Author: Editor

The waterway cuts through the heart of Milwaukee and was one of its founding rivers, yet it supports no aquatic life and unsuccessful flood management efforts of the 1960s transformed it into a graffiti covered concrete channel that resembles a drainage canal today. One of the three intersecting rivers that drew traders and settlers to build Milwaukee along its riverbank, the Kinnickinnic (KK) River has been referred to a Milwaukee’s Lost River in modern times. Flowing through Southside neighborhoods, the river can easily be mistaken for a a concrete drainage ditch. In 2011, workers removed 1,000 feet of concrete...

A comprehensive exhibit at the Milwaukee County Historical Society opened to the public on May 18 and features 50 years of Summerfest memories. The display illustrate decades of festival highlights through large graphic panels, interactive components and displays of original posters, banners, and vintage memorabilia. Visitors can dig deep into Summerfest’s history, from its “founding fathers” to the world-class musicians that make it the festival it is today. “My favorite part of the exhibit was reading the old newspaper clippings. They offer a really interesting context. We take Summerfest for granted now, like it was inevitable and happens every...

Work is finally underway for Milwaukee’s new streetcar system, as the three month process of track installation began on May 17. Beginning down the block from the Amtrak Intermodal Transit Station, and across from the U.S. Post Office on St. Paul Avenue, the northbound lanes of Broadway between Clybourn Street and Kilbourn Avenue were closed to traffic. Broadway was reduced to a single southbound lane between Clybourn Street and Kilbourn Avenue. Crews tore out 8-foot sections of the street, creating a 2-foot deep trench through the roadway center. After the rails are installed, the area will be repaved. Holes...

Sculpture Milwaukee, an outdoor urban sculpture experience in downtown Milwaukee, began installations for its June 1 to October 22 viewing season. Featuring 22 sculptures by 21 artists, the pieces will be positioned along Wisconsin Avenue from 6th Street to O’Donnell Park when the work is completed by the end of May. All the art is free to the public, and the installations include internationally renowned artists such as Santiago Calatrava, Tony Cragg, Alison Saar, Joel Shapiro and Jessica Stockholder, as well as three Milwaukee-based artists, Michelle Grabner, Paul Druecke and Jason S. Yi. Sculptures range in size and material,...