Norris Park — once called a “blighted eyesore” by 4th District Alderman Bob Bauman — now has the chance to become an off-campus center of recreation and gathering for Marquette students and community members.
The square block — bounded by Kilbourn Avenue and 18th, 19th and State streets — is being leased by the City of Milwaukee to the university for the next 25 years at the bargain price of $1 per year.
The city and university had been discussing a lease for years, and we applaud Rana Altenburg, vice president of public affairs, and student voices in Marquette Student Government for finally getting it done. Kudos also to Bauman and the Common Council, who unanimously approved the public-private agreement last week.
The saga over the unused space began in 2003, when Milwaukee Public Schools discontinued activities at the park. In 1982, MPS sold the former Wells Street Public School, which regularly used the space as a playground, to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. In 2004, the Near West Side Comprehensive Plan suggested improvements for the park, but it remained locked up while community and city leaders asked: Who’s going to pay for it?
Enter Marquette.
As a major stakeholder on the near West Side, Marquette’s role in the Norris Park development has the potential to have a positive impact in the neighborhood. The university has promised to make $400,000 in park improvements, including removal of asphalt, field house upgrades, installation of natural grass turf and floodlights. Marquette also intends to install playing fields for softball, field hockey, lacrosse and soccer — great news for club and intramural sports participants.
As city property, the park will be available for everyone’s use. Community members and students will finally have the much-needed green space they’ve been clamoring about for years.
The university has proven time and again the positive impact it can have on the community at-large. The Campus Circle program of the early 1990s — while controversial at the time — ultimately demonstrated Marquette’s intent to invest in the neighborhood. Other investments include beautification improvements with planters and medians along Wisconsin Avenue and Wells Street and a first-class public safety force that patrols on and off-campus.
Not to mention the major economic force the university is with its research capabilities — and can be with the College of Engineering’s planned Discovery Learning Complex.
We applaud the university for stepping up to the plate at Norris Park. We’re looking forward to Opening Day and first pitch next school year.