MILWAUKEE — The future of Milwaukee’s Mitchell Park Horticulture Domes still remains uncertain.

The iconic Mitchell Park Horticulture Domes are a part of Milwaukee history, but it could take historic levels of funding in order to repair or replace them.

What You Need To Know

  • Fully replacing the Mitchell Park Domes could cost between $67-$91 million

  • On Tuesday, Milwaukee Co. parks presented other options including demolition

  • County supervisors are concerned about costs

  • Tuesday's meeting was informational. Future public input is expected

On Tuesday, Milwaukee County Parks presented several future options for The Domes, including cost estimates, during the Milwaukee County Parks and Culture Committee meeting.

Milwaukee County Parks Deputy Director, Jim Tarantino, said that rebuilding three new domes could cost between $67 and $91 million dollars.

Milwaukee County Parks estimates that an option where all three domes are torn down and not replaced with anything would cost around $5 million.

Other options include repairing the existing domes, where they badly needed improvements to the glass, which could cost between $21 and $29 million.

Another option would replace one dome and building a conservatory or other buildings in place of the other two domes. Cost estimates for that run around $53 million.

Tarantino acknowledged the large price tag for all options, but told the committee that something needs to be done following decades of deferred maintenance on the 60-year-old structures.

“The reality is because of the way we are maintaining it, not providing capital investments, time and moisture is not on our side. The decay continues to occur, and everyday we get closer to when that facility closes itself,” Tarantino told Board Supervisors.

The cost estimates were met with sticker shock for several supervisors on the committee. During the meeting, discussions were had regarding private fundraising campaigns. Still, 8th District Supervisor Steven Shea told Spectrum News he was concerned the county would struggle to foot the bill for any option presented.

“The only feasible option I saw for the Domes was the most expensive one (replacing the three domes), and barring a donation from some extremely well-to-do philanthropist. I don’t possibly see how we move forward with it,” said Shea.

Tarantino hopes that by providing clearer cost estimates and guidance on replacement or repair options, it will allow the county and the public a clearer picture of what they can do in the future.

“We have updated with accurate costs what each option would cost,” Tarantino told Spectrum News. “They are high dollar figures, but when you bring in some of the other updates we provided, that fundraising and philanthropy could help Milwaukee County fund a solution. Hopefully, we are moving toward an actionable strategy.”

Tuesday’s meeting was informational, meaning members of the Parks and Culture Committee did not take a vote or further action on the domes. During the meeting, Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman indicated that the next step in the process will likely include a community input meeting at the Domes.

A date for that meeting has not yet been set.

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