Domes Makes Most Endangered List
One of 11 most endangered, says National Trust for Historic Preservation, which could help rally support.
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One of 11 most endangered, says National Trust for Historic Preservation, which could help rally support. Back to the full article.
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Thanks so much for a great article on our beloved landmark. One quick correction though: the VA Soldier’s Home complex in Milwaukee was added to the list in 2011; they are at long last slated for restoration and renovation. I’m hopeful this national attention on the Domes will bring a similar outcome.
Super! Certainly the National Trust for Historic Preservation can put their $254 million endowment to use for the benefit of Milwaukee County taxpayers. Perhaps they would like to purchase the Domes and add it to the other 20 historic sites they own. They are more than welcome to the future liabilities of a flawed building. Additionally, am I the only one that noticed that all of other work of Donald Grieb have long since been demolished or stand as a tremendous example of poor urban design (Amtrak Depot, Courthouse Annex and Civic Center Plaza aka MacArthur Square)?
Mitchell Park Domes has become like one of Milwaukee’s vacant shopping malls. The use for events by community groups used to be common at places like Mayfair and Bayshore. There’s better covered parking and more space to wander at the downtown mall and still places to eat too. Plenty of space for temporary floral holiday displays which was also a feature of active shopping malls.
I’m wondering when Milwaukee’s most under appreciated historic spaces, the Plankinton Mall, a showcase in past years, will become an endangered architectural space.
This national attention will hopefully benefit preservation of this globally unique structure.
One quick correction: the Milwaukee VA Soldiers Home is also on the National Trust’s list of endangered places. It was added in 2011.
Gary, I don’t follow… are you comparing the Domes to Bayshore and Mayfair Malls?
These are beautiful assets to Milwaukee area, let go by the clueless leaders: Barrett/Abele to build a stupid trolley and the Bucks arena. if done right hundreds of thousands of people will come. They need to do this like they did the Pabst. Turn it over to Cudahy or some other smart people.
WCD continues to live in an alternate universe.
“A report in 2000 found structural deficiencies in The Domes and recommended $25 million in repairs, but nothing happened. From 2002 to 2010, the county executive in Milwaukee was Scott Walker. While County Executive Walker didn’t lift a finger to repair the Domes.”
http://isthmus.com/opinion/citizen-dave/the-domes-vs-the-bucks-arena/
Jeremy,
Thanks for pointing out that the National Trust is working to increase its preservation fund. I found this page about it.
http://www.preservationnation.org/who-we-are/press-center/fact-sheets-and-reports/NTHP-PreservationFund.pdf
Ms. Sherurell noted that most buildings placed on their endangered list have major needs.
But the NTHP focuses on preserving culture, communities and places, not buildings per se. Their lists have been very diverse over the years, including Native American sites, whole neighborhoods, roads, bridges, schools and places significant in America’s cultural history. Communities must continually decide what within their culture is worth preserving.
https://savingplaces.org/11most-past-listings#.V_aBvPkrLcs
Demolish them. They’re an eyesore. Its great if your inside one of the domes but that’s it. They could be rebuilt to be truly beautiful inside and out. Maybe even incorporate the new 3 bridges park more into a new design.