Lake Park

New Restaurant Comes to The North End

Plus: a taqueria comes to Brady Street and Big Boy returns, for just one night.

County Neglects Parks and Culture

Bucks arena gets millions while parks, museums, zoo decline.

Road Map to an Aerotropolis

New plan released for municipalities near airport. Will they seize the future?

4 Reasons to See Plein Air MKE

Museum Mile’s Art in the City Soirée is May 18, at Saint John’s On The Lake.

Lake Park’s Bridge Spans History

Why everyone should care about saving the Olmsted-designed bridge.

Bay View Land Gets Protection

Council approves purchasing, protecting Bay View land near Lake Parkway.

City To Buy Bay View Land

Port of Milwaukee would buy 3-acres from state, open to public in perpetuity.

Public Forum For Lake Park Bridge

Public invited to a meeting about the future of historic Ravine Road Bridge

County Closes Lake Park Bridge

Abele administration cites safety concerns, seeks $2 million in private funds.

Monks Singing Pagan Songs

Sequentia performs 9th to 12th century music with magic spells, mythic heroes and gods.

David Stearns’ Must-See Victorian Home!

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

Donor Pledges $1 Million for Lake Park Bridge

But anonymous East Side philanthropist demands closing Ravine Road to vehicle traffic.

Urban Bay View Is Unique

Very urban, newly remodeled, with great views and interesting history.

Wahl Ave. Named After “Grandfather” of Parks

Before Whitnall there was Christian Wahl, who helped create city’s parks system.

How Zach Espinosa Became a Master Chef

The one-time history major gravitated to the “chaos and camaraderie” of the kitchen.

County Faces Issues When Replacing Bridges

Past decisions on bridges created "adverse impacts."

Lake Park Bridge Faces Thorny Issues

Citizens narrow options, but funding issue still makes any solution tough to accomplish.

Can Lake Park Bridge Be Saved?

New report suggests restoration is feasible. Public information will discuss six alternatives.

Lincoln Memorial Dr. Was Under Water

A 20-year landfill project created the road and the city’s waterfront playground.

Fund for Lake Michigan Invests in Future

Better smelling Bradford Beach? More sturgeon in the rivers? FLM helps make it happen.

Lake Park Bridge Work Group Announced

Will it be repaired, torn down or replaced? A public meeting will discuss on May 17.

Brian Wielgus

"I feel like I’m always learning and loving more about the nooks and crannies of the city."

Meeting Will Discuss Lake Park Bridge

Historic pedestrian bridge is deteriorating, meeting will discuss options.

The Full Magnificence of a 1916 Home

Bob Monnat's $475,000 Georgian Revival Colonial celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Questions and Answers on Estabrook Dam

Part 2 of analysis disagreeing with our series and arguing dam should not be repaired.

More Burgers for Brookfield

Mooyah's comes to the mall. And a new country western bar on Old World Third St.

Bridge Over Troubled Finances

Classic Lake Park bridge is falling apart. Will county pick cheap option? Will neighbors fight this?

The City’s $30 Million Design Project

National competition for lakefront bridge could have huge impact, but city’s process raises questions.

The Return of River Horse?

New bar coming to Riverwest. New empanadas place opens on Brady.

Triumph of the Thunderbirds

The Milwaukee Air and Water Show 2015 was all about fast planes.

Suburbs’ Day in Milwaukee

Who are all those suburbanites that camp out in the city for the July 3rd fireworks?

Summerfest Rock ‘n’ Sole Run

Thousands ran through drizzling rain and fog. Our photos capture the action, from the lakefront and city streets to the summit of Hoan Bridge.

The House That Song Lyrics Bought

The $1.6 million, Eschweiler-designed mansion is owned by Keith Mardek, owner of Hal Leonard Publishing, the world's leading sheet music publisher.

Lakefront, Late 1920s

Before the War Memorial -- and before trees and vegetation -- the lakefront was a flat plain.

Amanda Hall

"I love this city and I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon."

The Lake Bluff of Yesteryear

This late 1880s photo shows the dramatic views afforded by the winding paths of Juneau Park.

Lakefront Looking North, 1880s

Oh, what a view Juneau Park offered back then.

When the Lakefront Was At Its Ugliest?

In the 1870s, the lakefront mostly served as a rail line, with a ramshackle railroad depot.

The Lakefront, About 1866

Prior to the settlers arrival, the lakefront wasn't a gorgeous green space, but an often-grassless bunch of eroded bluffs.

The Lakefront in 1911

This scene from a century ago, with paths winding down to the lake, may have been when this area was at its peak.

Milwaukee a Leader in City Center Job Growth

So says a recent study. But is the data more than a passing fad?

Alexander Lau

"We have an incredible foundation of local, vibrant, neighborhoods..."

John Shannon’s Marvelous Marietta Mansion

One of the great East Side homes, its history includes a remarkable cast of characters, almost a mini-history of Milwaukee elites.

Jason Klein

"Milwaukee is one of the next great up-and-coming cities."

What Is Milwaukee Water Commons?

The recently-formed grassroots group, which looks to make sure all citizens benefit from Milwaukee's water resources, holds a fundraiser.

Renovation Razes Johnsons Park Pavilion

Center for Resilient Cities helps renovate park near 18th and Brown streets.

Milwaukee Art Museum Expansion

Crews have begun work on new exhibition space and lakefront entry for the museum, as our photos show.

2014 USA Triathlon Championships

Thousands of athletes take over the lakefront for two days of national races.

Shelley Owen

"As cultured and progressive as Milwaukee is, the one issue where this city is far behind is our struggle with segregation."

JS Critic Likes New Art Museum Addition

Schumacher gives it thumbs up but big issues remain.

Melissa Hendrickson

"There are so many restaurants and bars that there’s something to fit your every mood."

Yes, Bike-Sharing Is Coming This Summer!

Mayor Barrett said not till 2015, but Midwest BikeShare promises 5-10 stations this summer.

What a Difference an Architect Makes

Jim Shields’ new art museum design improves on his first, and saves the museum from itself.

Art Museum Drops Design, Re-Hires Shields

In a remarkable turnabout, the Milwaukee Art Museum scraps its controversial design and brings back the city's leading museum architect.

Newspaper Critic Says Don’t Build Art Museum Addition

Schumacher, Journal Sentinel critic, calls Milwaukee Art Museum’s design a “dose of dullness.”

Why the Milwaukee Art Museum Changed Its Design

Museum staff wanted more gallery space, even if it meant ruining Jim Shields design for the new addition.

Why the Art Museum Addition Must Not Be Built

This could be the biggest architectural mistake Milwaukee has ever made.

Top Architect Quit Project for Museum Addition

Architect Jim Shields had falling out with Milwaukee Art Museum; new addition was designed by committee, not Shields.

Rachel Konetzke

"I recently had to go gluten free and Lakefront's New Grist beer has been a life saver!"

Public Weighs In On Lakefront Project

Information meeting at Public Market had a full house. There's still time to add your views to the discussion.

How Weʼve Abandoned Dan Kiley

The great landscape artistʼs work for the Milwaukee Art Museum is being diminished by neglect. Part II in a series.

How We Abandoned our Landscape Art

Milwaukeeʼs parks are credited to Frederick Law Olmsted but have abandoned his vision. Part I of a series.

Does Lakefront Still Lack a Vision?

Panelists at Discovery World conference debate plans and opportunities for Milwaukee's lakefront. A report with photos.

Why We Should Move the War Memorial

Veterans are poorly served there; the War Memorial and MacArthur statue should both move to west-side Veterans Center campus.

The High Cost of Calatrava

Overruns on his projects are killing other cities. The impact on Milwaukee and its art museum was more positive.

Why The Couture Could Wow the Nation

Few cities have built towers this tall (44 stories) since 2000. This could be a coup for Milwaukee. (Second of two-part series)

Bikes Can’t Lose in Cities

They're cheaper, require less spending by cities than on cars, and are often faster. Expect ever-more bicyclists in Milwaukee.

Unlock a B-Cycle Today!

Milwaukee's first bike-sharing station opened at Discovery World today, and our photos capture the event.

Hilary Rasmussen

A marketer for Baird thinks we need to talk up the city.

How to Go Green

Expert panel at a Project Milwaukee conference agrees Wisconsin needs to improve, but disagreed as to how.

New Front Door for Lakefront

Dramatic plan moves freeway ramps and creates a grand boulevard that connects downtown and the lakefront.

Rich Park, Poor Park

Milwaukee County Parks is increasingly a two-tier system, with the worst maintained parks in poor areas.

County Board Approves Negotiations for The Couture

Proposed 44-floor building for lakefront stays on track

The Chicago Challenge

Economic cooperation with our massive neighbor could help Milwaukee. But Gov.Scott Walker stands in the way.

The Port’s Potential

Once the top transit option, Milwaukee’s lakefront could become a more important player. Third in a series.

The Couture Press Conference

Developers and politicians unite behind the podium to unveil 44-story project.

Abele vs County Board — Again

Someone leaked the info on Abele's plan for a 44 story lakefront tower, leaving him apologizing to the board.

44-Floor Tower Proposed for Lakefront

A new 44-story tower proposed for Milwaukee.

Transit System Facing Nearly 30% Service Reduction

Challenges ahead for MCTS, but good news in Westown, Lake Park, Silver City, and the Menomonee Valley

Lakefront Festival of Art 2012

There was good weather, a good crowd, and lots of fun at the festival this weekend

The Invisible Man

The chief opponent of the art museum’s $25 million repair plan has stood by while the War Memorial rotted away.

The Media’s $10 Million Error

The art museum’s plan to repair the War Memorial will cost $25 million, not $15 million. And that’s not all the errors.

Better Connecting the Lakefront to Downtown

There is no question that the connection between Milwaukee's lakefront and downtown is underwhelming. Despite the fact that they meet at Lincoln Memorial Drive, there is no grand connection between the two, which is unfortunate as the intersection of Lincoln Memorial Drive and Michigan Street is a gateway to the city.

UWM Freshwater School a No Go on the Pieces of Eight Site

The UWM School of Freshwater Sciences will not continue their plans to build a new headquarters for the school on the lakefront site that formerly housed Pieces of Eight restaurant. We had supported the location choice, but that location choice was certainly controversial. Seeking a less controversial site to house the cornerstone piece of something so valuable to Milwaukee's future is a wise move.

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.

Milwaukee’s War on Fun

It was just a few years ago when Milwaukee was named the #2 Party City in America, and although that might seem like a funny or insignificant title it was actually a well deserved and beneficial honor.

Public Works Committee Approves Vehicle Registration Fee

The meeting began with public hearings regarding assessable road improvements and lead into Alderman Robert Bauman‘s opening discussion of resolution 080034, the proposed municipal vehicle registration fee.  This resolution would change the assessable portion of road improvement costs from 60%, which on average is an assessment of $2500 to the abutting property owner, to 0% being assessed to the property owner by shifting these costs onto a $20 municipal vehicle registration fee.  Additionally assessment rates for alley improvements would drop from 90% to 60% and for sidewalks it would drop from 70% to 50%.  This proposed resolution came about in response to property owners regularly voting to delete road projects due to high assessment costs.  The postponing or deletion of road repair projects has lead to crumbling streets, a proliferation of potholes and higher reconstruction costs in the future.  The Committee voted to approve this resolution with Alderman Joe Dudzik opposing the measure and it will move forward to the Finance and Personnel Committee.Resolution 080304 is an agreement between the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Discovery World and Summerfest with the intention of improving access to Discovery World and Summerfest.  The plan includes the widening of North Harbor Dr., new sidewalks, new landscaping and various pedestrian improvements.  This resolution passed with little discussion and will now go before the full Common Council.Alderman Bauman continued his efforts of improving the pedestrian experience in the City of Milwaukee by bring resolution 050096 forward.  The resolution would repaint West State St. and West Wells St. reducing traffic lanes down to one in each direction which would help to slow traffic, improve the streets walkability, and make driving conditions less of a hazard during winter months.  At the Department of Public Works request he had held off on this resolution until the near completion of the Marquette Interchange project.  This resolution passed and will now go before the full Common Council.

The Future of the Milwaukee Coast Guard Station

DSC00669 Originally uploaded by benditlikebecker13 The Daily Reporter has an article that takes a look at the recent events surrounding the proposed demolition of the Milwaukee Coast Guard Station near McKinley Pier. It’s sad to see a landmark go, but the building is reportedly past the state of cost-effective repair. Most importantly, it’s essential that what replaces it encourages the embracing of the lakefront. The planned pavilion seems to largely accomplish this goal. I think there is a still a market for a commercial development, even with the nearby Alterra. One that both embraces the lake and the nearby Lincoln Memorial Drive. Most of the development on the lake is auto-dependent, and it would be nice to see pedestrian-centric development where the old station was, especially with the nearby Brady St pedestrian ramp. You may ask why I’m so in favor of development with a planned park already on the drawing board, but I honestly think we have plenty of open space on our lakefront already. We need something to draw people to that open space outside of holiday weekends, and environmentally-responsible development would help achieve this. Alterra is a great start, but it needs to be paired with something else. Barnes & Noble with an all glass lake facing side? A clothing store? Parks are only useful if there are people there to use them, and all too often I think our Lake Michigan coastline is underutilized. We want people to have a reason to walk and enjoy the lake, not to drive by it at 45 miles an hour.

Scott Walker and the Milwaukee Curse

Milwaukee has not been the home of many of Wisconsin’s governors.

Changes at the Election Commission

My Campaign Blog

Two hundred fifty bucks or a free press pass?