Mitchell Park Domes, Milwaukee County leaders mull 'frightening' costs
Mitchell Park Domes, leaders mull costs
Milwaukee County Parks presented options for the future of the Mitchell Park Domes ? and what it will cost ? to a county board committee Tuesday.
MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee County Parks presented options for the future of the Mitchell Park Domes – and what it will cost – to a county board committee Tuesday, Sept. 12.
Supervisors said they were stunned when they got the numbers, saying the county just does not have the money. What's next might be up to the public.
"It’s a beloved landmark," said Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman.
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For more than 50 years, the Mitchell Park Domes have welcomed thousands of visitors. But is it time to say goodbye? The county said the domes are deteriorating, and supervisors are weighing what's next.
"Really faced the reality that costs are killing us – and costs are potentially causing the destruction of this property is just very sad," Wasserman said.
Mitchell Park Domes
The parks department presented the county board's Committee on Parks and Culture with four options.
- $4.7 million: Demolish the Mitchell Park Domes.
- $22 million: Repair all three Mitchell Park Domes.
- $49-53 million: Restore just one Dome and construct a new conservancy and event center.
- $67 million: Total restoration of the Mitchell Park Domes.
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"These costs are just frightening," said Supervisor Steven Shea.
"We’re really at a precipice – at a point where we are making a huge decision for Milwaukee County," Wasserman said. "To hear these costs, we just don’t have the money."
Wasserman wants to let the public decide, saying they plan to look into a binding referendum. It means the public could vote for the option it wants.
"They will actually have to increase their own property taxes on it, so they will make the financial decision. They will bear the cost," said Wasserman.
The committee did not make a decision Tuesday as it grapples that the cheapest decision could mean tearing down the domes.
The next step will be a public hearing at the Domes; a date is not yet set.