Of the 27th Street Corridor and Boomgaard

Boomgaard.

The Franklin Common Council and the Oak Creek Common Council both have endorsed the name "Boomgaard District" for the area surrounding the South 27th Street Corridor, which is located in both cities. The word "Boomgaard" is Dutch for "orchard," and is significant to both the history and the vision of the South 27th Street Corridor development.

The "Boomgaard" name ties the agricultural economic history of the area to the future economic growth and development. Apple orchards once provided an income for local families in the areas that are now Franklin and Oak Creek. Many of the orchard owners sold their apples along the highway roadside of what is now South 27th Street. The region has a history of settlers living off of the land until the 1970s, when grocery stores became prevalent. In addition, the origin of "Boomgaard" also helps to underscore the Western European cultural influences of the area. In Oak Creek, Polish and German settlers began coming to the area in the 1830s and 1840s, and in Franklin, the earliest settlers were from Ireland in the 1830s, followed by the Dutch in the 1840s and Germans in the 1850s.

Looking to the area's future, as a strong-sounding word that brings to mind thoughts of progress, momentum and positive energy, the "Boomgaard" name reflects the vision for the area as an attractive center of economic activity. The name also embodies the environmentally friendly vision for the Boomgaard District, which includes protecting sensitive natural features including woodlands, creek and river corridors and wetlands; establishing a system of greenways along streams, woodlands, open spaces, parks, and other natural features and providing walking and/or biking trail connections throughout the corridor.

"The ‘Boomgaard District' name is as unique as the collaborative efforts between Franklin and Oak Creek," said Oak Creek Mayor Dick Bolender. "The uniqueness of the name will set this development apart from others not only regionally, but nationally."

Greg Kowalski continues to follow the Franklin and Oak Creek closed session votes that bestowed "Boomgaard" on the area.

Greg writes:

Some individuals and media outlets, like the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Mark Belling, allege that the votes were done illegally. Mark told his readers yesterday that someone should approach the District Attorney's office about this matter.

Others, including the City of Franklin's City Attorney, state that the votes were perfectly legal under the law. To support their position, they state that you can't vote on an item in open session if it would have made the whole point of going into closed session pointless.

At issue is Wisconsin's Open Meetings Law.

While that matter is debated, I offer my reaction to the Zizzo Group and Boomgaard:

Boomgaard is a terrible name for the 27th St. Corridor.

It sounds goofy. Thoughts of orchards and hard-working immigrants are nice, but the name doesn't invoke those visions.

I think of Burgermeister Meisterburger, and other comedic characters.

I think of Boomhauer from King of the Hill.

Looking to the area's future, as a strong-sounding word that brings to mind thoughts of progress, momentum and positive energy, the "Boomgaard" name reflects the vision for the area as an attractive center of economic activity.

I disagree.

Would anyone from the Zizzo Group offer to name his or her child "Boomgaard," because of its positive energy?

I doubt it.

Some words don't work. They don't translate well. Boomgaard just doesn't work. I can't really explain it. It's a visceral response.

Not long ago, we ordered a product that was shipped from overseas.

The return address:

93 Kwai Fuk Road

Would you want that to be your address?