Evers proposes $12M upgrade to State Fair Park cream puff pavilion

MILWAUKEE (CBS58) -- Summer days eating cream puffs under the sun at State Fair Park may feel far away, but the day will come soon, and the governor is asking lawmakers to invest in the pastry, again.

Since 1924 the pastries have been made in the same place at State Fair Park in West Allis: The Original Cream Puff Pavilion. It has changed names and was renovated 28 years ago, but the cream-filled treats have stayed the same. However, demand has risen.

In his 2023-25 budget proposal, Governor Tony Evers outlined issues the pavilion is facing.

"Currently, sales average $1,300,000 annually, and the operation has reached its capacity, cannot accommodate any additional staff, and has aging equipment and limited storage space," the budget reads.

To address these issues, the governor has proposed a $12.5 million pavilion revitalization that will address the issues while incorporating green technology, increasing energy efficiency, more effectively handling crowds and crowd movement, and improving accessibility.

In 2017, then-governor Scott Walker put $6 million to renovate the cream puff pavilion in one of his budgets and now Evers is tacking on an additional $6.5 million to complete it, totaling $12.5 million.

If the plan is approved, almost $9 million would go toward construction which would begin in March of next year and be complete by Aug. 2025.

"I mean if it's going to bring more money into the state, and the city, why not? More cream puffs for all," Milwaukee resident Jessy Micek said about the proposed renovation.

Evers' budget states the upgrades would increase revenue by not only making the cream-puff-making process more efficient but also market the pavilion as an event venue outside of the 11 days of the State Fair.