tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17193090459529564582012-01-29T23:19:35.360-06:00Dedicated to improving the urban environment with all creative and result oriented solutions available. My expertise relies on professional experience in Architecture, Design, Urban Planning and Historic Preservation as well as physical construction and restoration. Neighborhood, community and natural environment are always priorities and never considered a sidebar trendy topic.Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.comBlogger421100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-39372207451889998392012-01-29T16:13:00.001-06:002012-01-29T16:18:00.382-06:00

From: The Atlantic Cities, Place Matters by Emily Badger “Reusing an old building pretty much always has less of an impact on the environment than tearing it down, trashing the debris, clearing the site, crafting new materials and putting up a replacement from scratch. This makes some basic sense, even without looking at the numbers.” “Retrofit an existing building to make it 30 percent more

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-74395204659181145162012-01-16T22:56:00.001-06:002012-01-16T22:58:45.290-06:00

By: Eric Hagerman, This Old House online Making a Healthy Home “Getting pregnant isn't always as easy as it looks on TV. Some 7.3-million American women have trouble becoming pregnant or staying pregnant. Doctors can't explain what's wrong for about 10 percent of the couples who can't conceive, and some experts suspect the culprit is all around us: environmental contaminants, particularly in

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-70964076933789192332012-01-16T22:17:00.002-06:002012-01-16T22:59:17.288-06:00

By: Keith Pandolfi, This Old House online Danger on the Homefront "We love our homes. They provide us with warmth, shelter and, best of all, security. That's why it's so darn shocking when they turn against us. Like it or not, a house can be a virtual arsenal of lethal weapons. Whether its poisonous gasses, fiery flames, rabid bats or electrocuting appliances, even the sweetest Colonial Revival

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-59876686343391556342011-02-28T00:49:00.001-06:002011-02-28T00:59:17.029-06:00

Yes, those are U.S. flags and the Fiat logo and yes it is a Fiat Dealership Studio.  This is Bergstrom Fiat in Milwaukee one of three dealerships open in the U.S.  The other two are in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.  In addition to these there will be 180 more dealerships opening this year.  There is a bit of irony here because that is a former Hummer Dealership that closed due to lack of sales

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-75674376455200345542011-02-06T01:25:00.002-06:002011-02-06T01:39:37.260-06:00

How old is that tree?  It is one of the many Live Oaks that line Jones Street in Savannah Georgia.  I took a few pictures that day because I was studying the homes for authentic historical accuracy, but I didn't pay attention to the tree till today.  The historic plaque on the house to the left says it was built 1861.  The house on the right is similar vintage.  Could the tree be similar in same

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-61596254628060780612010-11-17T22:52:00.002-06:002010-11-17T23:07:39.131-06:00

Today is the day that Fiat Officially announces its return to the United States.  The U.S. version of the Fiat 500, a.k.a. Cinquecento, was debuted at the L.A. International Car Show.  The car will be showing up at dealerships, called Fiat Studios, in December and will be available for sale in January.  Fiat also sent out letters of intent to 150 dealerships that applied for franchises.  Within

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-23997444560577058012010-11-11T22:21:00.004-06:002010-11-11T23:18:07.560-06:00

Despite what Governor Elect Walker wants, the majority of Milwaukee Alderpersons support the federally funded high speed rail system.  The Governor Elect wants the federal money to be spent on Highways and not mass transit.  The allocated money, if Wisconsin refuses it, will not go to Wisconsin, it will be re-allocated to another state.  We will also become the brunt of jokes nationwide as is

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-31475820916672064402010-10-27T22:58:00.000-05:002010-10-27T22:58:57.373-05:00

Great article from the AP (via Yahoo) Artist builds a tree house in her backyard in a historic district in New York City's Greenwich Village and at least one neighbor apparently doesn't like it.  It is a townhouse neighborhood so the tree house can not be seen from the street.  If there was a Better Tree Houses and Tree Gardens or Tree House Digest this would definitely be a prize winning design.

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-43564346889459748622010-08-05T23:07:00.000-05:002010-08-05T23:07:49.701-05:00

"Daddy, the front storm door needs to be replaced - just look at that aluminum corrosion near the bottom. I think we should get a wood one, it will last longer. Also the bleach blonde flush solid core door is completely inappropriate for the Craftsman style entry. And by the way, did you get a picture of that crack in the foundation wall?"

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-60775983672295422632010-07-27T00:14:00.002-05:002010-07-27T00:43:12.840-05:00

The following is copied from the City of Milwaukee's Website.  It is a good, breif explanation of what has been called a lifestyle to many, a demographic trend movement to others and essentially the correct way to live for most of us humans.  Although this is in Milwaukee's website it is not just about Milwaukee, these are principiles that are shared and embraced amonst most urban centers.  Also

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-48398948553585078522010-07-21T01:06:00.000-05:002010-07-21T01:06:54.280-05:00

Politicians have to accept the fact that funding for paying for transportation projects needs to come from increased gas tax. We need to stop paying for transportation projects out of our income taxes, sales taxes and user fees. It is time to make the people and corporations that CHOOSE to use the roads the most pay for it in every gallon of fuel they use. 1. This will penalize those who

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-26046599462384894532010-07-21T00:11:00.001-05:002010-07-21T00:39:36.195-05:00

From: City of Milwaukee, Ald. Bauman's Office Press Release City of Milwaukee Alderman Robert J. Bauman has offered a blow-by-blow political strategy script (see attached memo below) that could (literally) be followed to the letter by candidates running for Wisconsin governor. The alderman said he believes the candidates have most likely already adopted many of the memo’s suggestions for their

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-4056335125909781252010-07-10T00:24:00.000-05:002010-07-10T00:24:10.046-05:00

On July 7th, Fiat introduced the 500 TwinAir.  It has the lowest carbon dioxide output of any production car.  The .9 liter 2 cylinder 85 hp engine is capable of providing the 500 with a top speed of 108 mph and 0 to 60 mph time of under 11 seconds.  Nothing earth shattering here but the 500 will get over 57 mpg and a CO2 output of 92 to 97 g/km.  To put this in perspective, a Harley Davidson

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-74601825160909437642010-02-09T23:12:00.000-06:002010-02-09T23:12:53.900-06:00

A prototype web site has been launched by our Federal Government to allow us average folks access to an incredible amount of climate data from around the world.  Information available ranges from historic data to current data and also provides predictions.  Normally information such as this would require research and special access via professional, govermental or educational permission.  The

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-34000902764068603582010-01-30T11:54:00.000-06:002010-01-30T11:54:13.095-06:00

Below is a press release from the City of Milwaukee and and a link to the ATF (Federal Government) Press Release. "Attached please find a joint release from the ATF along with the Milwaukee Police Department and other agencies investigating the fire that destroyed Pizza Man and other North Avenue businesses on January 19, 2010. We hope you will share this information with all in the hopes that

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-41431704729768812162010-01-28T22:39:00.000-06:002010-01-28T22:39:06.341-06:00

About a week ago a fire destroyed a Milwaukee East Side Landmark, four businesses and ten apartments.  It is sad for the businesses, one of which has been in the same location for over twenty years - Pizza Man Restraunt.  The building was also the ideal urban mixed use building on a busy street corner with retail at sidwalk level and apartments above.  It was originally built in the 1920's in the

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-29208452579599653472009-12-11T00:17:00.001-06:002009-12-11T00:38:27.782-06:00

Waukesha County is about to get approval to buy water from the City of Milwaukee.  Apparently Racine and Oak Creek are also willing to sell to Waukesha County but they are less desired due to the higher cost and logistics of piping the water.  If Milwaukee does not provide water than it fears that Oak Creek or Racine will and Milwaukee will lose a source of revenue.  Additionally Milwaukee wants

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-43516533193784511602009-12-10T12:43:00.002-06:002009-12-10T13:04:57.183-06:00

At the LA Auto Show VW is showing their first diesel electric hybrid. The Up! Light is designed to get 70 mpg and is not a "plug in" electric car. It will produce its own electricity and drive off primarily a 2 cyl. turbo diesel engine. About a year ago both VW and Fiat discussed to the press that they would not consider diesel electric hybrids because the cost would be too high and they

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-71028304355219473122009-12-02T22:19:00.000-06:002009-12-02T22:19:25.720-06:00

Correction - The now former GM CEO Fritz Henderson is not "Big Ed the Texan" who publicly proclaimed he knows nothing about cars - that is Ed "Big Ed" Whitaker. Big Ed IS the Chairman of the Board of GM and now the interim CEO. Big Ed is the former CEO of AT&T whom is responsible for the current organization of it. Fritz Henderson was a life long GM employee/executive whom apparently could not

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-19067806348810544992009-12-01T17:51:00.000-06:002009-12-01T17:51:35.410-06:00

Whitacre is interim replacement Jamie LaReau Automotive News December 1, 2009 - 4:50 pm ET UPDATED: 12/1/09 6:20 p.m. Link to Automotive News Updated Article DETROIT -- General Motors Co's board of directors ousted CEO Fritz Henderson after eight months, saying it wanted to chart a new course as the biggest U.S. automaker pushes ahead with its restructuring.

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-25752477250173598712009-12-01T17:09:00.001-06:002009-12-01T17:10:47.593-06:00

Newsflash!!! Frtiz "Big Ed" Henderson resigns as CEO of General Motors! The man who publicly announced he doesn't know anything about cars has resigned during a GM Board meeting. Apparently after a few months of being GM's CEO he still doesn't know anything about cars. I am sure GM's press department has a better and "more appropriate" way of announcing this. Link to Automotive News Alert Article

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-72210227542174661872009-12-01T17:01:00.001-06:002009-12-01T17:06:44.053-06:00

Newsflash!!!  Frtiz "Big Ed" Henderson resigns as CEO of General Motors!  The man who publicly announced he doesn't know anything about cars has resigned during a GM Board meeting.  Apparently after a few months of being GM's CEO he still doesn't know anything about cars.  I am sure GM's press department has a better and "more appropriate" way of announcing this. Link to Automotive News Alert

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-19679193508224019632009-12-01T12:36:00.001-06:002009-12-01T12:39:14.804-06:00

Greenwashing (green whitewash) is the practice of companies disingenuously spinning their products and policies as environmentally friendly, such as by presenting cost cuts as reductions in use of resources.[1] It is a deceptive use of green PR or green marketing. The term green sheen has similarly been used to describe organizations that attempt to show that they are adopting practices

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-89549175239387453922009-11-25T22:02:00.000-06:002009-11-25T22:02:10.417-06:00

Walking produces no toxic emissions.  And it is good for your health!

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-15946632797938424722009-11-25T21:59:00.000-06:002009-11-25T21:59:20.051-06:00

The worse your car's fuel economy is, the more it pollutes!  No exceptions.

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-58115317776124615582009-11-25T12:47:00.002-06:002009-11-25T12:50:41.346-06:00

MILWAUKEE- Wisconsin Green Building Alliance and Sierra Club’s Cool Cities program on Monday announced the launch of the Green Building for Cool Cities collaboration. The partnership will leverage Cool Cities’ more than 200 local campaigns and USGBC’s national network of 78 chapters to encourage new and energy-efficient buildings. For the rest of the article click here VIEW THE GREEN BUILDING

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-64615109904731888632009-11-06T12:43:00.000-06:002009-11-06T12:43:00.970-06:00

Alderman: Go Green or Go Away "Citywide Development LLC is the first private developer in Bay View to test a local alderman’s demand for green construction. Tony Zielinski, the alderman representing Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood, refuses to support project plans unless they require at least half of a new building’s energy come from renewable or on-site sources. He is asking Citywide, which

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-3563666118214340452009-11-06T12:35:00.000-06:002009-11-06T12:35:29.144-06:00

Sierra Club Looks to Snuff Out Coal "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday published an order requiring the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources revise an air-quality permit for Alliant Energy’s Columbia Generating Station in Pardeeville. The order is in response to a challenge the Sierra Club filed last year." Link to the Daily Reporter Story: http://dailyreporter.com/blog/

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-53048767810519188772009-11-03T23:26:00.003-06:002009-11-03T23:29:34.241-06:00

Al Gore and I agree!  THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS CLEAN COAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our Choice - New book from Al Gore

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-31821281331906333772009-11-03T21:59:00.008-06:002009-11-04T23:24:48.947-06:00

Northeast Side Plan Adopted A new land use plan for Milwaukee’s northeast side was adopted in September by the Common Council.  The 300-page plan includes detailed recommendations for seven sub-areas: Riverworks, Riverwest, Harambee, Milwaukee River, Upper East Side, Lower East Side, and the Lakefront. The planning effort was organized by the Department of City Development and directed by a

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-90202402265770772402009-11-03T21:22:00.005-06:002009-11-03T23:36:47.553-06:00

Newberry Boulevard Named “Great Street” * The American Planning Association has named Milwaukee’s East Newberry Boulevard as one of America’s “10 Great Streets.” The designation, made through APA’s Great Places in America program, singled out Newberry as an iconic example of the boulevard planning concepts espoused by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead Sr., who designed Lake and

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-66391214536304411332009-11-03T21:15:00.001-06:002009-11-03T23:37:37.004-06:00

Streetcar Lines Unveiled Three possible routes for a downtown “starter” streetcar have been unveiled by Mayor Tom Barrett. The public is urged to provide comments on the proposed routes, which are designed to circulate the maximum number of riders throughout downtown and adjacent neighborhoods. More information about the routes and instructions for submitting comments are available at: http://

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-88402540964434051052009-11-02T23:17:00.002-06:002009-11-03T23:39:09.645-06:00

Lorelei's First Halloween!  She is a little dragon that is just starting to walk.  (Click to enlarge picture)

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-20016235357416478792009-11-02T23:04:00.001-06:002009-11-03T23:38:44.014-06:00

Can't help myself again!  Here is Lorelei at 8 months 3 weeks.  Her mommy did a great job taking the pictures.

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-69101870237674280502009-09-22T23:12:00.001-05:002009-11-03T23:38:15.528-06:00

I can't help myself - I must post these.  Yes, I am a proud Father and infinitely thankful to my wife for our baby girl.  She is about seven months old in the pictures.  Click for a larger view.

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-58129169565525825412009-09-16T14:50:00.000-05:002009-09-16T14:50:42.181-05:00

In theory I am much more a thinker than a doer. In reality I do much more than I think.

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-91428071680777154432009-09-15T15:02:00.002-05:002009-09-15T23:16:52.716-05:00

Q: What makes the United States look like a third world country?  A: Our lack of national and regional mass transit.  Some metro areas should be acknowledged for their success: San Francisco, New York City and Washington D.C.  It is a pitty that people keep protesting against mass transit.  In Europe it is possible to get to almost every corner of a nation by using mass transit. Article: Mass

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-53075757873984136822009-09-12T21:51:00.001-05:002009-09-13T23:55:45.546-05:00

General Motors will suffer! They hired this guy named Fritz "Big Ed (the Texan)" Henderson and you know one of the first things he tells the press is that he doesn't know anything about cars. Well my daddy got a good laugh out of that! Cause my daddy knows cars, all kinds of them and he even knows how to fix them and sell them too. After all that's how he paid to get through college. Now my

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-66888427426895724872009-09-12T21:13:00.002-05:002009-09-16T22:14:43.707-05:00

Cul-de-Sac - kul*de*sak; Arbitrary residential street, placed in well marketted residential subdivision (a.k.a. Community), that leads to nowhere often lined on both sides with garages and their attached homes; dead end street generally without sidewalks; confusion alley. Used in sentenance: ex. A: Where the f^*k is your sister's d*mn house, I know it is down one these stupid motherf$%*ing

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-88819508122747710372009-08-30T20:41:00.000-05:002009-08-30T20:59:42.276-05:00

Today’s media has picked up on the new term “Green”. In the 1980’s the word green was always associated with a color. Now when someone mentions green people usually think about things that are good for the environment. It is seems that the marketing gurus all over the nation have decided that it is trendy to be “Green”. You can now buy such things as eco friendly “Green” disposable plates.

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-79421888352787509272009-08-25T00:42:00.000-05:002009-08-25T22:28:24.491-05:00

The automobile is perhaps mankind’s greatest invention. The personal computer is a nice invention but let’s face it, modern man can live without it. Most humans across the world still don’t have a personal computer. I can design any building with a pencil, paper and an eraser – it just might take me a bit longer than if I did it on a computer. But, in the metro area I live in, I can not go to

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719309045952956458.post-59448587953840660672009-08-22T22:59:00.000-05:002009-08-22T23:13:19.032-05:00

Tonight I start to blog. How much I blog and if I can find the time to blog can only be revealed in the future...

Darrin John Engelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03801746273418962770noreply@blogger.com0