New war memorial, community space unveiled outside Marcus Performing Arts Center

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- After months of renovations, a new green space and war memorial is complete at Marcus Performing Arts Center.

The grounds were under construction throughout the summer to create the new community space and complementing memorial.

The center has been considered a war memorial site since it opened in 1969.

"Post WWII, several groups in Milwaukee convened to create a memorial for our Milwaukee veterans through the lens of culture facilities that were devoted to the arts of peace," explained Mayor Cavalier Johnson on Monday.

The original memorial dedication was inscribed on the side of the building.

"On the south colonnade of the structure, you would see the dedication there, but it wasn't exactly prominent," said Marcus Center CEO Kendra Ingram.

The new memorial is in pavement at the corner of Water and Kilbourn. It reads, "Honoring the dead by serving the living. Dedicated to the principles of art and peace."

The new dedication is a more prominent tribute, surrounded by flagpoles and benches.

"It's not only the dedication space, but it's also a place where people can sit and reflect," Ingram said.

A dedication ceremony Monday morning featured MPD'S Color Guard, the U.S. Army Band, and special speakers, like Vietnam veteran, George Banda.

"We must never forget the cost of democracy, the cost of freedom is high," Banda said Monday.

Behind the new memorial sits a renovated green space, accompanied by native perennial gardens and 23 honey locust trees.

"One of the things we heard from the community is they really want to see more green space preserved in downtown. So, we expanded the lawn, so there would be more places to actually hang out," Ingram said.

The space will be used for pavilion performances, and for the public to enjoy.