'Mitchell Park will live on': Proposal to restore Mitchell Park Domes passes county committee, heads to full board

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --A plan to save the Mitchell Park Domes is moving forward.

The Domes Reimagined proposal would revitalize the aging landmark.

The Milwaukee County Committee on Finance and Budget unanimously supported the amendment Thursday, Oct. 24, a public-private partnership between Milwaukee County Parks and Friends of the Domes.

"It's the fruit of a lot of hard work, and years of pushing, and years of community organizing," said Milwaukee County Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez.

Supervisor Martinez told CBS 58 he's elated to see progress toward keeping the Domes alive.

"This is happening. We saved the Domes, we created a haven for the community, and Mitchell Park will live on," he said.

The Domes Reimagined proposal would restore the structures, make them more energy efficient, and add amenities, like an interactive children's space and nature learning center.

"We'll be able to do more educational programming, more opportunities for the community to come in and enjoy the gardens, but also experience other aspects of our conservatory," said Christa Beall Diefenbach, executive director of Friends of the Domes.

The project is estimated at $134 million.

If passed, $30 million would come from Milwaukee County Parks over a six year period.

"This is an actual number that the county can live with, and that the county can actually go forward with," Martinez said.

The rest would come from tax credits, state and federal grants, and fundraising efforts.

Friends of the Domes would take over all operations, but Mitchell Park would remain county property.

"It has to be a sustainable business plan," Diefenbach explained. "It has to generate more revenue so that we're able to take this obligation off of the county's ledger, and this plan does that."

The amendment would have no tax levy impact.

It also includes efforts to have the Mitchell Park Domes listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which would open doors for more funding.

As part of the restoration, the community will be invited to take part in public hearings.

"This is really a 'by the people, for the people' type project," Diefenbach said.

The plan is set to go to the full Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 7.