Next Public Engagement Session for Red Arrow Park Redesign Process Set for Tuesday, Oct. 13
Community invited to provide feedback on two leading design concepts on Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at City Hall
MILWAUKEE (October 6, 2026) – Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21, the City of Milwaukee, and Milwaukee County are continuing to advance the design for future improvements to Downtown’s Red Arrow Park. The collaborative initiative is a goal of the Connec+ing MKE: Downtown Plan 2040, which identified the central space as a catalytic initiative.
Community members are invited to attend an open-house-style session on Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the City Hall Rotunda and provide feedback on two leading design concepts that have evolved in response to community input gathered during the first phase of engagement earlier this year.
The Kubala Washatko Architects (TKWA) and OLIN are collectively leading the redesign process, with public engagement support from P3 Development Group. Proposed enhancements in the Connec+ing MKE: Downtown Plan 2040 called for improved park edges with more seating, places for congregation and performances, more opportunities for year-round activation, and the potential for public art.
“The Water Street corridor is gaining momentum, and reimagining Red Arrow Park is an important part of that progress,” said Matt Dorner, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. “We look forward to continued community input on the design priorities needed to create a vibrant central gathering space with appealing year-round features.”
The design process for the Red Arrow Park Redesign has relied heavily on community engagement. Two of the three concepts introduced at the March 2026 public engagement session were refined based on public feedback and will be presented again at the Oct. 13 session. It is expected that a preferred design alternative will emerge in the coming months, culminating with plans sufficient to seek conceptual cost bidding to determine future fundraising needs and sources for implementation. Funding for the design services is being provided through TID #48.
While the footprint of Red Arrow Park is being reimagined, Milwaukee County is currently seeking a tenant to lease and activate the park’s vacant commercial space in the near term. At the same time, the City of Milwaukee is leading a Water Street redesign that aims to reimagine the corridor as a vibrant, multimodal street that supports current and future transportation modes and land uses, which will complement proposed improvements to Red Arrow Park.
Other recent investments along the Water Street corridor are also reshaping the district. New restaurants—including Sooshibay Bar & Restaurant, UPPA YARD, and High Stakes by Bartolotta—opened this year, signaling continued confidence in this key entertainment area. Longstanding cultural institutions such as the Marcus Performing Arts Center, The Pabst Theater, and Milwaukee Repertory Theater continue to enliven the corridor with world-class programming, and the Milwaukee Theater District will soon celebrate its 4th annual Milwaukee Theater Week, Oct. 9-18, highlighting the concentration of arts and culture offerings in this adjacent district.
“Red Arrow Park and the Water Street corridor are at an exciting turning point,” Dorner said. “By working with city and county leaders, area stakeholders, and the community, we can transform these opportunities into lasting benefits that drive continued growth, investment, and vibrancy in the district.”
The Red Arrow Park Redesign initiative began with the issuance of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), seeking teams that specialize in urban public space design and community engagement. Following an extensive review process, Milwaukee-based The Kubala Washatko Architects (TKWA) and Philadelphia-based OLIN were awarded the contract in January 2025, with community engagement being led by P3 Development Group. The project team also consists of representatives from Ring & DuChateau, B32º Engineering Group, KSingh, McEnroe Consulting Engineers, and Concord Group.
To learn more about the Red Arrow Park Redesign initiative, visit www.milwaukeedowntown.com.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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