Milwaukee boasts a world-class symphony orchestra, and workers are busy renovating the symphony's new home. The Warner Grand Theater on West Wisconsin Avenue is coming back to life.
"You walk in here and you feel welcome immediately. No one should walk into this building and feel like they don't belong here, " said symphony President Mark Niehaus.
Built in the 1930's the building has been dormant nice 1995.
"It's about Milwaukee. It's about preservation. This beautiful building likely would come down if we were not to save it now," Niehaus said.
"There's over $17 million of historic tax credits. Half on the state and half on the federal level. To renovate, you have to renovate to their standards," he also said.
The massive facelift is also about keeping MSO economically sound.
"The purpose of this project is to get donors off the hook annually so the orchestra can pay their own way," Niehaus said.
The audience will receive a more intimate experience when attending concerts.
And a thriving art scene is good for a city's mental health.
"For us it's about making sure that everyone feels welcome. because art and music is for everybody it changes your life," he said.
"You can't have road rage when you leave the symphony," Niehaus also said.
