Public Works Committee

Lawsuit Likely Over RNC Free Speech Stage

Committee endorses plan despite concerns from Coalition to March on the RNC.

Ordinance lays out city regulations and registration framework for protests/assemblies during the RNC

Scooters Could Net Milwaukee $400,000 Per Year

And city is working to end its annual hemming-and-hawing process.

Street Would Be Named For Former Alderman Terry Witkowski

Plus: An honorary street name for William Stark in front of Milwaukee's oldest Black church.

Council Concerned RNC Free Speech Zone Could Bring Extremists, Violence

'To hell with that,' says alderman of hate groups getting city-sanctioned platform.

Committee passes measure to boost city’s renewable energy supply

Milwaukee Adding Remote Control System To Its 780 Traffic Lights

City hopes to reduce backups, improve safety.

New Solar Arrays Will Help Milwaukee Hit 25% Renewable Energy Goal

Arrays near airport help city meet 2025 goal, but alders want tougher rules for We Energies.

Public Works Committee approves two new traffic safety projects for 14th Aldermanic District

MCTS Still Not Using All Its Electric Buses

MCTS only operating five out of 11 BEBs on a daily basis.

Controversial Water Insurance Company Walks Away From Milwaukee

Mayor had vetoed proposal, some council members were openly critical.

Public Works Committee approves projects aimed at roadway improvement, urban canopy enhancement

Possible Revival For Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee Commuter Rail Line

KRM project, killed in 2011, would connect lakefront communities in southern Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Makes It Far Easier To Replace Your Lead Service Line

Opt-in program part of citywide plan to replace all lead service lines in 20 years.

Mayor Vetoes Controversial Insurance Partnership

Council narrowly endorsed idea, only for Mayor Cavalier Johnson to kill initiative.

Treegate Is Over, Milwaukee Will Pick Up Christmas Trees

"We hear you," says DPW after frustration aired by residents, council members.

New Park Will Be Built Atop 24th Street

One block of southside street near MPS school would become neighborhood amenity.

Milwaukee Marathon Returning In 2024 With New Route, Date

Race ditches Deer District, Downtown for Lakefront, East Side and Bay View.

Is Milwaukee Being Sold An Insurance Scam?

Or is exclusive contract with company offering water and sewer line warranties a good deal?

Milwaukee’s Three Streetcar Extensions Need Mayoral Direction

Extensions to Fiserv Forum, East Side, Walker's Point and Bronzeville need local funding source.

Full Legalization of Scooters Ends Up In City Budget

But it doesn't mean it immediately goes into effect.

Milwaukee Could Take Years to Build New Recycling Facility

But curbside recycling continues while fire-damaged facility is shuttered.

City Seeks 20% Cut in Energy Costs for 106 Buildings

And 45% emissions reduction. Seeking contractor, federal funding to meet climate goals.

N. 24th Street To Be Renamed For Lester Carter

Street name in Amani neighborhood to honor noted Black pharmacist.

Committee recommends approval of street renaming in honor of Dr. Lester Carter

Milwaukee Drastically Changing Street Lighting Plan

Switch to LED lights upgrades because contractor shortage leaves city unable to rush to replace failing circuits.

Park Being Renamed After Milwaukee Jazz Legend

Cawker Play Area to become Al Jarreau Park.

Street Will Receive Honorary Name For Wisconsin’s First Black Sheriff

"Sheriff Richard Artison" will be applied to portion of N. 9th Street near courthouse.

National Ave Could Get Protected Bike Lanes, Fewer Driving Lanes

But will accommodations be made for bus rapid transit or streetcar service?

City Endorses New Lakefront Marathon Course With Hoan Bridge

Approval eliminates issue that doomed the 2022 race.

Northwestern Mutual Names Tower Team

And wins approval for street closure. Second glassy tower to be built by team that helped create signature 2017 tower.

Northwestern Mutual Wins Key Vote To Close Cass Street

But not without derision, and the suggestion to create an open-air passageway for the public.

Water Street Could Become Pedestrian Haven in Third Ward

Wider sidewalks, fewer traffic lanes contemplated.

Four Options To Transform Brady Street

Business improvement district releases study, seeks feedback. The goal: 'to create one of the world's great streets.'

Milwaukee Planning Three Protected Bike Lanes, Trail to Lake

City seeking federal funds from state to advance projects across city.

Following Fire, Recycling Center May Move

Menomonee Valley riverfront site could be repurposed for private development.

Officials, Neighbors Debate Brady Street’s Future

Close the street to cars? Remove parking? All options on the table.

Milwaukee Now Requires More Notice When Contractors Dig Up Streets

Prior practice was "terrible" says Bay View alderwoman.

Common Council file opens public safety discussion focused on E. Brady St.

Topic will get first airing at June 7 Public Works Committee meeting

City Unveils Latest Lead Lateral Plan

With added federal funding, Water Works can now replace more laterals each year, but which ones?

Does Milwaukee City Hall Need A Plaza?

Visions differ for future of N. Market Street.

W. Vine St. Gains Honorary Name For Pastor Elbridge Lock

Plus: N. 33rd St. gains honorary named for bishop Kevin Carter.

Milwaukee’s Million Dollar Pipeline

An aviation fuel pipeline will pay rent for the first time in 50 years.

Potholes Are A Hot Problem in Milwaukee

Council members frustrated as complaints mount.

Pérez Shakes Up Council Committees

Changes after new members added: Ald. Scott Spiker gets his first gavel, Zamarripa loses hers.

Proposal Requires All-EV or Hybrid City Fleet

Ald. Dimitrijevic and ECO office want to move toward only low or zero-emission vehicles.

Street Light Outages Vex City Officials

Even after passing street lighting fee the city struggles to hire electricians.

Should Milwaukee Pay A Tire Bounty?

Idea is designed to combat illegal dumping, but at what price?

Milwaukee Launching New Community Plaza Program

Effort would allow underused streets to be turned into temporary parks.

Milwaukee Faces Complicated Question On What Lead Pipes To Replace Next

Milwaukee Water Works hopes to grow replacements by almost 50% in 2024.

City Will Rebuild Sherman Boulevard, Plans Traffic Calming Improvements

Four-lane road, site of many crashes, could be narrowed or reconfigured.

Milwaukee Marathon Could Return, Sort Of

New course, no full marathon race and opposition from at least one council member.

Should Milwaukee Traffic Lights Flash Red Overnight?

Idea intended to prevent red-light runners from crashing into innocent drivers.

Portion of Highland Ave. Will Honor Civil Rights Activist

Juanita Adams was non-violent protest leader in 1960s.

Snow Plowing Could Take Longer This Winter

City faces staff shortage, changing strategies to improve service on residential side streets.

Should Tent Encampment At MacArthur Square Have Bathrooms?

It's become a hotly-debated issue at City Hall as number of tents grows.

Perez Gives New Committee Assignments

Newly-elected alders get their first assignments. But others still doing double duty.

Supply Chain Slows Lead Service Lines Replacement

Due to shortage of parts, city may complete only 900 of 1,100 planned 2022 replacements.

N. 5th St. Will Be Renamed for Dr. William Finlayson

Black OBGYN doctor was trailblazer in Milwaukee.

Bucks Building Street Through Bradley Center Site

But only conditionally. Proposal hinges on approval of new concert venue.

Construction Underway on Traffic Calming Projects

New curb bump-outs and other interventions aim to reduce reckless driving.

Committee Endorses New Public Works Leaders

Council likes mayor's picks for DPW commissioner and city engineer.

MacCanon Brown Street Renaming Held

For second time. Proposal honors longtime homeless advocate, but Ald. Stamper says no one contacted him.

City Assembles New Bicycle, Pedestrian Committee

Have ideas? Complaints? This citizen-led group is in charge of making formal recommendations to city officials.

Resolution authorizes city opposition to potential We Energies rate increases

Family of Man Who Fell From Bridge Plans To Sue City

Attorney for family of Richard Dujardin, who died falling from Kilbourn Avenue bridge, seeking eyewitnesses, video evidence.

Milwaukee Faces Cruise Ship Arms Race

Will new dock secure success for Port Milwaukee? Or will Chicago and Duluth steal the business?

Can City Make Fond du Lac Avenue Safer?

Project would rebuild portion of artery that leads into Downtown, but may not include major changes.

Council Mulls Speed Hump Policy

Nearly 250 to be installed in 2022, but what should city do next year and at what cost?

Downtown Bridge Openings Rise Even As Water Levels Fall

Annual bridge openings growing by the thousands.

Wisconsin Ave. Will Sport Honorary Name For Robert Cocroft

Cocroft spent his career first in the military, then helping others once they left.

Patrick Pauly Appointed Head of Milwaukee Water Works

Civil engineer has worked at city-owned utility since 1991.

City’s Recycling Up 9%, Revenues Up, Too

New methods of collection boost amount recycled, supply-chain issues increase revenues.

Milwaukee Seeks Partners On Project Lowering Speed Limits

Firms will design outreach campaign, measure results for project to lower speed limits to 20 mph.

Bicycle-Walking Trail Would Run From S. 105th St. To Lakefront

9-mile Powerline Trail would connect Milwaukee and 3 suburbs. First leg opens this year.

Scooters Set For August Return

Council poised to approve new "study" on Tuesday, which would last through 2023.

Open Meetings For Scaled-Down Stadium Interchange

WisDOT meetings Tuesday, Wednesday for public comments on diverging-diamond design.

Help For Taxpayers Paying City Water Fee

Little known programs help you pay water and street lighting fee or even your mortgage.

‘Traffic Gardens’ Coming to MPS Buildings

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

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.

No New Jackpot Tax at Potawatomi

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

Perez Shakes Up Committee Assignments

Musical chairs game has new leaders at the helm of city's most powerful committees.

DPW Plans Surge of Traffic-Calming Bump Outs

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

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.

Honorary Street Name For Lena’s Food Co-Founder

City honoring late entrepreneur Bezelee Martin.

‘Gingerbread Land’ Street To Honor Sister Clara

2600 block of N. 1st St. will add honorary name for pastor who saved it.

Federal Funding for Lead Pipe Removal Likely a Year Away

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

Johnson Controls’ Departure Impacts Third Ward

The story goes all the way back to 1993. Plus: A recap of the week's real estate news

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.

Wisconsin Center Skywalk Design Okayed

New skywalk would accommodate expanded convention center. And future streetcar line.

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.

Milwaukee Water Works Wants Rate Hike

But below what state PSC allows. Bauman demands to know why.

City Will Begin Mailing Parking Tickets

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