Milwaukee negotiating with contractor for streetcar work

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Milwaukee has chosen a construction manager/general contractor to provide a $124 million downtown streetcar service and both parties are negotiating a final agreement.

Ghassan Korban, commissioner of the city’s Department of Public Works, said the city chose the contractor on July 1 and has up to 90 days to work out contract details before signing on the dotted line. Korban added that he hopes an agreement is reached sooner than the 90-day period.

The city selected a contractor not only based on price point, but also on qualifications and a commitment to meet various inclusion goals.

Construction of the streetcar will be required to have a certain percentage of the subcontract work be awarded to disadvantaged businesses and a percentage of labor hours be performed by unemployed or underemployed residents.

A willingness to meet those goals “was obviously a major factor in … the selection of the contractor,” Korban said.

The contract will initially include construction of the 2.1-mile downtown route and a 0.4-mile lakefront extension.