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Historic Milwaukee Courthouse Gets Makeover this Spring

For immediate release – April 4, 2018

MILWAUKEE — The U.S. General Services Administration will soon begin an exterior restoration project of the 119-year-old Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Milwaukee.

This project has awarded $23.4 million to repair and restore the masonry on the building’s exterior granite while maintaining its historic integrity.

“GSA’s investment in the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Milwaukee highlights our commitment to one of the oldest buildings in our six state region. When this project is complete, the building’s exterior will be restored for future generations,” said GSA Great Lakes Region Acting Regional Administrator John Cooke.

The work on this historic Milwaukee building includes repairs on the stone cornices, gutters at the turrets on the north building, and granite corners on the south building. The project also includes treatment and preservation of the exterior granite, limestone and brick masonry, as well as repointing and sealant corrections.

Phase One work will begin in April 2018, and will continue through December 2018, with Phase Two occurring from March to December 2019. The majority of the work will take place during evening and weekend hours. Sidewalks around the building will have overhead protection that corresponds to the work on the building.

Additional information about the project’s progress or the history of the building can be found online at www.gsa.gov/milwaukeect.

About the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse

  • The Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse was constructed between 1892 and 1899, and in 1932, construction of a large addition was completed, extending the building southward.
  • In 1972, the building was designated a Milwaukee City Landmark, and in 1973, it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
  • GSA completed a major renovation and restoration project from 1989-1996, which restored the historic interiors to their original brilliance while incorporating modern office needs.