City of Milwaukee - File #: 250995

• File #: 250995
• Version: 1
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Passed
• File created: 10/6/2025
• In control: COMMON COUNCIL
• Final action: 11/25/2025
• Title: Substitute resolution granting permanent historic designation to the Milwaukee Auditorium and Milwaukee Arena, 412 W. Kilbourn Avenue, in the 400 and 500 blocks of W. Kilbourn Avenue, in the Fourth Aldermanic District.
• Sponsors: THE CHAIR
• Indexes: HISTORIC BUILDINGS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
12/9/2025	1	MAYOR	RETURNED NOT SIGNED
11/25/2025	1	COMMON COUNCIL	ADOPTED	Pass	14:0
11/18/2025	1	ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE	RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION; Minutes note: Appearing: Tim Askin, Historic Preservation Commission Planner Mr. Askin gave an overview presentation on the permanent historic designation to the Milwaukee Auditorium and Milwaukee Arena. This resolution grants permanent historic designation to the Milwaukee Auditorium and Milwaukee Arena, 412 W. Kilbourn Ave., in the 400 and 500 blocks of W. Kilbourn Avenue, in the Fourth Aldermanic District. The Historic Preservation Commission recommended permanent historic designation as a City of Milwaukee Historic District as a result of fullfillment of criteria f-1, f-2, f-5, f-6, and f-9 of the Historic Preservation Ordinance, Section 320-21(3) of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances. Ald. Bauman said that permanent historic designation would not prevent future demolition but would require a review and approval process for future demolition. Public testimony should focus on permanent historic designation criteria. Public testimony in support: Mayor Dennis McBride, City of Wauwatosa Matt Jarosz, UW-Milwaukee & Historic Preservation Commission Patti Keating-Kahn, Milwaukee Downtown BID 21 & Historic Preservation Commission Keri Duce, UW-Milwaukee Chief Government Relations Officer Harris Turer, Milwaukee Admirals CEO & Owner Andre Douglas, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee Emma Rudd, Milwaukee Preservation Alliance Gino Fazzari, Calderone Club Brent Brashier, Doc's Smoke House Public testimony in opposition: Marty Brooks, Wisconsin Center District CEO Atty. Joseph Pickart, Husch Blackwell (legal counsel to Wisconsin Center District) Jose Martin, resident Nicholas Campbell, IBEW Local 494 Thomas Moore, resident Ald. Bauman passed the gavel to Ald. Stamper.	Pass	4:0
11/3/2025	0	HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION	RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION AND ASSIGNED; Minutes note: Mr. Andrew Stern said the Milwaukee Auditorium and Milwaukee Arena (original names) are located in the 400-500 blocks of W. Kilbourn. The Auditorum was designed in 1907 by Ferry & Clas and the Arena by Eischweiler and Eischweiler. The land was long-used for public purposes and was donated by Byron Kilbourn in 1835 to be used for public purposes. An exposition building was built in 1881 and it suffered a catastrophic fire in 1905. A national design contest was held and there were 12 submissions; Ferry & Clas won. An estimated 210,000 people attended the cornerstone laying and there were parades and three days of celebrations. There were also plans for a civic center area and this was area was dedicated for major civic buildings, including the Milwaukee County courthouse. The building style is beaux arts and was a hit hosting events through the 1920s. In the 1930s there were rumblings that the Auditorium was too small and, starting in 1945, funds were beginning to be raised to build an indoor sports arena. Alexander Eischweiler, Jr. was chosen as the architect/planner with the cornerstone being laid in 1949. The Arena opened in April 1950 to a week-long celebration. The Arena was in the black its first year of operation. The brightly painted floor was done in 1977 and remained until the Bucks relocated to the Bradley Center. In the 1970s the city opted to keep and renovate the Arena with new mechanicals, but other centers were constructed that served the same purpose. Renovation was done in the 1970s to meet smaller, current needs and the northern facade was re-done. The building remains largely intact and its appearance the same. The Arena had major renovations completed in 2014. Staff recommends approval based on f-1, f-2 f-5, f-6 and f-9. Ms. Keating-Kahn moved, seconded by Mr. Jarosz, to open the public hearing. THere were no objections. Atty. Josh Levi - represents the owner, the Wisconsin Center District - the owner objects to the designation due to timing of the application and the criteria for approving the application. Both buildings came after a demolition of other structures in order to jump start other development. He asked if either building was on any survey of historic buildings and also the use of both "site" and "building" on the application. The Auditorium was rejected as being historic in 2000 and the 2000 HPC staff report was very similar to this report. Ms. Peltz, based upon the comments made by the Chair that the 17-member Wisconsin Center District board, will be making decisions behind closed doors while this process is open, she asked when he would like this application to be considered. Atty. Levi doesn't think the Arena is historically significant. He thinks the staff should meet with the Wisconsin Center District board and re-hear this in a month. Ms. Keating-Kahn moved, seconded by Mr. Morales, to close the public hearing. There were no objections.	Pass	7:0
10/6/2025	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ASSIGNED TO

Number

250995

Version

SUBSTITUTE 1

Reference

Sponsor

THE CHAIR

Title

Substitute resolution granting permanent historic designation to the Milwaukee Auditorium and Milwaukee Arena, 412 W. Kilbourn Avenue, in the 400 and 500 blocks of W. Kilbourn Avenue, in the Fourth Aldermanic District.

Analysis

This resolution grants permanent historic designation to the Milwaukee Auditorium and Milwaukee Arena, 412 W. Kilbourn Ave., in the 400 and 500 blocks of W. Kilbourn Avenue, in the Fourth Aldermanic District.

...Body

Whereas, The Milwaukee Historic Preservation Ordinance, s. 320-21 of the Code of Ordinances, provides that historic sites, structures and districts may be designated by the Common Council upon the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission; and

Whereas, The Historic Preservation Commission, at its November 3rd, 2025 meeting, by unanimous vote, recommended historic designation of the Milwaukee Auditorium and Milwaukee Arena, 412 W. Kilbourn Avenue, in the 400 and 500 blocks of W. Kilbourn Avenue; and

Whereas, This building fulfills the following criterion set forth in s. 320-21-3:

f-1.  Its exemplification and development of the cultural, economic, social or historic heritage of the city, state of Wisconsin or the United States.

f-2.  Its location as a site of a significant historic event.

f-5.  Its embodiment of distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type or specimen.

f-6.  Its identification as the work of an artist, architect, craftsman or master builder whose individual works have influenced the development of the city.

f-9.  Its unique location as a singular physical characteristic which represents an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community or the city.

; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Milwaukee Auditorium and Milwaukee Arena, 412 W. Kilbourn Avenue, in the 400 and 500 blocks of W. Kilbourn Av...