In case you haven't heard, we've got some very exciting news to share regarding the the Grand Trunk wetland.  Learn how you can get involved in the upcoming restoration.

Meet our newest new neighbors and learn about upcoming walking tours as part of the Jane's Walks series. 

Grand Trunk Wetland

In April, Mayor Tom Barrett announced a $3-million grant that advances the restoration of the Grand Trunk wetland, near the mouth of the Kinnickinnic River north of Bay Street and close to Barnacle Buds. The grant will go to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee, and is part of the U.S. EPA’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), administered by the Wisconsin DNR.

“Milwaukee’s landscape has changed significantly over the past 200 years, and the wetland marshes that dominated the center of the City have all but vanished,” Mayor Barrett said. “This restoration work will reestablish a small portion of that wetland. It will add wildlife habitat, including northern pike spawning areas, and will positively impact the waterways around Port Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Estuary.”

Planning work for the 7.5 acre wetland restoration is underway, facilitated by a prior GLRI grant. This new grant will fund the construction and restoration portion of the project. The current schedule anticipates construction will be underway in 2019.

The Grand Trunk wetland restoration project was identified in the recently approved Harbor District Water and Land Use Plan as a catalytic project, promoting recreation and environmental goals.

The City of Milwaukee and Harbor District are hosting an open house on Thursday, May 3rd from 4:30-6:30PM at Brinn Labs (433 E. Stewart St.). More information on the project can be found at the City's website.

New Neighbors

Boone & Crockett and Taco Moto will be moving from their Bayview location to 818 S. Water Street, the former home of Hot Water Wherehouse. Joining them on their move will be Pedal Tavern and Paddle Tavern.  The property also has an attached event space owners are calling The Cooperage, which will be reserved for event space and a mid-sized concert venue with a capacity of 500. We at Harbor District are especially excited about the multiple uses stemming from this older cream city brick building. 

Furniture and interior design company, Duet Resource Group is moving their headquarters to a familiar building at the north end of 1st Street in the Harbor District at 228 S. 1st Street. The owner, Dan Mahlik, admits that part of the reason he moved here is because Walker's Point has become a hot-bed of development activity in recent years. Duet Resource’s recent work includes office furnishings for Northwestern Mutual’s downtown office tower, and the Medical College of Wisconsin’s professional office at the Milwaukee County Regional Medical Center.

Jane's Walks of the Harbor District

It’s time to get out and explore our beautiful city! Jane's Walk MKE is a collection of free, citizen-led neighborhood explorations and community-building events that encourage us to observe, reflect, and reimagine the places where Milwaukeeans live, work, and play.

This is part of a global movement of over 200 cities that traditionally takes place on one weekend in May, but there are so many Milwaukee walks that we need the entire month!

Harbor District Inc. has planned a couple walks for May 12th and 21st. Join us as we explore Jones Island and the Harbor View neighborhood.

Jones Walk - This walk meets at Kaszube’s Park (smallest park in Milwaukee County), 1225 S. Car Ferry Drive on Saturday, May 12th at 1pm. Enjoy a snack at the last remaining vestige of the Kaszube people while we learn about the history of the island from a direct descendant. On the walk we will see the industrial and shipping uses that currently inhabit the island and then learn about what the future holds as the Harbor District embarks on implementing its redevelopment plan.

South Water Street and a Treat - This walk meets at Purple Door Ice Cream, 205 S. 2nd Street on Monday, May 21st at 4:30pm. Grab a cone and join us as we walk a 1.5 mile loop around the Harborview and 1st Street neighborhoods. The tour goes east on Pittsburgh to south Water Street showcasing several waterfront businesses along the KK River Trail. As we loop back to 1st Street via National Ave take a chance to think about how you would reimagine the streetscape and pedestrian environment for the upcoming redesign of the area.

Attend the kick off event on May 2 at the Turners Ballroom to learn more about Jane Jacobs and how citizens are creating a more walkable, talkable Milwaukee through their passions and professions.  

Check out the many neighborhood explorations and register at www.JanesWalkMKE.com and follow Jane’s Walk MKE on Facebook and Instagram. See you in the street!