05.09.06 Barrett Unveils Milwaukee Gateway Signage Designs

MILWAUKEE (May 9, 2006) – Mayor Tom Barrett today formally announced the launch of the Milwaukee Gateway Signage Program. This program, which features collaboration between the City of Milwaukee and the Spirit of Milwaukee, will inform and welcome those traveling into and through the City of Milwaukee.

This informational street architecture features the Milwaukee icon, the Milwaukee Art Museum Brise Soleil, along with the name of a local sponsoring corporation or organization headquartered in Milwaukee.  Five signage designs were unveiled and the four charter sponsors of the program announced.

The sponsors are the Milwaukee Brewers, WE Energies, Funjet Vacations/Mark Travel, and Marcus Hotels/Marcus Theatres.  The City will receive a guaranteed percentage from each Gateway signage sales and these proceeds will provide funding for beautification of Milwaukee's highly regarded boulevards. 

"As Mayor, I am committed to finding new and creative partnerships that strengthen our community, capitalize on our assets and build better relationships with our corporate citizens," said Mayor Barrett.  "This program pays for the signage but it also provides for some funding directed to boulevard maintenance and greening.  We have over 120 miles of boulevards in Milwaukee that beautify our neighborhoods and transportation corridors, but caring for them is challenging due to budget constraints.  This creative program will earmark funding to our boulevard programs without adding further burden on the taxpayers."

Dean Amhaus, President of the Spirit of Milwaukee added, "The Milwaukee Gateway Signage Program allows the Spirit of Milwaukee to promote the City's new icon, the Calatrava, to both visitors and residents and helps give a world-class greeting to those entering our world-class city."

The street architecture/markers were designed by Triad Creative and range between 8 and 20 feet in height to accommodate different locations.  The cost of the street architecture/markers range from $50,000 to $65,000 and there is an initial commitment required of three years.  The City of Milwaukee will receive one- third of the revenue for each sign. Corporations will be given the opportunity to re-new for an additional three years.

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