Milwaukee students and businesspeople gather at a public seating area near the downtown Borders bookstore around lunch time. Planners say people are naturally drawn to water features.
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Brent Wistrom / The Wichita Eagle
Several women from Dallas explore the RiverWalk. They said they were surprised by the development and amenities downtown Milwaukee offers.
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Brent Wistrom / The Wichita Eagle
Water Street is home to many bars and restaurants in downtown Milwaukee.
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Karen Sherlock / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Diners enjoy a summer lunch at Fratellos Waterfront Restaurant, where patio seating and boat docks await patrons. The restaurant is now called Ryan Brauns Waterfront Grill.
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Jeffrey Phelps / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Jazz in the Park opened for the 18th season at downtown Milwaukee's Cathedral Square in 2008.
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Tom Lynn / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Downtown workers enjoy a warm day at Mason St. Landing on the RiverWalk in downtown Milwaukee. (April 1, 2010)
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Kristyna Wentz-Graff / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Rock Bottom Brewery is one of several businesses that shares the public RiverWalk. The Downtown Business Improvement District and local businesses maintain the walk.
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Brent Wistrom / The Wichita Eagle
The Shops at Grand Avenue has stretches of success, but also has dozens of empty storefronts. Many urban planners, including the former mayor, say downtown malls don't work.
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Brent Wistrom / The Wichita Eagle
One phase of the Terrace Row condo project in downtown Milwaukee is complete and for lease, but the other awaits construction.
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Brent Wistrom / The Wichita Eagle
The Bronze Fonz on the RiverWalk is one of the city's most photographed curiosities.
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Brent Wistrom / The Wichita Eagle
Businesspeople walk near the Milwaukee Public Market during the lunch hour.
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Brent Wistrom / The Wichita Eagle
The RiverWalk is dotted with maps and signs to inform Milwaukee walkers.
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Brent Wistrom / The Wichita Eagle
Though downtown is largely considered a success, the recession and other factors have left some streets spotted with vacant and active store fronts.
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Brent Wistrom / The Wichita Eagle
Some corner store spaces haven't been able to attract retailers in downtown Milwaukee.
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Brent Wistrom / The Wichita Eagle
Downtown advocates hope to extend ground level retail to the popular Historic Third Ward, which is just beyond the overpass bridge.
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Brent Wistrom / The Wichita Eagle
Cathedral Square in downtown is a common place for the homeless, college barbecues and concerts and other events scheduled by the area business improvement district.
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Brent Wistrom / The Wichita Eagle
Downtown Business Improvement Districts tax themselves to pay for sidewalk amenities.
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Brent Wistrom / The Wichita Eagle
The downtown Milwaukee skyline. It took years of failed attempts to finally get a development plan for downtown Milwaukee, one city official said.
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Brent Wistrom / The Wichita Eagle
While one public market has succeeded, this one across the street closed.
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Brent Wistrom / The Wichita Eagle
Although much of the RiverWalk is built out, several public parks break it up.
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Brent Wistrom / The Wichita Eagle
Large downtown Milwaukee condo units like this one have had varying degrees of success during the recession.
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Brent Wistrom / The Wichita Eagle
University Towers near the shore of Lake Michigan offers high-end living.
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Brent Wistrom / The Wichita Eagle
The first phase of the Terrace Row condos in downtown Milwaukee has modern design and sits on a tree-lined boulevard spotted with public art.
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Brent Wistrom / The Wichita Eagle
One of Milwaukee's first major downtown tax districts helped create an urban mall that is now mostly vacant in some stretches, but still attracts some shoppers and businesspeople to its food court.
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Brent Wistrom / The Wichita Eagle
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