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Milwaukee getting new dock for growing cruise ship visits. Some alders say city shouldn’t fund it

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Milwaukee getting new dock for growing cruise ship visits. Some alders say city shouldn’t fund it


Milwaukee is getting a new publicly funded dock to accommodate its growing cruise ship business — despite an attempt by some Common Council members to use $5 million in city cash for other programs.

That dock funding was included in Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s 2025 budget approved by the council.

Work on that new dock, which will better handle large Viking cruise ships, begins in 2025. It’s to be operating by spring 2026.

Here’s what to know.

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Viking cruises spur the project

Viking in 2022 began using Milwaukee as a turnaround site for its Great Lakes cruises — with trips starting or ending here. That means more spending by visitors at hotels, restaurants and other businesses, Port Director Jackie Carter says.

But other Great Lakes cities are eyeing that business and Port Milwaukee faces the prospect of increased competition, according to Carter.

That led the port to plan a $17 million project to create a new cruise dock. It will be built on vacant land just east of the Lake Express Ferry Terminal, 2320 S. Lincoln Memorial Drive.

The Viking ships now dock at Port Milwaukee’s heavy lift dock — which mainly serves cargo ships. It’s within an industrial area off South Carferry Drive on Jones Island and “isn’t the most welcoming place” for tourists, according to Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic.

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Smaller cruise ships, which can maneuver through shallower waters, dock at Pier Wisconsin, 530 N. Harbor Drive.

Dock funding includes federal, state grants

The project will be funded with $4 million in federal and state grants, $7.64 million in port cash reserves, and $5 million from city taxpayers.

That $17 million tab includes spending on road, sewer and water improvements to make the site available for other development.

Cruise ship passengers visiting Milwaukee generated a $7.2 million regional economic impact from 2022 through 2024, according to a study commissioned by Port Milwaukee.

Ald. Bauman sought to divert funding

Ald. Robert Bauman, who chairs the council’s Public Works Committee, opposed the $5 million funding request that was part of Johnson’s 2025 budget proposal.

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He said the cost was too high, and was skeptical of the economic impact study.

Bauman offered an amendment that would have diverted the funding to street reconstruction and paving projects, and a city fund that helps first-time homebuyers with down payments.

Dimitrijevic, whose district includes the dock site, supported the dock funding. She said it would help attract more visitors who spend money in Milwaukee while also setting the stage for additional development at the site.

That amendment was rejected by the council on a 12-2 vote in November. Bauman was joined by Ald. DiAndre Jackson in supporting it.

Other port projects

Meanwhile, a $45 million agricultural maritime export terminal, opened in 2023 on the west side of Jones Island at 1711 S. Carferry Drive.

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Clinton-based DeLong Co. uses it to ship dried distillers grain, an animal feed supplement, and other products aimed at international markets.

The terminal is being expanded, with that work likely to start in 2025.

Also, PCB-polluted sediment being removed from the Milwaukee River Estuary will be stored at the port’s Dredged Material Management Facility. It’s being built east of South Lincoln Memorial Drive and north of the Lake Express Ferry Terminal.

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





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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee police chase, 15-year-old driver arrested

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Milwaukee police chase, 15-year-old driver arrested


Milwaukee Police Department (MPD)

Milwaukee police arrested a 15-year-old boy after a pursuit across the city’s north side Wednesday night.

What they’re saying:

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The chase started around 9:20 p.m. MPD said officers saw a vehicle that was wanted in an armed robbery and tried to stop it near 33rd and Locust, but the driver took off.

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The chase ended roughly two miles away near 29th and Roosevelt, where the driver got out and ran. MPD said the suspect’s vehicle continued to roll and collided with another vehicle. Officers ultimately caught the 15-year-old and took him into custody.

What’s next:

Criminal charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.

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The Source: FOX6 News requested information from the Milwaukee Police Department.

 

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee stabbing near 40th and McKinley; 1 wounded, 1 arrested

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Milwaukee stabbing near 40th and McKinley; 1 wounded, 1 arrested


Milwaukee Police Department

One person was taken to the hospital after a stabbing in Milwaukee on Wednesday night, Jan. 7. 

What we know:

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According to Milwaukee police, a 26-year-old was stabbed around 7 p.m. near 40th and McKinley. 

Milwaukee police arrested a suspect on the scene.

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What you can do:

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or P3 Tips.

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The Source: The information in this post was provided by the Milwaukee Police Department. 

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Milwaukee man charged; officer trapped in defendant’s getaway car

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Milwaukee man charged; officer trapped in defendant’s getaway car


A 26-year-old Milwaukee man is accused of fleeing police during an arrest attempt. An officer who was present to make the arrest ended up being trapped in the backseat of the defendant’s vehicle during an attempt to flee law enforcement. The accused is Kewane Daniels – and he faces the following criminal counts: 

  • First-degree recklessly endangering safety
  • False imprisonment
  • Operating a motor vehicle to flee or in an attempt to elude an officer
  • Second-degree recklessly endangering safety

Property taken, arrest attempt

What we know:

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According to the criminal complaint, Milwaukee police reported to the Comfort Suites near 118th and Silver Spring after a caller indicated that “property had been taken from her by the defendant,” the complaint says. The caller indicated location data alerted her that the property was in the hotel parking lot. Daniels also had two warrants for his arrest. 

The caller reached out to Daniels to come outside and meet her. Law enforcement were going to assist with arresting Daniels and getting the property back.

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The complaint indicates Daniels approached his car, and an officer followed and positioned himself behind an open rear door. He “drew his service weapon knowing that Daniels was reported to frequently be armed,” the complaint says. The officer ordered Daniels not to place the car in drive, but the complaint says Daniels ignored the orders and “accelerated in reverse in an attempt to flee (the officer).”

Arresting officer trapped in defendant’s vehicle

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Dig deeper:

The officer, who was now being forced to back pedal, “realized he could not keep up with the quickly reversing vehicle, and feared he may be overtaken and crushed beneath the auto. (The officer) stated that he had to jump into the open rear passenger’s seat in order to escape the possibility of being knocked down beneath the oncoming vehicle’s door and tires,” the complaint says.

The defendant quickly accelerated out of the hotel parking lot with the officer in the rear seat. The officer “continually ordered him to stop the car,” the complaint says. The officer stated, “Daniels fled at a high rate of speed near 90 mph east on W. Silver Spring Drive while losing control and mounting the curb several times,” the complaint says. During this entire incident, the officer said he “kept his service weapon aimed at Daniels while in the back seat. Due to the speeds and reckless driving, (the officer) could not exit the vehicle,” the complaint says.

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The court filing says the officer having his firearm pointed had no effect on Daniels pulling over the vehicle. Later, he put his weapon away to try and convince Daniels that he was not in danger and to pull over the vehicle. Instead, the defendant continued fleeing and driving recklessly, the complaint says.

Defendant bails, car crashes

What we know:

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Near 92nd and Birch Avenue in Milwaukee, the complaint says, “Daniels opened the driver’s door and abandoned the vehicle which was still moving at approximately 35 mph.” The officer remained trapped in the rear passenger seat of the driverless vehicle which “came to a stop when it mounted the curb, continued into a front yard, and eventually crashed into a tree,” the complaint says. It is noted that Daniels’ vehicle had the child locks engaged, so the officer was unable to exit the vehicle on his own.

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Officers in other squads quickly located Daniels. The complaint indicates the defendant was “missing footwear in extremely frigid temperatures.” His footwear was recovered in a grassy area near where he was taken into custody.

What’s next:

Online court records indicate Daniels is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Milwaukee County court on Thursday, Jan. 8. 

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The Source: Information in this post was provided by Wisconsin Circuit Court Access and the criminal complaint associated with this case.

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