Latest: Preserve Our Parks will not appeal court decision over Couture project

MILWAUKEE -- Preserve Our Parks will not appeal a court decision that would allow Milwaukee County to sell its Downtown Transit Center for development of the Couture high-rise apartment project on downtown Milwaukee's lakefront.

The Milwaukee Business Journal reports that the parks organization for years has opposed the development on grounds that much of the transit center property was formerly part of Lake Michigan, and is protected from private development. The decision not to appeal the lawsuit clears a major hurdle for the $122 million Couture high-rise, with apartments, retail space and a streetcar station.

Preserve Our Parks President John Lunz sent an email on Tuesday regarding the decision not to appeal the case. It said the following:

"We will continue to oppose any private development of public park lands or any further privatization of Milwaukee’s public lakefront."


County Executive Chris Abele released the following statement on the on Preserve Our Parks’ decision:

"This is an important day for Milwaukee County. I want to thank Preserve Our Parks for their decision that will now allow the Couture project to move forward quickly. The Couture is a truly historic project that will change the skyline of Milwaukee, put thousands of people to work, and greatly improve the public’s access to our Lakefront."




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