DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Enriching Lives Community Involvement 2011 Message from the Commissioner t is an honor ing with my fellow DPW employees, always welcome. Let me know your Ito serve as the side by side every day, we will do thoughts on how to improve the way Commissioner of whatever is necessary to keep enrich- we serve the public – the best ideas the City of Milwau- ing the lives of residents, help busi- come from those who actually do the kee’s Department nesses thrive, and welcome visitors job on a daily basis. Thanks to each of Public Works, to our beautiful City. I am proud of hard working DPW employee for your this is an awesome the way we, as DPW employees, ap- valuable contribution, I look forward responsibility. Be- proach each challenge that comes our to receiving your input on how we can ing a public servant way, with diligence and an apprecia- make the City of Milwaukee’s Depart- is a privilege for me, and I have en- tion for public service. ment of Public Works one of the best joyed such a privilege in Public Works I think it is essential that we continue in the country. for the past twenty-four years. to be innovative in creating new ef- As Commissioner, I feel that by work- fective and efficient ways to serve the public. New and innovative ideas are Ghassan Korban, Commissioner

Historic Mitchell Street Completes Streetscaping Project that Continues the Renaissance hen Nancy Bush first started of City Development’s her job as Executive Direc- Community Economic Wtor at the Historic Mitchell Development fund. Street Association, her first order of business was to research the files. These two entrance She discovered that there had been areas were located at TIF monies set aside for streetscaping 5th and Mitchell and activities. Her first contact was Ghas- 13th and Mitchell. san Korban, who at the time, was the At 13th and Mitchell Department of Public Works Coordina- there stood an old fir tion Manager. tree and brick paving. The tree and brick The number one item the Association paving was removed wanted to address was the replace- and replaced with ment of trees on the street and on the another tree with a medians. Many of the trees had been beautiful flower bed either knocked by cars, illegally re- and gateway signage moved or were dying. Baran provided that welcomes pedes- photos of how trees are now planted trians and motorists in the sidewalk areas in order to get to Historic Mitchell The Renaissance Continues water and provide a more aesthetic Street. The same on Historic Mitchell Street! look. Next Ms. Bush investigated get- flower bed treat- ting money for the installation of harp ment and signage -Nancy Bush lights along the corridor and eventu- was applied to 5th ally gateway signage for the two main and Mitchell. A boulevard“ located in mental in the installation of the irriga entrance ways to the businesses’ the area was planted with trees and tion system and the South Side shopping district. The money for the plants as well. Continues on Back Page signage came from the Department Forestry’s Andy Witczak was instru- ” face-to-face, through tion & SOHI BID, and Preparing a “Recycle for Good” our door-to-door ef- tote box for Menomonee Valley forts” said Rick Meyers, deliery Partners. Works with Local Recycling Specialist for Agencies to Promote DPW. During the sum- In 2009, the inner mers of 2009 and 2010, city experienced an Recycling volunteers and staff increase in recycling distributed recycling lit- while total waste Community involvement plays a erature and information generation declined, vital role in DPW’s Recycle For Good to thousands of inner which resulted in a (RFG) campaign which was launched in city households. 9.7% positive change September of 2008. Based upon social in the percent of total waste recycled marketing research involving Milwau- 2009 campaigns were carried out when compared with the same period kee residents, the campaign is designed through the Southside Organizing during the previous year. After the to break down barriers to recycling. Committee and Sherman Park Commu- 2010 neighborhood campaigns, a Re- Partnerships with community groups nity Association. In 2010, non-profit cycle For Good campaign goal of in- help to accomplish this by strengthen- environmental group Keep Greater creasing recycling by 30% in this same ing education and outreach efforts on Milwaukee Beautiful (KGMB) facilitated area was achieved. various fronts including neighborhood partnerships with several community canvassing and educational programs. groups to coordinate outreach efforts. Partnerships also provide a valuable “A premise of social marketing suggests “Our one-to-one community outreach avenue for partners to strengthen their that personal contact largely influences activities directly affect the behavior of ties to the community. “It’s great to how a message is received and the re- the citizens through local interaction. have our volunteers helping with out- sults that it generates. With the help of Partnering with the City, we have been reach because it gives people a reason volunteers, we can increase the num- able to vastly improve education efforts to make human connections. By tak- ber of residents we are able to reach, with the cooperation ing the opportunity to have conversa- of the neighborhood tions with neighbors, you can really get groups”, said Joe to know the neighborhood as a place” Recycle For Good kiosk at the bustling Wilson, Executive ,said Caroline Phoenix of the Historic Westown Farmers’ Director. Represen- King Drive Business Improvement Dis- Market tatives from six dif- trict. ferent community groups attended an Other campaign activities included the outreach training collection of recycling pledges from session provided by residents, inclusion of recycling ar- KGMB - King Drive ticles in community newspapers, and BID, Merrill Park the integration of campaign materials Neighborhood As- and information into community activi- sociation, Westown ties. For example, the RFG campaign Association, Walnut enjoyed a several week run during the Way Neighborhood summer of 2010 at the Westown Farm- Association, Ave- ers’ market, where an educational ki- nues West Associa- osk was set up and staffed by KGMB. Submitted by Becky Curtis, Recycling Assistant City Hall Vegetable Gardens Continue to Flourish The City Hall vegetable gardens Forestry staff added on to existing implemented in 2009 by Mayor Tom planters located outside the Zeidler Barrett and the Department of Public Building to plant the City Hall Com- Works are still flourishing. With Grow- plex urban agricultural demonstra- ing Power as a partner in the venture, tion gardens. The planters were Mayor Barrett and DPW determined the chosen because they could be ret- gardens could serve as urban agricul- ro-fitted with chicken wire to pre- tural demonstration gardens encourag- vent animals from feasting on the ing others in the community to plant vegetables. gardens in their neighborhoods. In 2011, Growing Power is respon- When the project began, Public Works’ sible for the planting, maintenance Photos By: Becky Curits and the harvesting of these vegetables. organizations as partners. • Save on household expenses: 60% The organization prepared the soil with of family income goes to food compost then planted seeds just as The gardens have several benefits: they have in previous years. This year the harvested vegetables will • Access to fresh, local affordable be donated to Disabled Veterans orga- The City of Milwaukee supports and food nization. The organization has a new encourages urban agricultural gardens. • Positive use for vacant and under- facility located at 35th and Wisconsin Many are located in backyards, com- utilized urban land Avenue and has a commercial kitchen munity and school gardens, and on • Community building and neighbor- which is used to feed the veterans that rooftops. Some have been planted on hood beaitification live there. The gardens should yield City-owned vacant lots with community • Improve air and water quality 250 to 300 pounds of vegetables.

Public Art Project “Pedestrian Drama” Entertains Pedestrians on East Wisconsin Avenue

The public art project that began in Two hundred Milwaukeeans were in- suggested as an alternative means of 2009 has come to fruition and is en- volved in the project which included transportation through improvements tertaining hundreds of unsuspecting thirty contest winners. Some of the to the pedestrian right of way. Pub- pedestrians on the sidewalks in front local individuals and organizations lic art was one of the amenities sug- of Northwestern Mutual. “Pedestrian that participated included Deb Lowen, gested as part of the project. As a re- Drama” is a series of short animated Wildspace Dance Company, Rebecca sult, a Streetscape Public Art Advisory videos of Milwaukeeans that Committee was formed and a come to life when pedestri- public art consultant, Regina ans approach the 5 light poles Flanagan, was hired to create where kiosks are mounted. a Public Art and Design Study The public art project was for the City of Milwaukee. managed by the Department One of the members of the of Public Works’ Infrastruc- Streetscape Public Art Ad- ture Services Division. The visory Committee was Beth project was coordinated by Nicols, Executive Director of Bob Bryson, Chief Engineer of Milwaukee Downtown, BID Traffic and Lighting. #21. Upon completion of the The project has taken time project, Ms. Nicols stated, “It to develop because the art- has been fun to see visitors, ist, Janet Zweig, wanted to workers and students check- include local members of the ing out our latest public art theater and dance commu- “I wanted the cast to be as diverse as installation. The feedback has nity to assist with the creative possible and include both professional and been really positive. Commu- process. Although 2 years amateur performers” nities that invest in public art is a fairly typical time frame -Janet Zweig are communities that engage for public art fabrication, Ms. and inspire”. Holderness, UW-Milwaukee, Dance and Zweig wanted to spend as much of the Theater, Dan Wilson, and Bartoli Film. Janet Zweig was selected from 50 art- commission as possible in Milwaukee While the creative process of producing ists that responded to the Request for and involve as many Milwaukeeans as the videos was occurring, the fabrica- Qualifications by the Streetscape Public possible. “I wanted the cast to be as tion of the kiosks was also taking place, Art Advisory Committee to complete diverse as possible and include both including re-engineering all electronic design and implementation of the proj- professional and amateur perform- parts to withstand weather conditions. ect. Denis Kozelek played a key role in ers,” was her comment. Approximately the installation; others that assisted fifty five percent of the commission, included Kerwin Redmond and Feliks $163,000, was spent in Milwaukee. The public art project “Pedestrian Zajaczkowski. Clark Wantoch, Admin- To create the videos, a contest was held Drama” is the outcome of the original istration and Transportation Design to get local playwrights to submit ideas “Downtown Master Plan.” Based on the Manager, played a valuable role in the for very short plays using Milwaukee recommendation of the “Downtown- as the inspiration. Once the winning Master Plan,” a grant was requested financing of the project. Len Moye and entries had been selected, Zweig then and received from the Wisconsin De- Roger Davison, will assist with future worked with local theater dramatists partment of Transportation under the on site inspection. All are a part of In- and dancers to improvise various parts Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Qual- frastructure. of the plays for further development. ity Program (CMAQ). Walking was Photo By: Milwaukee Downtown and alleys were maintained and tem- ings were held with the stakeholders in porary restrictions affecting access due the area to explain the nature of the Plankinton to reconstruction was coordinated with project and listen to their concerns. the adjacent businesses and residents. Stakeholders were kept informed by Avenue Mo’s A Place for Steaks, located on a Public Liaison, Jenann Olsen, who Receives a Much Plankinton, continued their valet ser- worked with the Department of Public vice during the project, which was vital Works and the contractor to keep them Needed Renovation to their operation. informed of the work on a weekly and The Plankinton Avenue project, from sometimes daily basis via email. This is Wells Street to Wisconsin Avenue, in- Gary Witt, of the Pabst Theater Foun- part of the Department’s Support for volved underground utility work (sew- dation, which also operates The River- Business Program. er and water replacement) as well as side Theater, stated, “The Department street reconstruction. The segment of of Public Works has been an excellent the sewer main that was replaced dat- partner to The Riverside ed from 1875. The majority of the wa- Theater during the renova- ter main that was replaced dated back tion of Plankinton Avenue. March 2011 to 1932. The sewer work took place They have worked with first, followed by the water main work, us every step of the way which encompassed the full length of to find solutions that have the street. Once the water main work enabled us to keep our was completed, street reconstruction business operating while started. The street reconstruction in- making these tremendous cludes the replacement of curb and improvements.” The Riv- gutter, driveway approaches, and some erside Theater utilizes the sidewalks. alley off of Plankinton for their load in for shows, The work was phased to accommodate and parks their tour buses the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, with sewer on Plankinton as well. work beginning on February 25th and October 2011 being completed by March 11th. The Other businesses such as, contractor backfilled the sewer trench Mo’s a Place for Steaks and placed cold-weather asphalt to and Mo’s Irish Pub has provide a smooth surface for parade made similar comments participants. The contractor also re- regarding access during moved all construction equipment from the reconstruction project the site. The Westown Association, as well as the residents organizers of the event, expressed ap- of the River Lofts Condo- preciation for the accommodations. miniums.

During the project access to driveways Prior to the reconstruc- tion project several meet-

DPW Recreational Facilities Develops Hartung Park and Refurbishes the 29th & Melvina Play Area

The residents near Hartung Park Bohl and recruited his help to get fund- onstration rain garden, Silurian Reef started a neighborhood association to ing to start the project. outcroppings, a detention pond, and a try to take the former one time quarry labyrinth. and landfill and turn it into a communi- The legislative process began in July, This could not have happened with- ty gathering place. The area is located 2006, and this year in June 2011, the out the Hartung Park Community As- on the City’s far northwest side along park had a dedication ceremony to cel- sociation (HPCA) and the Department the Menomonee River parkway, on the ebrate what had taken place over the of Public Works’ Recreational Facilities border of Milwaukee and Wauwatosa. past five years. Hartung Park now in- Section. The Association played an The residents turned to Alderman Jim cludes a playground, picnic area, dem- The 29th and Melvina Park Play ment was also concerned about the Area had been a play area for a num- area as well. Officer Raymond Roba- ber of years. But recently the play area kowski, from the 5th District said, “The had become an eyesore and started at- main reason for the refurbishing of the tracting trouble. Concerned neighbors park was to provide a safe place for the contacted Alderman Willie Wade and children to play. Before the work was Planting a rain asked if something could be done and done the park was run down and the garden with native the alderman recruited the Department over growth of bushes made the park plants. of Public Works to assist. dangerous, with too many concealment active and vital role in the planning, areas. Cutting the vegetation down, design, development, and promotion “The 29th and Melvina Play opening the park of the park. Recreational Facilities took Area had seen a minimum of up gave residents their ideas and made them work. Jason maintenance and upkeep due a better view, and Wilke, of HPCA, designed the first phase to budget issues over the past it reduced the of the project. Michael Sanders, of several years. As a result of a spaces where the D P W, neighborhood mobilization to before bad element could upgrade the park, an appeal take advantage of went out to the City of Milwau- the residents, and after kee, community partners and more importantly, private funders”, stated Yvonne the children”. McCaskill a neighborhood resi- Siluriam Reef dent. In conclusion, Ms. Sculptures McCaskill stated, On Thursday, August 4, 2011 “The 29th and worked with the Association mem- and Saturday, August 6, 2011 Melvina Street bers to help plant the rain garden with volunteers made improvements to the Play Area is now an area that children plants native to the area, as part of the play area. The guardrails were painted and adults can enjoy. This community storm water diversion plan. Emad Nadi, by community artists; the benches at has plans to move to Phase II of the of DPW, was responsible for the design the basketball courts had pavers in- play area upgrade in the spring. This and construction of the detention pond stalled to cover the exposed ground; is truly an example of what happens and the labyrinth. Commissioner Ghas- the former unused tennis court areas when neighborhoods and the City de- san Korban worked with Alderman Bohl were painted with white lines to form partments work together to insure that and the HPCA in his former role as the hopscotch and four square games, and communities are a safe place to live, Public Works Coordination Manager. a sensory/healing garden with plants work and play”. that are aromatic to attract butterflies The bronze sculptures, designed by lo- was installed, with a new bench nearby. Various individuals, Departments, and cal artist Laura Priebe of HPCA, are of organizations came together to trans- Silurian Reef marine animals, they pay “The Department of Public Works re- form the 29th and Melvina Play Area; homage to the area’s prehistoric begin- sponded by providing much needed they included: Benjamin Wesson, Mil- nings. Also a bench was donated for technical assistance and materials. waukee County District Attorney’s Of- the children’s play area by the Hago- The basketball courts have been re- fice; Raymond Rabokowski, Milwaukee pian Family. furbished and repainted. What was a Police Department; Diane De La Santos, weed infested tennis court is now a City on a Hill; Paula Butler, Northwest “This park is the result of a partnership play area with sidewalk games; there Side Community Development Corpo- between neighbors, City of Milwaukee, is an addition of a garden, and the Tot ration; Caitlin Ewing, Rock the Lakes, Milwaukee County, and state govern- Lot has been refurbished. All labor was Milwaukee; Yvonne McCaskill, resident; ment, along with area businesses and provided by DPW with volunteer help”, Department of City Development, Mil- foundations”, stated Lynn Woehrle, Ms. McCaskill said. waukee Public Schools, Division of Rec- president of the Hartung Park Com- reation and Community Services, Al- munity Association. “It is an example Prior to the renovations of the play derman Willie Wade, and DPW. of what good can come from building area, the Milwaukee Police Depart- community and partnerships among these entities”.

The final phase will include sledding Rock The Lake Volunteers hills and other amenities. Paul Fredrich, Terrence Brumirski, and Matthew Man- hardt are part of the DPW team that will make that happen. South 1st Street Triangle Park: “Practical, Beautiful, and Very Cool”

he triangle that stood at the teered to assist with the maintenance junction of South 1st Street, of the garden. TSouth 2nd Street, and Seebooth In conclusion, Ms. Espenscheid stated, became part of the South 2nd Street “The garden is reflective of our neigh- reconstruction project. borhood. We are all very different, but when we come together we produce The renovation of the underutilized something that is practical, beautiful, green space included input from area and very cool”. businesses and neighbors regarding Thanks to Scott Baran, Landscape Architect, Forestry for the design and use of the space. The information on the project. final product consists of decorative paving, which created a more defined space, with new planting beds, reno- vated landscaping, new trees, decora- tive benches and art. Also included are artifacts removed from City Hall during It was a wonderful the restoration. collaboration between the residents and Department DPW’s Forestry Landscape Architect Scott Baran worked with the neighbors of Public Works. very closely in designing the space, -Jennifer Espenscheid particularly Jennifer Espenscheid, a lo- “ cal artist who lives in the area. Ms. Es- penschied was very excited to work on the project. She explained that many of the materials used to construct the ” planters came from the bricks that were removed from 2nd Street. She con- structed gabions or wire mesh cages to enclose the brick planters and also to enclose the prized artifacts used in the design. Those prized artifacts were removed from City Hall during the res- toration project.

Commissioner Ghassan Korban, who at the time, was the Public Works Coordi- nation Manager, assisted in procuring a lion’s head and several other artifacts that are now featured as part of the landscaping. Ms. Espenscheid stated, “It was really fun to work with Scott Baran and Ghassan Korban on the proj- ect. It was a wonderful collaboration between the residents and Department of Public Works. The plants that were planted are very hardy and low mainte- nance, but add beauty to area”.

One of the residents, Paul David Ras- mussen, has purchased an eighteen inch Toro mulching mower to help keep the Triangle Garden looking good. Other residents in the area have volun- Photos By: Jennifer Espenscheid and Scott Baran Revitalizing Milwaukee’s South 2nd Street Industrial Corridor outh 2nd Street be- tween West Nation- Sal Avenue and the There are more than a half dozen Menomonee River was an old outdoor seating opportunities industrial corridor primarily and increased pedestrian and used as an alternate route bicycle traffic. We now have a to and from Milwaukee’s Main Street! Central Business District. -Juli Kaufman It is, however, also home “ to many, and the location of several locally run busi- nesses and future potential redevelopment. The road- ” way, built originally in 1910, saw its last maintenance treatment in 1962, receiv- ing an asphaltic overlay and had gone without improve- ment until 2010. Revitaliza- tion took place on South 2nd Street in the Summer of 2010 when reconstruction took place through the joint collaboration of the Depart- ment of Public Works and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Although the South 2nd Street road- ing and driveway access issues by a way was officially open to the public in Public Liaison, Kris Martinsek. She also This project involved several public November 2010, the remaining work made sure “Open for Businesses” signs meetings where the plans were shared which included the planting of trees were provided to inform the public that with businesses and residents. The fi- and installing the decorative lighting the businesses were open during con- nal design of the project was based on was completed the spring of 2011. struction. This was done as a part of public input. The Walker’s Point Association hosted the Department’s “Support for Business an event on May 19th to celebrate the Program”. The scope of the work involved street successful completion of the recon- paving, removal of existing pavement struction project. This included a - for Juli Kaufmann, owner of a property lo- and railroad ties, and the installation FIX, a new 3 story office building, the cated at 538 South 2nd Street, summed of new curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and opening of the Milwaukee Brewing up what the project means to everyone driveway approaches. The project also Company, 613 South 2nd Street, and on the street, “The South 2nd Street included construction of a new tree- finally a ribbon-cutting ceremony with project is a really good role model for filled, green terrace area, as well as Mayor Tom Barrett, Alderman Jim Wit- what the public sector and the commu- decorative street lighting poles and kowiak, and several community and nity can do when they work together. fixtures, which includes harps and lan- public sector representatives. It’s not just a physical transformation, terns. it’s beyond that – it is so much more. It The project was managed by Infra- is a community transformation. There The push by residents and stakeholders structure’s Chad Chrisbaum, but includ- are more than a half dozen outdoor to introduce more green space to the ed assistance from Ghassan Korban, seating opportunities and increased corridor, which had no grass or trees, who was the Public Works Coordination pedestrian and bicycle traffic. We now fit in well with the City of Milwaukee’s Manager at the time, Lois Gresl, Lynn have a Main Street!” Greening Initiative that had recently Des Jardins, Dan Wimmer, and numer- been legislated. They City worked with ous others. property owners on a case by case ba- Thanks to Clark Wantoch, Administration and Transpor- sis to determine what green aspects The stakeholders were provided con- tation Design Manager and Chad Chrisbaum Project would fit their property best. struction updates, assisted with park- Engineer, Infrastructure Services Continued from Front Page Historic Mitchell Street now has a new, This has been an exciting project -- Forestry District played a major role in fresh and inviting look, due to the re- The Renaissance Continues on Historic the streetscape project. Nancy Bush, cently completed streetscaping project. Mitchell Street”! Executive Director of Historic Mitchell The landscaping of the median beds Street, stated, “With the outstanding between 5th and 13th Streets, and the cooperation of Ghassan Korban, the new Gateway signs welcome destina- Department of Public Works, and the tion shoppers to the retail stores and Forestry Department’s Scott Baran, businesses on Historic Mitchell Street.

Department of Public Works Newsletter Gets A New Look The DPW Newsletter has been revamped and from this point forward follows a new structure. Coming up in 2012 look for the subsequent Newsletters to be released

1st quarter – 2012: The Look Forward 2nd quarter – Sustainability 3rd quarter – Community Involvement 4th quarter – The Real Cost of Infrastructure

Department of Public Works Newsletter

Zeidler Municipal Building For Information Contact: 841 North Broadway, Room [email protected] 501 414-286-3261 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202

Ghassan Korban………...... Commissioner Preston Cole………...... Director of Operations Cecilia Gilbert…...... ….Permits & Communications Manager Gina Bisesi...... Graphic Designer