Department of Public Works

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."

Bay View Wetland Restoration Gets Boost From Grant

Stormwater retention effort part of restoration of Grand Trunk site, Lake Michigan cleanup.

Mayor Backs $15 Minimum Wage For City Workers

More than 400 city employees would get a raise under Barrett's proposal.

Trees, Transit Thwart Riverwest Bike Lanes Plan

Humboldt Boulevard won't get protected bike lane because it would kill too many trees.

Millennial Task Force report received and has first recommendation approved

14th District town hall meetings to take place June 28 and 29

Milwaukee’s “Active Streets” Are Back

Program selects streets and parkways to prioritize pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

Scooters Hit Milwaukee Streets

First wave arrives as Lime, Bird and Spin each deploy their scooters.

City Committee Approves Its Part of BRT Project

Agreement will have the city getting paid to plow snow in exchange for giving up traffic lanes.

The Return of Bird, Lime and Spin

Starting June 1, up to 3,000 scooters could be on city streets.

Zillman Park redevelopment community meeting set for May 18

Coalition Launches Campaign Against Reckless Driving

18 community organizations are working to promote safe driving.

Committee to hear file related to moratorium on mechanical demolitions

City Will Increase Recycling Pickups

Every-other-week recycling pickups will begin in June for most households.

DPW To Test Smart Garbage Truck Technology

Could city fleet be used for reporting potholes and illegal dumping? Maybe.

Historic Home Will Be Moved Three Blocks

To make way for new Marquette sorority building, 1885 home at 16th and Kilbourn moving to lot on 19th St.

Community Groups to Receive More than $100,000 to Help Curb Reckless Driving

City grant money to be used for marketing campaigns, murals & community events

First Streetcar Smart Kiosks Installed

Each with interactive displays mixing ads, streetcar arrival data and PSA's.

Milwaukee Could Suspend Street Lighting Fee

But property owners will need to pay at least once.

Dockless Scooters Will Return in 2021, With Restrictions

Companies could be barred from operating if riders use sidewalks.

New Street Lighting Fee Will Be Levied

Look for it on your next water bill. Fee will pay for more city electricians.

Scooters Could Return To City In May

Common Council creating path for scooters, and with usage beyond Downtown.

Pilot program would put residents to work with snow removal cleanup

Workers would remove snow piles blocking driveway, alley approaches after city plows come through

Level of city’s snow removal efforts simply unacceptable, and we sympathize with frustrated residents

Statement of Alderman Khalif J. Rainey and Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II February 2, 2021

Virtual 6th District town hall meeting set for Thursday, January 21

Event will include announcement of 2020 Difference Makers Award winners

Milwaukee Seeks Data for Vision Zero Push

Consultant would identify dangerous interactions, develop predictive model.

Redesigned Streets Can Deter Reckless Driving

How better engineering can reduce crashes and fatalities.

New City Engineer Must Tackle Reckless Driving

Committee approves Kruschke to job. And alders want him to focus on safety.

Snow Emergency Requiring Alternate Side Parking Continues

Jerrel Kruschke Appointed City Engineer

Mayor Barrett finds a familiar face to replace Samir Amin.

Snow Emergency Requiring Alternate Side Parking In Effect

Couture Plans August 2023 Completion

City agreement requires groundbreaking for 44-story lakefront tower by February 1st.

City Selling 10 Parking Lots

Looking for land redevelop in the city? DCD may have a deal for you.

Why All The New Cell Phone Towers?

5G towers are popping up across Milwaukee. The city has little power to determine where.

Celebrating America Recycles Day: DNR Recycling Excellence Awards Honors Wisconsin Recyclers

COVID-19 Could Hamper Snow Plowing

Milwaukee bracing for staffing shortages as the pandemic spreads.

City Clears Way For Big Sewer Project

84-inch-wide pipe is first phase of 40-million gallon stormwater project to prevent sewer overflows.

City Will Pick Up Leaves Until November 22nd

City extends deadline, giving you 11 more days to rake your leaves into parking lanes.

Ride the Riverwest Bike Boulevards

After three years, Riverwest's bike boulevards on Wright and Fratney streets are ready.

Amended 2021 budget addresses key community issues including public health and safety, housing and more

City Wins Grant to Improve Oklahoma Ave.

Plan calls for safety improvements on stretch that had 445 crashes in 5 years.

City Wins Grant To Build 20th Street Trail

New off-street trail for bicyclists and pedestrians would link up north side neighborhoods.

Budget Amendment Would Move Milwaukee Towards “Vision Zero”

Proposal start of an effort to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

Almost Half of Budget Amendments Are Policy Footnotes

Footnotes call for a racial equity audit, benches in vacant lots, lead-safe property database and much more.

45 Projects To Improve Century City Area

Trails, parks and road diets designed to improve residents' health and safety.

City Extending Active Streets Dining Program Until March 2021

Program would allow expanded outdoor, winter dining.

City, MMSD Advance 40-Million Gallon Stormwater Plan

Improvements would prevent flooding in Capitol Dr. neighborhood and add parkland.

Brady Street Parking Lot Goes Permeable

No more runoff into the sewer system. A look at the Lower East Side's best parking deal

The Return of Alternate Side Parking

Mayor insists. council agrees. Beginning in November, residents must again move cars each day.

Should Milwaukee Stop The Hop?

Alderman proposes this, but suspending the service might cost more than it saves.

About That Proposed Street Lighting Fee

Average homeowner fee is $45 per year so city could replace 100-year-old circuitry

Defund the Drug War

You can’t defund the police without changing what’s driving the military mentality of cops.

Green Bay Replaces Every Lead Pipe

Five-year effort replaces more than 2,000 pipes. Lambeau Field tax helped pay for it.

Can Recycling Improve Racial Equity?

Aldermen want recycling contract with a city-based business to create jobs for residents.

Bus System Redesign Approved

More frequent service and shorter travel times. MCTS will implement changes in 2021.

Scooters Could Return to Milwaukee

Could return in 2021. In 2019, 350,130 rides taken, with 67 crashes.

Night Parking Rules a Tax on the Poor?

Or good public policy? Reinstating night parking is a $13 million question for city.

Vision Zero Seeks No Traffic Fatalities

Swedish approach has been adopted by 35 cities in U.S. Why not Milwaukee?

Virtual Town Hall Meeting to Focus on 2021 City Budget, City Services

City Advancing 26-Station Bublr Bikes Expansion

Federal grant funding new bike sharing stations. See where.

City Election Drop Boxes Are Temporary

Permanent drop boxes "built like a tank" are coming, but delayed by wildfire.

City Improving Kinnickinnic River Trail Access

Federal project will improve on-street access to off-street trail.

‘Complete Streets’ Projects Focus on Health and Safety

In 2019, majority of projects were completed in areas with economic disparities.

All Parking Regulations Resume September 14th

Enforcement of most regulations was suspended in March amid pandemic.

How Is City Doing on Complete Streets?

New report analyzes ongoing program, establishes benchmarks for future progress.

5G installation shouldn’t take precedence over residents’ quality of life

Statement of Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic August 21, 2020

Milwaukee Police Gobble Up City Budget

MPD got 62 cents of every new city budget dollar over last ten years.

Milwaukee Ends Compost Program

As recently as February the city was planning to greatly expand it.

City Testing Strategies To Protect Pedestrians, Slow Motorists

City extending curbs at intersections with paint, plastic posts and concrete.

Ald. Dimitrijevic to host virtual meeting to discuss traffic safety on Superior St.

City Refreshing South Side Park

North portion of park was once site of restaurant with dolphin tank.

“Active Streets” Through Humboldt Park Scaled Back

Reconfiguration doesn't provide increased access to many amenities cited by the county, but does provide shortcut for motorists.

Council Spending Hours Reviewing Barrett’s Appointments

Plenty of praise and criticism for department heads, including Jeff Polenske and Jeanette Kowalik.

The City of Milwaukee Phase 4 Assessment Update—MKE Cares mask ordinance in effect & clarification on school openings

City Secures Funding To Redevelop, Expand Century City Park

Park will quadruple in size as of MKE Plays redevelopment.

The City of Milwaukee Phase 4 Assessment Update