Depending on which news sources you follow, Milwaukee is going through either a “renaissance” or a “reinvention.” Or maybe it’s a “reboot” or a “reimagining,” like that crappy Tim Burton version of Planet Of The Apes. However you want to define it, it’s safe to say that Milwaukee is currently building a lot of new shit.

• If you thought the Milwaukee Bucks were content with reshaping Downtown Milwaukee via the Fiserv Forum and the “live block” immediately surrounding the arena, think again. Last week, Bucks affiliate Head of the Heard Real Estate Development, along with Eppstein Uhen Architects, unveiled a master plan to fill the soon-to-be-empty BMO Bradley Center site and the two remaining blocks of the Park East development with a mix of apartments, office space, hotels, and maybe even a movie theater. “Maybe” is the operative word here: no developers, tenants, or financing for the 10.89 acres have been announced, and the plans are simply meant to “show the possibilities.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]

• Has the impending 2020 Democratic National Convention lit a fire under Milwaukee’s ass to get some stuff done? Yep! Exhibit A: City officials are scrambling to extend The Hop to West Wisconsin Avenue. The route extension will connect the streetcar to the Wisconsin Center, “The Avenue,” and more. Construction is set to begin this September. [Urban Milwaukee]

• Exhibit B: Passenger service on all or part of the streetcar’s lakefront loop may begin soon, too. [Milwaukee Business Journal]

• Exhibit C: Not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, but seven new hotels are coming to Downtown Milwaukee. That’s 774 rooms! All of the projects are already construction. [Urban Milwaukee]

• Exhibit D: The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is putting the pedal to the metal on its $90 million renovation of the Warner Grand Theatre. [Milwaukee Business Journal]

• The Federal Railroad Administration recently awarded the Wisconsin Department of Transportation a $5.05 million grant to build a second Amtrak platform near Milwaukee’s Mitchell Airport. Construction is expected to be completed in 2022. Also, the Amtrak rules. [Milwaukee Business Journal]

• The ever-busy Mandel Group wants to add 265 market-rate apartments to the Ballpark Commons development in Franklin. The five-building project would be dubbed “Velo Village,” and would “emphasize bicycling culture.” [Milwaukee Business Journal]

• Last week, we traveled back in time to the heyday of Northridge Mall. Today, the long-empty Boston Store portion of the mall has been scheduled for demolition. R.I.P. [Milwaukee Business Journal]

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Co-Founder and Editor

Matt Wild weighs between 140 and 145 pounds. He lives on Milwaukee's east side.