Public Works Committee

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.

Poorer Residents To Get Help With Water Bills

Up to $5,000 per household from federal funding. But distribution could be tricky.

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.

Should City Buy 30th Street Railroad Line?

Bauman pushes idea. Move would clear way for bike trail and commuter rail line.

City Faces Shortage of Garbage Truck, Snowplow Drivers

Milwaukee raising starting pay by $5,400.

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.

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.

Century City House Factory Inching Forward

Plan calls for affordable, energy efficient homes to fight climate change and create jobs.

Partnership Bringing Low-Cost, Cellular Internet Service to Lindsay Heights

New service relies on neighborhood-level cell network. Could eventually cover 40% of Milwaukee.

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

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

$98 Million Plan Targets Lead Poisoning

Proposal addressing lead poisoning of children backed by the Coalition on Lead Emergency.

Milwaukee Water Works Pursuing Rate Changes

With Waukesha coming as a customer, utility pursuing changes to its authorized return rate.

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."

Proposed legislation targets city’s worsening affordable housing crisis

15 State Projects Included in House Infrastructure Bill

Rep. Moore requested $19 million for projects in Milwaukee.

Should Millions in Federal Aid Be Split Up By Aldermanic District?

Council members float idea that would allocate some of the money by district instead of citywide.

Stimulus Funds Won’t Cancel Streetlighting Fee

Sorry taxpayers, money from fee can't be replaced by pandemic aid, federal rules say.

City Could Require Laser Scanning of Buildings Slated for Demolition

Effort would create a database of lost buildings.

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.

DPW To Test Smart Garbage Truck Technology

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

New Mural Will Brighten Dark Intersection

City hires Tia Richardson to create vibrant work at 30th and Locust.

Dockless Scooters Will Return in 2021, With Restrictions

Companies could be barred from operating if riders use sidewalks.

Council Makes Street Name Changes Easier

New rule requires four-fifths of council to approve. Cesar Chavez Dr. extension next?

Committee to hear file in support of TCMC Railway service expansion

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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.

Railroad Expansion in the Harbor District

Komatsu Mining would construct a RR spur that crosses E. Greenfield Ave. to serve its plant.

Steam Tunnel Flood Repairs Will Cost Over $60 Million

Plus: Conagra closing Milwaukee plant and logistics company moving to Bay View.

Fire Department HQ Being Renamed For Wisconsin’s First Black Architect

Alonzo Robinson was a trailblazing architect

Committee recommends renaming of Milwaukee Fire Department Headquarters

Key Players Back Renaming Old World Third to MLK Drive

Westown Association, Mayor, all 15 council members back proposal. But there are complications.

Council Proposing To Rename Old World Third Street To MLK Drive

Extending Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. would correct an "injustice."

Massive Harbor, River Cleanup Moving Forward

Project expected to cost over $100 million, take six years to complete.

Interstate 94 Expansion Gets Cold Reception at City Hall

Over $1 billion for 54 blocks. Bauman asks where else the money could go?

New City Engineer Must Tackle Reckless Driving

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

Jerrel Kruschke Appointed City Engineer

Mayor Barrett finds a familiar face to replace Samir Amin.

Milwaukee Alderman Robert Bauman Praises Nomination of Mayor Pete as Transportation Secretary

Nominee understands the challenges that cities and local governments face in planning, building and maintaining critical transportation infrastructure

Why All The New Cell Phone Towers?

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

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.

City Extending Active Streets Dining Program Until March 2021

Program would allow expanded outdoor, winter dining.

Ald. Dimitrijevic proposes outdoor dining guidelines for cold weather season

The Return of Alternate Side Parking

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

Can Recycling Improve Racial Equity?

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

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.

City Improving Kinnickinnic River Trail Access

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

All Parking Regulations Resume September 14th

Enforcement of most regulations was suspended in March amid pandemic.

City Behind on Replacing Lead Pipes

As of Aug. 10, only 333 service lines to homes replaced with copper, yearly goal is 1,100.

City Testing Strategies To Protect Pedestrians, Slow Motorists

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

Committee Approves City BRT Agreement

City DPW would be reimbursed by Milwaukee County for design and infrastructure costs.

$75,000 Donated to Maintain City Hall Sculpture

Anonymous donor chips in $75,000 to support "Mixed Feelings."

Couture Streetcar Extension Decision Pushed to June 2020

"We look like complete fools," says Bauman as Marcoux expresses confidence in project.

Master Lock Plan Closes City Streets

Company seeks city approval to close portions of two streets on its Center St. campus.

Should City Pay a Tire Bounty?

Aldermen advocate for city to pay "scrappers" to collect discarded tires. DPW staff resist.

Aldermen Blast City’s Call Center

Should you call 286-City to report a pothole? Don't bother, some aldermen say.

No Two-Way State Street Until 2020

City will repave and transform street in time for the DNC.

1,893 Lead Service Lines Replaced

But 75,403 remain. City still on 70-year pace to solve century-old problem.

Scooters Legalized But Not on Sidewalks

City's action means scooters could be back on streets soon, but fined for using sidewalks.

Free Streetcar Rides Planned for 2020

City hopes to maintain free rides to keep up ridership but this could leave funding gap.

Is the City Ready for Scooters?

Council debates pilot program allowing scooters. "We're all scared to death," Borkowski says.

Resolution to adopt a Green Infrastructure Plan for the City of Milwaukee advances to the Common Council

“The Green Infrastructure Plan will reduce the amount of rainwater that flows into the sewerage system following a wet-weather event.”

City Is Repaving More Streets

But is focus on streets just creating a backlog of alleys and sidewalks needing work?

Oh, Those Dreaded Plastic Bags

Council debates what to do with bags that clog up recycling process.

Recycling Costs Rise By $457,000 Per Year

Changes by China will mean higher cost for taxpayers for recycling.

Aldermen Blast City’s Snowplowing

Just how bad is city's operation? Aldermen allege lies and mismanagement.

City Struggles to Keep Up Snow Plowing

Problems include aging equipment, staff shortages and inexperienced operators.

Council Passes Complete Streets Policy

Streets for all, not just cars, is now the law of the land.

Committee Okays Complete Streets Policy

Proposal on street design places pedestrians and cyclists on same level as motorists

City Will Impound, Yet Legalize Scooters

New plan allows city to impound scooters until state law makes them legal.

Committee Okays Dockless Bike Sharing

LimeBike and others could operate by late August, if full council approves measure.

City Moves to Impound Bird Scooters

With no authority to legalize scooters, city officials move to get them off the streets.

Zielinski Ramps Up Mayoral Campaign

"I want to run against Barrett," alderman says, laying out issues he will use against mayor.

Bucks Unveil Custom Fire Hydrants

City works with team to install 15 unique fire hydrants around new arena.

Council Moves to Confirm New Port Director

Adam Schlicht has dreams of growing the port through international marketing.

Downtown Bridges Cause Mounting Traffic

Bridge openings stop traffic for nearly 4.5 hours on busy days. City mulls policy changes.

Will Historic Home Be Saved?

St. Rita's development could destroy 1875 building by architect James Douglas.

Council Could Reject Interim Health Leader

Eight aldermen question legality of Nannis appointment to run Health Department.

Council Responds to Lead Crisis

Following Health Dept fallout, nine bills introduced to address lead poisoning issues.

City Kills Contracts With American Sewer

Council moves to subpoena owner, Donovan walks out of heated discussion about racism.

Donovan Runs Afoul of City Gun Policy

Alderman said he knew of city employees carrying firearms, but has failed to report them.