Whitefish Bay Takes a Step Toward a New Klode Park Warming House

A new warming house at Klode Park could be one step closer in Whitefish Bay.

The Whitefish Bay Village Board listed a discussion and possible action on a Klode Warming House architect contract on its April 20 agenda, signaling that the long-discussed project is moving into the design phase. The project traces back to the village’s 2024–2028 Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan and was later folded into the adopted 2026–2031 Capital Improvement Plan. That capital plan includes $1.5 million in 2027 for the Klode Warming House replacement.

Right now, the existing Klode shelter serves as a year-round park building with two single-stall restrooms, a small gathering space, and heat for winter activities like ice skating when weather allows. In other words, this is not just a seasonal beach building. It is one of those small but important community spaces that helps make Klode useful across more of the year.

According to the village packet, Whitefish Bay is seeking a firm to handle design, bidding, and construction oversight for the project, with the goal of completing design work in 2026 so construction or renovation can happen in 2027. Staff said an RFP went out to 13 architecture and landscape architecture firms on February 27, and five firms submitted proposals: Galbraith Carnahan Architects, GROTH Design Group, KORB, Kueny Architects, and Thrive Architects. After evaluations, interviews, and reference checks, staff recommended awarding the contract to GROTH Design Group for $94,500.

The recommended firm’s proposal emphasizes community engagement. GROTH’s approach includes community surveys, focus groups, public presentations, and three conceptual design alternatives with cost estimates. The proposal also mentions a youth design charrette to give kids a chance to share ideas for the space.

That does not mean a final design is set. It does mean the village appears ready to move from broad planning into the more public, practical questions: What should a new Klode warming house look like? How should it function in winter and summer? And how can it best serve families, beachgoers, skaters, and everyday park users? Those answers would likely come into focus during the design process if the contract moves forward.

For families who spend time at Klode Park, this is the kind of project worth watching. A refreshed warming house could improve one of the North Shore’s most-loved lakefront parks while making it more welcoming and functional throughout the year. For now, the big takeaway is this: Whitefish Bay has budgeted for the project, staff has recommended a design firm, and the conversation about what comes next is officially underway.