“This milestone really sets us up for the next several months to complete construction so that we’re on time and budget,” said Marty Brooks, Wisconsin Center District President and CEO. “I want to thank our construction partners, Gilbane and Smith, who have worked around the clock to ensure the project is on time and budget.”
“Our project team and the incredible craftworkers have put in significant hard work and effort to get the building to this topping-off milestone,” said Alicia Dupies, Gilbane Building Company Vice President and Milwaukee Business Leader. “The men and women building this complex project are truly building more than a building. This expansion will result in a catalytic change to how our city can host conventions, which will have a ripple effect on our economy. We are proud to support Wisconsin Center District in this investment in the city of Milwaukee.”
Upon completion, this expansion project will nearly double the convention center’s size, bringing the expo hall to 300,000 square feet, adding 24 new meeting rooms, six additional loading docks, and a rooftop ballroom with outdoor terraces. In addition to the expansion, the project includes a complete renovation of the existing convention center.
The expansion project includes a comprehensive economic inclusion plan by committing to 25% minority-owned businesses, 5% women-owned businesses, and 1% disabled veteran-owned businesses. The project has also committed to a residents-preferred program of 40%, which means that at least $40 million of the $100 million in anticipated construction wages will be earned by residents of the city of Milwaukee. Upon opening in May 2024, the expanded Wisconsin Center is projected to support 2,300 full-time equivalent jobs throughout the state of Wisconsin.
