Harbor Commission

Largest Port Investment in 60 Years Is Only Getting Bigger

DeLong Co. readies major expansion of export facility.

Why Are Ships Tied Up In Milwaukee’s Harbor?

Milwaukee suddenly a popular place to spend the winter, if you're a boat.

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.

Port Traffic Up 3% in 2025, 78% International Growth

Change comes even as salt shipments fell significantly.

Mike White’s Shadowy Role with Summerfest

Co-manager of Summerfest’s private company can’t explain what he does.

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.

Successful 2025 cruising season builds Port Milwaukee momentum for 2026

American Cruise Lines to join 2026 Milwaukee cruising lineup

Milwaukee’s Massive 2026 Cruise Season Will Be Aided By New, All-American Cruise Ship

Visits are expected to nearly triple in 2026.

From Brownfields to Blue Waters, Mayor Names New Port Director

Benji Timm tapped to lead Port Milwaukee.

City Breaks Ground on New Cruise Ship Dock

City, state officials highlight expected boost for tourism, jobs.

Port Traffic Down 24% Versus 2024

But cruise traffic is right on target, and there are other indicators.

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Former State Rep. James F. Rooney

Third Ward Noise ‘Getting Really Bad’

Dirt bikes, tricked out cars, drug use at east end of Erie St. But which government has oversight?

See The Largest Cruise Ship on the Great Lakes in Milwaukee

Milwaukee's 2025 cruising season starts with massive 665-foot-long Octantis.

Summerfest Music Deal Faces Lawsuit

An exclusive concert deal with Live Nation affiliate. Must city reveal the details?

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.

Vandals Are Taking Apart Beached Boat

Top of vessel now gone as owners and public authorities are MIA.

First Vessel of Port Milwaukee’s 2025 International Season Arrives

Patagonman sails the Atlantic Ocean to Milwaukee

Milwaukee’s Cruise Ship Business Will Shrink in 2025

But port officials optimistic about 2026 being a record year with new dock.

Gov. Evers, WisDOT Approve Over $10 Million in Grants to Strengthen Wisconsin’s Ports, Bolster State’s Waterborne Commerce

San Felippo Served As President of Summerfest’s Private Company

As more evidence of his role emerges neither he nor Summerfest will comment.

Does Summerfest Get Special Treatment?

Its bar license owned by private company never gets a thorough review by the city.

Milwaukee’s Cruise Ship Dock More Than Doubled In Cost, Is It Worth It?

Port says yes, at least one council member says no.

Port Milwaukee marks successful 2024 cruising season

More than 13,500 cruise passengers visited Milwaukee this season

Le Bellot to close 2024 Port Milwaukee cruise season

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.

Did Harbor Commissioner Have Conflict of Interest?

Ron San Felippo has for many years been managing a private company for Summerfest.

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.

Pete Buttigieg Tours Port With Mayor, Rides Train With Governor

US Secretary of Transportation promotes Biden's infrastructure investments in region.

Dockwall Collapse Creates Uncertain Future For Riverfront Site

City could compel repairs, but hasn't yet. What comes next?

Floating Sauna Coming To Milwaukee’s Lakefront

Kiln will drop anchor next to Discovery World this fall.

Alderman Burgelis joins Harbor Commission, dives in during first meeting

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

Wisconsin Uses Millions of Tons of Salt

Polluting our land and water and increasing Lake Michigan's salinity. First story in a series.

Port Milwaukee addresses safety measures following Port of Baltimore bridge collapse

Port Officials Have Concern With Potential I-794 Removal

Freeway-to-boulevard option is one of several that state is still studying.

Port Milwaukee Earns 15th Pacesetter Award for Increased International Cargo in 2022

Mayor Cavalier Johnson Announces First Cruise Ship Arrival for 2023 Season

More cruise passengers are expected to visit Milwaukee this summer

Gov. Evers Announces New Appointments to Judicial Selection Advisory Committee

Port Milwaukee Temporarily Expands Public Access Hours for Residents to Enjoy Local Smelting Tradition

Jackie Q. Carter Named New Port Director

Carter would set many firsts if confirmed by council.

Milwaukee Building New Cruise Ship Dock

Funding secured, dock to be completed by 2024, to help maintain, grow city's cruise ship business.

South Shore Cruise Dock redevelopment set to move forward

Port Director Leaving For Job in Biden Administration

Adam Tindall-Schlicht spent four years atop Port Milwaukee, making major improvements.

Milwaukee Faces Cruise Ship Arms Race

Will new dock secure success for Port Milwaukee? Or will Chicago and Duluth steal the business?

Harbor Commission Approves Massive Cleanup Facility

New 42-acre, MMSD facility on lake could store 1.9 million cubic yards of sediment

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.

The Curious Story of the ‘LIFE’ Building

1927 building built with tavern earnings now home to Community Roofing & Restoration.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson Announces First Cruise Ship Arrival for 2022 Season

More than 10,000 cruise passengers are expected to visit Milwaukee this summer

Port Milwaukee Temporarily Expands Public Access Hours for Residents to Enjoy Local Smelting Tradition

Third Ward Zoning Change On Hold

Change wouldn't stop proposed concert venue, and confuses neighbors.

Council Won’t Review New Concert Venues

Proposed Third Ward venues face no roadblocks, unless legal challenge emerges.

Alderman Wants Debate On Proposed Third Ward Theater

But has Ald. Robert Bauman already lost the chance to create such a forum?

Third Ward Entertainment Proposal Raises Questions

But the two-theater music complex may ultimately be subject to little public review.

Port Milwaukee Announces ‘StewardSHIP’ Initiative to Promote Environmental Sustainability

StewardSHIP initiative will offer discount for Port customers utilizing environmentally-friendly shipping standards

Port Milwaukee Helps Move Ascent Project Forward

Last Shipment of Mass Timber Structural Elements Leaving Port Milwaukee for Downtown Tower’s Construction Site

Indoor Concert Complex Planned Next To Summerfest

800 and 4,000 seat theaters would offer year-round entertainment.

Port Milwaukee Earns 14th Pacesetter Award for Increased International Cargo in 2020

Port Announces Tenant Replacing Sea Scouts

Marek Landscaping will build new warehouse and office complex

Port Wins Grant to Upgrade Cruise Ship Dock

City anticipates 2022 return of Great Lakes cruises.

Canadian Railroad Mergers Would Impact Milwaukee

Canadian Pacific and Canadian National are vying to purchase Kansas City Southern.

Port Milwaukee Promotes Eric Polzin to Harbor Master With Retirement of Wayne Johnson

Harbor Master Leads Vessel Safety and Operations in and Around Port Milwaukee

Three Port Buildings Being Demolished

Port making way for biggest investment in seven decades.

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.

Cruise Ship Operator Commits To 20-Year Lease

Milwaukee locking in Pearl Seas, while still anticipating Viking Cruises in 2022.

New Lease Agreement Solidifies Port Milwaukee As a Hub for Great Lakes Cruising

Michels Launching Marine Division in Milwaukee

Ever growing company could create up to 100 jobs at its second Harbor District site.

Port and Michels Corporation Sign Agreement for Grand Trunk Lease

Company Expands and Extends its work at Port Milwaukee

Summerfest Trades Harley-Davidson for Generac

Generator manufacturer will sponsor stage on festival grounds.

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. and Generac Power Systems Announce Partnership

New Generac Power Stage Will Enrich the Festival Concert Experience

Adam Tindall-Schlicht Wins International Honor

Port Milwaukee Director Cited as an AntwerpXL “40 Under 40”

DeLong, Michels Making Large Investments In Port

New buildings, new jobs, new leases for port.

Council Spending Hours Reviewing Barrett’s Appointments

Plenty of praise and criticism for department heads, including Jeff Polenske and Jeanette Kowalik.

Port Renaming Boat “Larry Sullivan” After 53-Year City Employee

Sullivan retired last week after nearly three decades as port's chief engineer.

Common Council Candidates

Ten contested races could reshape 15-member council.

Common Council Races

Six of 15 Common Council seats feature three or more candidates.

Summerfest Flush With Cash

Festival has $47 million net fund balance. Aldermen say it can afford to pay for police services.

Public Market Scores Gimbel’s Sign

Classic, 86-pound plaque from 1920s joins a sign from rival Boston Store.

Summerfest Pays No Net Rent

Charges ethnic festivals more rent than it pays city, like “a greedy landlord,” alderman charges.

Summerfest Got $48 Million in Gifts

Total donations from 2010 to 2018 helped pay for CEO Don Smiley’s "caviar lifestyle"?

Should Summerfest Pay Higher Rent?

Harbor House pays at least 7 times more than Summerfest per acre of lakefront land.

Summerfest CEO Awarded $2.33 Million

Don Smiley’s 2017 pay package includes $1.3 million deferred from prior years. City officials “shocked.”

Summerfest Blows Off City Meeting

No festival official attends scheduled meeting. Partnership with city “broken”, Ald. Murphy says.

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.

The History of the Milwaukee Clipper

Unlike its two sisters ships, the Milwaukee Clipper still survives. You can even tour it.

Over 1,000 Cruise Ship Passengers Have Visited Milwaukee in 2019

Milwaukee is no Miami, but cruise ship strategy drawing increased hotel stays, flights.

Milwaukee Losing As Summerfest Safety Costs Grow Quickly

Long-term lease agreement means the city has eaten $4 million in costs since 2011.

City Tourism Boost from Cruise Ships?

Port Milwaukee angling to make city an anchor in growing Great Lakes cruise industry.

Port Milwaukee Sees Overseas Growth

Last year, port had 43 international visits, up 25 percent from 2017.

Port Milwaukee International Shipping Season Begins Within Days

Two Ships Now Crossing the Atlantic Ocean Are Headed Here

Port Milwaukee Seaway Cargo Volume Grows in 2018

Bulk Material Volume Down as Cargo Deliveries Pushed into 2019

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?

Council Moves to Confirm New Port Director

Adam Schlicht has dreams of growing the port through international marketing.