The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Thursday to approve a budget amendment that provides key funding for a plan to save, renovate and expand the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory Domes.
The amendment codifies a financial commitment of $30 million to be paid over six years with a future start date to be determined. The funding is not included in the 2025 county budget.
You can read about the details of the Domes Reimagined plan – a partnership between the Friends of the Domes, Milwaukee County Parks and Madison-based real estate developer The Alexander Company – in this article.
The $134 million plan – which would restore the threatened Domes, build an addition and add amenities like a children’s garden, cafe, expanded gift shop and nature learning center – was presented to the board in September and th board’s Finance Committee unanimously approved the budget amendment at its October meeting, sending the matter to the full Board of Supervisors.
“The Domes have been facing an existential crisis for years,” said Christa Beall Diefenbach, executive director of Friends of the Domes. “Today’s vote changes that. We now have a path forward that ensures The Domes remain a horticultural oasis for generations to come.