Photo credit: Pat A. Robinson
Members of the Democratic National Committee site selection team visited Milwaukee last week as they consider where they will host the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
Last week, representatives of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) came to Milwaukee for an on-site inspection to determine if the city met its requirements for its 2020 National Convention. From what I’ve heard, they were impressed. They should be, and so should we.
Obviously, the main attraction for any convention is a suitable venue. Milwaukee happens to have a brand new one. In fact, the new Bucks arena (the Fiserv Forum) had its first open doors event just when the Democratic convention committee was in town. Its capacity of nearly 20,000 makes it the perfect site to host such an auspicious event. And then there are the other amenities, like the new streetcar, harbor development, hotels, and, of course, the concentration of the arts and culture in Milwaukee’s downtown area and along the lakefront.
The Milwaukee Art Museum anchors Wisconsin Avenue, the city’s grand, east-west axis, with Santiago Calatrava’s airy architectural gem alongside Eero Saarinen’s ponderously monolithic War Memorial. Visitors will also marvel at the monumental masterpieces arrayed along Wisconsin Avenue in its summer urban sculpture gallery presented by Sculpture Milwaukee.
The LGBTQ contribution to the pitch includes the Walker’s Point gayborhood that, while it has contracted appreciably over the years since its fin-de-siècle heyday, still showcases Milwaukee’s diversity. The recent renovation of our primary dance bar into the triple-decker LVL has given the area a rebirth, offering a trendy special events and performance space as well as a traditional disco and souterrain bistro. Other area bars—Fluid, Walker’s Pint, DIX, Kruz, Harbor Room, Hamburger Mary’s (with its new rooftop deck) and Woody’s—provide a taste of Cream City’s current bustling bar life as well as a glimpse into our LGBTQ history.
Meanwhile, on Wells Street on the lower eastside, just blocks from the convention, the LGBTQ destination is This Is It. Having just celebrated its 50th anniversary, “TITS” (as it’s affectionately known) remains one of the country’s oldest operating gay bars. It recently announced an expansion into the adjacent parallel space vacated by a neighboring business. Depending on the final architectural design, the bar could double its occupancy to 200 or more. Owner George Schneider promises the newly annexed space will complement the bar’s traditional décor.
East Town may finally get its rainbow crosswalk. Months ago, when I contacted Milwaukee’s Department of Transportation about the proposal, I had to remind them just what it was about. Today, due to the TITS’ expansion and the prospect of the convention, a renewed effort is pushing the project forward. Rainbow crosswalks already adorn city streets throughout the U.S. and Canada. One could argue other sites, like the Walker’s Point intersection of Second Street and National Avenue or leading to the former M&M Club at Erie and Water streets. But, given the local lore and historic significance, a high visibility locale on Cathedral Square or at the new streetcar stop at Milwaukee and Wells streets would be particularly well suited. Besides, it would enhance the area for Pride In The Park concerts, which should long have been part of Cathedral Square’s musical offerings.
The Democratic Party’s convention committee will be making its decision by year’s end, I’m told. I hope the gays help sway it.
