Downtown construction won't stop Friday Night Live, but it has changed the way the widely popular event is operating this year.
Two of the 10 stages at this year's Friday Night Live, which routinely attracts thousands of visitors, will not be open until construction ends, and another two have been temporarily relocated indoors while the roadwork along Main Street, in between Clinton and North Barstow streets, and along Broadway Street and Grand Avenue continues.
Susie Taylor, who runs the event with her brother-in-law Dan, did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on the changes. But documents filed with the city and the FNL website spell out what residents can expect this year.
Construction impact
At the moment, it is impossible to walk through downtown without having to navigate around orange construction barrels and plastic security netting.
As a result, two stages — the new Waukesha Hispanic Collaborative stage at Grand Avenue and South Street and the Waukesha Civic Theater stage — will open only after construction is complete, according to city records.
The Crest and the Martha Merrell's Books and Toys/Krumrich's Jewelry stages will be inside during construction, according to the FNL website. There's also an alternate location planned for the People's Park and Steaming Cup stage if there is not adequate room for the stage at its planned location on Main just east of Clinton.
The alternate location is just north of the Almont Gallery on Clinton.
According to city staff, construction work downtown is scheduled to be complete by the end of July.
Other stages
The other stages running at FNL this year are the Magellan's stage, Mia's stage, Hannon's stage, the Salty Toad/Thomas Press stage, and the Allo! Chocolat stage.
The new Hispanic Collaborative stage, also called the 'Latin Infusion' stage highlighting various types of Latin music, will be set up outside the Waukesha Chamber of Commerce, 802 N. Grand Ave., once construction ends.
The event, which spans 11 city blocks and is put on by the Waukesha Downtown Business Association, runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. every Friday until Sept. 30.