If I were going to morph a cyclocross/utility bike into a commuter, I would use the Nexus hub from the Milano on 700c wheels, add a mechanical front disk brake, put a rear rack on the thing with panniers and an integrated or Arkel style attachments to the rack, and suspension seat post. I would use reflective paint for every painted surface and set the thing up with fenders. I would probably opt for a rechargeable light rather than a generator driven one as well, except the battery would run both the front and rear lights.
Dan