Park Freeway

The Park Freeway was a freeway planned and partially constructed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. It is notable for the freeway removal policy that demolished Park East Freeway, the only section to have been completed.

Route

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. The Park East Freeway, as built, extended from Jefferson Street westward to Interstate 43, carrying Highway 145.

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.

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. Much of the land has been redeveloped.

The only built portion was demolished beginning in 2002, most of which was replaced by an improved at-grade West McKinley Avenue and East Knapp Street and a new drawbridge over the Milwaukee River.

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.[1] Commercial developments include an ALOFT Hotel and offices.[2] A new arena and related structures for the NBA Milwaukee Bucks are also using some of the former right-of-way.[3] Development has occurred on land adjacent to the former right-of-way, which is no longer overshadowed by the elevated freeway.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Viets Field". Milwaukee School of Engineering.
  2. ↑ "Jobs, Economic Development Springing Up in Park East". Milwaukee County Press Release.
  3. ↑ "Zoning Panel Approves Clinic Near New Arena". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  4. ↑ "The North End". Mandel Group.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.