Number
250727
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
071407, 180931, 200377, 240939, 161076
Sponsor
ALD. COGGS
Title
Substitute resolution directing the Department of City Development to develop a North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Corridor Plan that will amend the Northeast Side Area Comprehensive Plan, part of the City of Milwaukee’s Overall Comprehensive Plan, in the 6th Aldermanic District, and authorizing a transfer of funds from the Capital Improvements Advance Planning Fund to a sub account for the King Drive Corridor Plan.
Body
Whereas, Section 66.1001, Wisconsin Statutes, requires that all cities adopt a comprehensive plan and specifies that comprehensive plans shall be updated no less than once every 10 years; and
Whereas, On September 1, 2009 the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee (“Common Council”) adopted Common Council File No. 071407, approving the Northeast Area Comprehensive Plan as part of the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Milwaukee; and
Whereas, The Northeast Side Area Comprehensive Plan provides recommendations for the North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Corridor specific to business attraction, public realm improvements, and the redevelopment of key sites; and
Whereas, Since the adoption of the Northeast Side Area Comprehensive Plan significant investment has occurred in the North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive corridor and many of the strategies have been implemented and many of the key sites have been developed; and
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee’s (“City”) procedures for comprehensive planning call for the creation of plan updates, based on emerging land use issues and opportunities, neighborhood input and other factors; and
Whereas, On November 27, 2018 the Common Council adopted Common Council File No. 180931, approving the Equitable Growth Through Transit Oriented Development Plan (“TOD Plan”) related to transit oriented development along proposed extensions of the Milwaukee Streetcar System, including portions of North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive south of West North Avenue; and
Whereas, The Historic King Drive Business Improvement District 8 (the “King Drive BID”) was established in 1992 to support the revitalization of the corridor; and
Whereas, On September 22, 2020 the Common Council adopted Common Council File No. 200377, expanding the boundaries of the King Drive BID to the north to West Capitol Drive; and
Whereas, There is a need to update comprehensive plan recommendations for the entire North Martin Luther King Jr. Drive corridor to better guide future land use decisions, redevelopment of key sites and public realm improvements, and to recommend economic development, zoning, and housing strategies for the next 10 to 20 years; and
Whereas, In 2023 The King Drive BID prepared a strategic framework which establishes priorities and goals built on the National Main Street Approach of economic vitality, design, promotion and organization; and
Whereas, The King Drive BID has proposed the preparation of a new comprehensive plan for the North Martin Luther King Jr. Drive corridor, and included the establishment of a comprehensive plan for King Drive as an action item in the King Drive BID 2025 Operating Plan approved by Common Council File No. 240939; and
Whereas, The King Drive BID has allocated funds to facilitate the convening of stakeholders to articulate a unifying vision for the King Drive corridor, and will serve as a partner to the City in the development of the King Drive Corridor Plan (the “Plan”); and
Whereas, Pursuant to the update and amendment procedure for comprehensive planning adopted by Common Council File No. 161076, the planning process will involve extensive community engagement and public participation; and
Whereas, The preparation of the Plan update will require community engagement and technical assistance from outside consultants, and funding will be required to carry out those activities; and
Whereas, The current unencumbered balances in the Capital Improvements Advance Planning Fund cannot be expended unless they are transferred to a specific subaccount; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of City Development (“DCD”) is hereby directed to prepare a King Drive Corridor Plan; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the updated plan will require approval by the City Plan Commission and the Common Council prior to its adoption as part of the overall Comprehensive Plan of the City; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Comptroller is directed to transfer the amount of $20,000 from the Capital Improvements Advance Planning Fund Account No. UR01225000A to be allocated to the King Drive Corridor Plan Subaccount No. UR01280164 to be used by DCD to support the preparation of the Plan; and, be it
Further Resolved, That DCD is directed to enter into such contracts and agreements as necessary to create the Plan.
Drafter
DCD:Kyle.Gast:kcg
09/08/25