Milwaukee

Hi everyone, I run near-weekly board game nights at the Festival Foods grocery store in West Allis, WI for the purpose of fostering community, keeping our minds sharp by learning new games, and defeating loneliness in a fun way. I've also recently branched out into organizing dinners for the group (we go Dutch, though, to be clear), which you can still join even if you don't care for board games.

You are all welcome, even if you don't live in West Allis! For those who prefer it, I also duplicate all events on FB for users' convenience: https://www.facebook.com/groups/westallisboardgames

We normally get a minimum of 4-7 attendees every single time. The headcount has never gone higher than 14. The food court can take 24 people if it were to be totally crammed; I counted the seats!

Milwaukee Film Festival 2025 runs from April 24 until May 8. This year’s Festival will feature about 200 short and feature-length documentary and fiction films.

The Mama Tried Motorcycle Show should be great. I'm going to Flat-out Friday tomorrow.

It’s been more than a year since the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee Public Schools missed the state-mandated deadline to place police officers in schools. A judge recently imposed a new deadline of Feb. 17, but it appears this deadline won’t be met either.

I grew up hearing his commentary on Brewer's games... Possibly one of the few sportscasters I can actually name...

From the Article:

On Monday, Riverwest coffee shop The Daily Bird, 818 E. Center St., announced it was closing its doors. “We have made the difficult decision to close our doors starting tomorrow, 11/04/2024,” read a social media post. “While we hope to reopen as soon [as] possible, we’re unsure of when that will be.”

Well, “when that will be” turns out to be two days. On Wednesday, The Daily Bird announced it will reopen on Thursday.

“WE’RE BACK WE’RE BACK WE’RE BACK,” reads a new social media post. “Tomorrow, 11/07/2024, we’re reopening! We can’t wait to welcome you back! Thank you for your patience and support while we took a little break. Stoked to see y’alls face again!”

The post goes on to explain that “100% of bumper sticker sales will be going to recoup lost wages.” Also, likely in response to various comment sections: “The cafe is still yellow, we’re still not Fuel, and we’re still going to be closing at 2 p.m.”

From the Article:

The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Thursday to approve a budget amendment that provides key funding for a plan to save, renovate and expand the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory Domes.

The amendment codifies a financial commitment of $30 million to be paid over six years with a future start date to be determined. The funding is not included in the 2025 county budget.

You can read about the details of the Domes Reimagined plan – a partnership between the Friends of the Domes, Milwaukee County Parks and Madison-based real estate developer The Alexander Company – in this article.

The $134 million plan – which would restore the threatened Domes, build an addition and add amenities like a children’s garden, cafe, expanded gift shop and nature learning center – was presented to the board in September and th board’s Finance Committee unanimously approved the budget amendment at its October meeting, sending the matter to the full Board of Supervisors.

“The Domes have been facing an existential crisis for years,” said Christa Beall Diefenbach, executive director of Friends of the Domes. “Today’s vote changes that. We now have a path forward that ensures The Domes remain a horticultural oasis for generations to come.

From the Article:

Brewing giant Molson Coors, the parent company of Miller Brewing Company, confirmed Wednesday it will shutter its 10th Street Brewery near downtown Milwaukee and the historic Leinenkugel’s brewery in Chippewa Falls.

The closures are a cost-cutting move for the publicly-traded company, which reported a quarterly net sales decrease of 7.8% and a 39.1% drop in quarterly income to $331 million.

They also come as the brewing giant is about to end a long-time brewing agreement with Pabst.

“Following the end of a large contract brewing agreement and amid an ongoing canning line investment project at our Milwaukee brewery, we’ve made the decision to close two of our smaller brewing operations in Wisconsin and centralize statewide production at our main site in Milwaukee,” said Chief Supply Chain Officer Brian Erhardt in a statement. “While never easy, these choices are made with much thought and consideration to position Molson Coors for continued success in Wisconsin and beyond.”

Molson Coors will continue to make the beers produced in each brewery at its State Street Brewery, the large Milwaukee brewery in the Miller Valley, and other breweries across the country. In a state-subsidized move, Molson Coors made several investments and job relocations to support the brewing and administrative functions at Miller’s historic headquarters. The brewing conglomerate, legally created in 2016, is headquartered in Chicago, but has more than 1,100 employees in the Miller Valley.

From the Article:

City of Milwaukee officials are ready for the city to take center stage in the 2024 election.

With Wisconsin viewed as a pivotal swing state, Milwaukee could deliver the decisive votes to decide the state’s winner. Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee filed a lawsuit Monday morning against the city for what it alleges is improperly restricting observer access to polling places (detailed in a subsequent article).

Milwaukee, as it has in several past elections, is expected to finish processing and report its absentee ballots after midnight. Given the size of the Democratic-leaning city and its use of a centralized absentee-counting facility, the city’s absentee reporting will likely give a major late-night boost to Kamala Harris.

As they attempted to do in 2020 amidst a sea of conspiracy theories about ballot printing, late-night dumps and machine manipulation, city officials are attempting to explain to the public how the process works proactively. That includes emphasizing that the votes it will report last are almost entirely already in hand.

“As of this morning, we have over 105,000 absentee ballots,” said Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director Paulina Gutiérrez in a press conference Monday morning. That includes 67,735 in-person early votes. Additional absentee ballots are expected to continue to arrive by mail or via drop boxes. “They will continue to come in until 8 p.m. on election day.”

There is a cap on how many ballots the city could receive back. According to Wisconsin Elections Commission data, the city has issued 113,487 absentee ballots. That’s down from the approximately 169,000 absentee votes cast in the pandemic-altered 2020 election. The city’s late-night absentee reporting in that election pushed Joe Biden ahead of Donald Trump, which seen as suspicious by some supporters of Trump, who had spent that campaign demonizing absentee voting. In 2024, Democrat and Republican candidates alike have pushed for early voting, leading to the city surpassing Gutiérrez’s earlier estimate of 80,000 absentee votes in the city.

From the Article:

We know who Brett Favre and Buzz Aldrin will vote for on November 5. We know who Liz Cheney and Cardi B will vote for on November 5. But who will Milwaukee’s homegrown power-walking and oft-shirtless superhero, the Milverine, vote for on November 5?

According to his Instagram account, Milverine is voting for Kamala Harris.

“Princess and me both endorse this message,” reads the caption to a Thursday night post of a pro-Harris sidewalk stencil. (Princess is Milverine’s dog.)

From the Article:

It will be easy to roll up to your polling place in Milwaukee on election day.

Dockless electric scooter provider Lime and bike-sharing nonprofit Bublr Bikes will both provide free rides on Nov. 5.

It’s part of a longstanding practice from both entities. Lime reports having provided more than 90,000 free or “low-cost” rides on election days in more than 12 countries. Bublr has made free rides available for several years on election day.

Lime riders will be able to get up to two free rides to or from a polling police by using the code “VOTE2024” in the Lime smartphone application. The offer is already in effect to promote early voting.

Because Bublr operates a dock-based system, its free rides are a bit more wide open. The first 30 minutes of any ride are free on election day. Individuals can take advantage of the offer by downloading the BCycle app, creating a Bublr Bikes account and checking out a bike. Those with questions can call 414-931-1121. The free rides are sponsored by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.

“As a community-supported bikeshare, we believe it’s our responsibility to offer free rides to the polls for residents of greater Milwaukee. Having access to a vehicle should not be a factor in casting your ballot; we hope Bublr Bikes can alleviate that burden,” said Bublr Bikes Executive Director Laura Bolger.

From the Article:

Early in his construction career, Ryan Olson was on a site near Minneapolis. An old farmhouse stood in the path of the crew’s project. He took the controls of a 40-ton excavator. A couple swings of the bucket later, it was game over for the farmhouse, and game on for Olson’s new career path.

“It kind of piqued my curiosity and my interest in wrecking things,” he says. “I got my first opportunity to destroy something with a medium-sized piece of equipment, and I was hooked.”

Fast forward 26 years and Olson has the impressive title of senior director of demolition, operations and business development for Veit, a 96-year-old Minnesota company. In recent years Veit has expanded operations to Wisconsin and become the go-to as Milwaukee’s appetite for destruction has grown.

These are no humdrum buildings but places that formed core memories for legions of Milwaukeeans: the Bradley Center, former home of the Bucks; McCormick Hall, the beer-can shaped dormitory at Marquette; two towers that formed part of Northwestern Mutual’s Downtown campus; and many others. 

Next on its hit list: the rotting carcass of Northridge Mall. Veit in June won a contract to raze the sprawling complex for $10.7 million. It comes as the city took ownership of the property after decades of legal wrangling following the mall’s closure in 2003. Since then, it’s sat empty and unused, a magnet for graffiti artists, drugged-out temporary residents and critters. 

The Northridge project shows the company’s work isn’t always flashy. The main task will come with months and months of preparation, including clearing out asbestos and other nasty leftovers.

From the Article:

The Universities of Wisconsin system is getting ready to launch its search for a new chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as Mark Mone prepares to step down from his role next year.

Board of Regents President Amy Bogost said at the board's Sept. 26 meeting that members of a search and screen committee to identify Mone’s successor are expected to be announced in early to mid-October. The Milwaukee Business Journal reached out to the UW System for additional information; no further details regarding the committee were provided.

The composition of the committee is one of the early steps in the UW System’s search for a chancellor.

The committee will include at least three regents who are part of a special regent committee in charge of the selection process for a replacement, as well as five non-regent members who must include at least two faculty representatives, one staff representative from the institution, one student and one community and/or alumni member.

One of the regents will serve as chair of the committee, and one of the faculty members will be selected as the committee vice chair.

The search and screen committee is responsible for conducting interviews of semifinalists before the special regent committee determines the finalists who will be invited to continue in the selection process.

Mone plans to step down from his role effective July 1, 2025. He will return to his professorship with the school’s Lubar College of Business at that time. He took over the position in December 2014 following the departure of the late Michael Lovell, who became the president at Marquette University.

Mone is the ninth chancellor in UWM’s 68-year history.

From the Article:

A critical section of the Oak Leaf Trail running along the Root River Line has been temporarily closed.

The trail runs underneath Highway 100 in Wauwatosa, offering bicyclists and pedestrians a safe crossing underneath the six-lane state trunk highway.

Milwaukee County Parks closed the trail under Highway 100 to perform maintenance on a bridge, but the closure was recently extended into the “foreseeable future” as engineering crews “inspect and repair structural concerns” along the bridge.

There’s a metal cover over the bridge, but Parks doesn’t want Oak Leaf Trail users crossing the bridge right now “out of an abundance of caution,” Peter Bratt, director of skilled trades and operations told Urban Milwaukee.

Parks has suggested a detour on its interactive Oak Leaf Trail map, with trail users crossing Highway 100 along W. Watertown Plank Road.

The Root River Line, which is now cut off at Highway 100, runs north and south through the southwestern quarter of the county. It offers connections to other sections of the more than 135-mile trail network.

From the Article:

Urban Ecology Center in Riverside Park has partnered with Two Birds Event Group to operate its new 300-person Prairie Springs on Park event hall, 1420 E. Park Pl., that’s part of the $8.2 million Riverland Project.

You can read more about the project, including an in-depth look at the history of the cream city brick former industrial building that is being renovated into the hall, in this Urban Spelunking article.

“We are thrilled to partner with Two Birds to bring the Urban Ecology Center's vision for Prairie Springs on Park to life in the spring of 2025,” says UEC Executive Director Jen Hense.

“We admire Ramsey (Renno), Tyler (Curran) and their team's approach to creating memorable spaces and events across Milwaukee and look forward to working together."

Two Birds operates The Ivy House, The Starling and The Society venues as well as a number of events-related businesses. It recently announced another riverside events space called The Rivulet.

From the Article:

The first indoor pickleball facility in the city of South Milwaukee's could open in October after the Common Council approved the transformation of a former team soccer venue.

The plan to bring the $2.5 million Premier Pickleball Center to 305 N. Chicago Ave. will come after conditions imposed by the Common Council have been met, according to Patrick Brever, city administrator for South Milwaukee.

"I think the applicant has expressed agreement and understanding of the conditions imposed by our Plan Commission and Common Council. The applicant has what they need to move forward in order to open," Brever said.

Franklin businessman Guriqbal Sra owns the property. R.H. Chou & Associates will serve as the architect and designer for the project.

The facility has been planned to feature 12 pickleball courts inside the 40,000-square-foot space. The building would also include an event space, a 100-seat restaurant opened daily and a 10-piece gym and locker rooms, according to city documents.

Brever said the city has been told that the facility will open in October to capture high interest in the indoor pickleball season with the aim to open a third-party restaurant with a supper club concept within the facility by Nov. 1.

From the Article:

Changes could be coming soon to more than one White House.

Milwaukee’s own White House, located at 2900 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., is on the market.

The 4,800-square-foot building has been a presence in Bay View for more than 130 years. Now, owner and proprietor Allison Meinhardt is seeking a new leader to take the helm. The property is listed for $1.6 million.

That price tag includes all commercial restaurant equipment on the premises, including a walk-in cooler, stove, 50 antique chairs, antique sofas, glassware and more, according to the listing.

The development comes less than a year after Meinhardt announced significant changes to the venue, which transitioned to hosting events exclusively in early 2024. The move also brought changes to The White House’s eponymous restaurant, which was remodeled and replaced by SAGE, a modern American concept, in February.

The restaurant, opened in partnership with Alexander Stewart, emphasizes vegetable-forward dishes made with seasonal ingredients and colorful presentation. As of Friday afternoon, SAGE had not announced any upcoming changes to its operation.

From the Article:

Milwaukee’s streetcar system, The Hop, recorded 49,573 rides in August 2024. That works out to an average of 1,599 rides per day. August 2024 ridership was up slightly from August 2023, when 47,552 rides were recorded.

The Hop recorded 63,383 trips in July 2024—the highest monthly ridership of the year. That number was down slightly from previous Julys, however, thanks to low ridership during the Republican National Convention.

Prepare to argue.

From the Article:

Remember when Milwaukee pizza stalwart Pizza Man left its 10-year Downer Avenue home in March 2023? Remember when it then moved to the former Stubby’s Gastrogrub space on Humboldt Avenue/Boulevard? Remember when that location closed after only one year? Remember when it was then revealed that Pizza Man was coming back to its old location on Downer Avenue? Weird!

Anyway, Pizza Man’s “back-to-Downer” story is nearly complete. According to signs posted on the business’ windows, a grand opening is set for Friday, September 27. That’s tomorrow!

“Our remodeled space is almost ready, and we can’t wait to show you what’s in store!” reads a social media post from three days ago. “Stay tuned for a sneak peek of the new Pizza Man Downer look—it’s going to be better than ever!”

So there you go! Pizza Man is opening on Downer! Again! Under new ownership, apparently, so, um, let’s hope it lasts more than a year? (Pizza Man’s Wauwatosa location remains open.)

From the Article:

One of the great local losses of recent years is the loss of the Milwaukee PBS Great TV Auction. A hypnotically watchable and delightfully homegrown staple since 1969, the Great TV Auction was put out to pasture by Milwaukee PBS in 2019. No more overbids. No more table captains. No more handsomely framed photos of Brett Favre and Bart Starr. Boo.

Happily, old auctions in all their live-local-TV glory can be found on YouTube. One recently caught our eye: Behold, a Great TV Auction from 1987, featuring the usual assortment of donated goodies (Summerfest stuff, Wisconsin Dells stuff, a handsomely framed photo of Gorman Thomas and Pete Vuckovich), plus a Waukesha “dream home”!

From the Article:

A coalition of local officials and business leaders gathered at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport Friday to stump for federal funding for a new international terminal.

Airport officials have been working on a new international terminal project for years, initially securing funding in 2017. But the project was paused when the COVID-19 pandemic devastated air travel, and the ensuing inflationary pressures pushed the estimated project cost beyond the previously secured funding award. The estimated cost was approximately $53 million in 2017. Now that number is closer to $80 million, said Airport Director Brian Dranzik.

The airport and Milwaukee County are working with federal officials and powerful local business interests to revive the project with federal funding made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The airport has applied for a competitive grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that could help close the approximately $30 million budget gap, Dranzik said at a press conference Friday.

The project is expected to boost travel in and out of Milwaukee Mitchell, leading to more flight options for leisure and business travelers alike; and boosting the local economy through increased tourism and efficiency for local companies doing business internationally.

“The real message that we want folks to understand is that in order to redevelop this particular concourse, Concourse E, it’s going to take the federal funds to do it,” County Executive David Crowley said. The county’s already troubling financial position has worsened over the past year, as a confluence of factors — including poor sales tax returns — have widened budget gaps in this year and next.

If funding is secured, the airport will redevelop Concourse E, shuttered in 2017, into a new two-gate facility for both domestic and international travel. The current international terminal is small, outdated and disconnected from the airport’s main building complex, presenting logistical challenges for international travelers and airlines alike. It was built in 1975 and has a capacity of 140 passengers, which is lower than the 200-person capacity of larger Boeing 767 and 787 aircraft used for long flights.