Milwaukee Brewers donate $27,500 for pothole repair equipment

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By VANESSA SWALES

USA Today Network

Milwaukee is known for Brewers baseball, summer festivals — and winter potholes.

Now the Milwaukee Brewers are chipping in to fix the city’s never-ending pothole problem, after the city’s public works committee accepted $27,500 from the organization to pay for a large-capacity asphalt hot box to repair potholes.

As pothole conditions were exacerbated by repeated freezing and thawing, the Brewers approached the city earlier this winter to offer support prior to upcoming construction and the baseball season.

“We know this winter has been hard on the roads so we saw an opportunity to support the city long-term with the purchase of a new asphalt hot box,” said Rick Schlesinger, president of business operations for the Brewers. “This initiative is focused on meeting an immediate need by funding a critical piece of equipment that will have long-term value for the city.”

As a part of the partnership, the Brewers decal will be posted on the equipment, with 75 Brewers logos expected to be stenciled on top of the newly filled potholes.

On why the Brewers wanted their logo included on the efforts, Schlesinger said: “It’s a visible reminder that the Brewers are stepping up to help address a shared challenge and supporting Milwaukee both on and off the field.”

It’s an unconventional way to address the city’s pothole problem, but officials are welcoming the funds, including Ald. Sharlen Moore, who sponsored the resolution that brought the gift officially before council members.

“The old method of how we typically patch up potholes works for the time being, but it’s definitely short-sighted, and there’s definitely an opportunity for us to do better,” Moore told the committee. “And so we have this amazing opportunity, and I just want to thank our Milwaukee Brewers for providing us with the resources. Definitely a win-win for our city.”

The city’s innovation director, Jim Bohl, explained that it will allow the city to tackle potholes during extended periods throughout the year and not just in April when this type of machinery is available.

“Normally, our availability of hot patch is something that comes only in April,” Bohl said. “There are a lot of limitations with cold patch. We also have to go and utilize asphalt material and go outside of the city to garner that.”

Bohl said this particular piece of equipment will allow the city to use a more consistent method to effectively address potholes.

“It will extend the ability to extend the season for the best means of filling potholes. That will be a huge plus to us,” he said.

Public works officials said the department had used a similar piece of equipment before and had already been considering investing in one before the Brewers approached the city with its offer.

The council members on the public works committee unanimously voted to recommend the resolution to accept the funds on Feb. 19. Approval is needed by the full council.