Department of Public Works

‘Traffic Gardens’ Coming to MPS Buildings

Part of Safe Routes to School program, teaching students how to bike and follow rules of the road.

Taco John’s, Popeyes Opening Near Airport

Plan Commission okays two new fast food places in vacant site at 5th and Layton.

Green Infrastructure Project Planned For Interstate 94 and Becher Street

Site divides Harbor District and Bay View from Lincoln Village, has homeless encampment.

Street Lighting Still Burning Issue For City

Lights are frequently out. Council allocates $20 million to replace them, but effort may take years to complete.

Special Election Called For Kovac’s Seat

Veteran alderman is now the city budget director. Primary would be on August 9

MPD Temporarily Lost More Than 8,000 Citations

Offenses including speeding, disorderly conduct, assault and battery had no follow-up after ticket issued.

Committee Backs Kovac For Budget Director

A unanimous vote for alderman, whose resignation is expected to occur May 9.

No New Jackpot Tax at Potawatomi

Borkowski pulls his proposal after meeting with casino CEO. But he already has a new more modest plan.

Mayor, Students Celebrate Arbor Day With Tree Planting

Mayor Johnson, DPW plant trees along 30th Street corridor with students from nearby schools.

Vliet Street Reconstruction Gets Federal Funding

Plus: Humboldt reconstruction nearly 50% over budget and the future of Highway 175.

DPW Plans Surge of Traffic-Calming Bump Outs

Plan to combat reckless driving, protect pedestrians using ARPA funds.

Who Will Lead Public Works Department?

Proposal would give Mayor Johnson ability to pick non-engineer to lead key department.

Melvina Park Expansion To Start Later This Year

Century City park will quadruple in size, replacing empty parking lots with play space.

New Mayor Offers Upbeat Inaugural Address

A who's who crowd cheers Johnson's vision of improved public safety and family-supporting jobs

6th District town hall meeting to take place Wednesday, April 20

City Approves 31 New Speed Humps, More Expected

But backlog of sidewalk repairs looms

Should National Avenue Rebuild Include Plans for Streetcar?

Alderman Bauman floats idea as strategy to save money if future extension is built.

Wells Street Could Gain Raised Bike Lanes

Quarter-mile stretch will be rebuilt through East Town.

Traffic Calming Efforts Advancing On Two Downtown Arteries

Water and Van Buren streets would be rebuilt with a focus on safety.

Scooters Were Popular, But Will They Return?

Scooter ridership set records in 2021. Alderman floats pathway to bring them back.

What Do Milwaukee Mayors Do?

Like a public sector CEO, running 20 city departments.

Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan sets Milwaukee up for success

Local Breweries Collaborate on Milwaukee River Clean-up for Earth Month

Six breweries along the Milwaukee River invite the public to clean up the trails, parks and river corridor together on April 2

Karen Dettmer Leaving City For Federal Job

Interim Public Works Commissioner, former Water Works leader will join federal EPA.

You’re Invited: Light & Unite Red Week

March 26-April 1, 2022 Throughout Milwaukee County

Workers Seeking Raises Find Open Ears, Empty Pockets

Pension cliff and stagnant wages are pushing city toward a 'tipping point.'

Third Ward Board Approves New Tower

Design approval for 31-story, 333-unit building with retail space facing river and outdoor patio.

Cavalier Johnson Plans Focus on Jobs

Mayoral candidate wants to grow city’s population, economy, employment.

Feedback Sought On Bay View Park’s Design

Plan to overhaul Zillman Park at north end of neighborhood seeks citizen input.

Feds Pursuing Complete Streets

A goal of safe and accessible roadways for all users isn't just a Milwaukee policy anymore.

Where Do City’s Felled Trees Go?

City cuts down and replaces some 3,500 trees per year. What does it do with the wood?

Van Buren Could Receive Protected Bike Lane

City of Milwaukee considering three options.

Water Sector Employers Join Together to Recruit and Train the Workforce of Tomorrow

City’s Boulevard System Being Vandalized

Public should report any suspicious activity on flower beds

New Plans Aims To Grow 13th Street

Extension of KK River Trail, traffic calming for Oklahoma Ave and safety improvements for S. 13th Street.

City Poised To Use $8.5 Million From TIFs to Combat Reckless Driving

Projects located near Midtown Center, Burnham Park and East Town.

Official Milwaukee Christmas Tree Becoming Art, Beer and Mulch

You can own or drink a piece of the city's 108th annual holiday tree.

Gallery With Artist Housing Proposed For West Side

Neighborhood resident proposes to redevelop fire-damaged building built in 1875.

Southeastern Wisconsin Organization receives EPA Grant to Train Environmental Workers for Jobs Created by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding

Great Lakes Community Conservation Corp, Inc. to receive Brownfields Job Training Grants to boost workforce training in underserved communities

City Needs Act of Congress Because of Couture-Streetcar Delay

City officials admit project is behind schedule.

Federal Funding for Lead Pipe Removal Likely a Year Away

But Milwaukee Water Works officials were encouraged by show of confidence from VP Harris.

New Assessment Commissioner Chosen

Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson picks Nicole Larsen to first serve as Chief Assessor, then Assessment Commissioner.

Virtual 6th District town hall meeting set for Thursday, January 20

Event will include announcement of 2021 Difference Makers Award winners

Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson Contracts COVID-19

Johnson is fully vaccinated and boosted.

Three Projects Test Traffic Calming

And 16 more projects coming next year, in city effort to combat reckless driving.

Does City Need Third Drop-Off Center for Waste?

DPW says it would provide efficiencies, but one alderman balks at the cost.

City Will Issue Parking Tickets By Mail

Change comes as a result of threats, attacks on parking checkers.

A Harbor District Revival

1915 building at 2nd and Mineral racked up lawsuits, code violations. New owner going back to basics.

Johnson Plan Targets Reckless Driving

Acting-mayor-to-be and mayoral candidate Cavalier Johnson releases detailed plan of action.

Dettmer’s Appointment As Public Works Head Is Historic

First female to lead DPW, first time that no major mayor-appointed leaders are white males.

Council adopts ordinance lowering recovery rate for assessable traffic calming improvements

Van Buren’s Supernova Ascent

Two projects will reshape the newly two-lane street.

City Could Make Speed Humps Cheaper

Committee approves slashing cost for property owners by 69% to combat reckless driving.

Should 20 MPH Be Milwaukee’s Default Speed Limit?

City has money set aside to lower speed limits, particularly on side streets.

DPW Unveils 16 Traffic Calming Projects

Effort being funded with American Rescue Plan Act funds. Construction to start in spring.

City Will Begin Mailing Parking Tickets

Starting with tickets given at night, to protect parking checkers from verbal threats and physical assaults.

A Green Infrastructure Plan For Lynden Hill

Upgrade of area near 23rd and McKinley part of bigger plan to capture 8.5 million gallons of stormwater.

Cathedral Square’s New Frame

Streetscaping project aims to beautify park, support community events.

Public Works Commissioner Jeff Polenske Leaving For Private Sector

Three-decade government veteran "retiring" for private-sector employment.

Nov. 21 Is Deadline For Raking Your Leaves

City extends annual leaf pickup by one week. Plus: more snowplow operators hired.

How Should Milwaukee Honor Ralph Metcalfe?

Black sprinter was once "fastest man in the world," and later a political trailblazer.

Construction Underway on ‘Frame the Square’ Project in Milwaukee’s Cathedral Square

Streetscaping project will bring needed upgrades to the perimeter of the square; all park amenities will remain open and accessible throughout construction

Common Council adopts file aimed at enhancing COVID safety protocols in City buildings

116 Non-Vaccinated Workers Face Suspension

And possible termination. 95.3% of general city employees complied with vaccine mandate.

Van Buren Will Become Two Lane Street

New bike lanes and parallel parking added, as four lanes for cars reduced to two.

Momentum Builds at Century City

New industrial building would bring more jobs to area while city works on public improvements.

Committee Recommends Few Budget Amendments

No fee increases and few changes as council braces for next year's fiscal cliff.

City Faces Shortage of Garbage Truck, Snowplow Drivers

Milwaukee raising starting pay by $5,400.

North Side Plan Plots 16 Priority Projects

Traffic calming, housing rehab, safety, dealing with vacant lots top list of recommended projects.

Staffing Issues Could Leave Milwaukee With More Snowplows Than Drivers

At the very least, expect it to take longer for Milwaukee to clean up after a storm.

Milwaukee Wants Your Input on Future of Dockless Scooters

432,794 trips taken through end of September, but downtown ban cut ridership 50%.

Committee recommends approval of ARPA omnibus proposal

Includes funding for public safety and crime prevention, housing, lead abatement, continued COVID response and more

Wheel Park Planned For Emigh Playfield in Tippecanoe

Would be city's first park targeted at BMX bikes, skateboards, scooters and skates.

City Could Issue Citations For Failing To Disconnect Downspouts

But focus will be on hiring contractors to complete work, keep stormwater out of Deep Tunnel.

Milwaukee Marathon Canceled Second Year In A Row

The event was struggling with permitting for the course and security.

Council President Proposes New City Department of Transportation

Ald. Cavalier Johnson thinks the department could better address reckless driving.

Council approves major ARPA-funded pedestrian safety/anti-reckless driving measure

12 Takeaways From City’s 2022 Budget

What's in the 600 page, $1.75 billion budget document? An inside look at your city government.

Getting Milwaukee closer to better financial health, more stable housing, and improved public health and safety

Statement of Common Council President Cavalier Johnson September 21, 2021

More Than 660 Street Trees Lost in August Storm

City officials debating how to get ready for next big storm as they await bill from "unprecedented" event.

Communication files target storm response, COVID procedures

City Could Lose 40% of ARPA Funds to Revenue Recovery

Funds would go towards plugging revenue shortfalls, not generational investments.

The Edison Will Add Restaurant, Commercial Space to Riverwalk

Site is currently a floral warehouse. Developer secures approval to add landscaping, patio to city land.

Ald. Coggs introduces communication file to discuss response to recent storms

Reckless driving leads to more unnecessary loss of life

Statement of Common Council President Cavalier Johnson August 16, 2021

Second Mass Timber Tower Files for Design Approval

City Plan Commission will review proposed building on Aug. 23rd.

Crash-Prone Walnut Street To Receive Road Diet

Rebuilding effort will add safety improvements for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

Milwaukee Cleans Up From Storm, Braces For Another Difficult Night

Tens of thousands of Milwaukee residents remain without power Wednesday afternoon.

310W Owner Sues City for $5 Million For Sewer Backup

Massive 2020 rainstorm caused damage but city attorney says city wasn't negligent.

Scooters Banned From Downtown

About 30% of riders found to be riding on sidewalks, triple the limit authorized by city.

Work Starting on Cathedral Square Upgrade

Changing popular park's perimeter to accommodate crowds, make square more attractive

Becher Street Receiving Road Diet, Raised Bike Lane

Project being paid for with funds generated by Michels development.

Harley-Davidson Museum Worth $12 Million

But this value will soon increase. And the site has a remarkable history.

City’s Urban Forest Fights Climate Change

Unlike in some cities Milwaukee’s urban forestry program is not in decline.

Barrett Plan Combats Reckless Driving

$28.2 million in federal grant targeted at reckless driving, violence, early childhood education and small business support.

City Removing Some Downtown Meters

You can now park for free on a portion of E. Knapp St.

Commit To Safe Driving Rally Set For Thursday

The Downspout Police Are Coming

Disconnecting downspouts is part of strategy to reduce Deep Tunnel overflows into Lake Michigan.

Bauman Blasts Mayor on Water Street Chaos

Alderman wants stronger actions. "The mayor is basically whistling past the graveyard."