Department of Public Works

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

City Removing “Defund the Police” Mural Friday

Message heard "loud and clear" says public works commissioner, but mural creates safety problems.

Road Diets Planned for Six City Streets

Lanes will be removed, improving safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.

Outdoor Dining Expanding Across State

Restaurants in Milwaukee, Madison, Wausau look for safer ways to attract and serve customers.

The City of Milwaukee Phase 4 Assessment Update

Council Grilling, But Advancing Mayoral Appointees

Most being confirmed unanimously after long meetings.

Feds Won’t Cover $1.6 Million Hazard Pay

Changing guidance leaves Milwaukee holding the bag for COVID-19-related bonus.

Activists Clean Up Around Burned House As Questions Remain

Activists want more from police, police want cooperation from community

Riverwest Bike Boulevard Construction Will Begin

Work on two miles of bike boulevards will start Wednesday for completion by October.

Milwaukee to Hike Parking Meter Rates

City has yet to implement 2018 market-based plan to vary rates based on demand.

City Launches Active Streets for Business

Policy allows restaurants, bars to use space on sidewalks, streets, but details worry alders.

Kinnickinnic River Could Get a Trash Wheel

Harbor District wins $492,300 federal grant to remove 75 tons of trash per year from river.

Grab Your Quarters, Parking Meter Regulations Restored

Other parking regulations remain suspended.

Council Proposes 10% Police Budget Cut

11 council members back $30 million cut and investing in other programs.

Department of Public Works Statement on Rainbow Crosswalks

The City of Milwaukee Moves to Phase 3 of COVID-19 Orders

Bars and Restaurants Can Reopen Friday in Milwaukee

Revised order will loosen restrictions

Instituting hazard pay a matter of fairness for front line City employees

Statement of Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs May 27, 2020

Mayor Barrett Announces First Round of Cabinet Appointments

Milwaukee Opens Its Active Streets

Custer, Fratney and Washington reconfigured for pedestrians and cyclists over motor vehicles.

City Workers Will Get Hazard Pay Bonus

Mayor Barrett's proclamation boosts hourly pay by $3.13 for front-line workers.

City Rezoning Lot for Future North Side Trail

Future trail would run along Lincoln Creek.

City Seeks Grants for New Bike Trails

Powerline Trail would run from S. 105th St. to Lake Michigan. Beerline Trail would be extended.

Bring Your Tires and TVs, Drop Off Centers Are Still Free

Milwaukee's two drop-off centers are now open Sundays, with no fees through at least the end of May.

City Exploring Options For Closing Streets For Dining

Could well spaced tables allow restaurants to reopen? Will diners show up?

Council Committee Blesses Active Streets

And wants more. "Why seven miles? Why not do 70 miles?" asks alderman.

Is A Couture Deal Finally Coming?

City officials say it is, while Ald. Bauman pushes city to separate streetcar from project.

Active Streets Program Needs Volunteers

Live near one of the closed streets? Help keep track of how it's going.

City To Furlough, Cut Hours For 750 Employees

Revenue down $27 million in pandemic and city forced to make cuts.

City Testing New Bike Lane Dividers

Say hello to the "wave delineator," installed on Hawley Rd. to enhance visibility of protected bike lanes.

Should City Workers Get COVID Bonus?

Public Works employees can't work from home, face more risk of COVID-19.

Department of Public Works to Relax Parking Enforcement

Focusing enforcement on safety-related violations

Suspend Alternate Side Parking Rule

UPDATE: After publication city suspends many parking rules

City of Milwaukee Rolls Out Restaurant Carryout Zones

Program will help restaurants better accommodate customers

Milwaukee on 70-Year Pace To Replace Lead Laterals

What will the city do for property owners that want to voluntarily replace their laterals?

Milwaukee Will Cut Down 900 of Its Ash Trees

Federal grant funds replacement of trees ravaged by Emerald Ash Borer.

Be on the lookout for city workers cleaning our streets

Statement of Alderman Cavalier Johnson March 11, 2020

Department of Public Works Responds to Social Media Comments

SUV Driver Runs Into The Hop

Driver crossed travel lanes turning south onto Broadway. First collision with moving vehicle.

Reconstruction of Humboldt Blvd. is a Generational Opportunity

Latest plans from the city look good, but protections for bicyclists could make them great.

City Plans 4 Pedestrian, Bicycling Projects

Seeks federal funds to help pay $2.8 million costs for new bike trail, other upgrades.

City’s Permit Could Charge Summerfest

Revised special events permit could charge festival full price of police security.

Strauss Closes Door on Milwaukee Move

Plus: An abandoned basement discovered in former Grand Avenue Mall.

Streetcar Kiosks Could Bring In $500,000 Annually

System of 35 interactive kiosks could be online as early as May.

City Hopes to Expand Composting

Seeks permanent compost program. Pilot program composts 194 tons of food waste annually.

City to Rebuild National Avenue

City to partner with state, rebuild street from 1st to 39th, add safety improvements.

Goll Mansion Site for Sale

Plus: A full week of real estate news.

City Wrong to End Composting Program

Other cities collect organic waste. Why is Milwaukee ending its program?

Neighbors React to New East Side Apartment Building

Meeting attendees offer feedback on renderings, ask who secret developers are.

DNC Will Restrict Construction Projects

DPW will restrict construction activity on city streets for a month this summer.

We Energies Will Sponsor Streetcar

4th sponsor streetcar has attracted, $100,000 deal during DNC not finalized.

Snow Emergency Requiring Alternate Side Parking In Effect

Is Tire Disposal Fee Causing Illegal Dumping?

Council wants data, raises concerns.

Committee Debates Snow Plowing Performance

Are the city's strategies working? Council members want changes.

Summerfest Squeezed on Police Costs?

Alderman threatens to delay street closure permit if Summerfest won't pay city's costs.

Deconstruction Contractor Delaying Work

City's program beset by delays. The latest is a contractor not showing up for work.

How The City Plows Snow

Inside look at how the city clears 1,475 miles of streets and 42,000 intersections.

Streetcar Ridership Up in December

System outpaces November ridership and annual estimates.

Senator Shilling Reacts to Senator Hansen Announcement

Is There A Plan To Prevent New Tent City?

City officials worry. If no plan, should state build a campground under highway?

South Hawley Road to Fully Reopen on Monday, January 13

Delivery Tax Could Help Fix Potholes

Ald. Dodd's proposal imposes 60 cent fee on third-party deliveries like Uber Eats.

Former Health Director Blames Barrett

Bevan Baker breaks his silence, slams Mayor and other city departments.

Green Project at ‘Tent City’ Site Finalized

City, state, MMSD cooperate on stormwater project. But its timing raises questions.

Bucks Player Plans Brady Street Building

Plus: American Family announces plans, Mount Mary plans new housing, buildings change hands.

Will Tent City Come Back?

Could be an embarrassment during the DNC. Downtown Ald. Bauman seeks answers from the state.

City Creating Green Project Under I-794

MMSD-funded infrastructure on state land to capture 150,000 gallons of stormwater in a heavy rain.

Council Bans Most Plastic Straws

Use by bars and restaurants prohibited unless customers request them.