Hotel accused of racism is again denied new sign
A Milwaukee hotel accused of discriminating against city residents is again being denied its request for a new sign.
The Comfort Suites Milwaukee-Park Place needs Common Council approval to build a stand-alone monument sign next to the hotel building at 10831 W Park Place, on the city’s far northwest side.
The council’s Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee in December recommended against that proposal.
That came after committee members learned that the hotel does not rent rooms to people who live within a 30-mile radius of it — with Ald. Russell Stamper calling that a “racist policy.”
In February, the council unanimously passed an ordinance barring Milwaukee hotels from refusing service to guests based on where they live.
That legislation’s chief sponsor was Ald. Chantia Lewis, who was turned away from the location because she is a Milwaukee resident.
With that new ordinance now in effect, Comfort Suites is again seeking approval for the monument sign.
That zoning change was recommended for approval last week by the Plan Commission, on a 6-0 vote, and is supported by Mayor Tom Barrett’s Department of City
Development.
But the zoning committee on Tuesday voted 4-0 to place the proposal on file — effectively killing it.
Stamper, a committee member, again referred to the hotel’s actions as racist. And Ald. Bob Bauman, said he didn’t approve of the sign’s design.
That vote led Joshua Gimbel, the hotel’s attorney, to ask how the committee’s decision can be appealed.
Ald. Khalif Rainey, committee chair, told Gimbel he would be provided with that information.
The hotel is operated by Anup Patel of the Schaumburg, Illinoisbased Monona Lodging Inc., city property records show.