Downtown dog park development proceeding
The development of a long-awaited dog park for the growing number of downtown Milwaukee residents is proceeding, with plans to open this summer.
It is proposed for a parcel the Wisconsin Department of Transportation owns beneath I-794, south of West Clybourn Street between the Milwaukee River and North Plankinton Avenue.
The park would upgrade what is now a vacant lot — providing both a badly needed service for downtown dog owners, and a more welcoming site for people entering downtown from I-794’s Plankinton Avenue exit, said Matt Dorner, of the Milwaukee Downtown Business Improvement District.
Dorner, the district’s economic development director, spoke about the project at Thursday’s board meeting of the city Redevelopment Authority.
The board approved a plan to provide city funds for a RiverWalk in connection with the dog park, as well as two other RiverWalk improvements.
That proposal, which needs Common Council approval, would spend $1.35 million on the projects. The cash would come from property tax revenue generated by private riverfront developments.
The new projects include a RiverWalk in connection with the future Admiral’s Wharf apartments, planned for 234 S. Water St., and an improved ramp on the RiverWalk next to Rexnord Corp.’s future headquarters, under construction at 105-111 W. Michigan St.
Around $200,000 would pay for a RiverWalk that would be part of the dog park,103 W. Clybourn St.
The downtown business improvement district is negotiating a 20-year lease of the dog park site with DOT and Milwaukee County, which manages the DOT property, Dorner said.
Dorner told the Journal Sentinel that the district hopes to begin construction of the dog park by early summer, and have it open later this summer.
The site, now a gravel lot, just needs fencing and other minor improvements, Dorner said. The RiverWalk portion would be provided on the ground, and not extend over the river — which greatly reduces its costs, he said.
The district, which is funded by special assessments on downtown commercial property owners, hopes to fund the dog park in part with corporate sponsors and individual donors.
Downtown residents who own dogs have for years been seeking a dog park. That demand has increased with the rapidly growing number of new apartments.
“We know it has resonated as a need in the downtown community,” said Dorner —himself the owner of a Yorkie.
Downtown has parks. But dogs sometimes aren’t welcome, even when on the leash, when there are concerts and other events.
The closest area to downtown where dogs can run off the leash is Roverwest Dog Exercise Area, at 3243 N. Weil St., in the Riverwest neighborhood.
The lot beneath I-794 has been considered for a dog park since at least 2017.
But, as talks with DOT officials moved slowly, the Downtown Neighbors Association of Milwaukee Inc. proposed a dog park at the former BMO Harris Bradley Center site.
That parcel is controlled by the owners of the Milwaukee Bucks. They instead plan to eventually create commercial development there — including a possible hotel.
Dorner said Thursday that negotiations have been proceeding well with DOT and county officials.
The dog park would coincide with another nearby development beneath I-794.
There are plans to have that site, between North Water Street and the Milwaukee River, and south of East Clybourn Street, host music performances and other activities starting this summer.