Lee Matz, Author at Milwaukee Independent

Map: A one day Doors Open route by bus and foot

Posted by Lee Matz | Sep 25, 2017 |

As a photojournalist, I have taken pictures during Doors Open nearly every year since the event started, showcasing the history and architecture of Milwaukee. Of the 170 locations on the 2017 list, I have visited 100 of them either during the Open Doors weekend or for other news reports. The Milwaukee Independent image library is substantial enough that we could produce a feature with unpublished pictures from past years. So we debated about how to cover Doors Open this year that was fresh and not repetitive. The highest location density on the tour list is in the Downtown corridor,...

Photo Essay: Skin used as lifelong canvas of fine art

Posted by Lee Matz | Sep 21, 2017 |

Life painted with art filled the Wisconsin Center and flowed into the streets of downtown over the September 15 weekend as the annual Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Convention celebrated its 8th year.

Photo Essay: Pete’s Fruit Market plants deep roots in Bronzeville

Posted by Lee Matz | Sep 18, 2017 |

These images capture just a glimpse of the energy, excitement, and emotion of the Grand Opening day on September 14, when Bronzeville welcomed the new Tsitiridis family home and business.

Photo Essay: Global PARK(ing) Day brings green spaces to urban landscape

Posted by Lee Matz | Sep 17, 2017 |

Eleven metered parking places in the city were transformed for global PARK(ing) Day on September 15. Downtown Milwaukee reimagined almost a dozen roadway spaces, filling the territories with games, food, and live entertainment. The temporary greening and landscaping was provided by KEI Landscaping, Inc. “We’re excited to join the movement,” said Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. “PARK(ing) Day is a fun way to engage our property owners and partners in placemaking, while demonstrating that the central business district is a vibrant place to live, work and open a business.” From giant Chess to bowling, coffee to...

Photo Essay: 88Nine gifts gigantic mural to Central City

Posted by Lee Matz | Sep 15, 2017 |

88Nine RadioMilwaukee and Penfield Children’s Center celebrated the completion of the Near West Side’s newest mural on September 14.

Key to Change meters to aid in ending chronic homelessness

Posted by Lee Matz | Sep 14, 2017 |

“Give people a place to feel safe. Everyone, not just some people. And then provide them with the wraparound services that they need for rehabilitation, for job training, for job placement. All the support they need to feel like they also have a place in this community.” – Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. In cities across the country, parking meters have been repurposed to end chronic homelessness, and on September 13 Milwaukee joined that effort, to implement a community-giving program through meter donations. Key to Change includes seven coin parking meters along Wisconsin Avenue. Led by...