Lee Matz, Author at Milwaukee Independent

Fortress Milwaukee: A look at the redevelopment of a historic Brewer’s Hill landmark

Posted by Lee Matz | Apr 2, 2018 |

One of Milwaukee’s most recognizable historic buildings is currently undergoing a major restoration. The Wisconsin-based Alexander Company is rehabilitating the 125-year-old Milwaukee Fortress, transforming it into a hub for a vibrant new community. The adaptive reuse project plans to turn the roughly 193,000 square-foot building into apartments and commercial space located in the Brewer’s Hill neighborhood on the edge of Downtown. The Fortress is a six-story red brick structure and one of Milwaukee’s most recognizable buildings. Originally built in 1892, the Fortress has seen several additions in the years leading up to 1912. The result created a distinct masonry...

After half century Milwaukee is again home to a Streetcar

Posted by Lee Matz | Mar 29, 2018 |

The first of five vehicles for the $128 million streetcar system was delivered to Milwaukee on March 26, welcomed by a jubilant crowd of dozens of area residents. The 67-foot long, 83,000-pound streetcar traveled almost four days from its Brookville Equipment Corp. manufacturing plant in Pennsylvania by a special flatbed truck, and was unloaded onto a stretch of rails along W. St. Paul Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets. Operating from a limited battery charge, the streetcar was driven a few hundred yards into its new home, the Operations and Maintenance Facility recently built underneath the Interstate 794 overpass....

Massive crowd of Milwaukee families march to save their kids from guns

Posted by Lee Matz | Mar 26, 2018 |

© NOTICE: Please do not download these photos and re-post to social media. All images from this published editorial feature can be found on the Milwaukee Independent Facebook Page. Those versions of these pictures are identical, but have been © watermarked for attribution and can be shared on social media. Direct Link to FB Album “Watching the amazing young people who are leading the way forward in this country, I can’t help but feel inspired by the next generation. My former boss, President Obama, told these students they’ve awakened the nation’s conscience. But the question is, what will the rest...

Milwaukee formalizes Sister City status with Ukraine’s Irpin

Posted by Lee Matz | Mar 23, 2018 |

“Whereas, Milwaukee and Irpin, sharing a common interest in education, health care and business, and the desire to promote mutual understanding among our citizens do herby proclaim themselves Sister Cities beginning on December 19, 2017, the date of the Milwaukee Common Council resolution establishing the Sister City relationship became effective.” – agreement signed in English and Ukrainian languages Milwaukee and Irpin, Ukraine signed a Sister City agreement to foster friendship and collaboration between the two municipalities on March 15. The ceremony was held in the City Hall Common Council Chambers. The City of Milwaukee’s Sister Cities Committee Chair Alderman...

Connecting Black and Jewish history with modern repercussions on Civil Rights Tour

Posted by Lee Matz | Mar 19, 2018 |

The Jewish Museum Milwaukee organized a bus tour through historic Milwaukee Civil Rights sites on March 11, in predominantly African American and Jewish communities like the Haymarket area and Sherman Park. Dominic Inouye, the founder of ZIP MKE and contributing columnist with the Milwaukee Independent, led the excursion that connected a span of decades. He shared stories about local landmarks, including where Jewish synagogues had once existed. Stops included visits to the Wisconsin Black Historical Society and Museum with a talk by its foundering director Clayborn Benson III, and a session with Sheri Williams Pannell, Artistic Associate of First...