Architectural teams honored at the 27th Annual Mayor's Design Awards

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson says he'd like to see Milwaukee grow from a city of 600,000 to a population of one million. It's all about creating spaces people are drawn to, and Friday afternoon, the mayor honored architectural teams for doing just that.

The renovated beer garden behind Lakefront Brewery was popping Friday evening.

"I'm just so happy to have it along the Milwaukee River. So many people come in from out of town," said Russ Klisch, Lakefront Brewery President.

For two years, crews worked hard to add new seating, an upgraded sales awning, and fancy deck.

What once was a rickety old staircase now has a deck, and the porta potties still are out there, but you also have two indoor restrooms.

The Riverwalk Beer Garden is one of dozens of projects recognized at the 27th Annual Mayor's Design Awards.

"Milwaukee is a city that's on the rise. It's a city that's on the rise thanks to each and every single one of you and the work that you do," said Mayor Johnson.

Another winner is this.

"We renovated the McKinley School, which was an 1885 building, built in the first year of William F. McKinley's presidency," said Ted Matkom, Wisconsin Market President of Gorman & Company.

What was deemed a U.S. brownfield on the city's near west side required a lot of cleanup before the project could even get started.

"Had a lot of asbestos, lead paint, and all of those old, bad toxins. We cleaned it up and it turned out to be a gem in terms of a catalyst to the neighborhood," said Matkom.

The transformation, 39 rental units, and they'll also be adding four single family homes here at 20th and Vliet.

"We have residents that live in these spaces they see whether it's the empty lots or the vacant buildings. They see those things every day," said Alderwoman Sharlen Moore, Milwaukee, District 10.

Alderwoman Sharlen Moore encourages residents to open the conversation about improvements they'd like to see.

"And so, they want to think about how do I pass a space that can be transformed?" said Ald. Moore.