Six Supervisors Vote to Deny Critical Safety Project at Bender Park

MILWAUKEE – During today’s meeting of the Milwaukee County Board, six Supervisors voted against a resolution to fully fund emergency dredging at the Bender Park Boat Launch, effectively stalling a project improving public safety and lake access.

The resolution, authored by Supervisor Steve F. Taylor, would have transferred $241,418 from contingency funds and $100,000 in surplus from the McKinley Beach safety project to fully close the funding gap and allow the County to move forward with a long-overdue dredging operation.

Supervisors Deanna Alexander, Patti Logsdon, Kathleen Vincent, Anne O’Connor, Felesia A. Martin, and Steven Shea all voted no, choosing delay over action and leaving the harbor unusable for yet another summer.

“This is a textbook example of what happens when personal petty politics get in the way of problem-solving,” said Supervisor Taylor. “For two years, this launch has remained closed. First responders can’t access the lake, residents can’t enjoy the water, and now—with this vote—a small group has decided that’s acceptable. I’m proud of my colleagues who voted to lead. To the rest—I hope it doesn’t take another tragedy to make them realize what’s at stake. Their vote wasn’t just disappointing, it was dangerous. Every day the harbor remains closed, lives are at risk.”

Bender Park, opened in 1999, is not just a recreational site—it is a designated harbor of refuge, providing shelter during dangerous Lake Michigan conditions. Sediment has clogged the launch and rendered it inaccessible.

Had it passed, the project would have restored five feet of depth and reopened a critical access point for both the public and emergency personnel.

While today’s vote passed 11–6 in favor of the project, the resolution failed to secure the necessary two‑thirds majority required to transfer contingency funds.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.