Week Ahead: Some Highlights Coming in Tosa

This week in Tosa, the Common Council meets at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to take action on a number of issues that have been in the news.

The highlights:

The most controversial matter before the council this week is a request from the owner of Tosa Wine and Spirits, 11747 W. North Ave., to add a bar area to his liquor store.

Harneet Kaur says his year-old business hasn't taken off as hoped, and he wants to serve his product as a way to entice more customers.

But critics on the council, as well as Mayor Jill Didier, counter that the plan is too far afield from the conditional use permit already granted to Kaur just a year ago and also a dangerous precedent that could allow bars to spring up all over Tosa.

The idea was panned by the Plan Commission but approved by the Community Development Committee last week on a 5-2 vote.

Also coming to a vote is the Adoption of the Village Plan as an amendment to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. This ambitious blueprint for realigning streets, redirecting traffic and adding pedestrian-friendly amenities to the Village and environs has a long-term price tag of $82 million.

But only a fraction of that would be public money for infrastructure. Much of the plan includes expected private investment in new development in the Village Business Investment District, which stretches all the way along West State Street from the Village proper to North 60th Street and involves redevelopment of the property fronting Schoonmaker Creek.

Also on tap is a resolution authorizing a two-tier pay system for new hires who belong to the Office and Professional Employees International Union, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

This comes as the city continues to restructure its employee compensation system after most union collective bargaining rights were repealed by the Legislature.

A special anniversary

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of its Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building Thursday with a free evening program featuring the man who supervised construction of the building. 

The free program, at 6:30 p.m., will feature former Taliesin apprentice John U. Ottenheimer, who was construction supervisor of the church building from 1959 to 1961. Ottenheimer will talk about his experience and reflect on his working relationship with Wright.

is considered one of Wright's enduring designs and attracts visitors to Wauwatosa from around the world. More information can be found at www.annunciationwi.com.

Bowling kickoff

The Education Foundation of Wauwatosa announces its early release bowling kick-off party from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at AMF Bowlero Lanes.

Proceeds benefit EFW, which helps provide grants to teachers in our district. The $6 admission includes shoe rental and unlimited bowling.