South Milwaukee officials break ground on Bucyrus Commons

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SOUTH MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- South Milwaukee officials broke ground on the land that will become the Bucyrus Commons in Fall of 2022. 

The event took place at 10 a.m. at 11th and Madison on Monday, May 2. This space will be the second project funded by a $2 million dollar donation from the Bucyrus Foundation. In February of 2020, the company committed the money as a gift to South Milwaukee. It's all in an effort to help transform the downtown area. $1.5 million was dedicated to the renovation of 1919 12th Avenue and $500,000 was to be put toward a public space at 11th and Madison Avenue.

The space on 12th Avenue is now known as the Bucyrus Club & Event Center. It's also the home of Skyline Catering, Inc. and the Bucyrus Museum. 

The city-owned property at the corner of 11th and Madison Avenue is currently used for the Downtown Market, European Been Gardens, and as the home of events like Crusherfest and the Festival of Trees.

After having several meetings, the design of the space on 11th was finalized to include greenspace, an open-air pavilion, a public restroom building, and an open-air, covered stage.

The design is intended to enhance the events already held onsite and foster new ones. In recognition of the Bucyrus Foundation’s contribution, the space’s name was determined to be “Bucyrus Commons,” and design elements will feature Bucyrus history and branding.

CBS 58 spoke with South Milwaukee Mayor, Jim Shelenske, who couldn't be more excited about the project coming to fruition. 

"South Milwaukee is pretty much land lot. So, its rebuilding things. If you go down Milwaukee Avenue you can see businesses that did expand in South Milwaukee. We don't have green space to just plant something so we have to rebuild so this is a key part of rebuilding and getting people come to South Milwaukee." 

The construction is set to be complete in fall of 2022. 

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