After nearly 10 years, Milwaukee County looks like it will finally save (and reimagine) the Domes

UPDATE (7/30/25): Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley signed off on the plan on Wednesday, making it official.

It’s official: pending final approval from Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Milwaukee County is committed to saving—and reimagining—the Mitchell Park Domes.

Last Thursday, the Milwaukee County Board voted 15-2 to approve a $133 million project dubbed “Domes Reimagined.” The first phase of the plan will not only repair and renovate the Domes, but will create a new children’s garden in an existing greenhouse, create a new cafe, and expand the existing gift shop. The second phase will create a brand new $26 million Nature Learning Center.

Milwaukee County will be on the hook for $30 million for the first phase only, to be paid out over six years. The remaining $130 million will come from a combination of private philanthropy and state and federal tax credits. Thursday’s approval includes the County’s first $5 million installment in Milwaukee County Parks’ 2026 budget request.

In an email newsletter last week, County Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman elaborated on the plan:

The project will be carried out in three stages. The restoration and redevelopment of the Domes will be phased, with one dome rebuilt in each stage as funding is secured. This work is expected to take 5–6 years, assuming funding remains on track. Stage one will focus on the first dome, stage two will focus on the second dome, while stage three will include both the development of the third dome and the Nature Center.

The $30 million in county funding would be paid over six years, $5 million per year and it will only be paid if the private funds and tax credits meet its required matches.”

The “Domes Reimagined” plan was first presented in late 2024 by advocacy group Friends of the Domes, now known as the Milwaukee Domes Alliance.

“The Milwaukee Domes Alliance is thrilled to see the County Supervisors once again affirm their commitment to the Domes Reimagined project and to preserving Milwaukee’s beautiful horticultural oasis,” Milwaukee Domes Alliance Executive Director Christa Beall Diefenbach told Urban Milwaukee last week. “With today’s vote, we really see this as flipping the narrative. The Domes will no longer be seen as a source of strain for the County. Instead, we can look to them once again as a source of strength and hope.”

In a press release last week, County Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez reiterated the County’s support for both the Domes and surrounding Mitchell Park. Martinez represents the Mitchell Park neighborhood, and is the lead author of the County’s approval.

“This is giving Milwaukeeans the progress they deserve,” Martinez said. “Our community has fought to revitalize Mitchell Park for years, and the reimagining and preservation of the Domes is a huge part of that. We will continue to take progressive action toward keeping that promise. We are building something self-sustaining that brings people into the cultural heart of one of our beloved neighborhoods.”

Thursday’s press release also notes that “the project is anticipated to save Milwaukee County an estimated $770,000 annually in operational costs.”

With “Domes Reimagined,” the Milwaukee Domes Alliance will be in charge of operations of the Domes via a long-term lease with the County. The County will retain ownership of Mitchell Park itself.

“The Domes Alliance and the County are still negotiating a lease agreement that will be presented to the Board in September,” Wasserman said. “The Alliance, which already runs the operations of the Domes, would assume ownership and all operating and maintenance costs for the Domes for a period of 99 years, with opportunities for renewal.”

So, provided everything goes according to plan (and Crowley gives final approval), does this…put an end to the nearly decade-old Domes issue? An issue that kicked off in earnest in January 2016 when a fallen chunk of concrete was discovered in one of the Domes? An issue that has involved countless meetings and task forces? An issue that, at one point, seemed like it would end in the demolition of the Domes? An issue that, at another point, included a proposal to turn one of the Domes into a sweet, sweet zipline “Adventure Dome”? Oh, and don’t forget about the time some folks wanted to grow hemp there! Hopefully! STAY TUNED!