Marty Brooks

See Inside The Massive Baird Center Expansion

Crews are putting finishing touches, hanging art at $456 million project.

‘Top Chef’ Premiere Dished Up Praise For Milwaukee, The Dairy State

The season's first episode highlighted Milwaukee's Lupi & Iris, Blu and a handful of local personalities.

Baird Center Selects Artists, Works To Be Displayed

Who are 21 artists and artistic teams to be featured at expanded convention center?

Baird Center announces charitable partners for Grand Opening Gala

United Way and UPAF to benefit from proceeds of May 16, 2024 celebration

Baird Center announces production team for Grand Opening Gala

The gala will be held on May 16, 2024

‘Polka Time!’ Escalator Gets Celebratory Sendoff

The 'Polkalator' gave its final ride Friday afternoon.

Baird Center Reaches Highest Point

Topping-off ceremony for $456 million Wisconsin Center expansion draws dignitaries a year before completion.

Wisconsin Center Makes Deal to Save Literary Artwork

CEO Marty Brooks agrees to compromise to save installation.

Wisconsin Center Dispute Goes National

The Bulwark condemns decision to remove artwork while WTMJ defends it.

City Seeks Restaurant or Cafe For Downtown Park

Its plan for Vel R. Phillips Plaza is to create new gathering spot for Westown.

Did Brooks Exceed His Authority At Wisconsin Center?

CEO’s decision to remove art works raises questions about governance of public entity.

Wisconsin Center Pauses Art Removal

CEO says he thought matter was resolved with grant, only for conflict to emerge.

Revised Letter to Wisconsin Center District CEO Marty Brooks

Wisconsin Center Accused of Censorship

Eliminating literary art installation in preparation for Republican National Convention?

Writers Decry Wisconsin Center District CEO’s Imminent Cultural Erasure

Wisconsin Center Won’t Reconsider Removing Literary Artwork

CEO Marty Brooks emails board members to explain why.

Wisconsin Center Will Destroy Literary Artworks

Nationally unique installation done in 1998. Public board didn't vote on its destruction.

Expanded Convention Center Will Be Named For Financial Firm Baird

Robert W. Baird and Co. is the Wisconsin Center naming rights partner.

Wisconsin Center Will Keep Living The High Life

Molson Coors renews WCD sponsorship for three years. Plus: District is giving away a gala.

Steel Rises on Wisconsin Center Expansion

$456 million development is largest project underway in Milwaukee

Diverse Milwaukee-Based Panel to Select Art Pieces for the $456 million Wisconsin Center Expansion Project

FPC Files For Design Approval For Deer District Concert Complex

But opposition emerges and the Wisconsin Center District raises concern.

Convention Center Expansion Costs Grow By $36 Million

It's now a $456 million project, with $20 million in additional borrowing.

Republican Party Officially Selects Milwaukee for 2024 Convention

Milwaukee becomes first city to win back-to-back Democratic and Republican national conventions since 1972

Milwaukee Wins 2024 Republican National Convention

It's official. GOP will pick its presidential nominee in Milwaukee.

VISIT Milwaukee Has New Plan To Drive Tourism

Strategy includes Milwaukee-focused TV show, traveling visitor center and more.

$420 Million Convention Center Expansion Moving Forward

Biggest construction project in Milwaukee is just under two years from completion.

More Renderings of Downtown ‘Iron District’ Released

11-acre development with new soccer stadium, concert venue lists big-name supporters.

Wisconsin Center Expansion Over Budget

WCD exploring value engineering, additional bonding, federal grants and cutting features.

Inside Milwaukee’s Biggest Construction Project

Mayor, Wisconsin Center CEO tour convention center expansion. Johnson says Milwaukee will land RNC.

Pabst Theater Group Adds Fifth Venue

PTG becomes exclusive booker and operator of Wisconsin Center's Miller High Life Theatre.

City Completes Renaming Old World Third To Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.

Milwaukee fixes a 1984 "injustice" by extending King Drive through Downtown.

WCD Celebrates Start of Convention Center Expansion

$420 million project is intended to boost business, fully realize Wisconin Center's potential.

“Beyond Van Gogh” Is Highest Grossing Event in Wisconsin Center History

And now its run is extended through January 9.

Wisconsin Center District Creates Vice President of Corporate Partnerships Position, Hires Sports Marketing Veteran Steve Harms to Fill Role

Harms will oversee the development of sponsorship programs and integration

See Inside Convention Center Expansion

Plus: A recap of the week's real estate news.

Who Wants To Name the Wisconsin Center?

National group hired to sell naming rights as part of center's expansion plan.

Wisconsin Center District Promotes Two Directors to Vice President

Jeremie Ott named Vice President of Public Safety and Guest Services, Steve Totzke new Vice President of Information Technology

City Shows Off Wisconsin Center Vaccination Hub

Public could be vaccinated there in future weeks. Effort starting with frontline workers.

Riverwest Hostel Becoming Cooperative Housing Facility

Plus: Wisconsin Center District sells debt for expansion.

Wisconsin Center Gives Final Approval for $420 Million Expansion

District will issue bonds this year in order to complete expansion in 2024.

Virtual DNC Dims City’s Moment in the Sun

Lost chance to show Milwaukee can compete with the bigger cities.

Wisconsin Center District Institutes Temporary Layoffs

Cost-saving measure taken in response to loss of business due to COVID-19

State Fair Park Selected for Overflow Care Facility

Exposition Center will house extra hospital beds. Local leaders requesting state and federal government act quickly.

Convention Center, State Fair Park Could Become 1,200 Bed Facilities

"Alternative care sites" could be operated by federal government.

DNC Postponed To Mid-August

"I consider this extremely good news," says Mayor. Democratic Party remains committed to Milwaukee.

Convention Center District Authorizes $420 Million Expansion, Raises Hotel Tax

District still aiming for 2023 opening even though bonds can't be sold.

State Has 1,221 COVID-19 Cases, Exploring Field Hospital Locations

State says data on hospitalization coming soon.

Wisconsin Center Faces 50% Revenue Cut

But CEO Marty Brooks still pushing to expand center, issue bonds during pandemic.

City Could Get Cash From Convention Center Expansion

Wisconsin Center District still pushing for expansion even though it can't sell bonds.

Council Delays Convention Expansion?

9-4 vote seeks to prevent convention center expansion during pandemic.

Convention Center Expansion Paused

Market uncertainty will prevent necessary bond sale to finance Wisconsin Center expansion.

11 Key Details About the Convention Center Expansion

Plus: Rite-Hite moving to city, Mitchell Street mystery, Lower East Side projects still alive.

City Wants $5 Million of Hotel Tax Per Year

Council may rescind support for convention center expansion without its historic cut of tax restored.

UWM Gets Okay to Partially Demolish Columbia Hospital

Plus: Council could delay convention center expansion, MSOE expanding nursing facilities.

Wisconsin Center District Announces $15 Per Hour Minimum Wage

New Standard Effective July 1, 2020

City Okays Convention Center Expansion

Cost of $300 to $375 million. Murphy questions whether it will fill more hotel rooms.

Wisconsin Center Expansion Project Receives Milwaukee Common Council approval to receive moral obligation bonds from the state

Gilbane, CD Smith Will Build Wisconsin Center Expansion

Plus: State's first Tesla showroom, architecture firm mulls expansion, Pabst Mansion demolishing house

Wisconsin Center District Announces Construction Manager for Wisconsin Center Expansion

Gilbane Smith Selected

Convention Center Moves Forward

District board hires Atlanta-based architectural firm for $300 million project.

Wisconsin Center District Announces Architectural Team for Wisconsin Center Expansion

International Firm tvsdesign and Milwaukee-Based Eppstein Uhen Architects (EUA) Selected

VISIT Milwaukee names Peggy Williams-Smith as new President & CEO

Local leader poised to start November 18, 2019

Timber Tower Grows Taller

Plus: Convention center expansion advances, MSO moves 631-ton wall, Brewers invest in The Avenue

Convention Center Expansion Advances

No new taxes used, with grand opening planned for 2023.

Wisconsin Center District Board Unanimously Passes Resolution Regarding Exposition Center Expansion

A broad estimate of the timeline for the project was also introduced.

JoAnne Sabir Appointed to Wisconsin Center District Board

Sabir’s appointment was made by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

Inaugural Wisconsin Comic Con comes to Milwaukee

Wisconsin Center hosts the convention June 28-30

Wisconsin Center District Updates Timeline for Completion of the Wisconsin Center

The WCD funding subcommittee has reviewed the submissions and has identified Morgan Stanley as the lead investment banking firm for the potential debt offering.

Evers Budget Overlooks Convention Center

Wisconsin Center District plans downtown expansion by 2020, still hopes for state funding.

Wisconsin Center District Names Sarah Maio Vice President, Marketing and Communications

Maio has been with the WCD for the past three years as director of marketing.

Abele, Lipscomb Announce Membership of Fair Deal Workgroup

Group includes diverse representation from community leaders seeking to recommend intergovernmental solutions to County funding challenges

Wisconsin Center District Names Megan Seppmann Vice President of Sales

"I am looking forward to bringing stakeholders together to make the best possible growth decisions for the WCD and its superb facilities."

James Kanter Elected Chairman of the Wisconsin Center District Board

Kanter was uncontested and the vote was unanimous by the 17-member board.

Wisconsin Center District Announces New Board

The board will hold its first meeting on Friday, September 21 at the Wisconsin Center.

Wisconsin Center District Announces Substantial Completion of Fiserv Forum

Submission of Documents Signifies Authorization for Full Occupancy

Mad Hot Ballroom Teaches Dance, Life Lessons To Students

1,000 students took to the dance floor to show off their best moves.

UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena Announced as New Home of Danceworks Mad Hot Competition

d as New Home of Danceworks Mad Hot Competition