If you're a regular at Alterra on Prospect, like I am, you can't help but have noticed the major construction going on there. Today, the project moved a little closer to completion.
Last week new windows went up in the front, but the original seating and counter area are still under construction. When they open, the counter will move back over there.
Just to the south, where there was a loading dock-style area, a new seating area opened.
When I stopped in for coffee this morning, people were already enjoying the bi-level space and barista Scott Lucey opined that the transparent garage door that replaced the old wooden door (which boasted a mural by Scott Darrow that now hangs in the new space) would be open later on today.
In the meantime, co-owners Ward and Lincoln Fowler were loading in new furniture for the space, which currently has an outdoor seating area just in front of it.
Although the construction work hasn't really been too intrusive (maybe it's been different for the folks who pass hours in Alterra), I'm ready for it to be done, so I can enjoy the new and improved -- with food service -- Alterra on Prospect.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
