Milwaukee City Hall

International traveling exhibit on environmental justice opens at Milwaukee County Historical Society

Sharlen Moore Wins Race To Replace Ald. Michael Murphy

Youth violence prevention leader is new westside alderwoman.

Failing City Hall Facade Will Cost At Least $1.6 Million To Repair

And will 2014 settlement place growing costs on taxpayers?

$25 Million Plan To Save Three Endangered Soldiers Home Buildings

Alexander Company aims to rehabilitate historic theater, chapel and mansion for veterans.

Milwaukee Business Donating Wireless Network To Ukraine Sister City

Advanced Wireless aims to help Irpin get back on its feet.

Biggby Coffee Will Replace Starbucks at Red Arrow Park

New business will sell coffee, cocoa and more in the coveted downtown cafe space.

Deputy Secretary of Commerce Visits With Milwaukee Latino Leaders

Council President Pérez leads roundtable discussion at City Hall.

Council, Mayor Bickered On Brewers Deal

Council president said no more than $1 million, mayor said council was undermining city's negotiating position.

New Cafe Opening at City Building

RCW's Cafe will replace Aladdin's City Cafe as operator of cafeteria space.

New Third-Party Study Suggests How Milwaukee Could Save Millions

But will ideas like selling buildings or changing police overtime rules work?

Fight At City Hall Over Control of Board of Zoning Appeals

Council wants board to be independent of administration, but responsive to aldermanic input.

Safety Fencing Being Added to Hoan Bridge

Bridge has been the site of dozens of suicides.

Longest Tenured Council Member, Michael Murphy, Not Seeking Reelection

But he could run for Comptroller. First elected in 1989, Murphy announces he won't run for reelection.

Facade of Milwaukee City Hall Is Failing, Again

While pieces of restored terra cotta crumble, city again seeks 'accountability.'

Mayor Johnson Responds To Stadium Funding Deal

Milwaukee wants to see development by Brewers and no taxation without representation.

September Events at the Lynden Sculpture Garden

August Events at the Lynden Sculpture Garden

Home Music & Dance Day – Celebrating Milwaukee’s Refugee Communities

Program at Lynden Sculpture Garden, July 15

Does Milwaukee City Hall Need A Plaza?

Visions differ for future of N. Market Street.

Commission Okays Plan To Save Pabst Mansion Pavilion

Key part of a 10-year plan to restore mansion to blue-ribbon status.

Preston Cole Will Lead Department of Administration

Former DNR Secretary and City Hall veteran returning to city government.

Protests Assail Ascension For Closing St. Francis Birthing Center

Ascension is dismantling southside hospital, president of state nursing group charges.

Immigrant Advocates Call For Compassion, Ending Title 42

Rally at City Hall as Biden asks Supreme Court to allow Title 42 to end.

Baking Classes Return to Honeypie

Plus: Four new restaurants. And small-format grocery will serve Brewery District residents.

Keith Stanley Reflects on a Changing City

'It's a bittersweet feeling," Near West Side Partners leader says as he leaves for job in Charlotte.

Nonprofit’s Goal: 75,000 Men Take A Stand Against Human Trafficking

Fifth annual HEMAD Campaign aims to raise awareness and seek an end to the commercial sex trade

5 Can’t-Miss ‘Doors Open’ Destinations

12th annual Doors Open Milwaukee features 115 buildings this weekend, but we wouldn't skip these five.

City Again Has World’s Tallest Building

Once it was Milwaukee's City Hall. Now it's Ascent, proclaimed tallest timber building by international Council on Tall Buildings.

The Federal Investigation That Isn’t

Housing investigation disappears as quietly as it appeared. What was it about?

Rep. Brostoff Will Run For Aldermanic Seat

Jonathan Brostoff will seek seat being vacated by Nik Kovac and won't run for re-election to State Assembly.

Official Milwaukee Christmas Tree Becoming Art, Beer and Mulch

You can own or drink a piece of the city's 108th annual holiday tree.

New Video Captures Sound, History of City Hall Bell

E-flat giant weighs 20,505 pounds, making it the third largest bell ever cast in U.S.

Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson Contracts COVID-19

Johnson is fully vaccinated and boosted.

Lena Taylor Will Run For Mayor, Again

Taylor lost to Barrett in 2020, but now she's in an open, eight-way race.

Jesse Jackson Blasts City’s “Taxing and Taking”

Longtime activist and reverend joins local pastors to insist churches must stay tax exempt.

A Life Spent Visiting Wars, Promoting Peace

Three-time Nobel nominee Kathy Kelly comes to town on Veterans Day to talk about how to achieve peace.

Milwaukee To Go “Claws Up” For The Brewers

City will light up blue and yellow to support baseball team during playoffs.

Five Doors Open Milwaukee Recommendations

You won't want to miss these five stops as you explore Milwaukee this weekend.

Milwaukee Finds Its Original City Flag

1953 flag design found in City Clerk archives.

Harley-Davidson Founder’s Home For Sale

Washington Heights home of William S. Harley on market for first time in 45 years

Doors Open Milwaukee Returning In-Person

The annual event returns in September. Step inside more than 100 Milwaukee landmarks, for free.

Controversy Over Police Killing of Roberto Zielinski

Family says body camera footage released seven weeks later is 'heavily edited.'

Closing and Signing Ceremony for the New Tiny Home Village for Veterans

City Offering $5,000 Down Payment Grants

Live in the city? Want to buy your first house in Milwaukee? New program aims to help.

City Could Require Laser Scanning of Buildings Slated for Demolition

Effort would create a database of lost buildings.

2021 Arbor Day Marks Start of New Beer Tradition

City's annual holiday tree is now funding tree planting.

10 Milwaukee Parks Get Free Wi-Fi

City using CARES Act funding to expand free internet access to underserved communities.

Developer To Transform Walker’s Point Property

Apartments, new bar planned for Italianate mansion whose oldest portion dates to 1870.

Adweek Honors Milwaukee-Based Lead Balloon as its “Marketing Podcast of the Year”

“This is a huge win for a little Midwestern startup like mine.” -Dusty Weis

City of Milwaukee Hosts 2nd Annual Love Without Violence Conference during Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Milwaukee’s Office of Violence Prevention and the Commission on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault to host series of events to increase awareness and engagement for domestic violence prevention.

City’s Ballot Boxes Getting Heavy Use

The 15 drop boxes for early voting getting heavy use. Poll worker recruitment going well.

BMO Tower Officially Opens

Ceremony was delayed following water main break and then pandemic.

$75,000 Donated to Maintain City Hall Sculpture

Anonymous donor chips in $75,000 to support "Mixed Feelings."

Mark Mone’s French Provincial Manse

UWM chancellor's nearly $1 million home boasts a bar and wine cellar.

Celebrating the Past, Building the Future: Milwaukee Celebrates César E. Chávez Day with Plans for Chávez Plaza

The festivity will feature speeches from local leaders and project plans for the continued construction of Chávez Plaza.

A Millionaire’s Neoclassical Mansion

$1.7 million East Side mansion where Fred Miller grew up is architectural gem.

A Slumlord’s Modest Cape Cod

Mohammad Choudhry has 46 properties, 3,000 code violations and this house.

Slumlord’s River Hills Mansion

James Herrick lives in $1.1 million home, makes money off squalid rental properties.

City of Milwaukee website, cable channel to host black history vignettes

News release from Alds. Chantia Lewis and Milele A. Coggs

Ben Handelman’s Nautical Outpost

Fox 6 anchor watches for ships for his Big Boats blog from a classic lakeside apartment.

Restaurant Owners Have Lots of Land

Modest Astor St. homes of Scott Johnson and Leslie Montemurro sit on one-third acre.

BMO Harris to Build New High-Rise

The story behind Milwaukee's newest tower and oldest bank, and how deal was done.

Bader Rutter CEO’s Riverside Life

Greg Nickerson will move Bader Rutter downtown, just upriver from his urban penthouse.

AACT introduces BRAVO! Youth Ensemble

The multicultural ensemble performs a wide repertoire of songs focusing on African American history and culture.

David Stearns’ Must-See Victorian Home!

Did the Brewers heady GM crunch the numbers before buying the $600,000 home?

Steve Novak’s Dull Whitefish Bay Home

Milwaukee Buck and former MU star has plain-Jane home, eagle-eyed neighbors.

Kane Place Cottage Celebrates the Seasons

This well-preserved Polish Flat was built in 1900.

Union Activist’s Brady Street Beauty

The assessor loved the 1909 home's stained glass and bevelled leaded glass windows.

John Hammond’s Hum-Drum Colonial

Bucks general manager has $850,000 Whitefish Bay home. And he doesn't vote much.

Because Scott Walker Asked, Fred Kasten Gave

His now famous $10,000 check was just a third of his property tax bill on his $1.1 million home.

The Whitnall House

One of handful of Pre-Civil War homes in City, was birthplace of the "Father of Milwaukee Parks System."

David Winograd’s Mequon McMansion

Milwaukee developer's $1.2 million home is in subdivision where rusty mailboxes aren't allowed.

Community Opposes OSPP Forced Sale of Vacant MPS Building to Military-Style Voucher School Under Pending FBI Investigation for Abuse

The forced sale of the former MPS property at 500 E. Center St. falls under a section of the Opportunity Schools Partnership Program that was included in the 2015-2017 budget.

Final session in series of special Public Safety Committee meetings set for Monday

The effort is part of a larger Common Council initiative to engage community members, civic leaders and police in combatting the epidemic of criminal activity in the City of Milwaukee.

Passenger Train Community Forum Set for Milwaukee, June 22

Presenters will include experienced passenger train travelers who will offer updates on passenger train service developments in Wisconsin and the Midwest.

The Two Homes of Rebecca Bradley

Judge has Tosa Colonial and a Lower East Side condo near all those gays she condemned.

Pabst Building, 1890s

City's first skyscraper, 14-floors high, built by Frederick Pabst, lasted until 1981.

Nate Hamilton Still Fighting for Justice

Brother of Dontre Hamilton, who was killed by a cop, has created the Coalition for Justice.

Aladdin Brings Cafe to City Hall

The Middle Eastern-restaurant is also located at Public Market and Amtrak station.

Common Ground Pushes for Safer Streets

Common Ground urges Common Council to adopt school bus Stop Sign Ordinance

Michael Carter-Williams’ River Hills Mansion

Bucks' star has a $1.7 million, 9,900 square foot, neo-Tudor on Upper River Rd.

City Clerk’s Home Is His Castle

Jim Owczarski's home towers over the nearby ranch homes.

Lipscomb’s River Ranch

County Board chairman's ranch is in isolated part of Glendale near dammed river.

Mark Borkowski’s Quaint Ranch Home

County supervisor lives in suburban-style area at edge of Greenfield but wants to be alderman.

City Hall, 1880

The remodeled market hall became City Hall in 1861, but the Milwaukee Sentinel derided the result.

The House That Launched Riverwest 24

Jeramey Prach founded the 24-hour bike race and his modest, 19th century home, now greatly expanded, is the race's start and finish line.

North Point Light Keeper’s House Is a Jewel

The historic 1887 Queen Anne home with ten rooms and panoramic views of the lake is now a museum. It will be part of Sunday's East Milwaukee Garden Tour.

William Minahan’s House of Big Debts

The Walker donor defaulted on a $500,000 loan from state jobs agency and owes more than $30,000 in property taxes on his $1 million River Hills home.

The Other Pabst Mansion

Once among a row of brewing family mansions, the neoclassical gem has been restored and can be toured this weekend.

Shorewood’s “New” Frank Lloyd Wright Home

The modest home was hidden in plain sight until a Wright fan from Chicago started snooping around.

Downtown, south side Local Business Action Team public sessions on tap

The public forum on Friday, March 13 will be at 9 a.m. in room 301-B at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St.

City of Milwaukee Career Fair is Thursday

“City service encompasses a vast array of jobs and careers, and this event provides a prime chance to discuss opportunities with representatives from several city departments.”

“The Kids Fall in Love With Her.”

Boys and Girls Club senior program manager La’Ketta Caldwell was nominated for a MANDI leadership award.

Koch Agenda Wants No Federal Funds for Walking, Biking, Transit

All federal transportation dollars should go for auto transportation, Koch-funded groups demand. They've also opposed streetcars in cities like Milwaukee.

Charlie Sykes’ Private Island

His surprisingly modest Mequon Cape Cod is surrounded by and benefits from all kinds of publicly-funded, socialistic services.

News conference Tuesday to explore proposals for eventual, extended streetcar routes

Several members of the Milwaukee Common Council and a member of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors will hold a news conference Tuesday.

TV Star Dustin Diamond’s Cozy Cape Cod

Star of "Saved By the Bell" is charged with stabbing a man and could face years in prison. But Diamond does have a comfy abode in Port Washington to await his trial.

Will Journal Sentinel Become a Right-Wing Paper?

Marty Kaiser’s retirement and replacement by managing editor George Stanley will likely mean a more conservative paper.

Milwaukee Booster Lives in… Shorewood

OnMilwaukee.com co-owner Jeff Sherman and his wife have a Colonial home in the suburbs, but he tries to downplay this.

Architect Chuck Engberg’s First Place on the River

His condo offers unmatched views of the passing pleasure craft, coal barges and trains.

The Modest Ranch Home of Ald. Joe Davis

The mayoral candidate lives in the Hampton Heights neighborhood where assessments have declined and crime has risen. Small wonder he's concerned about that issue.

Coach Wojo’s Mequon Manse

Will the Marquette Golden Eagles basketball coach bring some life to his new suburban neighborhood? One can only hope.

From the Hyatt Polaris Room

My goal was to duplicate the 1896 view of Milwaukee in the famous lithograph. Not quite, but great views anyway.

Remembering Neil Shively

The longtime Milwaukee Sentinel Capitol bureau chief was a true character, and an inspiration to other journalists.

Ald. Bauman urges state to allocate more transportation funding to local projects

News release from Alderman Robert Bauman

After lifting of cab cap, city will begin accepting applications for new taxi permits

For the first time in decades, applicants for a public passenger vehicle permit to operate a taxi in Milwaukee will be able to apply without regard for a cap on the number of permits issued, and receive provisional permission to begin operating the day of their application. On a unanimous vote, the Milwaukee Common Council passed legislation last month that did away with the cab cap and created a more streamlined application process, allowing drivers to sign an affidavit affirming their record is clean and receive a provisional permit immediately upon their application. The legislation will allow network companies like Uber and Lyft to operate legally, and Alderman Robert Bauman, who as chair of the Public Transportation Review Board helped author the legislation, said it creates a level playing field for all drivers while ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers. Alderman Bauman and City Clerk Jim Owczarski, whose office oversees the License Division, will kick off the application process with a news conference Tuesday at 8:15 a.m. Alderman Bauman said the first 10 applicants will receive a commemorative gift. Applicants are asked to visit milwaukee.gov/license and prepare their application materials ahead of time. What: News conference – First new taxi permit applications accepted When: 8:15 a.m. – Tuesday, September 2, 2014 Where: License Division, City Hall rotunda – 200 E. Wells St.

Kenneth Germanson to receive 2014 Frank P. Zeidler Public Service Award

News release from Alderman Robert J. Bauman

The Controversial Home of Mary Nohl

The 1925 bungalow and its trove of art is a place unlike any in the metro area and worth a visit -- before it gets torn down.

New York Discovers Our Sinking City

City Hall, Milwaukee Rep and Mitchell buildings are sinking. Is Deep Tunnel the culprit? The Times is not sure.

Committee, police department to discuss 9-1-1 automated messages

Representatives from the Milwaukee Police Department will address questions about how emergency calls are handled tomorrow (June 12) during the meeting of the Common Council’s Public Safety Committee.

Walk a Mile in the Mayor’s Shoes

Barrett wants residents to join him in walking 100 miles in 100 days.

Postcard of Milwaukee, 1900

One of the earliest postcards done of the city shows Downtown along the river.

Proposal would abolish taxi cab cap, allow mobile “rideshare” services

The new legislation will be introduced at the meeting of the Public Transportation Review Board that is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. tomorrow, May 9, in room 301-B of City Hall.

Cesar Chavez city worker holiday proposal to be heard by Finance and Personnel Committee

City employees would have the option of taking off on March 31 annually as a holiday observing the birthday of American labor and civil rights champion Cesar E. Chavez.

Greater Milwaukee community brings home another win for basic needs

Match Day 2014 raises more than $3 million for food and shelter agencies

Saengerfest and City Hall, 1868

The earlier City Hall was a converted market hall, here decorated for an annual German music festival.

“Sisters of Freedom” Display Showcased at the Milwaukee County Courthouse

A unique art display honoring African American women from the 1800’s to present day will be on display on the third floor of the Milwaukee County Courthouse through the end of the month. "Sisters of Freedom", African American Women Moving Us Forward, is on loan from Mount Mary University.

Committee to review effects of administrative driver’s license suspensions

The significant impact administrative driver’s license suspensions will be discussed tomorrow (Thursday, January 30) during the meeting of the Common Council’s Public Safety Committee.

Alderman Donovan to honor transit worker fired after helping woman

Alderman Donovan to honor transit worker fired after helping woman

Entrants & Winners for Wisconsin Avenue Placemaking

The "Tournavation" event at City Hall included an expert panel and audience, which selected two winners from among 12 finalists.

Mo Foy

"The more time I spend in Walker’s Point, the more I realize how many interesting people live and work in the city."

City Hall Bell Tower Tour

70 photos capture the secrets of City Hall and views from the tower which countless people enjoyed at Doors Open.

Goodbye to Historic Milwaukee

Opgenorth leaves HMI for job with Mandel, but still hopes to help build support for historic buildings.

Joshua Janis

"We are not just a Beer, Brat and Cheese state."

Mayor Says Streetcar is “Trojan Horse”

Streetcar will be first leg of what he hopes will be a more extensive rail system.

Young Professionals Discuss Sustainable Milwaukee

Second annual Young Professional Week features a panel discussion at City Hall on April 15th moderated by Urban Milwaukee.

Politics & Poetry II

Aldermen join seasoned poets to tout today's election and celebrate the memory of poet Anita Brooks.

Girls’ Day at City Hall showcases public service careers for young women

The palette of speakers and role models for young women interested in public service continues to expand in the third annual Girls’ Day at City Hall, hosted TOMORROW, March 20, 2013 by Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs.

Facing the Foreclosure Crisis

A packed crowd at City Hall listened to experts discuss the problem of foreclosed homes and possible solutions.

Council President Hines & Ald. Witkowski to announce process changes for FPC confirmations

11:00 a.m. TODAY, January 17

Indonesian Consul General set for City Hall visit, welcome

Indonesian Consul General Andriana Supandy will visit City Hall this week to promote good relations and cooperative opportunities with Milwaukee, according to Alderman Joe Davis, Sr., chair of the Common Council’s Community and Economic Development Committee.

Common Council to recognize state champion Saint Anthony soccer team

In just its third season since organizing, the fledgling Milwaukee Saint Anthony Roman Legion soccer program fought its way to a 27-3 record in its 2012 championship push.

NAACP’s One MKE town hall encourages civic engagement

The One MKE Summit begins at 9:30 a.m. and continues throughout the day with workshops starting at 11:30 a.m. and dealing with a variety of issues.

Hands off Kwanzaa

Wisconsinites this week were once again subjected to the misinformed statements of a state senator who used a press release to attack the African American tradition of the celebration of Kwanzaa.

Alderwoman Coggs invites residents to Kwanzaa celebration tomorrow

Milwaukee Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs invites residents to a Kwanzaa celebration tomorrow, December 28 at 12:00 p.m. in the City Hall rotunda.

Mayor Barrett, City Employees and the Famous Racing Sausages to Pack Holiday Care Packages for Troops Overseas

The 6th Annual City of Milwaukee Holiday Care Package Drive benefitting Wisconsin’s 128th Air Control Squadron serving in Southwest Asia.

Mayor Barrett to Kick-Off 6th Annual Holiday Care

6th Annual City of Milwaukee Holiday Care Package Drive benefiting the men and women serving in the 128th Air Control Squadron serving in Southwest Asia.

Home Contest is a Big Winner

Most Improved Home Contest offers $7,000 in prize money, generates $164,000 in home improvements.

Alderman Donovan to recognize heroic efforts of police aide, citizens

Alderman Bob Donovan to present citations to citizens who helped pull victims from a wrecked vehicle following a hit-and-run crash

Brandon Jennings’ Very Moderne Digs

Bucks guard is on 25th floor of The Moderne, right by Bradley Center and a floor above Monta Ellis.

Milwaukee Youth Council to hold inauguration ceremony

The City of Milwaukee Youth Council will hold an inauguration ceremony for its 2012-2013 term.

Politics & Poetry

Politicians and others try their hand at poetry in City Hall.

Mayor’s Committee to Host United Nations Anniversary Commeroration

The City of Milwaukee will be celebrating the ideals and impact of the United Nations on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 by hosting a presentation and reception in City Hall in honor of the 67th Anniversary of the United Nations Charter.

Top Stop at Doors Open Milwaukee

City Hall Bell Tower is a favorite destination during Doors Open Milwaukee.

Council members to discuss Williams case

4:30 p.m. TODAY, Sept. 25, 2012

Mayor Barrett to Host Tournavation Pitch for Bloomberg’s Mayors Challenge Tonight at City Hall

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has entered Milwaukee into The Mayors Challenge---a competition organized by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s philanthropic foundation that challenges cities across America to find innovative solutions to problems, improve urban life and make city government work better.

Donovan’s New Anti-Streetcar Allies

After three press releases in three days, the alderman holds a news conference with new right-wing allies.

Alderman Donovan to announce new efforts in fight against streetcar

Alderman Bob Donovan will hold a news conference at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday, August 16) to announce new efforts in his bid to derail the proposed downtown streetcar project.

Public deserves updates on City Hall repair investigation

While the chair of the Public Works Committee seems to be pre-occupied with doing all he can to keep alive possible options for preserving the crumbling Sydney Hih (an eyesore of a building), he is ignoring issues with our beloved National Historic Landmark – City Hall.

Mayor Barrett Encourages City Employees To Say “Not Me” To Diabetes

The City of Milwaukee is among the first public sector employers in the state to offer employees the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, a 12-month lifestyle behavior intervention designed especially for people with prediabetes, the clinical precursor for type 2 diabetes. To screen its employees at the highest risk for diabetes, the City will host UnitedHealthcare’s 18-wheel mobile testing clinic at City Hall.

Milwaukee’s Future – Today, June 18th

The Pabst Theater plays host to Envisioning the Seen: Milwaukee's Future tonight, June 18th. Ten Milwaukeeans and two moderators will hold an open-ended, fireside-style discussion, followed by an audience question and answer period.

Authentic Identity

Enhancing Milwaukee’s identity is an elusive endeavor. A city can both make and be given an identity. Some recent town center developments have tried to create identity with one massive all encompassing project.

Public Works Committee Holds Water Deal

Jeffrey Mantes the Commissioner of Public Works presented the progress of the City Hall Restoration Project. He pointed out that after two and a half years the project is meeting or exceeding the EBE, RPP and apprenticeship goals laid out for the project. Additionally he indicated that the project is targeted to be substantially complete by Thanksgiving 2008. Representatives from SEWRPC presented A Regional Broadband Telecommunications Plan which indicated SEWRPC’s belief that universal high speed broadband in necessary for continued growth within Southeast Wisconsin. SEWRPC set a goal of developing 20 megabit universal access throughout the region and discussed a wireless demonstration project that Kenosha is currently testing. The well presented need and existence of the demonstration project prompted Alderman Robert Bauman to ask the SEWRPC representatives to “march right down to the mayor’s office and set up an appointment”. Two resolutions regarding water sales to neighboring communities pointed out what regional cooperation does and doesn’t look like. First up was resolution 071313 which would of renewed a contract between the City of Milwaukee and the Village of Menomonee Falls for the purchase of water. During the discussion of this contract renewal it was pointed out by Alderman Robert Bauman that an amendment allowing the Village of Menomonee Falls to remove a legal constraint on selling water to neighboring communities without the City of Milwaukee Water Works approval was “giving a benefit for no consideration”. Despite contract terms limiting the amount of water the Village of Menomonee Falls can acquire from the City of Milwaukee Water Works, this amendment would of been a first step in opening the door for the Village of Menomonee Falls to begin selling water to communities outside of the basin. The committee held this resolution as it appeared that this small change in the contract had the potential impact of encouraging sprawl and further decentralizing the region. The second resolution, 071314, was a request by the Village of Elm Grove for the City of Milwaukee Water Works to explore the possibility of selling water to the Village of Elm Grove. Neil Palmer the Village of Elm Grove President suggested they would purchase water at wholesale or even at retail prices. Further he made it clear he would support the City of Milwaukee in a variety regional issue including improved mass transit within the region. This resolution was enthusiastically approved by the committee and will move on to the full Common Council for approval.

City Hall Is Worth Every Penny

City Hall Originally uploaded by compujeramey Mike Nichols has an article in the Journal Sentinel lambasting politicians for their failings in properly estimating the cost of projects. Nichols gives me the feeling that he’s upset at Mayor Barrett for the expense of the City Hall and the coming need for a lift of the building (covered earlier on this site). Nichols acts as if City Hall is some giant sink hole that we as Milwaukeeans throw all our money into for no return and that is not an asset to Milwaukee anymore. He imposes upon me that his feeling is that we should have spent millions years ago to remove the wood pilings underneath and replace them with something else. As if the pilings that have lasted more than 100 years were a bad idea from the start, and that people should have known better. That politicians are continually draining Milwaukee of money to fix this building that’s fundamentally flawed. To paraphrase a recent Barrett quote I saw in the Shepherd Express ” it’s not like we’re putting hot tubs in”. Barrett is simply spending the money it takes to keep one of Milwaukee’s greatest landmarks operating and available for future generations. Nichols apparently disagrees with that idea.. It’s also a place some were already calling outmoded back in 1954, one that is now dwarfed by surrounding buildings and will continue to suck up money that could have been used on something new and inspiring.There’s at least the possibility that if taxpayers knew a few years ago what they were about to spend, they would have considered another, fully accessible, internationally admired Calatrava instead. We’ll never know because taxpayers have already made the leap that is now about to carry them all the way into the pilings under the basement. Only, I wouldn’t really call it a leap. It looks more like, without any real discussion at all, they were given a firm, silent, chicken-hearted push. If he’s so upset about City Hall and the money being spent, why doesn’t someone run for Mayor that is for a new City Hall? The simple reason is that a new City Hall would have the same cost overruns without the old world charm and history of the current building. The investment in City Hall is one that will preserve one of Milwaukee’s greatest landmarks. You can’t build 100+ year old buildings whenever you want. The building has stood the test of time and helps give downtown Milwaukee a distinct look and feel that is welcoming to visitors and respected by residents. City Hall doesn’t feature the glass casing like many new urban buildings or the massive parking garage that accompanies many of the large buildings in downtown Milwaukee. The building instead is a tribute to what Milwaukee has grown from, while pointing to the sky to demonstrate where Milwaukee is going to. As each new building rises around City Hall, the value of the distinct look of the building increases. It is […]

City Hall is Sinking

City Hall Originally uploaded by compujeramey Bad news, while Milwaukee City Hall will certainly look good on the outside in due time, it’s going to be a little bit shorter because the building is sinking. In the past 20 years it’s dropped about one and a half inches, so it’s nothing drastic, but still something that will have to be addressed long-term. The 112-year-old building sits on 25,000 wooden pilings that stretch 27 feet downward into what used to be a swamp. The pilings are under water, which sounds bad but is actually how they’re preserved. Trouble started when some of the pilings dried out. Don’t try this with your basement, but the solution has been to pump more water under the building. Fixing it apparently would cost about $15 million, which is something whoever is in office will let slide as long as they can to avoid having the expense from repairing the building’s facade and leveling the building out lumped into one sum that is labeled as $100 million fleecing of Milwaukee taxpayers.

Marsupial Bridge Update

The concrete walkway of the Holton Marsupial Bridge will be poured beginning today.

City Hall Redo

Minority hiring goal set.

Voting With The Mayor

Mayor Barrett’s office announced Monday that he would vote at City Hall at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Dem Challenge for Panzer Seat

The disarray of the Republican 20th Senate District has convinced the Democratic Party to field a write-in candidate for primary.

No Challenge to Hill Papers

But Halbrooks says Election Commission’s Extended Hours Helped Opponent