Mitchell Domes to get a halo

Upgrade will include ring of light visible from I-94, glass repair

Originally published in The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Online http://www.jsonline.com/ March 11, 2008

By STEVE SCHULTZE
sschultze@journalsentinel.com

A major upgrade of the Mitchell Park Domes this summer will include a "halo ring" illuminating the top of the Show Dome and making it visible at night from I-94.

The project is made possible by $550,000 in private donations for a new lighting system and is one of several major renovations at the domes this year.

A $2.2 million glass replacement began this week, with the money coming from an insurance settlement based on damage from the Dec. 6, 2006, explosion at the Falk Corp. Shock waves from that blast, traced to a leaky propane pipe, were found to have cracked or broken more than 700 of the triangular glass panels on the domes, said Jim Keegan, finance director for the county Parks Department.

Those 700 panes are about 20% of the total panes for the three glass structures. The work is slow - only about five panes a day can be installed because each must be individually cut to fit, Keegan said.

The donation was announced Monday at the Milwaukee County Board's parks committee, which voted 6-0 to accept the money. It was given by local philanthropists Michael Cudahy and Chris Abele and a third, unnamed donor. Abele said the dome project represents a prime example of positive public-private partnerships.

The county also is planning to spend more than $390,000 to replace the roof and ceiling of the lobby building linking the domes. Combining the public and private money will allow a project with a bigger impact and perhaps encourage other future efforts, Abele said.

The lighting project will include new entry and exterior lights, energy-efficient LED lamps inside the domes that can be programmed for different effects and the outside ring.

The halo effect will restore the intent of Domes architect Donald Grieb , who designed the triple-dome structure that was built in the 1960s at 524 S. Layton Blvd.

Drivers on the freeway will be able to see the landmark, and the inside lighting will permit more evening programming, said Sandy Folaron, the Domes executive director.

The facility will be closed for construction June 22 through late September.

The County Board is to vote on the donations March 20.