I get it (kind of), but I don’t like it. Actually, I like the design. Just not the location. Let me explain.
Every time I walk or drive under the new overpass that separates the Third Ward from Downtown, I see a sign that reads "East Town" as I’m clearly heading into the Historic Third Ward. It’s on Broadway as you head south. It seems out of place. I love the design element of it, but not the placement.
Sure, there’s a "Historic Third Ward" sign on the next freeway slab (see below) but it’s still confusing. Again, I do love the design and its incorporation into the freeway.
I understand how this could have happened (and maybe even why it is so) since Broadway is a one-way street for this stretch. DOT officials may just be trying to signal that the freeway chunk is actually located in the East Town neighborhood.
I did send an email asking, but I've gotten no response, yet. All in all, I know, there are bigger fish to fry and I’m happy that some type of design was incorporated into the new freeways.
(Update: Michael Pyritz from the DOT left me a message saying the signs and designs were urged by the business groups. To this, I say, cheers and congrats as I love the look.)
And, when you travel along Water Street northbound back into Downtown and East Town, the signage is correct.
Yet, the Broadway sign still bugs me. Flip it around, if you're walking, and it's correct. So, if Broadway ever goes to 2-way traffic it's perfect!
Carry on, and On Milwaukee.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
