City of Milwaukee plans $14 million in pedestrian infrastructure work

The city of Milwaukee is planning more than $14 million in infrastructure work, including improved lighting, bicycle infrastructure and traffic calming measures, in three different neighborhoods.

The city is proposing amendments to two existing tax incremental districts to fund $14.1 million in infrastructure improvements. The districts cover the Walker’s Point Neighborhood, the Menomonee Valley and Westown.

The Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee is scheduled to meet on March 19 and consider resolutions to amend the districts.

“Improving pedestrian safety and investing in our roadways is a top priority for my administration,” Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said in a statement. “As our city grows, it is critical we support reinvestment in key areas. When we make our streets safer, we create calmer traffic, better access to businesses and stronger neighborhoods. Projects like these ensure our infrastructure keeps pace with how Milwaukeeans move throughout our city.”

Department of City Development Commissioner Lafayette Crump, Milwaukee Common Council President and District 12 Alderman José G. Pérez and District 4 Alderman Robert Bauman endorsed the use of the TID in a joint statement.

Perez said in a statement use of funds for installation of street lighting “will make our neighborhood safer, more welcoming and visually vibrant.”

One resolution would amend TID No. 68 to fund $12 million in infrastructure improvements, Riverwalk development and commercial property renovations in the Walker’s Point neighborhood, DCD officials said.

Improvements include reconstruction of four area streets, high impact paving on 11 roadways, bikeway improvements for West Virginia and South 2nd Streets and new lighting installed along Water and Florida Streets.

The district was created in 2006 to streamline redevelopment near the Milwaukee River and extend the Riverwalk, DCD officials said. This will be the fifth time the TID is amended.

Part of the TID boundary covers the proposed Harbor Yards, a redevelopment of the Kurth Malt and Cold Storage brownfield site by Milwaukee-based developer Mandel Group.

The next resolution would amend TID No. 60 to fund $2.1 million for several downtown street improvements, including traffic calming measures and bikeway enhancements, DCD officials said. The district was created in 2005 to support redevelopment and upgrades of the Milwaukee Intermodal Station.