Norquist’s contributions
With the Milwaukee Bucks about to play their first game in the new Fiserv Forum, it seems to me that John Norquist should receive credit for his lasting accomplishments during his years as mayor of the city of Milwaukee.
Norquist was instrumental in the demolition of the Park East freeway stub, opening the area for development. Had this not occurred, the new Fiserv Forum, built on part of the site of this former little used freeway stub, might not have become a reality.
Other development, such as the MSOE athletic structures and a hotel, would not have occurred either. Norquist was heavily criticized for his decision by conservative talk radio along with freeway advocate George Watts, who maintained that the destruction of the freeway stub would harm downtown businesses. In fact, just the opposite occurred.
Norquist was also instrumental in the establishment of the Riverwalk, deemed a waste of money by talk radio critics. The Riverwalk has become so popular that it is being extended and has proved to be a magnet for economic development both south and north of downtown.
And he requested that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation replace the Sixth Street Viaduct with a downward slope design rather than in its prior configuration, i.e. an elevated bridge. Conservative talk radio railed against the additional cost. Norquist maintained the street level concept would result in additional economic development. Without the downward slope providing easy access, the Harley Museum would never have been built in its current location nor would the related development south of the museum, such as the Iron Horse Hotel, occurred.
Sadly, one Norquist initiative that did not become a reality, thanks to opposition from talk radio, former Waukesha Executive Dan Finley and the Waukesha County Board, was a light rail system running from downtown Milwaukee to Waukesha County. In retrospect, this was missed opportunity as the path of the proposed rail system would have had stops near the Milwaukee County Zoo, State Fair Park, Miller Park, the Potawatomi Casino, the Harley Museum, and the Summerfest Grounds. With all these attractions, a light rail system would surely have been a success.
Dennis Sell Milwaukee