A report referenced in a December 14 article states that demolishing the museum building, costing between $12.5 million and $13.5 million, "is more feasible than selling the building for adaptive reuse."
The vacant site's estimated value would range from $7.4 million to $9 million, according to the report, potentially resulting in a loss of at least $3.5 million for the county.
Gerald S. Glazer, a Milwaukee real estate broker with experience selling downtown properties, expressed disagreement. He emphasized that a 417,000-square-foot building in western downtown's core, despite needing significant repairs, deserves preservation. Potential new uses could include office space suitable for law firms, a boutique hotel with a conference center, or a major entertainment venue. Educational institutions like the University of Wisconsin Extension or Milwaukee Area Technical College might also utilize the building for classrooms.
Glazer suggested listing the property for sale "as is" on the county website, requiring buyers to bring it up to code, as the best way to test its market value. He believes this approach could net the county at least a million dollars, and if no acceptable bids are received, demolition could still proceed.
