Milwaukee City Council debates hotel plans at Veil Phillips and State Street site

In the heart of Milwaukee, a heated discussion unfolded during the recent Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee meeting, focusing on a proposed hotel development at the prominent intersection of Veil Phillips and State Street. As committee members gathered, the air was thick with anticipation and concern over the project's implications for the city’s landscape.

One of the key voices in the meeting expressed strong reservations about the hotel’s design and room sizes. With 55% of the hotel’s accommodations consisting of king bedrooms measuring just 210 square feet—approximately the size of a small living room—critics argued that these diminutive spaces do not align with the expectations for a high-quality establishment in such a prime location. The double queen rooms, slightly larger at 289 square feet, also drew scrutiny, as the majority of the hotel’s offerings were deemed inadequate for the bustling Central Business District.

The speaker emphasized that this site, located near major attractions like the convention center and Fiserv Forum, deserves a hotel that reflects its significance. “This is not what I think is appropriate,” they stated, highlighting the need for a full-service hotel that caters to the diverse traffic generated by events and visitors in the area.

Moreover, concerns were raised regarding the proposal's alignment with the downtown land use plan. The Deer District plan advocates for high-density development, yet the current hotel design was criticized for falling short of these standards. The speaker argued that the project, as it stands, does not comply with the health, safety, and welfare of the public, urging committee members to reconsider the implications of such a development.

As the meeting progressed, it became clear that the future of this hotel project hangs in the balance, with committee members weighing the need for development against the community's expectations for quality and suitability. The outcome of this discussion could shape not only the skyline of Milwaukee but also the experience of those who visit its vibrant downtown.