Eyes on Milwaukee
More Renderings of Downtown ‘Iron District’ Released
11-acre development with new soccer stadium, concert venue lists big-name supporters.
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11-acre development with new soccer stadium, concert venue lists big-name supporters. Back to the full article.
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I’m confused. The rendering shows the former Ramada Hotel (and the rest of its block) as-is. The new construction is shown as being between 7th and 10th St.
So we have a soccer field jammed against the freeway interchange (with its noise and foul air), and an artificial surface. This doesn’t seem like a “major league” facility to me.
Oh, god…new Iron District renderings and the promise of an announcement from the Deer District. I’ll barely be able to work, today! Thank goodness I now do that from home… 🙂
And, great list of supporters. Smart to release this!
It’s striking how much land is taken up by the freeways in this photo. Maybe the east-west portion of I-794 should be removed and replaced with a street-level boulevard a la the Park East Freeway. (The Hoan Bridge would remain but lose its Interstate designation.)
In addition to connecting downtown with the train station and third ward, this change would also greatly reduce the Marquette’s footprint. It’s a shame we spent so much money just a few years ago rebuilding that portion of I-794.
Converting all or parts of I-794 to boulevard/parkway has been proposed over the years, I believe both as a concept and formally as part of an alternatives analysis.
The status-que (i.e.: pro freeway) crowd variously laughed or shrieked in horror.
Then an interesting thing happened. During the most recent rebuild, significant sections were (temporarily) removed. Suddenly, people started commenting on how much better views were and how much better “connected” the Historic Third Ward was to the rest of downtown.
Alas the replacement structures were built with various attempts at softening the 794 monster (such as sculpted and painted concrete).
@TransitRider, from your mouth to the State of Wisconsin’s ears!
The freeway barrier is, indeed, physical and also so psychological. The Iron District will be a mere block and a half from the “iron horse” tracks and just down the street from the Iron Horse hotel. Turning this section of I794 into a boulevard would reopen possibility for connectivity and also for the Menomonee River.
I fear our only hope in the short term is activating underneath it. Can you imagine not giving a second thought to walking from Wisconsin Avenue to the Harley-Davidson Museum–and enjoying the walk?
How about putting most of east-west 794 underground, and making park areas, between Clybourn and St. Paul, where feasible?