A $3.8 million plan for new river walks at dog park, Foxtown Landing and Boone & Crockett

Public river walks tied to a downtown Milwaukee dog park and neighboring restaurant development − as well as a Harbor District tavern and events space − would receive $3.8 million in city funding under a new proposal.

The cash would come from property tax revenue tied to the developments and other nearby commercial projects through a tax incremental financing district.

The plan, which needs Common Council approval, gets its initial public hearing Thursday before the Redevelopment Authority board.

It would provide $1.5 million for the river walk tied to the future dog park. The dog park is to be developed by the Milwaukee Downtown Business Improvement District and the Historic Third Ward Business Improvement District south of West Clybourn Street, between North Plankinton Avenue and the Milwaukee River.

Another $1.2 million would help finance the river walk next to Foxtown Landing − Foxtown Brewing’s planned taproom, distillery and restaurant. That development is to be constructed between the dog park and West St. Paul Avenue.

Also, $1.1 million is for a river walk next to Boone & Crockett, a tavern, and The Cooperage, an adjacent events space, at 748-820 S. Water St. 

The city typically covers around 70% of river walk construction, with the developers covering the remaining costs.

The proposal also would provide $200,000 to fund improvements at South First and West Florida streets − an intersection with a high crash rate. Another $125,000 is to help pay for installing a traffic signal at South Water Street and West Pittsburgh Avenue.

Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com and followed on Instagram, X and Facebook.