The Milwaukee County Board recently approved a resolution that calls for the creation of a Long-Range Lakefront Planning Committee to develop a vision for the lakefront near downtown Milwaukee.
The move comes as county officials try to decide what to do with the O’Donnell Park property, which needs to be replaced or repaired. The parking structure has been closed since a concrete slab fell off the façade last summer killing a teenage boy.
Some, including philanthropist Michael Cudahy, say the county should tear down much of the parking structure and pave the way for a significant development on the site near the lakefront, and the nearby transit center site.
“A number of individuals in this community have expressed a desire to recreate the lakefront near downtown Milwaukee. I agree that a broad vision that includes input from all stakeholders is necessary to develop the best possible path for moving forward,” said Supervisor Pat Jursik. “The creation of this new committee establishes the proper process to develop a long range plan and realize the agreed upon vision.”
The committee will be chaired by the Parks Director Sue Black, and include one Milwaukee County Supervisor, the Milwaukee County Economic Development Director, the City of Milwaukee Commissioner of City of Development, a representative from the Milwaukee Common Council, and representatives from other stakeholders at the lakefront, including the War Memorial Center, Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World, Lakefront Development Advisory Commission, Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, UWM School of Architecture and Urban Planning, and Summerfest.
“This establishes a truly long-range strategic planning process,” Jursik said. “The committee will provide an open forum for all stakeholders to create a common vision for the future of our lakefront.”
The final plan will be submitted to the County Board by December 2012 and include recommendations on the future of O’Donnell Park and the Downtown Transit Center.
