Miller Park Area Revitalization
The area around the Milwaukee Brewer's Miller Park in West Milwaukee was pretty desolate for a long time. Canal Street was just a bunch of old dilapidated factories, train yards, and smoke stacks. That has been changing over the past few years though. Canal Street was given a boost by Potawatomi Casino. New development has been going on to improve the area on Canal and increase the draw to the area. This has been slow going. Canal Street came up to the top of everyone's minds last month with the disastrous explosion at Falk.
Another revitalization was started south of the Stadium to coincide with the opening of Miller Park. West Milwaukee has put a huge focus on improving Miller Park Way. What a great opportunity, and the village has taken advantage big time. If you haven't been over here, drive south from I-94 and check it out! In addition to the shops and buildings that have popped up over the past 5-7 years, there are new developments underway constantly. A good example is the old Hotpoint facility which is now a Pick'n Save. There is a new Menards underway as well. This area isn't just new shops either, the area includes long-term customers with new residential development as well. West Milwaukee continues to build on its vicinity to Miller Park. More opportunities are available here. Just look around for empty land, vacant factories, and under-utilized buildings.
And just for fun, check out the West Milwaukee web site to see video of the demolition of the Hot Point smoke stack: http://www.westmilwaukee.org/index_files/My%20Videos/100_0952.MOV
Another revitalization was started south of the Stadium to coincide with the opening of Miller Park. West Milwaukee has put a huge focus on improving Miller Park Way. What a great opportunity, and the village has taken advantage big time. If you haven't been over here, drive south from I-94 and check it out! In addition to the shops and buildings that have popped up over the past 5-7 years, there are new developments underway constantly. A good example is the old Hotpoint facility which is now a Pick'n Save. There is a new Menards underway as well. This area isn't just new shops either, the area includes long-term customers with new residential development as well. West Milwaukee continues to build on its vicinity to Miller Park. More opportunities are available here. Just look around for empty land, vacant factories, and under-utilized buildings.
And just for fun, check out the West Milwaukee web site to see video of the demolition of the Hot Point smoke stack: http://www.westmilwaukee.org/index_files/My%20Videos/100_0952.MOV
posted by Pete | 4:46:00 PM
4 Comments:
Hey Pete,
You should turn on word verification. Otherwise, hello. My name is Matt, and I also live in the Milwaukee area. I'm a teacher on the north side. Yes, in the ghetto (think Elvis here). My blog is a about a lot of the same things as yours. It's good to find yours. Keep writing!
- mjonthemove
Thanks for stopping by. I teach 9, 10, and 11th grade US and World History. It's always an adventure.
What is the land classified as to the east/southeast of Miller Park? Is it zoned industrial?? If so, the city would be wise to change that, and turn that surrounding area into a hotel area for Miller Park, complete with attractions such as: a nice restaurant, maybe a small shopping district. Not only would it improve the look of the neighborhood, and make it more lively, but it might be a great way to lure tourists. The #1 knock by visitors to Miller Park is that there is nothing to do nearby. If there was a hotel right behind the park, it would add to the view through the Miller Park windows. Also it it would be pretty accessible in that location. I'm thinking a 'gas light' style distict with a German feel to it. Maybe a microbrewery or two. The possibilities are endless. I think Milwaukee needs to keep its heritage as a beer making town and bring in the beermakers from all over the world. What about an annual beer maker's convention on the site in the proposed gaslight area??
The problem isn't zoning. I am sure Milwaukee would change any Zoning for the right development. They have been doing it for several projects over the past couple years. When is the last time you drove down Canal? Everything is new from 27th street to Miller Park. Granted, there aren't many businesses, but they are coming. Check out this story: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4196/is_20061207/ai_n16895137
As I recall, one of the problems was a major development plan that failed a few years back. But new plans continue to come in, including development of a 70 acre business park.
All it takes is a vision (and a little cash)...
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