project will go to the Urban Design and Plan Commission for approval later this year
10 years ago, Feb./March 1996
— Pierce’s Northside Market will close at the end of March. Business Manager Paul Frey said, “the Madison store’s business model differs so much from our other stores…that it has created operating inefficiencies.” NPC and Northside TownCenter owners Dave and Don Bruns are working to maintain Northside access to a grocery store and job opportunities for Pierce’s staff.
— Anita Weier has received the North Star Award for Public Service. Weier served as District 18 alderperson for four years, during which she worked to preserve land near Troy Gardens, bring community gardens to Northside schools, and encourage UW Credit Union to open a Northside branch. “She achieved many successes for the Northside while helping guide city government and responding to citizen questions and complaints.”
— Volunteers from Wild Warner will join city engineers to restore Castle Creek, the waterway leading into Warner Pond. They will plant native water and verge plants along the edge of the new creek bed and ponds. The creek is named after the family that built the first home on the property that became Warner Park..
