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Committee holds proposed $224,000 transfer for Marcus Center parking repairs after legal and budgetary questions
Summary
A request to transfer $224,000 from a transportation/tow‑lot account to cover immediate Marcus Center parking garage repairs was debated at length; the committee voted to hold the item for one cycle to permit additional review and an audit of prior revenues and repairs.
Milwaukee — The Finance & Personnel Committee on Nov. 17 debated a proposed transfer of $224,000 to the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts to cover immediate concrete and elevator repairs at its downtown parking structure, but committee members ultimately voted to hold the item to allow more analysis of legal obligations and the funding source.
Sponsor Alderman Robert Baumann said redevelopment of the site has been delayed and the Marcus Center must keep its garage operational longer than anticipated. Marcus Center representatives told the committee they need about $189,000 for concrete work and roughly $35,000 for elevator maintenance over the next 15 months, and that the center has taken on debt in recent years to keep the facility safe and functional.
Assistant City Attorney Jordan Gettle told the committee the city’s 1969 ground lease and 1985 amendment describe a process for mutual agreement on capital improvements and an excess‑revenue split between the city and Marcus. "Our office disagrees with the assertion that the city owes money outstanding to Marcus for the parking structure," Gettle said, noting the city’s files do not show a mutual funding agreement. The comptroller, however, advised that the identified borrowing authority could be used for the transfer so long as the funds remain in the transportation fund, though taxable bond treatment could change interest costs.
Department of Public Works staff warned that reallocating the identified funds would reduce the department’s ability to purchase parking enforcement vehicles this year. DPW said the substitute would leave enough for two replacement vehicles rather than seven, and that delaying vehicle purchases would raise maintenance costs on existing high‑mileage fleet vehicles.
Mayor’s office counsel Amber Daniels and Department of City Development Commissioner Lafayette Crump said the administration had explored alternatives, including using $2.1 million in newly recognized revenue the mayor had proposed for the structure, but that funding had already been allocated in the budget process and other internal solutions were not viable for the center’s immediate needs.
Several members requested an audit of the garage’s historical revenues and repairs and asked Marcus Center to provide documentation. Alderman Scott Speicher moved to "hold" the substitute for one cycle so committees and staff can gather additional information; the motion carried in committee, with the chair recording an objection but the hold passing.
What’s next: The sponsor and Marcus Center will provide documents and the comptroller will be asked to review revenue/expenditure records; the item will return to committee on the next cycle for further consideration.
