"It's been really frustrating:" Should it stay, or go? Strong opinions on both sides over Estabrook Dam

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The debate continues over what to do about the Estabrook Park Dam. It has been in disrepair for years, and whether to keep it will likely send Milwaukee County and a group of homeowners to court.

At Estabrook Park, away from the bike trail and playing fields is the Milwaukee River -- once held back by the Estabrook Dam.

Even though the flood gates are open, the 80-year-old span of concrete has done a good job of separating two distinct viewpoints.

So should it go, or should it stay?

Cheryl Nenn with Milwaukee Riverkeeper says the dam is overdue for demolition.

"It really should be a no-brainer. It's better for the river. It's better for fish passages, for water quality to remove it. It decreases the flooding potential," Nenn said.

Thomas Gehl represents a group of riverside homeowners who want the dam to stay.

"The costs have been severely misquoted all the way along. This is a unique environmental habitat. The county supervisors have always had a majority of people supporting repair. If you get rid of it, you get rid of the lake that has naturally been here. That's the big issue," Gehl said.

Nenn says the dam's fate has never been part of a single vote. Repairs were part of a larger county budget which included a list of so-called "major capital projects."

In February, county supervisors approved repairs. Then, County Executive Chris Abele reversed that approval, and last week, the County Board vetoed Abele's decision.

"It's been really frustrating. The dam, we feel has been inserted into these budget and bonding measures where people felt they've had to pass it for other reasons and there really hasn't been a clear vote on the dam itself," Nenn said.

The Department of Natural Resources acknowledges the dam's poor condition and DNR officials have told Milwaukee officials to either fix it or get rid of it.

"The court may have a role if an agreement can't be reached on it. People haven't heard the whole story," Gehl said.

At this point, it appears repairs may be made, unless a judge decides otherwise.