City Moves Forward With Water Initiative

Over one hundred companies and five of the largest water companies in the world have a presence in the Milwaukee area.  The City of Milwaukee and UWM are working to tap into this resource by creating a water research district and in UWM’s case establishing a new School of Freshwater Sciences.  A first step in this process was represented by file number 081544 which will create a boundary area for the redevelopment plan and designate the area blighted.  The boundary area can been seen on this map and includes the Port of Milwaukee, the Great Lakes Water Institute and properties in the vicinity.

Dan Casanova, from the Department of City Development, explained that this plan will allow them to “create jobs, remediate brownfields, and improve access to the water” and added that it will “further the mission of the M7 Water Council.”  He pointed out that the designated area has a defective street grid, and numerous deteriorating sites and structures.  Alderman Michael Murphy spoke of the value of water to Milwaukee’s economic future and summed up his support for the project saying “I think we have a great opportunity here in the city.”  Showing this efforts widespread support the entire committee was added as cosponsors.  This file was approved and will now go before the full Common Council.

The City of Milwaukee is moving to foreclose on the Esser Paint property within the 30th Street Industrial Corridor.  Once that process is complete the approval of file number 081542 will assign a blight designation to this property and allow acquisition by the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee. Benji Timm, from the Department of City Development, explained the site has a multitude of environmental and safety issues, but that the department believes a solution is manageable.  These issues included, contamination, underground storage tanks, asbestos, and that some of the buildings are collapsing.  The plan is to utilize HUD, EPA, and Wisconsin DNR funds to cover the cost of site cleanup which would include $500,000 for demolition, $50,000 for site assessment, and $100,000 for underground tank removal.  This file was approved and will now go before the full Common Council.