I was doing some thinking the other day about what Milwaukee will look like at the end of this decade. We are just about to enter the second half of the decade and the city is already becoming more and more incredible. In the next 5-6 years much more is already on the table for Milwaukee city developments. Do you guys think that this decade will be known as one of our greatest in terms of city development? Just look at some of the stuff built or improved in this time span.

Midwest Airlines Center-one of the nicer convention centers
Potawatomi Casino improvements-A beautiful Casino that brings in good acts and alot of people on the weekends.
Miller Park-one of the United States best sports stadiums
Milwaukee Art Museum-a world landmark.
The Condo Boom-Countless condos all over downtown and the surrounding area including numerous medium high rises and skyscrapers.
The Milwaukee River-New condos all over, from the Beerline (created from scratch) to the Third Ward and Walkers Point.
The Completion of the RiverWalk/LakeWalk-Connects downtown with the surrounding areas, beautifies the riverfront.
The Completion of the Oak Leaf Trail-Hank Aaron State Trail-A bike path that connects all of Milwaukee. You can take a bike from almost any point in the city and ride to downtown and the lakefront.
Commuter rail to Chicago/Metra-Helps continue ties to our neighbor, who happens to be one of the worlds most important cities.
New Amtrak Train Station/Hiawatha Line-Beautiful gateway to people travelling to and from Chicago by train. Also, the line is having record numbers
The Marquette Interchange-A huge improvement for one of the most travelled and important roads in Wisconsin. Very stylish and a great addition.
Rebuilding and cleaning up in the Menomonee Valley-New businesses, high tech companies in this former huge, contaminated brownfield.
Lakeshore State Park-One of the first state parks in 20 years. Will bring in alot of people to Milwaukee. Adds to the recreation.
Harley Davidson Museum-Draw to a great deal of Harley enthusiasts, bring more life to the Valley.
Gentrification in Brewers Hill/Walkers Point-Former ghettos and industrial hells being inhabited by professionals who are helping renovate beautiful old houses and buy condos in an area were few people lived.
The Third Ward-More improvements and stores in this vibrant and historic area of Milwaukee.
The Park East Destorying a useless freeway and freeing room for all kinds of developments. Already, there are numerous condo developments ready to be built downtown. Will bring lots of life to the city.
Bronzeville/African Cultural Center-A huge benefit to a former vibrant African American area that became a ghetto. Will help make this area vibrant again.
Lake Express Ferry-High speed ferry to Michigan, brings people into Milwaukee who want to avoid Chicago.

I can go on and on. So much that I probally missed a whole lot of stuff. And the fun thing is that more is coming within this decade. What do you guys think?

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Rebuilding and cleaning up in the Menomonee Valley-New businesses, high tech companies in this former huge, contaminated brownfield.
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This is the one that interests me. Lots of jobs opening up instantly left and right is always good. Middle-class jobs mixed with high tech jobs opening at the same time is awesome!

This kind of a development is completely cool. The same goes for the tearing down of the interstate to make room for more living arrangments and jobs.

Menomonee Valley is my favorite though. That's just an awesome stride for that area of the city. More things like this need to happen all over.

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Rebuilding and cleaning up in the Menomonee Valley-New businesses, high tech companies in this former huge, contaminated brownfield.
<

This is the one that interests me. Lots of jobs opening up instantly left and right is always good. Middle-class jobs mixed with high tech jobs opening at the same time is awesome!

This kind of a development is completely cool. The same goes for the tearing down of the interstate to make room for more living arrangments and jobs.

Menomonee Valley is my favorite though. That's just an awesome stride for that area of the city. More things like this need to happen all over.

You're speaking my language here, ben. Condos and art museums and new restaurants are wonderful and important. But new family supporting jobs in the heart of what was for decades a rust belt eyesore is a sign of a city making fundamental changes. Long after the MAM addition has lost its luster (if it ever does) and the condos in the Third Ward get sold to second and third buyers, a revitalized Meno. Valley will continue to produce economic benefits to the city.

No. Despite all the strides Milwaukee has made, Milwaukee was still a "better" city overall from about 1920-1960.

You know Red, I was thinking the same thing. I wonder what Milwaukee could have been if these good changes were made 20-30 years ago. Honestly, what were the city officials doing for those 30 some years to let it get that bad? I'm greatly appreciative of the new additions to the city. I hope it continues for many years down the road.

No. Despite all the strides Milwaukee has made, Milwaukee was still a "better" city overall from about 1920-1960.

I meant development wise. Plus, 1920-1960 is 40 years. We got alot done so far in only 5.

Milwaukee still has a ton of other problems. We have a higher poverty rate than New Orleans for christsake. We have one of the highest murder rates, as well as lowest graduation rates and the highest teenage pregnancy rate. Alot of work is going to have to be done...but this stuff can help.

Another thing I thought of is....Milwaukee almost seems to be a city thats cool to live in, as opposed to ten years ago. Alot of major newspapers are giving the city its props--such as NY Times, Chicago Trib, Minneapolis Star Tribune, as well as some minor ones such as music scene magazines and online blogs.

Another thing you can add to that list above is Pier Wisconsin. An aquarium, futuristic displays and interactive exhibits, nautical displays, as well as docks that can handle cruise ships.

The 20-aughts (what are we calling this decade??) might not be Milwaukee's greatest decade ever, but it's certainly the best decade in the lifetimes of most Milwaukeeans. When you look at what has developed in this city since the late 1990s, and you look at what is in the development pipeline to be completed by 2010, you can see that even if half the proposed projects don't happen, this city will see more development in the 20-aughts than in all of the 1980s and 1990s.

If by 2010 we have reversed population loss (I think it's a possibility with new Hispanic and Asian immigration, and the Downtown condo market), we have a greater number of good jobs than we did in 2000, and we've seen measurable improvement in the schools, then I will be ready to say that the 20-aughts were Milwaukee's greatest decade ever.

you can add the milwaukee connector on...if it gets funded enough!

you can add the milwaukee connector on...if it gets funded enough!

It won't

^^ :(

but, the plan i saw wasnt to relaible anyways, so not the large of a loss



has milwaukee spent the most ever in the 00-10?

Milwaukee is an exciting place. Lots of nice things happening. But I don't know its history, so I don't know if this is the glory decade.

Don't forget about our two new high-rises along the lake. Those buildings will certainly stand out to visitors as defining our skyline.

Milwaukee's got so much going for it... let's hope we can keep it up!

I believe the 00-10 decade is taking steps toward revitalizing the important downtown and tousirm parts of our city. The last few decades all seem to be ones for the suburbs. Cities like oak creek, brookfield, and new berlin have just exploded in housing and businesses. The question i ask, is what caused all this to happen, the mayor? people of the city?

Yea jay, I would like to know the same thing. anybody have a clue?

Read these books:

The Making of Milwaukee - John Gurda

Greater Milwaukee's Growing Pains, 1950-2000: An Insider's View - Richard W. Cutler

The Wealth of Cities - John O. Norquist

The Mayor Who Made Milwaukee Famous: An Autobiography - Henry W. Maier

A Liberal in City Government: My Experience as Mayor of Milwaukee - Frank P. Zeidler

The Making of Milwaukee - John Gurda

Good book. Very extensive history... some things are left out though. All in all, I'd highly recommend it too. If you don't wanna buy it, just go to Borders and flip through the pages and stare at the pictures.

Read these books:

The Making of Milwaukee - John Gurda

Greater Milwaukee's Growing Pains, 1950-2000: An Insider's View - Richard W. Cutler

The Wealth of Cities - John O. Norquist

The Mayor Who Made Milwaukee Famous: An Autobiography - Henry W. Maier

A Liberal in City Government: My Experience as Mayor of Milwaukee - Frank P. Zeidler

Ill have to see where I can find most of those. Making of Milwaukee was a great source of information. Milwaukee really did seem special back in the 50's-60's.