The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts ended its more than 20-year run of Rainbow Summer, a free outdoor concert series, in 2003. Held in the cozy Peck Pavilion near the Milwaukee River, the event was a Milwaukee staple that had run its course.
Now, six years after its last regular programming, the Peck Pavilion is finally getting an overhaul. The area that features a mature grove of chestnut trees is closed, secured and under construction.
I asked Heidi Lofy, VP Marketing & PR at Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, a few questions about the renovations.
OnMilwaukee.com: When was the Peck Pavilion constructed?
Heidi Lofy: Peck Pavilion was completed in 1982. Construction was made possible by a gift from the Peck Family. And, when was the last show (Rainbow Summer) there? Rainbow Summer ended in 2003.
OMC: What are the renovation plans and time frame?
HL: Initial work has begun on replacing the roof on the space frame and backstage. They will also be cleaning and re-coating the metal frame plus refurbishing the wood ceiling of the space frame. Work is planned to be completed in spring.
OMC: Any specific plans to reprogram the area for next summer?
HL: We have not begun any specific planning for programming for summer. We have recently hired a new director of programming who has begun efforts for new programming inside the building. We expect to start looking at options for possible outdoor programming after the first of the year when we have a better sense of completion dates for grounds renovation work.
OMC: Any other upgrades to the Marcus Center grounds?
HL: We are in the planning process for some additional work on the west drive to begin in spring 2011. We will be working on updating landscaping, replacing or refurbishing the hard surfaces (concrete and brick) with a focus on storm water management, (like) porous pavement, rain gardens, etc.
OMC: What about the new building plans at parking structure site, are those moving ahead?
HL: We are still exploring options for redevelopment of the Marcus Center parking structure.
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.
