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 and wonderful things.

• After three years of bumps, snags, and a global pandemic, the $61 million plan to transform the Milwaukee Athletic Club building, 758 N. Broadway, into a state-of-the-art private club (complete with 54 luxury apartments) is “all systems go.” According to OnMilwaukee:

Amenities in the building include a new rooftop bar and event space, a remodeled The Elephant Room into a speakeasy cocktail lounge, a restored Grand Ballroom, steam rooms, locker rooms, a swimming pool, workout facilities, a renovated basketball court, private MAC lounges, valet parking and a range of food and beverage options.

“Current members will have a very special facility of which they can be proud, and new members will benefit from all that we are able to offer, from social and recreational activities to food and beverage opportunities,” said MAC President David Kriete in a press release. “Under this plan, the MAC is back as a premier destination in Downtown Milwaukee.”

Work is set to be completed by fall 2021. [OnMilwaukee]

• Some quality-of-life improvements are coming to a 1.5-mile stretch of S. Oklahoma Avenue, from S. 6th Street to S. 27th Street. “New pedestrian crossing islands, curb extensions, bus bulbs, crosswalk markings, lane striping changes, buffered or protected bike lanes, and signage” will be covered by a $842,814 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant designed to improve “multimodal safety, connectivity and comfort.” [Urban Milwaukee]

• A former Milwaukee Public School at North 27th Street and West Wisconsin Avenue will be redeveloped into a 27-room “active lifestyle” hotel known as the “Grand Avenue Suites.” What’s an “active lifestyle” hotel? According to the Milwaukee Business Journal:

The hotel will highlight physical activities, with the school’s former gym offering basketball, volleyball and pickleball courts. Billiards, a putting green, pingpong and shuffleboard will also be available.

Oh, and the nearby Tower Theater will be redeveloped into an events space, too. [Milwaukee Business Journal]

• The Forest Home Library was set to be demolished to make room for a $5 million, 18,000-square-foot clinic for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. That plan is on now on hold, due to the 54-year-old building being granted temporary historic designation by the Historic Preservation Commission. [Urban Milwaukee]

• The Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut St., is going ahead with a 42,000-square-foot expansion that will include “two new rehearsal halls, six studios, and six small group instruction rooms.” [Milwaukee Business Journal]

• New bike and pedestrian trails coming to the north side! [Urban Milwaukee]

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