Yes

Despite last ditch efforts by Alderman Joe Dudzik to hold the project in committee, which would have effectively killed the project, Janet Zweig‘s public art project was approved at today’s Common Council meeting with an overwhelming majority.  How things can change in such a short time.  As of the last Public Work Committee meeting it sure looked like this project was going to fall to Milwaukee’s “We’re not Chicago” syndrome.  Meaning so often our leaders and our residents thinking the best we can do is hope to fill a few pot holes, and that anything beyond that is overreaching for Milwaukee.

But I don’t buy into that discussion.  As I’ve tried to indicate in my previous posts on this topic this debate has really been about something larger than the specific proposal.  It was about, do we as a city care about our public spaces?  Do we want to embrace creativity?  Will we reach further?  At least in today’s case, as far embracing art and improving public spaces Milwaukee said “Yes.”

Now I do wonder, when it comes to expanded mass transit, and reclaiming our streets will Milwaukee again say “Yes?”