Park Freeway

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Park Freeway
Canceled portions of Park Freeway highlighted in brown; demolished portion in red; canceled spur route in blue
Route information
StatusDemolished
Existed1969–2002[1]
Component
highways		 WIS 145
Major junctions
West end I-43 in Milwaukee[1]
East endJefferson Street in Milwaukee[1]
Location
CountiesMilwaukee
Highway system

The Park Freeway was a freeway planned and partially constructed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. An eastern section, known as the Park East Freeway, proceeded east from an interchange with Interstate 43 near downtown Milwaukee. This portion was partially completed in the 1960s, but demolished under a freeway removal policy about five decades later. A connected section known as the Park West Freeway would have proceeded west from the same interchange. While a good deal of land was acquired from Milwaukee residents and cleared for construction, it was never built.

Route description[]

The planned eastern terminus of the Park Freeway in downtown Milwaukee was near Prospect Avenue and Ogden Avenue. At that point, the freeway was to turn southward as the Lake Freeway and proceed over what is today the Hoan Bridge. The Park East Freeway, as built, extended from Jefferson Street westward to Interstate 43, carrying Highway 145.[1]

From I-43, the Park West Freeway was to continue northwesterly to just north of North Avenue. From there, it would continue westward to its intersection with the Stadium Freeway.[1]

History[]

The right of way for the entire Park Freeway was purchased and cleared. However, only a small portion was ever built - between North 12th Street and North Jefferson Street. Because of opposition of the freeway by community leaders, the remainder of the freeway was never built, and the right of way lay vacant for years or decades.[citation needed] For example, a lot at 2329 W. North Ave. was cleared in the 1960s for the Park West Freeway and not redeveloped until the 2020s.[2]

The only built portion was demolished in the early 2000s, most of which was replaced by an improved at-grade West McKinley Avenue and East Knapp Street and a new vertical-lift bridge over the Milwaukee River. The total cost of the project was $25 million; later investments in the area formerly occupied by the freeway totaled $886 million (As of 2020).[3]

Redevelopment of the cleared freeway right-of-way was slowed by the economic recession that started in 2008. Milwaukee School of Engineering constructed an athletic facility.[4] Commercial developments include an ALOFT Hotel and offices.[5] The footprint of the freeway also contains the Fiserv Forum arena, the replacement for the Bradley Center, along with additional buildings, a practice facility, and entertainment properties encompassing the Milwaukee Bucks's Deer District.[6] Development has occurred on land adjacent to the former right-of-way, which is no longer overshadowed by the elevated freeway.[7]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Bessert, Christopher J. "Milwaukee Freeways: Park Freeway". Wisconsin Highways. Retrieved August 29, 2020.[self-published source]
  2. ^ Jannene, Jeramey. "Friday Photos: New Advance Auto Parts Store On North Avenue". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  3. ^ Steuteville, Robert (2020-02-13). "Park East Corridor: The freeway teardown that helped put Milwaukee on the national stage this summer". The Milwaukee Independent. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  4. ^ "Viets Field". Milwaukee School of Engineering.
  5. ^ Abele, Chris (March 21, 2016). "Jobs, Economic Development Springing Up in Park East" (Press release). Milwaukee County.
  6. ^ Daykin, Tom (October 4, 2016). "Zoning Panel Approves Clinic Near New Arena". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  7. ^ "The North End". Mandel Group.

Further reading[]

  • Gurda, John (1999). The Making of Milwaukee. Milwaukee, WI: Milwaukee County Historical Society. ISBN 0-938076-14-0. OCLC 42784263.

External links[]

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