People Associated With Harbor Commission
Content referencing Harbor Commission
Largest Port Investment in 60 Years Is Only Getting Bigger
DeLong Co. readies major expansion of export facility.
Mar 13th, 2026 by Jeramey Jannene
Why Are Ships Tied Up In Milwaukee’s Harbor?
Milwaukee suddenly a popular place to spend the winter, if you're a boat.
Mar 11th, 2026 by Jeramey Jannene
Details Revealed On Milwaukee’s Impending Record-Breaking Cruise Season
It will be a year of debuts and records. Plus: a federal grant will defray dock costs.
Feb 12th, 2026 by Jeramey Jannene
Port Traffic Up 3% in 2025, 78% International Growth
Change comes even as salt shipments fell significantly.
Feb 12th, 2026 by Jeramey Jannene
Mike White’s Shadowy Role with Summerfest
Co-manager of Summerfest’s private company can’t explain what he does.
Jan 13th, 2026 by Bruce Murphy
Storm Leaves Nine Boats at the Bottom of Milwaukee’s Rivers
After August’s record-setting rainfall, Port Milwaukee crews found more than just floating debris.
Oct 17th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee’s Massive 2026 Cruise Season Will Be Aided By New, All-American Cruise Ship
Visits are expected to nearly triple in 2026.
Oct 16th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
From Brownfields to Blue Waters, Mayor Names New Port Director
Benji Timm tapped to lead Port Milwaukee.
Oct 14th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
City Breaks Ground on New Cruise Ship Dock
City, state officials highlight expected boost for tourism, jobs.
Sep 4th, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
Port Traffic Down 24% Versus 2024
But cruise traffic is right on target, and there are other indicators.
Aug 7th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Third Ward Noise ‘Getting Really Bad’
Dirt bikes, tricked out cars, drug use at east end of Erie St. But which government has oversight?
May 12th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
See The Largest Cruise Ship on the Great Lakes in Milwaukee
Milwaukee's 2025 cruising season starts with massive 665-foot-long Octantis.
Apr 28th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Summerfest Music Deal Faces Lawsuit
An exclusive concert deal with Live Nation affiliate. Must city reveal the details?
Apr 21st, 2025 by Bruce Murphy
With Tariff Threat, Port Milwaukee Benefiting From Interest in Little Known Federal Trade Program
But tariffs and other Trump changes could damage port's overall business.
Apr 18th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Vandals Are Taking Apart Beached Boat
Top of vessel now gone as owners and public authorities are MIA.
Apr 16th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee’s Cruise Ship Business Will Shrink in 2025
But port officials optimistic about 2026 being a record year with new dock.
Feb 21st, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
San Felippo Served As President of Summerfest’s Private Company
As more evidence of his role emerges neither he nor Summerfest will comment.
Dec 30th, 2024 by Bruce Murphy
Does Summerfest Get Special Treatment?
Its bar license owned by private company never gets a thorough review by the city.
Dec 4th, 2024 by Bruce Murphy
Milwaukee’s Cruise Ship Dock More Than Doubled In Cost, Is It Worth It?
Port says yes, at least one council member says no.
Oct 23rd, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Why Does Summerfest Run a Private Company?
Its managers Ron San Felippo and Mike White can't explain it. And Summerfest won't say. Third story of investigative series.
Oct 7th, 2024 by Bruce Murphy
Did Harbor Commissioner Have Conflict of Interest?
Ron San Felippo has for many years been managing a private company for Summerfest.
Oct 1st, 2024 by Bruce Murphy
Did Harbor Commissioner Serve Illegally?
Ron San Felippo has homes in East Troy and Florida while serving on commission and also voting in elections as city resident.
Sep 30th, 2024 by Bruce Murphy
Pete Buttigieg Tours Port With Mayor, Rides Train With Governor
US Secretary of Transportation promotes Biden's infrastructure investments in region.
Jul 31st, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Dockwall Collapse Creates Uncertain Future For Riverfront Site
City could compel repairs, but hasn't yet. What comes next?
Jun 14th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Floating Sauna Coming To Milwaukee’s Lakefront
Kiln will drop anchor next to Discovery World this fall.
Jun 13th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
How Can We Reduce Salt Pollution?
Changes in state law needed, but there are also simple solutions to reduce over-salting. Final story in series
Apr 1st, 2024 by Michael Timm
Wisconsin Uses Millions of Tons of Salt
Polluting our land and water and increasing Lake Michigan's salinity. First story in a series.
Mar 27th, 2024 by Michael Timm
Port Officials Have Concern With Potential I-794 Removal
Freeway-to-boulevard option is one of several that state is still studying.
Oct 13th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
Jackie Q. Carter Named New Port Director
Carter would set many firsts if confirmed by council.
Jan 13th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Building New Cruise Ship Dock
Funding secured, dock to be completed by 2024, to help maintain, grow city's cruise ship business.
Nov 7th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Port Director Leaving For Job in Biden Administration
Adam Tindall-Schlicht spent four years atop Port Milwaukee, making major improvements.
Oct 20th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Faces Cruise Ship Arms Race
Will new dock secure success for Port Milwaukee? Or will Chicago and Duluth steal the business?
Sep 12th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Harbor Commission Approves Massive Cleanup Facility
New 42-acre, MMSD facility on lake could store 1.9 million cubic yards of sediment
Aug 18th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Want To Visit Summerfest’s Children’s Park? Check The Schedule
Northwestern Mutual Community Park is free and popular, but availability is based on fest calendar.
Apr 21st, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
The Curious Story of the ‘LIFE’ Building
1927 building built with tavern earnings now home to Community Roofing & Restoration.
Apr 17th, 2022 by Michael Horne
Third Ward Zoning Change On Hold
Change wouldn't stop proposed concert venue, and confuses neighbors.
Mar 8th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Won’t Review New Concert Venues
Proposed Third Ward venues face no roadblocks, unless legal challenge emerges.
Jan 11th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Alderman Wants Debate On Proposed Third Ward Theater
But has Ald. Robert Bauman already lost the chance to create such a forum?
Dec 20th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Third Ward Entertainment Proposal Raises Questions
But the two-theater music complex may ultimately be subject to little public review.
Dec 15th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Indoor Concert Complex Planned Next To Summerfest
800 and 4,000 seat theaters would offer year-round entertainment.
Dec 2nd, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Port Announces Tenant Replacing Sea Scouts
Marek Landscaping will build new warehouse and office complex
Jul 22nd, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Port Wins Grant to Upgrade Cruise Ship Dock
City anticipates 2022 return of Great Lakes cruises.
Jun 4th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Canadian Railroad Mergers Would Impact Milwaukee
Canadian Pacific and Canadian National are vying to purchase Kansas City Southern.
Apr 22nd, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Three Port Buildings Being Demolished
Port making way for biggest investment in seven decades.
Feb 16th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Canada, Not COVID-19, Could End Great Lakes Cruises in 2021
Great Lakes cruises could have happened with smaller ships, safety protocols said port official.
Feb 12th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Cruise Ship Operator Commits To 20-Year Lease
Milwaukee locking in Pearl Seas, while still anticipating Viking Cruises in 2022.
Dec 3rd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Michels Launching Marine Division in Milwaukee
Ever growing company could create up to 100 jobs at its second Harbor District site.
Nov 16th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Summerfest Trades Harley-Davidson for Generac
Generator manufacturer will sponsor stage on festival grounds.
Nov 10th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
DeLong, Michels Making Large Investments In Port
New buildings, new jobs, new leases for port.
Aug 6th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Spending Hours Reviewing Barrett’s Appointments
Plenty of praise and criticism for department heads, including Jeff Polenske and Jeanette Kowalik.
Jul 17th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Port Renaming Boat “Larry Sullivan” After 53-Year City Employee
Sullivan retired last week after nearly three decades as port's chief engineer.
Apr 9th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Common Council Candidates
Ten contested races could reshape 15-member council.
Apr 4th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Common Council Races
Six of 15 Common Council seats feature three or more candidates.
Feb 17th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Summerfest Flush With Cash
Festival has $47 million net fund balance. Aldermen say it can afford to pay for police services.
Feb 4th, 2020 by Bruce Murphy
Public Market Scores Gimbel’s Sign
Classic, 86-pound plaque from 1920s joins a sign from rival Boston Store.
Dec 31st, 2019 by Michael Horne
Summerfest Pays No Net Rent
Charges ethnic festivals more rent than it pays city, like “a greedy landlord,” alderman charges.
Nov 26th, 2019 by Bruce Murphy
Summerfest Got $48 Million in Gifts
Total donations from 2010 to 2018 helped pay for CEO Don Smiley’s "caviar lifestyle"?
Nov 21st, 2019 by Bruce Murphy
Should Summerfest Pay Higher Rent?
Harbor House pays at least 7 times more than Summerfest per acre of lakefront land.
Nov 14th, 2019 by Bruce Murphy
Summerfest CEO Awarded $2.33 Million
Don Smiley’s 2017 pay package includes $1.3 million deferred from prior years. City officials “shocked.”
Nov 8th, 2019 by Bruce Murphy
Summerfest Blows Off City Meeting
No festival official attends scheduled meeting. Partnership with city “broken”, Ald. Murphy says.
Nov 7th, 2019 by Bruce Murphy
Milwaukee Becoming a Cruise Ship Destination
Milwaukee is an increasingly important port of call for cruising on the Great Lakes, visits to city up 100 percent this year.
Oct 9th, 2019 by Corrinne Hess
The History of the Milwaukee Clipper
Unlike its two sisters ships, the Milwaukee Clipper still survives. You can even tour it.
Oct 3rd, 2019 by Carl Swanson
Over 1,000 Cruise Ship Passengers Have Visited Milwaukee in 2019
Milwaukee is no Miami, but cruise ship strategy drawing increased hotel stays, flights.
Aug 8th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Losing As Summerfest Safety Costs Grow Quickly
Long-term lease agreement means the city has eaten $4 million in costs since 2011.
Aug 8th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
City Tourism Boost from Cruise Ships?
Port Milwaukee angling to make city an anchor in growing Great Lakes cruise industry.
Apr 5th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Port Milwaukee Sees Overseas Growth
Last year, port had 43 international visits, up 25 percent from 2017.
Mar 26th, 2019 by Corrinne Hess
Port Supported 1,309 Jobs, $106 Million in Trade in 2017
New port director introduces report trumpeting harbor's value to Milwaukee, but is there a salt shortage looming?
Aug 9th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Moves to Confirm New Port Director
Adam Schlicht has dreams of growing the port through international marketing.
Jun 6th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Summerfest Wants New Entrance, Plaza
Design team is visiting other cities' musical festivals for ideas.
Sep 13th, 2017 by Michael Horne
New Stage for Summerfest Coming
U.S. Cellular inks 10-year deal; will spend millions to replace its music facility by 2018.
Dec 8th, 2016 by Michael Horne
Jefferson Street Became Asphalt Showcase
Charles Pfister spent his own money to pave the street abutting his hotel in the new style.
Mar 4th, 2016 by Carl Baehr
1894 Building Boasts New Orleans-Style Bar
New Brass Alley on Third St. has spent heavily on atmosphere. Evolution ping pong bar is on 2nd floor.
Nov 20th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Port Director Paul Vornholt’s Surprising Success
Criticized as "unqualified" and a "patronage appointment," Vornholt has pleased even his critics.
Aug 26th, 2015 by Laura Thompson
The Mysterious Kondos Chateau
One of the town's most magnificent mansions has a strange history, complete with a jailed lawyer who once served a governor.
Jan 22nd, 2015 by Michael Horne
Don Smiley’s Ever-Higher Salary
His salary rose by $114,000, to more than $886,000, and the explanations keep getting thinner.
May 20th, 2013 by Bruce Murphy
A Postcard Location for UWM’s School of Freshwater Sciences
It's certainly good that we value our parks, public places, and the lakefront, so a public debate over the appropriateness of placing UWM's School of Freshwater Sciences on Lake Michigan is worth having, but the downtown lakefront is the right location.
May 26th, 2009 by Dave Reid
