Milwaukee's iconic Mitchell Park Domes are set to undergo a significant restoration as county leaders approved funding. The Milwaukee County Board gave the green light, with a 15-2 vote, to authorize up to $30 million in capital funding to kick start the "Domes Reimagined" project, which aims to gradually restore the Show, Desert, and Tropical Domes. The plan, previously set in motion by a budget amendment last year, hinges on future approvals related to lease and development agreements with the Milwaukee Domes Alliance, according to a recent Milwaukee County news release.
"The neighbors of Mitchell Park deserve welcoming green spaces, and the Domes have long been a part of that landscape as well as a landmark feature of the community," County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson said in the statement. Complementing her views, County Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez, who represents the area and is the lead author of the legislation, noted that this move is "giving Milwaukeeans the progress they deserve." He stressed the community's enduring commitment to rejuvenating Mitchell Park and flagged the Domes preservation as a key component of this endeavor. "We will continue to take progressive action toward keeping that promise," Martinez added in a statement provided by Milwaukee County.
With this project in motion, county officials anticipate a significant cut in operational costs, saving an estimated $770,000 annually. The proposal sets forth a mix of public and private investment, with the County's financial commitment expected to leverage additional funding from private and philanthropic contributors. This partnership is seen as a critical step in moving the project forward while preserving a vital piece of Milwaukee's historical and cultural legacy.
The "Domes Reimagined" initiative aligns with Milwaukee County's strategic priorities, which emphasize racial and health equity, fiscal sustainability, and inclusive community investment. The project includes plans to restore the existing structures and to develop new educational and community spaces. "We are building something selfsustaining that brings people into the cultural heart of one of our beloved neighborhoods," Martinez mentioned in the news release.
Looking ahead, final decisions regarding the county’s investment are pending review by County Executive Crowley, with lease and development agreements expected to be addressed in upcoming County Board sessions. The approved legislation outlines continued support for the Mitchell Park Domes and related green space planning.
