Dog treats, people treats: New renderings released for Third Ward dog park and brewery

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Developers are continuing to draft plans for a future downtown dog park in Milwaukee.

Last year, we learned Fromm Family Pet Food signed on to be the dog park's title sponsor.

Fromm will also bring one of their Foxtown Brewery restaurants to the site, located under I-794 in the Third Ward, between Plankinton and Clybourn.

"It's going to completely re-invent a section that's highly visible, but blighted area of downtown.," said Matt Dorner, economic development director for Milwaukee Downtown BID. "Being able to marry both beer, food, entertainment, and our furry friends."

On Wednesday, Stephen Perry Smith Architects released updated renderings for the site.

The most recent design expands the fenced area to include a small dog section and turns what were initially planned as parking spots into a public plaza.

The dog park will be made of turf, for maintenance purposes.

"If you see some that are actual grass, they become mud pits by the end of spring," said Eric Nesseth, a designer at Stephen Perry Smith Architects.

Developers will meet with the City Plan Commission on June 26 to discuss updates to the nearby riverwalk as part of the design.

"We're extending the riverwalk, putting in about a 400 to 450-foot section of the riverwalk, and now going down the pathway to get approval for that," Dorner said.

Just off the river will be the patio for Foxtown Landing's dog-friendly brewery.

"Part of the first floor, we are going to try to keep it for dogs dining and people dining, and then obviously for health codes, we've got to have a people-only side," Nesseth said.

The location would be the only one of its kind downtown.

The dog park will likely open in 2024.

"We're really hopeful that we can put shovels in the ground late this year," Dorner said.

Foxtown Landing will take a bit longer. They plan to have foundations and footings installed before the dog park opens.

More corporate sponsors and private donors are still needed to help fund the project. To learn more, click here.