Supervisors Martinez, Zerpa, and Martin Disagree with ARPA Task Force Decision to Reject Funding the Mitchell Park Domes

On Thursday, September 8, the American Rescue Plan Act Task Force unanimously recommended rejection of a resolution, authored by Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez which would have appropriated $19 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to finance the Mitchell Domes rehabilitation.  

“I am disappointed that our historic domes weren’t guaranteed a future today. This landmark is not only beloved by the south side of Milwaukee, but it is an iconic structure that is enjoyed by visitors from around the world.” said Supervisor Dyango Zerpa. 

“This Task Force has spent millions of dollars on initiatives to ensure that houses in suburban Milwaukee aren’t falling into disrepair, potentially rushing foreclosures. They have taken care of our golf courses. Additionally, they’ve appropriated $20 million dollars for our Medical Examiner’s office to build a new facility. While I support Milwaukee County constructing a new facility for the Office of the Medical Examiner, and the Office of Emergency Management, pitting these two items against one another was a calculated way to justify not funding our Domes,” said Supervisor Martinez. “I fear that this historic structure will ultimately not be funded despite the incoming federal dollars. We need to do more to ensure its future. The Office of the Medical Examiner has offered autopsies to surrounding municipalities for below market value and has not always collected fees from those same municipalities according to a 2019 audit. I call on my colleagues on the County Board as well as the Office of the Medical Examiner to charge fees which would produce revenue to help fund this project. I consider this to be reasonably related to the actual and necessary cost of providing the service, as having a functioning space is a necessity. With common sense fiscal decisions, we can save our Domes!”

“We must find creative solutions to preserve a true jewel in the Milwaukee County Parks system,” said Supervisor Felesia Martin. “I am hopeful that generations to come will be able to enjoy the space to gather and view our one-of-a-kind plant collections.”

A 2019 audit of the Office of the Medical Examiner can be found here. 

The American Rescue Plan Act Task Force unanimously recommended appropriating $20 million for the planned purchase of a purpose-built Center for Forensic Science and Protective Medicine facility to house the Office of the Medical Examiner and the Office of Emergency Management at their most recent meeting. Additionally, the task force recommended putting $18 million into funding affordable housing in the suburbs earlier this year.

More about the Future of The Domes

• MKE County: Domes Project Lining Up Key Financing Component - Graham Kilmer - Feb 28th, 2025
• MKE County: Supervisor Adds Domes Project to 2025 Budget - Graham Kilmer - Oct 24th, 2024
• Supervisor Martinez Budget Amendment Advances “Domes Reimagined” Proposal - Sup. Juan Miguel Martinez - Oct 24th, 2024
• MKE County: Domes Group Proposes $133 Million Repair, Redevelopment - Graham Kilmer - Sep 3rd, 2024
• MKE County: New Domes Plan Expected This Summer - Graham Kilmer - Apr 22nd, 2024
• MKE County: New Plan Emerging To Save The Domes - Graham Kilmer - Nov 16th, 2023
• MKE County: Domes Costs Shock Supervisors - Graham Kilmer - Sep 12th, 2023
• Op Ed: Don’t Despair About the Domes - Emma Rudd - Aug 16th, 2023
• MKE County: Parks Launches Mitchell Park Campaign - Graham Kilmer - Jul 31st, 2023
• MKE County: New Firms Will Study Rehab, Replacement or Demo of The Domes - Graham Kilmer - Mar 18th, 2023

Read more about Future of The Domes here

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