The Milwaukee Skywalk is a 1.75 mi (2.82 km) network of skyways which connects several buildings in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

A skywalk spanning the Milwaukee River

Description

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The skywalk system consists of 1.75 mi (2.82 km) of walkways that connect about eight city blocks in downtown Milwaukee. Some notable buildings that the skywalk connects include: The Avenue, 310W, Hyatt Regency, Baird Center, Chase Tower, Riverside Theater, and 100 East Wisconsin. The system crosses the Milwaukee River in two places.[1]

History

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Many of the skywalks in Milwaukee were constructed during the 1980s. The mayor at the time, John Norquist, believed that the skywalks would be bad for retail businesses since they would remove pedestrians from street-level.[1] At some time in the 1990s, a committee was created to review the designs of any new skywalks.[1] In 2023, a 110 ft (34 m) section of skywalk was added between the Hyatt Regency and the Baird Center.[2] Historic Milwaukee has offered tours of the skywalk system which they refer to as a "Skywaukee tour".[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Lewis, Chelsey (28 March 2019). "Skywaukee tours take visitors through Milwaukee's skywalk system". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  2. ^ Tanzilo, Bobby (11 April 2023). "Skywalk connecting the Hyatt and Wisconsin Center is lifted into place". On Milwaukee. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
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