As many of us know, change can be hard to accept, especially when we feel passionately about something. Thus, change in Milwaukee is particularly difficult to swallow because many of us have lived in and loved this city – as is – for decades. And for some of us, since birth.

I try to walk the line between appreciating the old and welcoming the new. I have to push past my Brew City nostalgia to do it, but I do it because I want – right under eternal health for my family and world peace – for Milwaukee to thrive. I work every day to help in my small way to make this happen.

Thus, I've just decided that Milwaukee's mantra for the next 12 months is "thrive in 2025." By the looks of what's to come in the next year for Brew City, it seems like thriving is on our horizon.

Here are a few things I'm particularly excited for in 2025 (in no particular order):

1. The opening of the Associated Bank Theater Center (new home of The Milwaukee Repertory Theater)

In May, The Milwaukee Repertory Theater broke ground on its $78 million plan to build a new theater and renovate its 1988 Powerhouse Theater complex. The theater will serve as The Rep's main performance space with improved seating and sightlines, improved accessibility and cutting-edge production technology. It is slated to open in the autumn of 2025. 

Check out renderings  – and take a virtual tour – of the theater here. 

2. New dog park in Milwaukee's Downtown/Third Ward

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The much-anticipated 22,000-square-foot dog park will be built beneath the I-794 freeway. The dog park will feature synthetic turf; an irrigation system; two separate areas for big and small dogs; water stations; public art; and RiverWalk access. Plus, next to the park will be the Foxtown Landing development that includes a restaurant and brewery taproom. See renderings and find out more here. 

3. Troll sculpture in Tosa

And in "Keeping Milwaukee Weird" news, a giant troll sculpture will be hiding in plain sight at a new park on 116th Street and West Gilbert Avenue. 

Danish artist Thomas Dambo has artworks made of recycled materials in Germany, France, Brazil, Australia, South Korea, China and, later this year, Wauwatosa. Read and see more here.

4. The moving of South Shore Beach

Construction to rehabilitate and relocate South Shore beach farther south along Bay View's stretch of Lake Michigan begins in mid to late October and is expected to wrap up in the spring of 2025, according to Milwaukee County's Parks Department.

5. FPC Live Music Venue opening

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Any effort to bring more live music to Milwaukee is a welcomed effort. The FPC Live venue, a 4,500-person concert hall, will open later this year in the Deer District (formerly the Bradley Center).

FPC Live will be a ballroom-style venue with reserved seating, general admission and standing room areas. It will host 100+ events a year. It is slated to open in late 2025.