Lake Park

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.

Bastille Days brings l’entertainment du jour to downtown Milwaukee

The 33rd Annual Bastille Days presented by Columbia St. Mary’s returns July 10 – 13

Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic Praises New Milwaukee Art Museum Expansion

Results of Historic Compromise

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.

Milwaukee Museum Mile Celebrates Its 3rd Year With Annual May Event

The Milwaukee Museum Mile is back with a day of free admission.

Public Input Needed for Parks 5-Year Strategic Plan

Milwaukee County Parks Seeks Public Input in the Development of 2015-2020 Strategic Plan

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.

Milwaukee County Proposes New Beer Garden for 2014

County Could See $100,000 a Year in Revenue

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.

Milwaukee County Board to Hold Budget Hearing Today at 4 P.M.

Milwaukee County War Memorial to Host Annual Event

Milwaukee County Board to Hold Public Hearing on 2014 Budget at Milwaukee County War Memorial Center at 4 p.m. on November 4

The Milwaukee County Board will hold its annual public hearing for the 2014 County Budget at an earlier time, 4 p.m., on Monday, November 4, at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center, 750 N. Lincoln Memorial, in the Memorial Hall on the third floor of the building.

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.

Job Fair for Military Veterans on Thursday

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and the Milwaukee County Veterans Service Office are happy to announce a job fair for Military Veterans on Thursday, October 3rd at the War Memorial Center from 9am- 1pm.

Milwaukee County Board to Hold Public Hearing on 2014 Budget at Milwaukee County War Memorial Center at 4 P.M. on November 4

The Milwaukee County Board will hold its annual public hearing for the 2014 County Budget at an earlier time, 4 p.m., on Monday, November 4, at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center, 750 N. Lincoln Memorial, in the Memorial Hall on the third floor of the building.

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)

County Board Supports Cultural Institutions, Unanimously Adopts Agreement that Honors Veterans and Protects Art

The Milwaukee County Board passed two measures Thursday that will move Milwaukee County forward and provide long-term sustainability for important public institutions.

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.

Midwest BikeShare installs Milwaukee’s first bike share kiosk.

This kiosk, funded with the support of the City of Milwaukee, local businesses, institutions and foundations, is the first of 24 kiosks that are scheduled to be installed throughout the City of Milwaukee.

Special Event: Slow No Wake Zone

Pursuant to s. 118-80-3-g of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances, the Harbormaster declares that a speed limit of 5 miles per hour, slow no wake, shall be in effect and enforced in the Outer Harbor two (2) hours before the event to two (2) hours after 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.

Supervisor Jason Haas Applauds Parks Committee Decision to Keep Paddleboat Vendor Local

Milwaukee County Supervisor Jason Haas today applauded a move by the County Board Parks, Energy and Environment Committee to extend for one year a contract with a local vendor for paddleboats at Veterans Park.

Milwaukee County Offering Help to Aging Veterans

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, the Milwaukee County Veterans Service Office (MCVSO) and the Milwaukee County Department on Aging (MCDA) are organizing a free one-day event to deliver awareness of benefits to eligible aging veterans and their surviving spouses.

New Front Door for Lakefront

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

Veterans Job Fair Offers Hundreds of Job Openings for Vets

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele is happy to announce a Job Fair for Military Veterans will be held on Thursday, March 7th at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center from 9am - 1pm.

Justice Geske Appointed as Mediator For Art Museum, War Memorial Negotiations

Highly Respected Justice Janine Geske Accepts Role to Move Iconic Institutions Past Impasse

Lake Parkway Extension Added to Regional Transportation Plan

Extension will provide infrastructure for economic growth

Quilted Northern Soft & Strong® and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® Honor Local Breast Cancer Survivor at Southeast Wisconsin Race

Minerva Cornejo named the Quilted Northern Soft & Strong® Champion for her contributions to the Komen Southeast Wisconsin Affiliate

Rich Park, Poor Park

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

Take the Shuttle to Mexican Fiesta

Traffic and parking are a breeze when you ride to Mexican Fiesta on the bus

MCTS SERVES IRISH FEST

Traffic and parking are a breeze when you ride the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) Straight to the Gate of Irish Fest.

County Board Approves Negotiations for The Couture

Proposed 44-floor building for lakefront stays on track

MCTS Serves German Fest

Traffic and parking are a breeze when you ride the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) Straight to the Gate of German Fest.

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.

Mayor Barrett Celebrates Independence Day With Visits To Milwaukee Parks

Mayor Barrett will visit a number of Milwaukee parks and community centers on Wednesday, July 4 to celebrate Independence Day.

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?