The $456 million project broke ground in October 2021
On Thursday, May 16, leadership from the Wisconsin Center District (WCD), city and county officials and other community leaders celebrated the grand opening of the expanded and modernized Baird Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Ceremony speakers included WCD President and CEO Marty Brooks, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, WCD Board of Directors Chairman Jim Kanter, Baird Chairman and CEO Steve Booth, Visit Milwaukee President and CEO Peggy Williams-Smith and City of Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.
“The Baird Center expansion and modernization will elevate our city to its highest potential, drive economic impact throughout southeastern Wisconsin and create not-to-be-missed experiences for everyone who walks through those doors,” WCD President and CEO Marty Brooks said in his remarks.
During the ceremony, City of Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson also read a proclamation declaring May 16 Baird Center Day.
To conclude, students from the Milwaukee Public Schools joined Brooks for the installation of a time capsule. MPS students collected and contributed artifacts for the time capsule, which will be locked in a compartment inside Baird Center for no less than 50 years.
The $456 million expansion, which broke ground on October 28, 2021, brings the convention center’s size to 1.3 million square feet. The expansion brought the exhibition hall to 300,000 contiguous square feet, added 400 indoor parking spaces and the spectacular rooftop Baird Ballroom and Baird Sky View Terrace.
The expanded and modernized convention center includes intentional features like sensory rooms, nursing mother’s rooms and all-gender restrooms to ensure the building is inclusive for all. Additionally, the expansion is equipped with top-notch sustainability features like an underground stormwater management system, bird-friendly glass, an on-site food composter and a solar roof, sure to contribute to a greener community. The District is also applying for LEED Silver certification.
The Wisconsin Center District exceeded its diversity, equity and inclusion goals by contracting with:
- 25.3% minority-owned businesses (25% goal).
- 16.5% women-owned businesses (5% goal).
- 1% disabled-veteran-owned businesses (1% goal).
Baird Center surpassed its overall business inclusion goal by 11.7% for a total of 42.7%.
On-site labor hours were performed by:
- 47.9% Residence Preference Program (RPP) workers (40% goal). RPP workers are identified as Milwaukeeans living in the city’s most underserved zip codes.
- 4.5% women (5% goal).
- 1.2% disabled veterans (1% goal).
- 42% minority workers (25 % goal).
“This project was truly built for Milwaukee, by Milwaukee,” Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said.
WCD Board of Directors Chairman Jim Kanter commended Brooks for the work he and his team have done in managing this project.
“In being bullish to see this project through and communicating with transparency every step of the way, I am confident that the expanded Baird Center will elevate Milwaukee and position our city as a top-tier convention destination,” Kanter said.
Later that evening, Baird Center hosted a private Grand Opening Gala to celebrate the occasion. Over 1,100 guests were treated to spectacular food and beverages, live entertainment and a special performance by award-winning Broadway star Idina Menzel. The Wisconsin Center District was proud to donate a majority of table sponsorship sales back to two significant community organizations, the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha Counties, and the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF).