State Rep Proposes Saving Museum Exhibits
Rep. Russell Goodwin seeks state funding to renovate the old Milwaukee Public Museum building, potentially housing justice agencies and preserving iconic displays.
By Ethan Cooper ·
The Milwaukee Public Museum prepares to close its historic downtown location next year, but one state lawmaker is pushing to keep it open in a reduced capacity. Rep. Russell Goodwin, a Democrat representing a northwest side assembly district, is exploring a plan for the state to purchase the county-owned building. His proposal involves converting part of the structure into a scaled-back museum and using the remainder for state justice agencies.
County consultants estimate the cost of reusing the existing building as a mixed-use complex at $208.6 million. That figure excludes design costs and any price tag the county might demand for the property. This renovation expense exceeds the projected costs that previously stalled two plans for a new state office building on the near west side. The state Department of Administration is currently focusing on renovating the existing State Office Building across Lovell Street, with prior estimates for that project at $95.7 million.
Goodwin’s idea aims to save specific exhibits that will not move to the new Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin. These include the Streets of Old Milwaukee and the museum's historic dioramas. Museum officials noted that many of these elements are built into the walls of the old building and physically cannot be relocated. While some features like the snake button will be incorporated into the new museum, others will remain in the old structure.
The plan conflicts with the city's current downtown strategy, which recommends razing the museum site to build high-density mixed-use development. City planners also want to extend North 8th Street through the area to connect West Wells Street with MacArthur Square. Demolishing the current buildings would cost between $12.6 million and $13.6 million, according to consultants. The city plan aims to generate new property tax revenue and revitalize the plaza area.
Goodwin plans to introduce legislation to authorize a feasibility study. He expects to act either during a lame-duck session later this year or after the next regular session begins in January. He was re-elected to his assembly seat without opposition on Nov. 3. If the plan proceeds, the state would consider moving agencies related to the justice facilities surrounding MacArthur Square into the old museum. These could include the state public defender’s Milwaukee trial division and the downtown parole and probation office.
The museum complex occupies 3.7 acres and includes four connected buildings with nearly 500,000 square feet of space. The main building, completed in 1962, has 417,449 square feet, but less than 150,000 square feet are open to the public. The rest serves as offices, research facilities, and storage. County consultants describe the Discovery World and planetarium spaces as being in fairly good condition, though they note all three county-owned buildings would be difficult to adapt for housing or offices.
The county is currently evaluating proposals for the site, which were due Oct. 12. Celia Benton, the county director of economic development, said the county will not disclose details until evaluations are finished in December. While the county encouraged ideas for reuse, it discouraged tax-exempt concepts such as a state building. County Executive David Crowley, who steps down to become governor on Nov. 3, holds the power to sell or lease the site without County Board approval if supported by the County Comptroller or a city representative.
