The Gary P. Grunau Plaza was officially unveiled last month in time for the NBA season. It has created an interesting and easy connection for the Fiserv Forum, the Milwaukee Riverwalk and the Deer District on King Drive.
The plaza shares a name with the late Gary P. Grunau, a real estate developer well known for revitalizing downtown Milwaukee. This includes development and investment in the Milwaukee Riverwalk and Discovery World.
The goal of the project, according to the architecture firm RINKA, is stated to be enhancing connectivity of the East and West sides of downtown. They also share the hope that this will be a primarily pedestrian area, except for necessary vehicles to maintain the dock.
In a statement from Mayor Cavelier Johnson, he feels that the project “reflects [a] commitment to public investment,” and hopes it’ll strengthen “downtown’s walkability, vibrancy and economic vitality.”
Thoughts on new space
I went there on a late night with my partner and a friend of ours, and I can’t say I was too impressed. It is definitely visually interesting, but it leaves a lot to be desired in order for me to wish to spend time there.
It certainly feels somewhat cold, with bland colors and little to no lighting (as it appears the light strip above us wasn’t working). Beyond that, though, there is plenty of “creative” seating, with the large steps offering plenty of options.
My friend and I wandered to a hot dog cart in front of the plaza that we hadn’t seen before (Puppy Love Hotdogs) and sat down to eat for about 15 minutes. After that, all three of us crossed and kept on with our night. There wasn’t much to keep our attention or an atmosphere that invited us to stay longer. We just happened across it, and promptly moved on.
I asked my friend and partner what they liked about the plaza, and they didn’t have much to say. My partner said he enjoyed the metal truss (because it “looks interesting”) and that it utilizes small space fairly well. My friend mentioned it complements the bridge that it leads into (which was already there) but called it “pretty unremarkable.”
What I’d love to see from this plaza is everything I think they will pursue, which I’m happy about. Live performances, some nicer mood lighting, maybe some food trucks or events — I think it’ll all come together in due time.
Right now, though, it leaves plenty to be desired for a “grand” opening. Fingers crossed that it will be utilized as a pedestrian space, as the designers intended.