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Content referencing Patti Keating Kahn
Council Committee Says Milwaukee Theater, Arena Are Historic
Decision could affect Wisconsin Center District, whose leader fiercely opposed it.
Nov 18th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Historic Designations For Milwaukee Auditorium, Arena Is Strategic Move
Aiming to slow redevelopment? It's all about 'transparency' says Ald. Bob Bauman.
Nov 4th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Historic Artifacts From Karl Ratzsch’s Restaurant Headed For Auction Block
Need a Cyril Colnik chandelier? How about a restaurant booth?
Sep 15th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee’s Largest Neon Sign Will Be Replaced
But not without objection from some preservation experts.
Sep 8th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Bay View Historic District Faces Pivotal Vote
The homes are unique, the history notable, but alders are lukewarm.
Sep 3rd, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
‘Cream of the Cream City’ Honors Creme de la Creme Preservation Projects
Preservation projects big and small recognized for their contribution to Milwaukee's built environment.
Jun 26th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
My Office or Yours? New Bar Planned For Downtown
Your Office will bring new life to vacant East Town building.
May 23rd, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
Is This House Historic?
Commission staff says no, commissioners want to see an even larger historic district in Bay View.
Apr 3rd, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Salvation Army Seeks To Demolish Buildings By State’s First Black Architect
Much of former Central City Plaza complex north of Downtown could be replaced.
Jan 14th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Bernie Sanders to Host Private Brunch in Milwaukee
Event canceled after publication.
Jun 21st, 2024 by Michael Horne
Heated Historic Commission Meeting Yields Profanity, New Historic District
But not before one property owner verbally abuses the 'arrogant' commission.
Mar 13th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Historic Commission Says No To Wrecking Former Wreck Room Tavern
Common Council will decide fate of building, a survivor of 1892 Third Ward fire.
Sep 11th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
Historic Third Ward Building Could Be Razed
Developers want to tear down 1884 building, a longtime tavern vacant since 2013.
Feb 13th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
Bauman Defends Historic Preservation Process
Developer Tim Gokhman complains HPC 'redesigns your project.'
Dec 14th, 2022 by Bruce Murphy
Is Historic Preservation Process Broken?
Some feel city's process needs to be reformed. Are they right?
Dec 13th, 2022 by Bruce Murphy
Kaufmann Won’t Build In Historic District
Developer sought to build new house, but found Historic Commission, neighbors too hard to work with.
Dec 7th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Historic Commission Rejects Mitchell Street Demolition
Five-story, 55-unit building sought. Developer could win appeal to Common Council.
Dec 7th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
New House Hits Snag With Historic Commission
Home owners must come before commission a third time with revised plan in December.
Nov 8th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Cream City Brick House Proposed For East Side
Developer Juli Kaufmann would build new residence with reclaimed brick.
Oct 12th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
After UWM Lawsuit Loss, City Could Rewrite Historic Preservation Ordinance
Change would be a safeguard on state-owned buildings.
Oct 10th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
City Loses Again In Bid To Prevent Columbia Hospital Demolition
All of the windows now gone from the building while city seeks appeals court ruling.
Oct 6th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Fight Over Former Columbia Hospital Heads Back To Court
City appeals ruling, seeks to block UWM's further demolition of hospital.
Aug 29th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Abele’s Personal Spa, Pool Conservatory Challenged
Neighbor Suzanne Hupy Cites "Light Pollution," "Fundamental Change to Neighborhood" from Proposed 6,816 Square Foot Auxiliary Structure.
Aug 12th, 2022 by Michael Horne
UWM Demolishing Former Columbia Hospital
City could still sue, but time is running out.
Aug 12th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Historic Commission Okays 55-Unit East Side Apartment Building
But St. Mark's church project may face a more contentious zoning hearing.
Jul 11th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Court Says UWM Can Demolish Columbia Hospital
City loses suit opposing this and may decide not to appeal decision.
Jul 11th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Historic Home Could Become Coffee Shop
Long an art gallery, the 1890s Knapp St. house in Downtown could see new life.
Jun 22nd, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Third Ward Apartments Design Overhauled
But architectural review board raises many issues for planned apartment complex. Expect more changes and a new city street.
May 18th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Historic Commission Debates Artificial Turf for High School Field
Commission overrules its staff to allow Washington High School to install artificial turf field.
May 12th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Third Ward Board Approves New Tower
Design approval for 31-story, 333-unit building with retail space facing river and outdoor patio.
Mar 16th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Former North Milwaukee H.S. Redevelopment Inches Forward
Historic Preservation Commission backs bid for tax credits to create affordable housing.
Mar 8th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
New Historic Preservation Commission Member Nominated
Nicholas Hans Robinson is the youngest Black architect in Wisconsin.
Dec 13th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Reduces Mayoral Power
A Barrett slap down. 15-0 vote restricts mayor's power over Historic Preservation Commission.
Feb 9th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Mayor Could Lose Control of Historic Preservation Commission
Bauman and council committee support council president appointing HPC members.
Feb 3rd, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Third Ward to Get Marriott Boutique Hotel
Hoffco building would create base for 11-story, 102-room hotel; gets conceptual okay from design board.
Jan 27th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Historic Commission Protects Forest Home Library
Gives it historic designation. But Common Council will have final say.
Nov 30th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Mitchell Street Mystery Buildings Exposed
Paneling has hid an Art Moderne facade since at least the 1990s.
Nov 27th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Downtown’s New Voting Rights Mural
Shepard Fairey completes 7,400-square-foot mural on Colby Abbot Building.
Oct 15th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Shepard Fairey Mural Going Up Downtown
Artist known for Obama 'Hope' image will create voting rights mural on downtown building.
Oct 7th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Historic Commission Adopts Mural Guidelines
Guidelines would prohibit murals on historic buildings on all but the least seen sides.
Oct 1st, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Container Bar Planned for Bradford Beach
But Historic Preservation Commission gives it only partial approval.
Aug 4th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Historic Commission Rejects Voting Rights Mural
Without debating content or artist, commission finds mural needs to wait for guidelines to be approved.
Aug 3rd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Massive Voting Rights Mural Planned for Downtown Building
Shepard Fairey, designer of iconic Obama Hope image, will bring his work to Milwaukee in time for DNC.
Jul 9th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Oriental Theatre Closed for Summer, Plans Renovations
Milwaukee Film continuing plan to fully restore 1927 movie palace.
Jun 23rd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Mitchell Street’s Mystery Building
Actually two buildings covered by paneling that developer plans to restore. What will he find?
Mar 4th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Bucks Guard Scores Again on Project
Historic preservation group again clears way for Connaughton's downtown development.
Dec 10th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Rite-Hite May Move to Reed Street Yards
Plus: Water leak delays BMO Tower, city exploring Plan B for former Schlitz tavern.
Nov 17th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
McCarthy Appeals on Bucks Player’s Project
Wants Common Council to overrule HPC ruling that 1860s house can be razed.
Nov 14th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
1860s Home Isn’t Historic Says Commission
Historic commission's surprising vote rejects historic designation, inches Bucks guard's project closer to reality.
Nov 12th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Mural Spurs Historic Preservation Reform
Historic Preservation Commission moving to establish guidelines for murals.
Nov 6th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Controversy Over Historic Building’s Mural
Mitchell Street mural sparks debate. Is a mural just paint? Should it be removed?
Oct 29th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
$44 Million Soldiers Home Project Launched
Huge group of politicians, dignitaries, salute project to redevelop Civil War-era VA complex.
Sep 20th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Schlitz Tavern Condo Plan Approved
Developers plan to rehab building on Humboldt and North, but still have a financing gap.
Jul 9th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
HPC Board Puts Modern Homes on Hold
New homes proposed for East Side historic district don't meet "any of the guidelines."
Jul 9th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Committee Says Marcus Center Isn’t Historic
City committee overrules Historic Preservation Commission. Full Common Council up next.
Apr 30th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Kinn Hotel Plan Grows a Living Wall
But area alderman Bob Bauman is likely to oppose project.
Apr 16th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Proposed Downtown Hotel Loses Two Floors
Change made to please historic commission, which still holds the project until next month.
Apr 3rd, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Marcus Center, Kiley Grove Deemed Historic
Commission decision stalls redevelopment, but allows four ailing trees to be cut down.
Apr 1st, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
New Downtown Boutique Hotel Planned
Developer would add five floors to historic building, creating nine-story hotel.
Mar 9th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Historic Commission Saves Clarke Square Building
Notre Dame School of Milwaukee wants to demolish building for open space.
Aug 6th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
New Downtown Cocktail Lounge Opening
XO Cocktail Lounge on E. Mason St. will also feature small plates dining and live music.
Jun 30th, 2018 by Jennifer Rick
Save the Milwaukee Soldiers Home
The 100 Extraordinary Women campaigns seeks volunteers, donors for this cause.
Mar 9th, 2018 by Cecelia Gore, Dawn McCarthy, Patti Keating Kahn and Laura Rinaldi
St. James Church Project Approved
New apartment building will rise behind historic church.
Mar 6th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
St. James Project Stuck in Committee
Developer would redevelop church, but can't get past Historic Preservation Commission.
Feb 6th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Judge John DiMotto to Retire
One of state's top-rated circuit court judges retiring after a 42-year career.
Dec 22nd, 2017 by Michael Horne
The “S Block” Conceptually Approved
Seven-story building proposed for the heart of downtown in historic district.
Dec 12th, 2017 by Jeramey Jannene
Commission Approves Boutique Hotel
New Art House Hotel could open by June in historic 1898 building on Marshall St.
Dec 12th, 2017 by Jeramey Jannene
Historic Preservation in Peril
Job-creating historic preservation tax credits face cuts again, this time from Congress.
Nov 15th, 2017 by Jeramey Jannene
Walker Veto Decimates Historic Preservation
Veto will make real estate development harder in Milwaukee and other cities.
Sep 21st, 2017 by Jeramey Jannene
Masonic Hotel Inches Forward
Approval depends on 20 well-hidden stained glass windows.
May 10th, 2017 by Jeramey Jannene
City Panel Rejects Sherman Park Station
Design criticized. Would replace gas station destroyed during summer riot.
Apr 12th, 2017 by Graham Kilmer
Design By Committee
Or how Ald. Kovac and the Historic Preservation Commission bedevil architects.
Feb 21st, 2017 by Tom Bamberger
Masonic Hotel Gets Key Approval
Historic Preservation Commission clears downtown hotel tower to move forward
Feb 13th, 2017 by Jeramey Jannene
My Office, East Town’s Last Dive Bar
The 136-year-old building, the clientele, the atmosphere are all unique.
Dec 19th, 2016 by Michael Horne
Lake Park Bridge Faces Thorny Issues
Citizens narrow options, but funding issue still makes any solution tough to accomplish.
Jul 29th, 2016 by Virginia Small
Masonic Lodge Could Become Hotel
Plan would build addition atop historic building, but will preservation advocates block it?
May 10th, 2016 by Jeramey Jannene
Liberal Group Seeks Talk Radio Voice
Claims AM conservative talk radio is "racist" and "hateful." Is liberal talk radio possible?
Feb 10th, 2016 by Michael Horne
City Birthday Party All About Dining
Politicians and candidate hopefuls mix with winners of dining awards.
Feb 1st, 2016 by Michael Horne
Conservation Voters Convene
Former congressmen Obey and Petri make a League of Conservation Voters fundraiser a stop on their bipartisan road trip.
Nov 1st, 2015 by Michael Horne
Bridge Over Troubled Finances
Classic Lake Park bridge is falling apart. Will county pick cheap option? Will neighbors fight this?
Oct 18th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Celebrating the Life of Paul Jakubovich
A host of notables gathered to salute Jakubovich and the fabulous historic architecture of Milwaukee he helped protect.
Jun 22nd, 2015 by Michael Horne
Finally, a Beer Garden Disguised As a Polish Flat
The Nomad’s "Faux Flat" design is approved, but noise is a concern for neighbors
Jun 11th, 2015 by Amanda Mickevicius
Downer Avenue Stalled by Joel Lee?
City officials meet with neighbors about Downer Avenue, a thriving retail strip with one huge problem: Landlord Joel Lee's foreclosed properties.
May 1st, 2015 by Michael Horne
Are Abrahamson’s Days as Chief Justice Numbered?
Constitutional amendment on April referendum would result in her being replaced as chief justice. Even if it fails, her salary will be reduced.
Mar 27th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Davis Sets, Cancels Meeting on Streetcar
His claim on streetcar turns out to be false. Meanwhile, new city assessor appointed with little fanfare.
Mar 17th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Huge Growth for Brady and Water
Three different developments will add 740 apartments and tremendous urban density to the area.
Feb 16th, 2015 by Dave Reid
RACM Approves Tax Funding for Streetcar
The TIF funding approved will also pay for infrastructure for The Couture high-rise, whose architect promised it will "push the boundaries of urban design."
Dec 2nd, 2014 by Michael Horne
From The Railway Exchange Building
Built in 1901, the classic, 12-story building is well-situated for great views of Downtown and the old and new city.
Nov 6th, 2014 by Brian Jacobson
Conference Touts Historic Preservation
Conference at We Energies offers experts touting the huge environmental payoff for historic reuse of buildings.
Oct 31st, 2014 by Michael Horne
OnMilwaukee.com Moves Downtown
Plus: problems for a new hotel and say goodbye to two bars.
Nov 16th, 2012 by Urban Milwaukee
Jeff Stone Punk’d?
Seems like somebody is messing around with Rep. Jeff Stone's campaign identity.
May 2nd, 2005 by Michael Horne
Lautenschlager’s Mess
Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager’s drunk driving arrest last week removes her from behind the wheel of her state-owned vehicle for a year, and puts Governor Jim Doyle in the driver’s seat. The two had squabbled, privately, over terms of the Governor’s jobs bill, with Lautenschlager threatening to use her authority to see that the law comply with the state’s environmental regulations, which she intimated it did not. This sort of independent action by an attorney general is not new in Wisconsin. Doyle was the chief practitioner of it, but then again, he was a Democrat, and the Governor at the time was a Republican. The press has made note that Doyle suggests Lautenschlager forgo some of her pay as a sort of penance for her indiscretion, a matter that remains unresolved at this time. Doyle also suggested that Lautenschlager consider entering a program to treat problem drinkers. He said that he had a number of friends who had been in a similar situation and that the treatment had helped them. In fact, the public admission of guilt and responsibility (which Lautenschlager made) is usually accompanied these days with a prompt acknowledgement that a problem exists. The subject then usually promptly enters a treatment program and completes it, after which the matter is forgotten. Lautenschlager has not made that admission thus far, which leaves her in the position of either not having a “problem” or being “in denial” of it. It does leave Doyle high and dry, however, and much less likely to face interference in his plans from that peskiest of all politicians – an ambitious Attorney General. Walker at the War Memorial County Executive Scott Walker welcomed about 100 well-clad guests to a fundraiser February 26th at the War Memorial Center. The strictly upper-crust affair was a Republican-type fundraiser, which meant that hard liquor was consumed (in moderation) and beer, for the most part, was ignored. For those fans of the frothy stuff, Walker offered Miller products and Heineken. Food was by Ellen’s Prestige Catering, and included strolling waiters, another classy touch. Menu items included spinach somethings, meat and melted cheese on sandwich rounds, wrapped up little salmon tidbits, an entirely unsuccessful raspberry-brie tart, platters of some kind of 21st century sandwich product along with perfectly delicious fruit. The event was unmarred by public oratory, but was enhanced by an A-list of locals practicing up for the next time Bush is in town. Among the exalted: George Dalton, Dennis Kuester (on crutches), Michael Cudahy, mourning the recent death of Daniel Urban Kiley, creator of the $4 million Cudahy garden outside the adjacent Milwaukee Art Museum, Fred Luber, Tim Hoeksma, Carol Skornicka, John Finerty, Jim Weichmann, Joe Rice, Mary Buestrin, Corey Hoze and developer Mark Irgens. Hoze has secured speaker Dennis Hastert to appear at a $2000 fundraiser on his hopeless behalf in his upcoming congressional campaign. That’s rich. Marvin Pratt popped in and worked the crowd for about 20 minutes before his cop told him it was time to […]
Mar 1st, 2004 by Michael Horne
