New public art project slated for Bay View neighborhood

MILWAUKEE -- David John Dombrowski worked for the City of Milwaukee for years, and left his entire estate to the City of Milwaukee's Department of Public Works. Half of it will fund a project the designer says will be an iconic landmark in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood.

By early 2013, a public art project in the form of a bus shelter will sit in the area of Lincoln, Kinnickinnic and Howell Avenues. The area is considered a booming and vibrant business district.

Roman Montoto is designing the "Bay View Art Stop" -- a project made from 100% renewable energy.

"We feel this is perhaps the best way to honor someone like Mr. Dombrowski who has been so generous to this community. I've seen some public art bus shelters before, but nothing anywhere near the magnitude that this project will be," Milwaukee Alderman Tony Zielinski said.

There will be a plaque at the site, honoring Dombrowski.

Zielinski says he believes the project will help promote business development and spur economic growth.

"It will increase the foot traffic and further promote the revitalization of this important business strip," Zielinski said.

Groundbreaking for the project is slated to begin before summer's end. The total cost of the project is around $200,000.