Rapid Implementation Improvements

The City of Milwaukee's “rapid implementation” initiative creates quick, low-cost street improvements to increase the safety and comfort of people walking, biking, and driving. These projects use materials like paint, flexible posts, planters, and other moveable barriers to create street improvements like curb extensions, plazas, and pedestrian islands. These projects are also relatively easy to adjust and can be used to test out new ideas before more permanent concrete changes are constructed.

Upcoming 2023 Projects

In 2022, the City will be building new rapid implementation projects on portions of:

W. Burleigh St. (West Burleigh Street Business Improvement District)

E. North Ave. (The East Side Business Improvement District)

E. Kenwood Blvd. and N. Downer Ave. (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)

2022 Projects

In 2022, the City added three new rapid implementation projects:

W. Center St. (Center Street Business Improvement District)

W. Historic Mitchell St. (Historic Mitchell Street Business Improvement District)

S. Cesar E. Chavez Dr. (Cesar Chavez Drive Business Improvement District)

2021 Projects

In 2021, the City added four new rapid implementation projects:

W. North Ave. from N. 20th St. to N. 15th St. (Marketplace Business Improvement District)

W. North Ave. from N. 59th St. to N. 44th St. (Uptown Crossings Business Improvement District)

W. Villard Ave. from N. Hopkins St. to N. 32nd St. (Villard Avenue Business Improvement District)

E. Locust St. and N. Bremen St. Intersection

2020 Pilot Initiatives

The City worked with the Near West Side Business Improvement District and Crisol Corridor Business Improvement District in 2020 to pilot rapid implementation curb extensions along portions of N. 27th St. and S. 13th St. respectively. The BIDs are in charge of basic maintenance like sweeping out debris, while the City is responsible for replacing any posts that get knocked down.

N. 27th St. Rapid Implementation Initiative

S. 13th St. Rapid Implementation Initiative

Contact

If you are part of a Business Improvement District or Neighborhood Improvement District interested in bringing a rapid implementation initiative to your area, please contact [email protected] for additional information.