Marcus Center parking garage, Milwaukee seeks development proposals
MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee leaders want to redevelop the current Marcus Center parking structure downtown – and requested proposals from the public Wednesday.
It's a space city leaders said is long overdue for an upgrade.
"We can do so much more with that space," said Lafayette Crump, the city's development commissioner. "It’s truly time to put something there, to utilize the space to its highest value."
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The parking structure off Water Street takes up an entire city block. The city expects a new development to still provide parking – but with possibly something more.
"Whether its more opportunities for art, restaurants, we’re always thinking about spaces to have more residential in the city of Milwaukee," Crump said.
Marcus Center parking garage
The city's Connec+ing MKE: Downtown Plan 2040 calls for transforming parts of downtown, including water street. Now, this project can be added to that list.
"It cannot just be government telling people what needs to happen, or developers have an idea and the city rubber-stamps it," said Crump. "We need community input because we’re building this city for the people who are here and the people who will come."
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Officials said the future use of the site is an "aggressive mixed-use development" that can link that downtown area with attractions on the west side of the Milwaukee River, such as Fiserv Forum and Pere Marquette Park.
"It’s an exciting time to be thinking about what else can happen in downtown Milwaukee," said Crump.
The city said all the proposals should be turned in by Dec. 15. Information about the project, including how to submit a proposal, is available on the city's website.
After that Dec. 15 deadline, leaders will assess them and seek community input again on the preferred proposal. Some changes could start happening by mid-2024.