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Marcus Center seeks $224,000 for garage repairs; council holds item pending finance review
Summary
Marcus Center leaders told the committee they need roughly $224,000 for concrete and elevator work on the Marcus Center parking structure. Council members debated using previously identified city funds; the committee held the item to the call of the chair for finance committee review.
Marcus Performing Arts Center leaders told the Milwaukee Common Council's zoning committee they need approximately $224,000 to keep the Marcus Center parking structure safe and operational, and asked the city to help bridge a short‑term cash gap while the center rebuilds its reserves.
Kevin Galento, president and CEO of the Marcus Performing Arts Center, said the organization emerged from pandemic deficits and has been rebuilding but "we depleted our cash reserves pretty significantly," leaving a short‑term need for repairs. Staff outlined an estimated $189,000 for concrete and structural work and about $35,000 for elevator repairs.
Committee members discussed potential funding sources. Alderman Baumann and others noted that the proposed transfer would use money that had previously been identified for other projects, and that the administration had concerns about reallocating those funds to the Marcus Center. "The solution is 10 votes on the council to support the transfer of funds," Alderman Baumann said, noting council authority to reallocate budget items with sufficient votes.
Commissioner Lafayette Crump (Department of City Development) and Marcus Center leaders said they were exploring options including a loan or loan guarantee and continued conversations with development partners, but that a near‑term fix was needed because some work was already under contract.
Because the finance implications are before another committee, Alderman Deandre Jackson moved to hold the file to the call of the chair so staff can submit finance committee materials. The motion was approved without objection; the committee said it expects to revisit the matter in the next cycle when finance staff have provided additional detail.
