Economic Impact
Positively impacting Milwaukee and Wisconsin
The Baird Center expansion doubled the convention center space to total more than 1.3 million square feet, allowing the Baird Center to host multiple events simultaneously and offer flexible space arrangements to meet various clients’ needs. The $456 million Baird Center expansion also brought the exposition hall to 300,000 contiguous square feet; added 24 new meeting rooms for a total of 52; constructed a new 400 indoor parking space garage; added 6 loading docks for a total of 22; built a new state-of-the-art kitchen in the North Building; and features the spectacular rooftop Baird Ballroom with space for a maximum of 2,000 people for a seated dinner and the adjoining Baird Sky View Terrace with its panoramic city views.
As important, the expansion was built by Milwaukee, for Milwaukee and will serve as an economic driver for our community for decades to come.
Making a difference
The WCD had a 31% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise commitment for the expansion and modernization project, with at least 25% minority-owned businesses, 5% women-owned businesses, and 1% disabled veteran-owned businesses being used in the construction. All goals were surpassed.
The WCD committed to a Residential Preference Program (RPP) that assured at least 40% of on-site construction labor hours would be performed by trade workers residing in the city of Milwaukee. At the end of the project 41.3% of labor hours were performed by Milwaukee residents.
The expanded and modernized Baird Center is projected to attract an additional 100,000 out-of-state visitors annually.
