Milwaukee Common Council Approves $45M I-94 Utility Project, Reduces Denny’s Suspension
The Milwaukee Common Council on June 23 approved a $45 million state‑municipal agreement for utility work along the I‑94 East West corridor and a $9.65 million IH‑43 Airport Freeway bridge project. The same meeting saw a unanimous vote to shorten a proposed 30‑day license suspension for a Denny’s restaurant to 10 days after the owner outlined new security measures.
Infrastructure
The council passed the I‑94 utility alterations agreement 13‑1 and the Airport Freeway/92nd Street Bridge agreement 14‑0. Other infrastructure actions included a 13‑1 authorization for a Wisconsin Electric easement at 823 S. 4th St., adoption of $170,000 in assessable improvement projects (14‑0), and honorary street name designations for Carl E. Hunt and Shirley Smith (each 14‑0). The recycling ordinance was replaced by a substitute approved 14‑0.
On July 1, the Public Works Committee recommended adoption of $1.975 million in assessable public improvements and $1.987 million in nonassessable improvements (each 4‑0, with one member excused). The committee deleted a concrete reconstruction project on N. 28th Street, approved traffic‑calming speed humps and circles on W. Cleveland Avenue (4‑0, one abstention), and approved a raised crosswalk on N. 55th Street (unanimous). The W. Vliet Street traffic‑calming project was held for additional community discussion. Members also recommended the honorary street name José A. Olivier on S. 9th Street and the appointment of Rebecca Gries to the Harbor Commission (both 4‑0).
Licenses
In addition to reducing the Denny’s license suspension from 30 to 10 days, the Licenses Committee on June 23 approved a hookah service license for Trix Cafe (4‑0) and 24 other license renewals and transfers as “Agenda Only.” Warning letters were issued to five applicants (4‑0).
Appointments and community grants
The Community & Economic Development Committee on July 1 confirmed three mayoral appointments to Business Improvement Districts: Kristin Kurzka and Sandra Armstrong for BID #26, and Deantrium King for BID #37. All were recommended 5‑0. The committee also recommended a $10,000 appropriation for the 2nd District Back‑to‑School Festival and adopted the 2027 Funding Allocation Plan for community development grants (each 5‑0).
Nuisance fee appeals
The Administrative Review Board of Appeals on June 24 decided multiple appeals of snow removal, garbage/litter, reinspection, and encroachment fees. Several snow and garbage appeals were granted in part and fees adjusted, while many others were denied after evidence review or non‑appearance. An encroachment appeal for 6355 N. 105th St. was granted, and a vacant‑building registration appeal for 1315 W. Finn Pl. and 2712 N. 53rd St. were held in committee. All votes were 5‑0 unless otherwise noted.
Public safety
The Public Safety and Health Committee on July 2 recommended a lead hazard abatement resolution (5‑0) along with ordinances for parking and traffic controls (5‑0). It recommended the appointment of John Fletcher to the Safety and Civic Commission (5‑0) but held the reappointment of Byron Marshall Jr. to the same commission. Electric‑scooter safety communications, an ordinance on sidewalk penalties, and a speed resolution were all held to the call of the chair (5‑0).
Coming up
- **July 6 – Historic Preservation Commission:** Statutory demolition review of the fire‑damaged Lincoln Avenue School at 1817 W. Lincoln Ave.
- **July 7 – Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee:** Public hearings on zoning changes and creation of Tax Incremental District No. 134 (Austin Commons).
- **July 8 – Finance & Personnel Committee:** Discussion of the proposed 2027 budget and a $1.5 million appropriation for lawsuit settlements.
- **July 8 – Housing Authority:** Vote to rescind 10 unsold Section 32 homeownership units and return them to the public housing inventory.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.