Category Archives: South Milwaukee

I was proud to cut the ribbon for the Bucyrus Club and Event Center and the Bucyrus Museum on Thursday, July 15 — and to thank the workers and project partners like CG Schmidt, Inc., Zimmerman Architectural Studios, Inc., the South Milwaukee Industrial Museum who made this happen.

That list includes our city team. Every city department touched this redevelopment, helping build a legacy project that will transform our downtown, while keeping alive the heritage of the company that defined South Milwaukee for generations. I thank them, the members of the City of South Milwaukee Common Council and Plan Commission, and other local leaders who got behind this. It wasn’t easy, but the end result is amazing.

You have to see it for yourself to truly understand how special this is.

The deli is already open for breakfast and lunch, with a full-service restaurant coming this fall. Ernie is already booking events, too, with great success. The museum — literally being built by Bucyrus retirees, another really cool part of this story — officially opens on Tuesday (which is why you don’t see any photos of it here — from what I’ve seen, it’s spectacular).

This building anchored our downtown for decades. It will do so again. Starting now.

Thanks, Alderman Tim Backes, Patrick Brever, and CG Schmidt, for the photos.

South Milwaukee Lionsfest is back for 2021 — next week! — but the Lions need your help.

They are looking for volunteers in a variety of areas, from food preparation and service to grilling and games. There is need across all shifts — Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

It’s a great opportunity for adults and youth teams, church groups and other organizations to support a terrific cause and have some fun along the way. Individuals are also encouraged to volunter.

Those interested can contact the Lions via Facebook or send an email to Lion Chelsea Weirch at caweirich@gmail.com.

Excited to meet Roadrunner Freight President Frank Hurst and his team this week, officially welcoming them to the former Bucyrus campus.

They have brought close to 100 office jobs back to our city center, and are hiring.

They join Dawn Equipment, Steele Solutions and Badger Metal Finishing as companies anchoring the diversified rebirth of the former Bucyrus campus downtown. The renassiance is well underway, with much more to come … including Scott Crawford Inc.’s plans for more than 150 new apartments on the former Bucyrus campus.

From the South Milwaukee Police Department …

On Friday, July 2, 2021 at about 1:20 pm, the South Milwaukee Police Department responded to a report of a single actor who attempted to rob two business in the 2900 block of S. Chicago Ave. South Milwaukee Police Department arrested a 65 year old man from South Milwaukee.

From the South Milwaukee Police Department …

On Friday, July 2, 2021 at about 1:20 pm, the South Milwaukee Police Department responded to a report of a single actor who attempted to rob two business in the 2900 block of S. Chicago Ave.

The subject implied a weapon at both robberies, but no weapon was observed.

The subject fled the scene prior to police arrival.

The subject was described as a black male 5’10”-5’11” with short black and gray hair. Subject had tattoos on his chest, back, and arms. Subject was wearing blue jeans, no shirt, gray and white shoes and carrying a small black bag.

The incident is still under investigation at this time.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, please call the South Milwaukee Police Department (414) 768-8060.

Get your lawn chairs ready, South Milwaukee!

The City of South Milwaukee fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. on Sunday, July 4, in Grant Park Area #5 on Independence Day. The Milwaukee County Traveling Beer Garden is also planned for that day.

I’m glad the show will go on this Sunday, and look forward to a return to our full day of activties — judging, games, the Mayor’s Picnic, bouncy houses, live music and more — in 2022 and beyond.

The South Milwaukee Curb Appeal Awards are presented to South Milwaukee businesses, homeowners and civic organizations who devote extra effort to their property’s beautification, through landscaping and other street-facing efforts. We are looking for utilization of color, appropriateness for the architecture of the structure, originality, lawn upkeep, and decorative exterior structures.

Submit your photo entries using our Google form (https://forms.gle/6kjyNU8suHCJwfXQ9); or post your photos on the pinned Facebook post here; or email them (with the address) to Katie Crosby at crosby@smwi.org.

We will then upload all entries to our Facebook page, with followers being able to vote for the best of the best.

Deadline to enter is Friday, July 9, 2021.

I was excited to help welcome Jackson Bostwick, the World’s Mightiest Mortal and actor that starred as Captain Marvel in the 1974 TV show “Shazam,” to South Milwaukee on Monday.

In a partnership with South Milwaukee-based firm MEARS Online Auctions, Jackson recently restored a 1974 Chrysler Imperial, which was parked downtown on Monday for the filming of a promotional video. The car was done by artist Mark Kurtula, who is partnering with MEARS to open a custom paint and design shop in town.

Thanks for visiting our city! And, Troy, thanks for continuing to invest in South Milwaukee and grow your business here.

From Troy Kinunen, owner of MEARS Online Auctions …

On Monday, June 28th, 2021, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, the residents of the City of South Milwaukee are invited to be a part of a car commercial with Jackson Bostwick, the World’s Mightiest Mortal and actor that starred as Captain Marvel in the 1974 TV show Shazam. 

In a partnership with South Milwaukee-based firm MEARS Online Auctions, Jackson recently restored a 1974 Chrysler Imperial which is going to be included in a world wide promotional video which is going to be filmed on location at 11th and Milwaukee Avenue, the home of the Crusher statue.

The car was done by artist Mark Kurtula, who is partnering with MEARS to open a custom paint and design shop in town.

Stop by at 4 p.m., meet Jackson Bostwick, and be a part of Super Hero history. 

Stay updated on the South Milwaukee Lions Facebook page, and the Heritage Days website.

Three chances to enjoy beer, live music, and friends outdoors? It must be summer in South Milwaukee, especially the nextc couple of weeks.

Today, the Milwaukee County Traveling Beer Garden returns to Grant Park for its nearly two week-run run.

Then, on Thursday (and every Thursday-Saturday into October), European Beer Gardens returns to 1020 Madison Avenue downtown, at the site of the South Milwaukee Downtown Market.

And don’t forget beer on the beach! Ferch’s Beachside Grille offer lives music on Fridays during the summer. This week, it’s THE STANGS, from 6 to 9 p.m.

See you at the beer garden!

The much-needed plan to deliver lasting, long-term and long-overdue investment in the Oak Creek Watershed is progressing well, with delivery by the end of 2021.

A key part of that plan — exploration of options for the Mill Pond and dam — will be discussed at a meeting presented by the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23.

Check out at the agenda and remote log-in information here.

You can find more details on the watershed work and a draft of Chapter 6 of the plan — which deals with the Mill Pond and dam — here …

https://www.sewrpc.org/SEWRPC/Environment/Restoration-Plan-Oak-Creek-Watershed.htm

I remain proud of the city’s leadership role in this work.

The purpose of these efforts has always been to bring forward the information we need to make informed decisions on when, where and how to invest in this critical natural resource … marrying the passion many of us have for the watershed with a plan to clean it up and bring it back to life.

Passion + plan = investment. You are seeing it in watersheds across the region. It’s our turn.

From the South Shore health departments …

Today, the Cudahy Health Department, Oak Creek Health Department and South Milwaukee/St. Francis Health Department announced that the South Shore COVID-19 Vaccine (SSCV) Clinic will close on Thursday, June 24th as the vaccination focus transitions to community-based clinics throughout the south shore. 

Since March, the SSCV Clinic has been a key access point for individuals to receive COVID-19 vaccine throughout the south shore and Southeastern Wisconsin. Nearly 15,000 shots were put into arms at the SSCV Clinic with an additional 6,000 COVID-19 vaccines administered at health department community clinics in the south shore. 

Standing up these vaccine clinics across the south shore was a truly a collaborative effort from the local health departments as well as several partners including the following: Cudahy Fire, Police & Department of Public Works; Oak Creek Fire, Police & Department of Public Works; South Milwaukee Fire, Police & Department of Public Works; St. Francis Fire & Police; Aim Transfer & Storage; S&P Equipment; Bucyrus Campus; Oak Creek Assembly of God; Cudahy, South Milwaukee & Oak Creek Lions Clubs; Alverno College School of Nursing and community volunteers. 

To address the shift in demand for vaccination, the Health Officers of the Cudahy, Oak Creek and South Milwaukee/St. Francis health departments will redirect resources to community pop-up vaccine clinics and health education events. Pop-up clinics will operate at familiar spaces including places of worship, libraries, schools, and other community-based organizations. 

The health departments and pop-up clinics will offer the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines to ensure vaccine is accessible for all individuals ages 12 and older. Additionally, there continue to be many options available for getting vaccinated including pharmacies and health care providers. 

The health departments encourage all Wisconsinites to get vaccinated to be protected against COVID-19. 

Starting June 21st, all individuals who receive their COVID-19 vaccine at one of the South Shore vaccine clinics will receive a free $25 gas gift card or incentive gift, while supplies last. 

To find a vaccine location in your community, please visit one of the websites below or call: Cudahy Health Department ⸰ 414-769-2239 ⸰ http://bit.ly/CHDVaccine Oak Creek Health Department ⸰ 414-766-7950 ⸰ http://bit.ly/OCHDVaccine St. Francis/South Milwaukee Health Department ⸰ 414-768-8055 ⸰ http://bit.ly/SMSFVaccine 

Until July 4, Uber and Lyft are offering free or discounted rides to and from COVID-19 vaccine appointments.

It’s my favorite week of the year in South Milwaukee, and I’m excited to say that many of the large events you exepct during Heritage Week are back for 2021. Mark your calendars!

Here is a rundown …

• Monday, July 19: South Milwaukee Police Department DARE Golf Outing, Oakwood Golf Course. Start organizing your foursomes now.
• Thursday, July 22: With Evening on the Avenue postpointed until 2022, a special South Milwaukee Country Market is planned, with extended hours going until 8 p.m. Music will be Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys. In addition to over 50 vendors, the market will have corn hole games, yard jenga, face painting, a 50/50 raffle, larger single raffle at the market booth, and a beer garden. More to come.
• Friday, July 23-Sunday July 25: South Milwaukee Lionsfest is back! More details to come. Friday is Cruisin’ with the Lions — find more details in the flyer with this post.
• Saturday, July 24: It’s the return of the South Milwaukee Heritage Days Parade! Details here.

Sixteen months after we announced the project, the transformation is almost complete.

Work on the Bucyrus Club & Events Center is wrapping up, and the public will be welcomed into the facility in July. If you’re like me, it will blow you away.

Check out coverage — with plenty of photos — from the Business Journal, OnMilwaukee and BizTimes in the last week.

From the BizTimes story …

Located at 1919 12th Ave., The Bucyrus Club has been under construction for the past eight months, with Milwaukee-based CG Schmidt Inc. as manager.

A second tenant, the South Milwaukee Industrial Museum, will occupy the 5,500-square-foot second floor for its new Bucyrus Museum, which honors the history of crane manufacturer Bucyrus International Inc. The nonprofit will have its offices on the third-floor loft area, with windows overlooking the exhibit area.

Skyline’s ground-floor space includes the Grand Ballroom, which seats up to 220 people, as well as the 1893 Ballroom, which seats up to 120 people. Sandwiched in between the two venues is the Founder’s Room & Fireplace Lounge, which will operate as a full-service bar-restaurant Tuesday through Friday but is also available to book for smaller events.

So far, The Bucyrus Club has more than 50 events, such as weddings, class reunions and showers, scheduled on the books between this year and next year, said Wunsch. He was initially concerned there would not be much interest since the space hasn’t been available to tour. 

“It helps that COVID put all of last year’s weddings into this year, so there’s a double scramble for bookings,” he said. “A new venue is positioned perfectly right now for opening.”

Both The Bucyrus Museum and the banquet facility are slated to open in mid-July.

Not noted in the story is the deli, coming in July as well — a place to grab a lunchtime sandwich and sit out on the covered patio. More to come on that.

One of the many cool stories with this development is its new photogenic centerpiece — a partnership between Caterpillar employees, the center and the museum.

I love to see the community rallying around this project!