Wisconsin Avenue Revival (Milwaukee: live, restaurants, stores)

[Milwaukee City]

So much talk has been made about what to do about Wisconsin Ave, from the lakefront to I-43/N.10th St. Grand Ave Mall is on life support and yet more and more studies, blue ribbon committees and task forces and group think tanks have failed to turn Wisconsin Ave back into the grand street of Milwaukee. Like the park east corridor, Wisconsin Ave seems to be being pulled in 55 directions and not settling on one, basically too many Chiefs and not enough Indians. What would you do to bring Wisconsin Ave back to being the Grand Street of Milwaukee.

Big ideas sought for revival of Wisconsin Ave.

[northnut]

Good question. But aren't all downtowns of major cities kinda crap anyway? Usually the better areas are a bit outside of downtown, at least that's been my experience in other places I have been. Anyway, at this point I can't think of any good ideas. I work downtown & have a problem w/the lack of places to eat for lunch. You know, quick in & out or takeout. Although lately I've been going to the Public Market so thankfully, that's there.

[HyperionGap]

Uhh, our nearest major metro area is Chicago. I fail to see how that's anything resembling "crap." Neither is NYC, or SF, or LA, or San Diego. I'd say only "crappy" cities have "crappy" downtowns.

Milwaukee's downtown is actually pretty impressive and has excellent amenities for it's size. Of all the suggestions listed in the article, the best idea is to build more residential units downtown. There is already pretty decent demand as historically seen in the 10%+ population growth in the downtown population over the last several years and more people means more demand for restaurants & retail.

Now, personally, I would say the focus of new development should be on the park east + pabst redevelopment site, NOT along Wisconsin Ave.

[Rob702]

I would frequent downtown much more often if there were more stores where I could find what I'm looking for. Besides Boston Store and TJ Maxx there isn't much, so I usually just travel to one of the malls, even did so when I lived around the MU campus. Some nice cafes or restaurants wouldn't hurt either, but there are a few I like and I go to sometimes, so that's okay-ish.
No idea if it is feasible to re-develop Wisconsin Avenue though since most of the action takes place in other parts of MKE and that wouldn't shift all of a sudden IMO.