South Milwaukee Blog

We are reinventing ourselves in South Milwaukee.

We are at a crossroads, and while we certainly face our share of challenges, I remain as excited as ever about our potential as a city, and committed to doing all we can to shape our promising future, while embracing our proud past.

It starts with telling our heritage story, which I’m happy to see coming to life through the work to open a South Milwaukee Industrial Museum honoring the history of Bucyrus and the effort to build a statue honoring our most famous son, Da Crusher.

Our future is bright, too, as we ramp up work on downtown and city redevelopment, work harder than ever to attract and retain small businesses, and make significant investments in our infrastructure. We’re also innovating in how we do business, always exploring new and more efficient ways to deliver our city services and how we function as a government.

That is the foundation we are building upon with our new city brand.

It officially launches today.

We partnered with Savage Solutions on this project, the same firm behind the rebranding of Oak Creek, downtown Waukesha and West Allis. After focus groups with dozens of local residents and business owners, and the work of a smaller steering committee inside City Hall, we emerged with an iconic design.

We have a lot to be proud of in South Milwaukee, but nothing defines us like Grant Park, which makes Seven Bridges the perfect choice to visually represent who we are, and where we are headed. Add in the “Rocket red” color, typography, and purposeful word choice — including a decision to not go with an official slogan — and we have a logo that is uniquely South Milwaukee.

Now the fun begins: Showing off this new mark. You’ve probably already seen the City Hall flag and sign, and those are just the start.

Welcome signage, Milwaukee Avenue street banners, digital activations (including our soon-to-be launched city app), marketing pieces, wearables (we gave away 1,000 logoed t-shirts following the high school graduation ceremony), and much more, with many of the pieces being made by local vendors … you will see our new logo come to life in a number of ways this summer and beyond.

You will also see us at a number of events throughout 2018, including the South Milwaukee Downtown Market on June 14 and 21, Heritage Week, and more.

Now is the right time to launch our new brand, and I can’t wait to get started. We have lots of work to do, and we’re doing it. Together.

I love this proactive, community-minded event.

Two South Chicago Avenue retailers — McDonald’s and ALDI — are getting a new look, as businesses continue to step up their investments in South Milwaukee.

From the Steren Management Company and Jeff Steren, who owns 13 area McDonald’s …

Big changes are underway at McDonald’s of South Milwaukee. When the dining room re-opens this weekend, customers will enjoy a fresh new look with modern décor and also some cool tech features.

Customers will be welcomed to experience the future with touch-screen ordering kiosks. However, there is no need to worry if you are not the tech-savvy type. You’ll always have the option to order old-style with a real person at the counter.

Another great tech upgrade will be GPS table tents. The table tents will enable the McDonald’s crew to quickly deliver your food order to wherever you are seated.

Grand Re-Opening Specials will begin at Noon on June 12 (Tuesday), with a ribbon cutting by the mayor and local McDonald’s Owner Operator Jeff Steren. Free celebration cake and cookies will immediately follow the ribbon cutting. 

Watch for a flyer at the restaurant with more details.

As for the work underway at ALDI, here is a statement from Atty McGrath, vice president, of the ALDI Oak Creek Division.

We are excited to confirm that the ALDI store in South Milwaukee will undergo remodeling later this summer. The location will temporarily close for about one month leading up to the Grand Reopening to finalize construction. We will be in touch with more details about the Grand Reopening celebration as the big day approaches!

The updated store will offer a smarter, faster and easier shopping experience. All of our remodeled stores maximize refrigerator space, and we’re using the additional cold storage to grow our already robust selections of fresh produce, dairy and meat. Remodeled stores also feature open ceilings, natural lighting and environmentally-friendly building materials such as recycled materials, energy-saving refrigeration and LED lighting.

Thanks for investing in South Milwaukee!

In many ways, the story of Modern Machining LLC is the story of South Milwaukee’s continued path to redevelopment — a story of a young entrepreneur starting small, building his business the right way, and expanding for the future. Locally.

Today, we celebrate a company that recently moved from a small space 1204 Minnesota Ave. to 2205 12th Ave., leasing more than 20,000 square feet in the former Johnson Health Tech building (Line Material way back in the day).

I was proud to help owner Jason Scherer and his family cut a ribbon in May, celebrating their new location and a promising future as a manufacturer of specialty machined and machine-assembled components for more than a dozen companies, serving major hydraulic, firearm, power tool, medical, and railroad manufacturers, and more.

Modern Machining employs five people, with plans to add four more.

It started with one, Jason, who grew up in South Milwaukee and worked for multiple manufacturing companies before starting his firm in 2015.

How has growth come so quickly? From their website …

Utilizing the newest technologies in manufacturing processes and software, Modern Machining stays a cut above the rest. Providing high quality component parts, at competitive prices on-time ever time.

It’s a winning formula I see repeated every day in businesses across South Milwaukee.

Thanks for investing locally, Modern Machining!

Thanks to all of our sponsors, who are helping us continue to grow this event without any additional taxpayer dollars.

See you July 4th, for a full day of family fun … and please help spread the word!

Join us for our annual Flag Day ceremony on Thursday, June 14, outside the Grobschmidt Senior Center at the gazebo.

The event will feature a flag retirement ceremony including local veterans and scouts, music from the South Milwaukee Municipal Band, essays from local students on “what the flag means to me,” and refreshments.

Also, check out the Flags for Heroes flag display outside City Hall, presented by the Rotary Club of Mitchell Field.

Flag tributes much be purchased by June 13. Details below.

If it rains, the event will be held inside the Senior Center.

Be advised: Two major construction projects are set to begin the week of June 11, with both impacting local drivers, bikers and walkers.

• A joint project between South Milwaukee and Oak Creek to rebuild the intersection at Nicholson and Milwaukee Avenues, to widen the roadway and create a left-turn lane from Nicholson to Milwaukee; and
• A Milwaukee County project to reconstruct Oak Creek Parkway from North Chicago Avenue to the railroad trestle near South Milwaukee High School.

Work on Nicholson/Milwaukee is expected to be completed by the end of June. Learn more here.

Work on the Oak Creek Parkway will likely take all summer. Learn more here.

Thanks for your patience as continue to invest in our infrastructure!

From downtown’s newest business, 1200 Milwaukee Ave. …

We just can’t wait anymore! We will be holding our soft opening this weekend! Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm or until we run out. Come down and see what we’ve done with the place and try your new favorite sausage!

Welcome to South Milwaukee!

One down … let’s do this 19 more times!

Season 10 of the South Milwaukee Downtown Market is underway, and it was a perfect day for it. Join us from 3 to 7 p.m. every Thursday at this terrific outdoor market and live music venue — something that is uniquely South Milwaukee.

Join me as we celebrate the new look of this community treasure!

We continue to make investments in our city center — and this is a big one. See what’s coming up on June 6 at City Hall.

Earlier this month, Aurora Health Care stepped up to raise funds — just shy of $20,000! — for the purchase of a second life-saving LUCAS automated CPR device for use by the South Milwaukee Fire Department.

It was yet another sign of the strong partnership between the health care system and the South Shore communities that came together to, quite literally, build Trinity Memorial Hospital in Cudahy (now Aurora South Shore).

In researching my remarks, I came across the story of how it happened. It’s fascinating — an example of what people can do when they work together for a singular purpose.

Of note is the leadership South Milwaukee played during the early days.

From a community survey commissioned by the South Milwaukee Lions in 1947, 11 years before the hospital would open, to the creation of a fundraising board by then-South Milwaukee Mayor Charles Plotz and the common council in 1951, our city proudly led the way in making this happen.

Check out the article to learn more … and thank those who came before us to make this happen, 60 years ago this year. Our community is stronger because of it.

Thanks, Barbara Kendall (mom), for the photo. 

Mark your calendars to meet Carol DeMarco and get a copy of her book on her Polish upbringing in South Milwaukee. Welcome back, Carol!

• June 2: Parkway Floral, book sale and signing. 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.
• June 23: South Milwaukee Historical Society Garden Walk, book sale and signing. 10 a.m.
• June 28: South Milwaukee Public Library, presentation and signing. 6 p.m.
• July 21: South Milwaukee Historical Society , presentation and signing. 10 a.m.
• July 23: Grobschmidt Senior Center, presentation and signing. 10:15-11:15 a.m.
• July 26: Evening on the Avenue (10th and Milwaukee Avenues), book sale and
  signing.

From the South Milwaukee Police Department Facebook page …

The SMPD cares about your physical safety on the road. We have received funds from the Department of Transportation to focus on enforcement of seat belt laws. The department will be conducting additional traffic enforcement activities in the coming weeks. Please buckle up and drive safely!

More details from NOW here. Stay safe!

I love the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center in part because it challenges us artistically as a community, exposing us to new sights, sounds and experiences.

The 2018-19 Performing Arts Series doesn’t disappoint.

Celebrations of Vince Lombardi and Nelson Mandela? Got it. Youth dance, electric strings and mandolins? Yep. A radio version of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and a special St. Patrick’s Day-themed program? Sure.

From the PAC …

(South Milwaukee, WI) – South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center (SMPAC) announced its 2018-2019 Performing Arts Series on Wednesday, May 23, during a Preview & Tasting Party that was hosted by the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Council and SMPAC sponsors Skyline Catering & Express Deli, Azteca Restaurant, Barbiere’s Italian Restaurant and Scrappy’s BBQ.

“We’re excited to present an eclectic and diverse series that will include performers from across the globe and from our own richly-talented Milwaukee community,” said Rachel Sorce, Executive Director. “The season will include illuminating performances that honor or feature individuals who’ve motivated and inspired others in positive ways.”

The 2018-2019 Performing Arts Series will feature the Soweto Gospel Choir’s Songs of the Free: The Centennial of Nelson Mandela’s Birth, paying tribute to the anti-apartheid revolutionary featuring 20 incredible voices direct from South Africa. John Pinero’s The Life and Times of Vince Lombardi will portray the man considered to be one of the best coaches of all time. Unboxed will feature the Davis Boys and Girls Club Dancers in a media and dance stage play about the power of individuality created and directed by Cedric Gardner, an unrelenting source of inspiration for Milwaukee youth.

Female artists dominate the stage in Femmes of Rock featuring the stunning Bella Electric Strings performing music from AC/DC, Queen, Led Zeppelin and more. An all-female cast performs in LUMA: Art in Darkness, a “techno circus” of light, color and motion for all-ages. Seasonal programs include It’s a Wonderful Life: Live from WVL Radio Theatre and Celtic Nights: Oceans of Hope. Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, Oceans of Hope is an epic story of the Irish diaspora featuring top dance and musical talent from Ireland. And, we’ll showcase the delightful Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra with special guests Misha Litvin, Stas Venglevski & Robin Pluer in Music that Made Milwaukee Famous.

Check out the full release and SMPAC website for more.