A Flurry of Expansion Plans for Milwaukee Arts Institutions

In Milwaukee, Jeramey Jannene writes, "The greater downtown building boom extends to more than new apartment complexes. Four of the city's largest arts and culture organizations are in the process of constructing new buildings or additions. A number of other major projects are waiting in the wings."

"The most notable project is without a doubt the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's $80 million plan to transform the empty Warner Grand Theatre into a music hall." Other plans include a new building for the Milwaukee Ballet, an addition to science and technology center Discovery World, and additional improvements to the Milwaukee Art Museum, which recently completed an addition of its own.

"Two other projects are in their early stages. VISIT Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Center District are planning a $200 million expansion of the convention center and the Milwaukee Public Museum is in the early stages of planning an entirely new building."

Jannene ascribes all this energy to a booming stock market, changing demographics, and the need to attract new audiences.