Gabriel Yeager, Director of Public Space Initiatives, Leaving Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21

MILWAUKEE (November 13, 2023) – Milwaukee Downtown’s Director of Public Space Initiatives, Gabriel Yeager, is setting his sights on a new coast. Trading the Fresh Coast for the West Coast, Yeager has accepted a position with the Downtown Center Business Improvement District (DCBID) in Los Angeles. Yeager has been with Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 since 2014. His last day with the organization will be Tuesday, Dec. 19.

“In the nine years with our organization, Gabe has had a tremendous impact on Downtown’s public spaces,” said Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. “From enhancing roofline lighting and wayfinding signage to developing events and raising our public art profile, he has delighted thousands of guests from the young to the young at heart with the activations he has led. I am so sad to see Gabe go, but I am enormously joyful for him as he as begins his next chapter.”

Yeager’s career at Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 began when he moved from his hometown in Rochester, Minnesota to attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He started as intern, then advanced to the roles of Downtown Environment Specialist and Director of Public Space Initiatives.

His nearly decade-long stint at Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 has transformed the central business district. His fingerprints can be seen in the implementation of 25+ murals, enlivening building facades, utility boxes, skywalks and underpasses. Some of these works include the Giannis mural by Mauricio Ramirez, the “What Lifts You Mural” by Kelsey Montague, the Schlitz Park mural by Greg Gossel and “Westown in Bloom” by Emma Daisy Gertel.

Beyond murals, Yeager has energized underutilized parks and plazas with music, food trucks and hands-on fun. Yeager created Tunes@Noon, a lunchtime music series in the 411 East Wisconsin Center’s outdoor courtyard presented by PNC; and Heart(beats) of the City powered by MGIC, a weekly food truck and music series at Red Arrow Park. Other events under his purview include Downtown Ice CAPE-ade, Big Truck Day, Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee and Santa’s Christmas Cavalcade.

In the public realm, Yeager assisted in enhancing wayfinding signage, led the roofline lighting project along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, highlighted the potential for activation at spaces like Turners’ Alley and Postman Square, created a mobile game cart, brought new seating to Red Arrow Park, played a key role in the development of Connec+ing MKE: Downtown Plan 2040, and has been the go-to for rallying Downtown buildings and venues to light up their facades for special occasions or memorials.

Yeager’s ability to bring internationally renowned artists to Milwaukee for temporary installations has also been notable. At the start of 2023, Yeager coordinated “Lightfield” at Cathedral Square Park presented by Johnson Financial Group – an immersive public art installation featuring the work of the Ukrainian and Canadian artist duo, HYBYCOZO. That was followed by Evanscent – an inflatable, large-scale art display by Atelier Sisu, an award-winning Sydney-based art practice that featured three sets of four bubbles each, which spanned a total footprint of over 1,400 square yards across the Marcus Performing Arts Center’s Outdoor Grounds during Rainbow Summer HIGHLIGHT.

Yeager’s final initiative is The Ornament Trail, which includes 15 larger-than-life, hand-painted ornaments lining Wisconsin Avenue to celebrate the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival’s 25th anniversary season. Ornaments will be on display through January 6, 2024.

“As I look back at my time with Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21, I take immense pride in the work we were able to accomplish,” said Yeager. “Even more so, I will forever remember how each of these projects took a village of support, from corporate donors, property owners and managers, and local government partners. Milwaukee will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 is seeking a replacement for the Director of Public Space Initiatives role. Information on the position can be found at www.milwaukeedowntown.com.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.