Milwaukee Harbor District Riverwalk awarded $14.7 million in federal funding

MILWAUKEE –  The Department of City Development (DCD) is proud to announce the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has awarded the City of Milwaukee a Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) grant, amounting to $14.7 million. The grant funds will support the Milwaukee Harbor District Harbor View Riverwalk project.

The Harbor District Harbor View Riverwalk is a redevelopment project located south of Harbor View Plaza in Milwaukee’s Harbor District. At close to three-quarters of a mile in length, the project is a generational opportunity to build the largest new section of Milwaukee’s overall Riverwalk system. This future public space will provide recreational, transportation, and environmental benefits to residents, employees, and visitors in the area, and will showcase the successful coexistence of commerce, community space, and ecological restoration.

“I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and President Joe Biden for their generous support to bring the Milwaukee Harbor District Harbor View Riverwalk project to life,” Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said. “Thanks to our many partnerships, this initiative is enhancing our waterways by providing a beautiful space for residents and visitors while simultaneously promoting local economic growth. Thank you for investing in Milwaukee’s future.”

The grant’s funding will supplement the available TIF funds to construct the Harbor District Harbor View Riverwalk in two phases:

Phase 1 will construct the Riverwalk path itself, associated landscaping, and seating areas. DCD will issue a bid this fall, with construction expected to begin in the spring of 2025.

Phase II will include Riverwalk amenities, including a deck over the river, a live performance stage, and a building with restrooms. It also includes The Node, an area that allows the public close proximity to the water while providing an aquatic habitat. A second bid issuance will follow Phase I, with construction by the end of 2026.

“This award is exciting, particularly as it reaffirms the City’s commitment to connecting the Harbor District to the broader community,” Milwaukee Common Council President José G. Pérez said. “The Riverwalk and our lakefront must never become an amenity for a privileged few, but must be shared with all residents and businesses. This is a great step toward that goal.”

Based on feedback from the public and neighborhood residents, DCD worked to design the space with its design consultant, the Smith Group, as well as its partners, the Harbor District, Komatsu Mining Corporation, and We Energies.

“The Department of City Development is proud to have spearheaded the successful application process that secured this significant federal funding for the City of Milwaukee,” Department of City Development Commissioner Lafayette L. Crump said. “This investment will enhance our city’s natural beauty while fostering community connections. Together with the State of Wisconsin and our local partners, we are building a brighter, more vibrant future for all Milwaukeeans.”

“Milwaukee Harbor District is deeply grateful to the State of Wisconsin and the City of Milwaukee for this commitment to making the Harbor District Harbor View Riverwalk as envisioned by the community a reality,” the Milwaukee Harbor District, Inc. said. “This investment with the commitment of TIF funds solidifies this segment of Milwaukee’s Riverwalk as a regional treasure that will not only transform our waterfront into a vibrant community space but also ensure that it reflects the needs and desires of the people who live and work here. This project is a testament to our shared vision of a dynamic, transformative waterfront for Milwaukee for generations to come.”

TAP is a legislative program authorized through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was approved and signed by President Joe Biden in 2021. The City of Milwaukee applied for the grant in the spring shortly after WisDOT announced program funding was available for state shovel-ready projects. Under terms of the grant, all TAP projects require sponsors to pay 20% of approved project costs, and projects must commence within four years of the award date.

This Riverwalk project was announced in conjunction with the redevelopment package consolidating Komatsu Mining Corp headquarters and manufacturing facility to the Milwaukee Harbor District in 2021 to reflect the proposal in DCD’s Harbor District Water and Land Use Plan, as part of the City of Milwaukee’s Comprehensive Plan.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.