Marcus Center aims to remove 4 trees
Plan to remove entire grove still on hold
A disputed plan to replace the grove of trees at downtown Milwaukee’s Marcus Center for the Performing Arts remains on hold.
However, center officials want city permission to immediately remove four trees, which they say are in poor condition.
That new proposal to remove just four of the grove’s 36 horse chestnut trees will need Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commission approval.
The commission is to review that plan at its next meeting, set for March 4.
That approval is needed because the commission this month granted temporary historic designation to the Marcus Center. That designation — opposed by center officials — requires all exterior changes at the property to be approved by the preservation commission. Any denials can be appealed to the Common Council.
As the debate over the grove plays out, center officials want to remove four trees that have substantial decay, according to a report from Hoppe Tree Service.
They could drop branches, or fall over, causing injuries or even death, the Hoppe report said. It recommends removing the four trees.
Leaving those trees standing creates liability issues for the Marcus Center, said Paul Mathews, Marcus Center president and chief executive officer.