Streetcar Essential to Neighborhood Revitalization Plans in Milwaukee

"The City of Milwaukee has released conceptual renderings of how extending the streetcar system to Bronzeville and Walker’s Point could change both neighborhoods," reports Jermey Jannene.

The renderings, released to the public at a recent public hearing, depict streets with a full suite of complete street and traffic calming infrastructure. Jannene summarizes the depictions:

In Walker’s Point, the renderings depict empty lots on a traffic-calmed S. 1st St. being developed into mid-rise buildings and continued activation of S. 2nd St. following the street’s 2010 narrowing. A greenway, a street that encourages cycling over high-speed driving, is proposed for Washington St. that would better connect Walker’s Point and the Harbor District to neighborhoods to the west for cyclists. A similar proposal, sometimes called a bike boulevard, is in the works for Riverwest.

A rendering for Bronzeville depicts N. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. receiving new development in context with existing buildings on the street. Traffic calming, green-painted bike lanes and medians are all depicted.

Click through to see the full set of renderings and also check out websites for the city's ongoing planning efforts regarding King Drive and the neighborhoods of Bronzeville and Walker's Point as well as the Milwaukee Streetcar.