Contact: Brian Rothgery, 414-278-4230
MILWAUKEE – The public had an opportunity to review and weigh in on design concepts for a relocated South Shore Beach Monday night at the South Shore Park pavilion. Relocating the beach could cost several million dollars but planners hope most of those funds will come from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or other non-county sources.
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and DNR previously awarded $350,000 to Milwaukee County to study water quality and options for relocating the beach.
County Supervisor Marina Dimitrijevic hosted the meeting to share the latest developments in planning for possible beach relocation and to seek public input.
“We have worked for my entire service as County Supervisor to improve South Shore Beach. Together we have invested millions in this renaissance and everyone can see and feel the difference in our regional treasure of our park. I am hopeful that this possible major investment in state DNR funding to relocate the beach will help us open a clean, safe beach for everyone to enjoy and I can’t wait to hear from the public,” said Supervisor Dimitrijevic.
For years, South Shore Beach has been plagued by water quality problems that lead to frequent beach closures.
Supervisor Dimitrijevic has made improving water quality at South Shore Beach a top priority since she was first elected in 2004.
The county completed millions of dollars of infrastructure improvements in 2017. The investments were expected to improve water quality and reduce the number of beach closures, and provided for upgrades to various amenities.
Among several initiatives over the past 13 years, including upgrades to the pavilion, her efforts led Milwaukee County to invest $2.8 million since 2015 for green infrastructure improvements and other upgrades to amenities at South Shore Park.
Dimitrijevic proposed an amendment to the 2015 Milwaukee County budget that set aside $1.6 million for South Shore Park improvements, and later proposed an additional $1.2 million investment in the 2017 budget.
