Lower Speed Limits & Active Streets Coming to the East Side
East Side businesses are open and ready to serve you!
Milwaukee, WI – The passage of the Active Streets for Businesses program is bringing more changes than expanded dining in the street. The program is also the reason speed limits on E North Avenue and N Farwell Avenue will be lowered from 30mph to 25mph.
The Active Streets for Businesses program passed Council on Tuesday, June 16th, with great coordination and joint efforts from several City Departments and Business Improvement Districts. The program will allow operators to expand outdoor dining into the street without a formal parklet, as is usually required. Several BIDs are finding ways to assist their businesses in building out these areas. The East Side BID is repurposing its 92 concrete planters to create barriers for outdoor dining in front of participating businesses.
“We’re thrilled to have expanded outdoor dining and lower speed limits coming so immediately. This is an extremely walkable area, and lowering the speed limits will make it even more pedestrian-friendly. Our businesses are working closely together to take advantage of the Active Streets program quickly as well. It’s been really gratifying to see so much support for this and everyone working together,” says Liz Brodek, Executive Director of the East Side BID.
Tim Gokhman, Director of New Land Enterprises, owner of Crossroads Collective, and East Side BID Board Treasurer, agrees, “This is the epitome of what a BID should be doing. This is the continuation of the visible creation of a district. Were it not for a BID and director that is able to aggregate options and support of business owners, or even know that this is possible and needed, this project would not be moving forward as it is. People go to districts, there is something for everyone to do – you’ll be happy and I’ll be happy. As much as having the actual businesses are important, it’s also important to have the infrastructure around it to see and remember it. To me, having multiple parklets lining North Ave, that’s the visual cue that we’re looking for.”
Several East Side bars and restaurants are open and already offer outdoor dining on patios, sidewalk cafes, and parklets, as well as indoor options. Expanded outdoor options through the Active Streets for Businesses program will be coming in the next several days.
More about the Coronavirus Pandemic
- WI Daily: 464 New COVID-19 Cases - Urban Milwaukee - Feb 28th, 2021
- WI Daily: 689 New COVID-19 Cases - Urban Milwaukee - Feb 27th, 2021
- HDA Statement on FDA Authorization of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine - Healthcare Distribution Alliance - Feb 27th, 2021
- Gallagher Statement on Pelosi’s Payout - U.S. Rep Mike Gallagher - Feb 27th, 2021
- MKE County: COVID-19 Declining to Summer Levels - Graham Kilmer - Feb 26th, 2021
- State Launches Vaccine Provider Map - Graham Kilmer - Feb 26th, 2021
- WI Daily: 656 New COVID-19 Cases - Urban Milwaukee - Feb 26th, 2021
- Supervisor Martin Calls on State Officials to Prioritize District 7 in Vaccination Effort - Sup. Felesia Martin - Feb 26th, 2021
- WI Daily: 840 New COVID-19 Cases - Urban Milwaukee - Feb 25th, 2021
- Evers Signs Bill on Unemployment System - Laurel White - Feb 25th, 2021
Read more about Coronavirus Pandemic here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by East Side BID
Live at the Lot Debuts this Thursday!
Oct 16th, 2020 by East Side BIDReserve your table to enjoy drinks and music in the East Side Art Lot
An Afternoon of Pumpkin Painting in the East Side Art Lot
Oct 8th, 2020 by East Side BIDA day of pumpkins, paint, hot drinks, and music is coming to the East Side Art Lot