Task force approves wedding garden, classrooms, farm-to-table restaurant at Domes, for $66M over 10 years

MILWAUKEE -- The Mitchell Park Domes Task Force on Tuesday, Aug. 13 voted to endorse a plan to restore the Domes, expand programming, and add amenities -- sending the recommendations to a Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors committee for approval.

Milwaukee County Board Chairman Theo Lipscomb said this in a news release Tuesday evening, after the vote:

Over the years, several options have been considered, including demolition of the Domes and even an adventure park, but the Domes Task Force proposed something else -- a recommendation to re-vamp the Domes, while still keeping the park true to its original purpose.

"All three of the Domes will be rehabilitated," said William Lynch, Domes Task Force chairman. "We're making the Domes more than just a place to see pretty plants."

The vision was outlined in a 160-page business and design plan, one that Lynch said would include an outdoor wedding garden, classrooms, a farm-to-table restaurant, a welcome center, event venue, and amphitheater -- creating an urban botanical park and conservatory with rotating, traveling horticulture events and recreational opportunities.

"It's a broad-based re-envisioning of Mitchell Park and the Domes for the next 50 years," said Lynch.

So what's the cost?

"$66 million in capital cost over a 10-year period," Lynch said.

Lynch said $13.5 million would come from county-issued bonds, another $13.5 million from private funding, and the rest from various sources.

"Using historic preservation tax credits, new market tax credits, and opportunity zone investing," said Lynch.

Lynch, who's been involved in the project since 2016, said the cost has drawn some pushback from critics.

"The main criticism I've heard is not a criticism of what we're proposing, but a, 'We can't do it' response, or, 'It's too expensive'," said Lynch.

Still, Lynch said he believes the possibilities for future generations will outweigh any initial expenses. Once complete, architects estimated it would create 300 on-site jobs, serving an expected 300,000 visitors a year, bringing in $160 million for the community over 10 years.

If approved by the Committee on Parks, Energy and Environment Sept. 10, the recommendation would next go to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors in late September.

If approved, architects estimated construction could begin as early as summer 2020, with major changes within the first five years.

Below is a statement from the "Save Our Domes Coalition" following Tuesday night's approval of this plan: