Support Us
MPA sent all 2023 Special Election candidates for County Supervisor District 14 listed as “Certified for Ballot” by the Milwaukee County Election Commission the following three questions to better understand their perspectives on historic preservation topics, including the future of the Mitchell Park Domes. The answers provided below represent the unedited responses from those candidates who submitted responses. The candidates not included in the below responses have not returned answers to MPA.

MPA does not endorse or oppose candidates for public office.
​
 
QUESTION 1
What is your favorite historic site, building, or neighborhood in Milwaukee County, and what is your personal connection to it? How will you ensure Milwaukee County’s older buildings, characteristic neighborhoods, and other important historic resources remain vibrant assets to our county’s culture, economy, tourism, and the perception of Milwaukee as a world-class city?


Travis Hope: I love all the historical sites and buildings that are in Milwaukee county, one of my favorites is the St.Josaphats basilica almost everywhere I lived on the Southside from childhood on I could see that dome,even today from my back yard I see it.

And with it being across the street from one of the oldest parks (Kosciusko) it just makes it more special, and the Kosciusko statue  is another reason why I love Lincoln village. All the neighborhoods on the Southside are special to me but all this together with the history I had growing up here and rasing my kids here and to know that all the generations of my Aunt's family enjoyed these same place as my children gives this neighborhood a special meaning.

And that's why I will continue to advocate for parks and historical places in the county.

St.josphats basilica is one of the most visited places in the county 14th district and as a voulunter and community organizer I have helped make the area safer to keep people visiting the area I have done clean up's and created safety groups and attended many meetings including the Lincoln village plan created by the city to help do that very thing to keep one of the most visited part of the city keep going and getting better for the future and I want to see that for all the historical sites places and neighborhoods for all to enjoy in a safe welcoming environment.
 QUESTION 2
If elected, what specific efforts will you make to promote and incorporate the reuse of existing buildings into the county’s health and equity vision as well as its sustainability programs and policies?


Travis Hope: I believe in reuse of historical buildings and places for all to enjoy plus have a purpose for the future of the county.

​But all this needs to be maintained and repurposed for it to be sustainable.

That means rasing more money for historical sites through National grants as well as other means.

Policies need to be fair and equal for all making sure all are receiving fair access to housing and health care and the county amenities like Green spaces (parks,zoo,pools) are being enjoyed by all and are helping creating healthy families to live safely and healthy in the county and I will always push for that to continue.
​
I also believe the county 2050 plan will help that vision plan make Milwaukee county a healthy and thriving place for all to live.­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­
QUESTION 3
Outreach to the public has consistently shown strong public support for a long-term restoration solution for the Mitchell Park Domes, including over 2,500 signatories to a petition calling for such a way forward (https://savingplaces.org/places/the-domes) and over 800 letters sent to County officials opposing demolition as an option. In December 2022, the Board of Supervisors asked the County to explore “all options” for the future of the Domes, from demolition to a comprehensive restoration and rehabilitation of the Domes and Park. This report is due to the Board of Supervisors this summer. (See additional details at https://www.milwaukeepreservationalliance.org/save-our-domes.html)

How would you approach a long term plan for the Mitchell Park Domes? What factors are most important to consider when thinking about the future of the Domes?


Travis Hope: I have been going to the domes all my life and was one of the places I always took my kids on the free days with my family.

I attended some of the first dome meetings as a concerned resident and have been involved in many discussions involving the future of the domes. I want the domes to be around for future generations.

I was encouraged by some of the work that has been done by the county supervisors to keep pushing to keep the domes a important, historical place to visit, and I drive past it every day still impressed by it's impact it has had on Milwaukee county as a whole.

I would be open to a plan that will keep the domes a unique Milwaukee landmark and treasure.

I would like to see other Milwaukee treasures step up and help the county board with a plan to keep the domes being the incredible asset it is.
​
I would like to see the domes remain as a important part of the  county parks system, as one of it's crown jewels in the emerald necklace of parks that stretch and keep the county together for all to enjoy.