Alderwoman Dimitrijevic brings more traffic calming measures to Humboldt Park area

In recent days the area surrounding Humboldt Park in the 14th District has been the site of unnecessary, reckless behavior. On Saturday, the Bay View neighborhood welcomed hundreds of kids and families for trick-or-treating, and while Halloween goers were crossing the street a car struck and injured multiple people, including a one-year-old child, before fleeing the scene.

Just days later, a citizen complaint regarding reckless driving near Lenox St. led responding officers to attempt a stop of the vehicle, at which time the occupant of the vehicle fled police at low speeds, drove over a curb onto the grassy area of Humboldt Park, and resulted in a citizen being intentionally struck, as well as both a citizen vehicle and police vehicle.

Two weeks ago I joined Mayor Johnson and the Department of Public Works (DPW) to showcase new pinned-on curb extensions and pedestrian refuge islands on Oklahoma Ave. near Humboldt Park. These enhancements shorten the distance for pedestrians to cross the street while making it more difficult for drivers to pass on the right.

After hearing from concerned neighbors and the Humboldt Park Friends, we are pleased to announce that a raised crosswalk will be installed on Howell Ave. in 2023 to help calm traffic near Parkside School and the Humboldt Park entrance. Funding for this new project comes from the $3.5 million Governor Evers allocated in State-controlled American Rescue Plan Act funding to the City for reckless driving mitigation projects. This is in conjunction with the City’s commitment to Vision Zero and safe streets for all users. $1 million of these State funds have been committed by DPW to addressing Safe Routes to Schools across Milwaukee of which this will qualify for.

These engineering solutions are a step in the right direction, but only represent one piece of the puzzle within the City’s jurisdiction. I also support Supervisor Clancy’s efforts to pedestrianize streets within Humboldt Park. As the author of Milwaukee’s Active Streets program in the city, I fully understand that the time is now to reimagine public spaces so they benefit all users and are not dominated by cars.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.