Project Team for Milwaukee's New Downtown Area Plan Takes Shape

A new plan for Milwaukee's downtown will build on a "major renaissance" in the area since the approval of the last version of the plan in 2010.

1 minute read

September 7, 2021, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


A photo of the downtown skyline in Milwaukee, along the Milwaukee RIver.

James Meyer / Shutterstock

Jeramey Jannene provides an update on the process of creating a new Downtown Area Plan for Milwaukee—a process launched in March 2021 to update the previous plan, approved in 2010.

The Department of City Development is partnering with Milwaukee Downtown and the Business Improvement District #21 to create the Downtown Area Plan, now known as Connec+ing MKE 2040. Jannene's coverage of the story at the end of August shared news that Milwaukee-based P3 Development Group will manage equity and engagement in the process, and Milwaukee-based The Kubala Washatko Architects will provide urban design services, along with HNTB, American Design, Inc., and raSmith.

Jannene provides additional details about the contracts and funding necessary to complete the Downtown Area Plan, and also provides an update on the major projects proposed in previous iterations of the Downtown Area Plan.

"The 2010 plan called for eight catalytic projects, four of which have been implemented or are well underway," according to Jannene. "The city and partners have successfully created a streetcar system, reactivated W. Wisconsin Ave., improved the connection between Downtown and the Historic Third Ward along N. Broadway and strategized for the creation of a Lakefront Gateway district, once The Couture is completed, near E. Michigan St. and N. Lincoln Memorial Dr."

Tuesday, August 31, 2021 in Urban Milwaukee

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30 - Yale Environment 360