How about re-establishing the Mitchell Park Domes as the city’s icon? For years, it had been used to symbolize Milwaukee, only to be deposed by the Calatrava-designed Milwaukee Art Museum and its spreading wings on the lakefront.
Yes, the Domes are in need of serious and costly repairs, but the dramatic geodesic 
structures are more than 60 years old. Just as and aging body needs more maintenance, so do buildings.
Let’s get on the with decision to save the Domes. They are symbolic as to what Milwaukee is!
Throughout the 20th Century, our city had been symbolized by various buildings; first, came our Flemish-styled City Hall (a marvel when it was completed in 1895 as the tallest occupied structure in the world). Later, it might have been the 22-story Wisconsin Tower (our skyscraper – hmmm) or County Stadium or the Zoo. In truth, our conservative city had few spectacular structures to highlight until the U.S. Bank Center with its 42 stories on the lakefront was completed in 1973 (it still is the tallest building in Wisconsin).
Until the 21st Century, the Domes were the ubiquitous symbol for our community. Then, in 2001, the “Calatrava” opened and it became the oft-used icon for the city, only occasionally replaced by Miller Park or the newly opened Fiserv Forum, both built with 
huge chunks of taxpayer money to support private sports entrepreneurs.
Of all of our city’s symbols, I opt for the Domes as most indicative of our city’s history, its basic environment and its goal of serving all of its residents, rich and poor and those in-between.
Milwaukee’s Socialist history is indeed something to proud of – regardless of anyone’s political preferences. Its park system is among the finest of any metropolitan community, and was established largely by the Socialists that were prominent in both the County and City governments of the early 20th Century. The Domes were established by Milwaukee County with taxpayer money and thus all Milwaukee County residents are its owners.
The Domes are affordable for all of our residents: its basic fee of $8 for adults is reduced by one dollar for residents and three dollars for resident seniors. Children under five are free; kids from five to seventeen are $6 (one dollar less for residents) and the first Thursday of every month is a free day. Compare that to the small fortune it takes to buy tickets to Brewers and Bucks games and to the basic admission of $19 for the Milwaukee Art Museum.
Consider, too, how the Domes provide a welcome floral atmosphere during our gray and frigid winters. How sweet it is to wander through the three domes offering differing plant environments: the desert, the tropics and a seasonal exhibit that changes five times a year.
And, yes, the geodesic domes provide a beautiful sight perched atop the bluff in Mitchell Park tower over the one-time industrial heart of our city, particularly when lit at night. Thus, they are a fitting and pleasing icon to represent our city.
The Domes also are located in the midst of neighborhoods that have become home to our burgeoning Hispanic population. Those neighborhoods are creating a renewed sense of community and are working hard to regain their onetime vigorous and lively environment. Repairing and up-dating the Domes would certainly help in maintaining the strength of those neighborhoods.
Sadly, the half-century-old domes are in dire need of costly repairs. Some advocate tearing them down and replacing them with a more conventional conservatory, but it would tragic if the Milwaukee County Board chooses that course of action.
If our community can come up with more the $500 million to assist in the building both Miller Park and Fiserv Forum to serve mainly the private enterprise interests of sports team owners and those who can afford their expensive tickets, surely we can find a way to fund the less costly repairs needed to keep the Domes a vibrant symbol of our growing city.
If you agree that the Domes deserve to survive, check in with the Friends of the Domes organization to see if you can help in keeping the Domes alive and well and as a rightful icon of our city. – Ken Germanson, Feb. 29, 2020
Advoken's Blog 
Leave a comment