Shortcuts | Jan. 20, 2011

condensed local news about civic and cultural goings-on

V1 Staff |

They're gonna make this.
 
They're gonna make this.
UWEC CHOOSES COMPANY TO BUILD STUDENT CENTER

UW-Eau Claire recently selected a construction company for their massive student center project, and they expect to begin building in late winter or early spring. Bids for the new student center opened in January and recently closed with the low bid submitted by Kraemer Brothers at $35.28 million, $3.12 million less than the construction budget. Nine bids from companies in Wisconsin and Minnesota were submitted. Responsible for the construction is the Division of State Facilities, which will work with Kraemer Brothers. The new student center will replace the 51-year-old Davies Center, which will be deconstructed and redeveloped into green space. Segregated fees, paid by students, will fund the approximately 170,000 square foot building. No tax dollars will be involved.

APRIL REFERENDUM MAY CHANGE CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS

There’s a chance that the Eau Claire City Council president’s seat will become a three-year term by 2014, and any council representatives will be allowed to run for the spot. As of right now the five city council district seats share an election year with the president chair, making it infeasible for candidates to run simultaneously for re-election to their own seat and the presidency. While state law permits people to run for multiple offices in city government, Eau Claire law prohibits it on the city council. This could all change with a referendum on the April 5 ballot which will ask voters, ““Shall the election cycle of the president of the city council be changed from every three years to a single two-year term in 2012 and then a three-year term in 2014 and thereafter?”

MORGAN MUSIC OFFERS SPACE FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS

Since 1957, Morgan Music has been promoting music in the Chippewa Valley and now they are offering one of their rooms to the community. The objective is to get the community involved in music and art as much as possible. Free public open mic nights are in the works for solo artists, bands, or poetry jams. If you would like to put on a piano recital for 40 of your friends on their 6’ Yamaha C3, it’s a reasonable charge of $25 which includes set-up and clean-up from the staff. They’ll even let you bring in food that they can help you serve to your audience. Morgan Music is located at 2405 E. Clairemont in Eau Claire. Check out MorganMusicOnline.com to reserve the space.