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Wauwatosa council approves Art 64, bike race and temporary alcohol extensions for summer events
Summary
The Wauwatosa Common Council approved special-event permits and temporary licensed-premises extensions for several summer events, including Art 64 and the Tour of America’s Dairyland.
The Wauwatosa Common Council approved special-event permits and temporary licensed-premises extensions for several summer events, including the Art 64 live-performance painting competition on June 6–7 and the Tour of America’s Dairyland professional bike race on June 29.
Council members voted to approve the Art 64 permit after applicant Beth Gleising, representing Discover Wauwatosa, told the council the event is in its fourth year and that Discover Wauwatosa tracked an estimated more-than-$500,000 economic impact in 2024 from out-of-town visitors spending in the village. “Every year that Discover Wauwatosa has hosted the event we have seen attendance increase,” Gleising said.
Separately, the council approved a permit for the Tulsa Village Classic — the Tour of America’s Dairyland race on village streets — after Rob Koss of the Wauwatosa Village BID described the event as “the premier professional bike race in the Midwest.” Koss said organizers notify affected businesses and residents about street closures and that staging on a Sunday minimizes impact.
The council also approved temporary extensions of licensed premises for on-street or sidewalk hospitality tied to the events. Applicants and business representatives present included Stacy Wamowski of the Lowlands Group (representing a request for Lowlands 6 LLC, d/b/a Bakkadabond Tavern and Supper Club) and representatives of Cafe Hollander. Both requests were described as unchanged from prior years and were forwarded to police and other departments for review; staff said police raised no objections.
The council approved the items by voice vote. The meeting opened with a roll call listing Alders Moldenhauer, McClough, Franzen, First and Wilkie as present; those members recorded support when the votes were taken.
Why it matters: The approvals allow multi-day events that organizers say draw visitors and local spending. The temporary licensed-premises extensions let restaurants and bars serve in expanded outdoor areas during the events. Council members and staff said departments completed routine review of traffic, police and fire impacts before recommending approval.
What’s next: Organizers said they will continue outreach to affected businesses and residents and follow any permit conditions set by city departments.
