Number
2601
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
040220
Sponsor
MILWAUKEE YOUTH COUNCIL
Title
Resolution relating to the Milwaukee Youth Council’s priorities for city development.
Analysis
This resolution lays out the city development priorities of the Milwaukee Youth Council. These priorities include responding to food deserts, creation of recreational spaces, encouraging development that incorporates and prioritizes spaces for leisure activities for young people, transit accessibility and pedestrian traffic safety.
Body
Whereas, Common Council File Number 040220 established the Milwaukee Youth Council on July 7, 2004; and
Whereas, The Milwaukee Youth Council is charged with and encouraged to recommend changes in laws, policies, procedures and practices for the purpose of improving community conditions and promoting wholesome youth development; and
Whereas, The 2026-2027 Youth Council has designated city development as one of its priorities; and
Whereas, Young people are among the most-impacted by public space design decisions, as those decisions have the potential to greatly enhance or limit the extent of young peoples’ worlds; and
Whereas, Food deserts can have a major impact on the healthy development of young people, including higher rates of obesity and other chronic illnesses like diabetes, as well as developmental delays that can cause cognitive issues like anxiety and depression; and
Whereas, Mitigation of the impacts of food deserts requires a planning process that is proactive and responsive to youth and community needs;
Whereas, Access to recreational spaces is essential for the wellbeing and social development of young people; and
Whereas, Public spaces designed with youth leisure activities in mind ensure that young people have their fair share of the public sphere; and
Whereas, Public transit is an essential component for empowering young people, who often do not have access to a car, to access opportunities and participate fully in their communities; and
Whereas, As youth are among the most-frequent and most-vulnerable of pedestrians, traffic safety enhancements are crucial to keeping youth safe while they explore their city; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Milwaukee Youth Council, that the Department of City Development is encouraged to consider the following priorities when planning and executing designs and policies for public spaces:
1. Responding proactively to food deserts.
2. Promoting the integration of recreational spaces into designs.
3. Prioritizing youth leisure activities when designing public spaces.
4. Transit accessibility for young people.
5. Pedestrian safety improvements designed to enhance the safety of all pedestrians, particularly young people.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB 181359
Christopher Hillard
1/23/2026