Jeff Polenske

Public Meetings Upcoming On Redesign Of Two Major Southside Streets

National and Oklahoma will see major changes. Meetings give chance for questions and feedback.

Committee Endorses New Public Works Leaders

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

Mayor Taps Jerrel Kruschke To Lead Department of Public Works

Kruschke, current interim commissioner and city engineer, has risen quickly through the ranks.

Council adopts Ald. Dimitrijevic-sponsored ADA ordinance to help businesses, persons with disabilities

Milwaukee Seeks Partners On Project Lowering Speed Limits

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

Should Select City Employees Be Paid More Than Mayor?

Alderwoman Coggs warns it could primarily benefit white men.

Karen Dettmer Leaving City For Federal Job

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

City Completes Renaming Old World Third To Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.

Milwaukee fixes a 1984 "injustice" by extending King Drive through Downtown.

New Assessment Commissioner Chosen

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

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.

Should 20 MPH Be Milwaukee’s Default Speed Limit?

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

City Will Begin Mailing Parking Tickets

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

Public Works Commissioner Jeff Polenske Leaving For Private Sector

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

Van Buren Will Become Two Lane Street

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

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.

Officials Celebrate Tent City Replacement

Joint effort by city, county, state and MMSD worthy of national emulation?

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.

Committee OK’s ARPA Funding for Ambulances, Reckless Driving and Eviction Prevention

Finance & Personnel Committee recommends spending $14 million of city's $394 million ARPA allocation.

Should Water Street Be Gun-Free District?

Downtown stakeholders consider how Kansas City, Memphis, New Orleans handle bar district problems.

Scooters Banned From Downtown

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

Streetcar Returning To Full Schedule

The Hop to offer full service for first time since March 2020, welcome riders with "Hop Summer Nights."

The Hop Returning to Regular Hours and Service Levels Aug. 1

Streetcar to welcome back riders with ‘Hop Summer Nights’ featuring free live music, free ‘hopsicles’ and free chances to win a great downtown prize package

Barrett Plan Combats Reckless Driving

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

Bauman Blasts Mayor on Water Street Chaos

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

Trees, Transit Thwart Riverwest Bike Lanes Plan

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

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.

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.

Stimulus Funds Won’t Cancel Streetlighting Fee

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

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.

2021 Arbor Day Marks Start of New Beer Tradition

City's annual holiday tree is now funding tree planting.

DPW To Test Smart Garbage Truck Technology

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

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.

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.

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.

Contribution to Tom Barrett of $500

Jerrel Kruschke Appointed City Engineer

Mayor Barrett finds a familiar face to replace Samir Amin.

COVID-19 Could Hamper Snow Plowing

Milwaukee bracing for staffing shortages as the pandemic spreads.

City Will Pick Up Leaves Until November 22nd

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

Budget Amendment Would Move Milwaukee Towards “Vision Zero”

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

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

Night Parking Rules a Tax on the Poor?

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

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.

Assessment Commissioner Keeps His Job

Once expected to face a close vote, Steve Miner gets council approval on 13-2 vote.

Council Spending Hours Reviewing Barrett’s Appointments

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

Public comment wanted for next set of cabinet-level appointees

Leadership for Public Works, Water Works, Port, Health Department and Emergency Management & Communications Director set for this week

City Removing “Defund the Police” Mural Friday

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

Council Grilling, But Advancing Mayoral Appointees

Most being confirmed unanimously after long meetings.

City Launches Active Streets for Business

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

Common Council Threatens City Shakeup

Votes to hold every Barrett cabinet appointment, wants systemic change in all city operations.

Mayor Barrett Announces First Round of Cabinet Appointments

City Workers Will Get Hazard Pay Bonus

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

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.

Should City Workers Get COVID Bonus?

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

‘Attractive’ Facade Changes for Historic Tied House

Also, more on the coming Streetcar Smart Kiosks.

City of Milwaukee Rolls Out Restaurant Carryout Zones

Program will help restaurants better accommodate customers

City’s Permit Could Charge Summerfest

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

Streetcar Kiosks Could Bring In $500,000 Annually

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

The Hop Unveils CityPost Smart Kiosk Initiative

Digital kiosks to provide real-time arrival information and other civic amenities while generating revenue to support streetcar operations

City to Rebuild National Avenue

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

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.

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.

City Creating Green Project Under I-794

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

The “Holiday Hop” Streetcar Debuts

Santa hops a ride to City Hall tree lighting ceremony.

Snow Delays Leaf Collection Until 25th

Snow storms extend cutoff. You now have 11 more days to sweep leaves into the street.

DPW Defends Plow Mounting Strategy

Delaying use of plows allowed more salt to be spread and prevented expanding potholes.

Proposal Would Fund Emergency Housing

City-owned properties would house displaced families, human trafficking victims. Plus: committee cuts Bublr funding.

Tent City Being Evicted

Plus: A packed week of real estate news, including the Schuster's project moving forward.

Is The City Ready to Plow Snow?

City has 28,405 tons of salt and 414 pieces of equipment ready to clear 1,472 miles of city streets.

Couture Streetcar Extension Decision Pushed to June 2020

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

City Struggles on Couture Streetcar Extension

As project drags, officials to meet with Federal Transit Administration to discuss options.

City Will Double Number of Permitted Scooters, Ends “Pause”

Bird, Spin will be allowed to enter Milwaukee market.

Department of Public Works Restricts Additional Dockless Scooters in Pilot Study

Possibility of suspending pilot in near future, pending scooter user behavior

About Those Missing Streetcar Bike Lanes

Promised lanes not there: north-south lanes removed and east-west route often blocked.

No Streetcar Expansion in Time for DNC

Proposal held again. Marcoux, Hamilton fight over future of streetcar.

The Scooters Are Here!

Lime begins deploying 500 scooters on Milwaukee streets.

Three Scooter Companies Apply to Operate in Milwaukee

Lime, Bird and Spin could all have scooters on city streets in the coming weeks.

Scooters Legalized But Not on Sidewalks

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

Will Streetcar be Extended by the DNC?

Mayor, aldermen differ on whether rail extension can be completed for national convention.

Plans Released for Foxconn’s LCD Factory

Millwork company bringing 200 jobs to city, Bayside tower gets shorter, Sonag owner pleads guilty.

Complaint Against American Sewer Dropped

City officials can't verify complaint, but may still consider debarring contractor.

City Confident Couture Won’t Block Streetcar

Federal grant at risk if lakefront extension to The Couture isn't running by end of 2020.

Council Holds Streetcar Extension

Streetcar proponents become opponents, push for longer extension to Walker's Point.

What’s the Infrastructure Plan for DNC?

Council, led by Bauman, pushes for city to have citywide, coordinated plan for convention.

Barrett Offers Upbeat State of City Speech

Mayor touts employers coming to city, The Hop's launch and a friendly governor.

Who Will (Finally) Clear The Snow?

"Why did you stop sending out front-end loaders to finish the job?" irate alderman asks.

Signed December 1 to March 1 Parking Regulations Extended until March 15, 2019

This extension is for those streets that are posted with signs No Parking Dec 1- Mar 1.

Streetcar Manager Leaving

Darryll Simpson will lead New Orleans transit agency.

A call to support the family of Bryan Rodriguez

Statement from Commissioner Jeff Polenske February 13, 2019

Contribution to Tom Barrett of $400

Contribution to Tom Barrett of $400

Contribution to Nik Kovac of $50

Contribution to Tom Barrett of $400

Contribution to Terry Witkowski of $50

Contribution to Terry Witkowski of $50