It seems to me that lately we have been going through a tsunami of civic pride as Milwaukee is feeding off a new spring energy and singing our own praises, just as others – magazines-surveys, etc. – also sing about the surprising strengths of our city.

From new businesses that focus on and use the new technologies that didn’t even exist a decade ago to nightlife to food (growing, harvesting cooking and serving), to capitalizing on entrepreneurs who have ideas and are making them come alive.

It is a very exciting time and, as someone who has lived a long life here, it does my heart good to see all this wonderful activity. Too many times over the years we have heard this same chorus of "how hot we are" only to see it fizzle out for a variety of reasons.

This one doesn’t feel like a fizzle. It feels genuine.

I really don’t want to throw cold water on these exciting times, but I do want to offer at least a small word of caution.

When you build a new house, as we are doing, make sure that you pay attention to the foundation.

Tremendous amounts of capital, both human and fiscal, are driving our current growth. But somehow, somewhere, we need to use some of that capital to shore up our foundation.

If we ignore the problems we have and just try to build over them, our house will remain shaky.

We have problems with race and poverty in Milwaukee. Large pockets of poor people, mainly black and Latino, need attention so they don’t fall further behind in the economic and social disparities that we have. We need training and opportunity and an expansive tent that provides paths for everyone.

Our infrastructure, if not crumbling, could at least use an infusion of attention. Drive our streets and risk having your car fall apart.

We need to figure out a transportation system that can move people around to where the jobs will be.

We have a public education system that does some wonderful things but has difficulty educating all of our children. For every child who ends up failing, we end up with an adult who will have problems contributing.

Finally, and most importantly, we need visionary leadership. We need people who know where the line is between risk and reward and are willing to occasionally step over that line.

I’ve been a part of this city for a long, long time. This is not my time. I can watch over it and maybe provide some historical perspective.

But it is just about as genuine and exciting as any period I can remember. Maybe the construction of Grand Avenue rivals it for combining efforts and excitement. But this one seems like it will last much, much longer.