NUMBER
051252
VERSION
ORIGINAL
REFERENCE
SPONSOR
THE CHAIR
TITLE
Resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Works to issue one or more permits to the Milwaukee Riverwalk District allowing installation of decorative trellises on the downtown riverwalk along both sides of the river between Wells Street and Kilbourn Avenue.
ANALYSIS
Over the last decade, the City and the Milwaukee Riverwalk District have worked together to create the downtown riverwalk system. In 2004, the City included funds in its capital budget for various upgrades to the riverwalk including installation of decorative trellises along both sides of the river between Wells Street and Kilbourn Avenue. In accord with the City’s development agreement with the Riverwalk District, property owners with Business Improvement District No. 15 will pay back a portion of the cost of the upgrades.
This resolution authorizes the Commissioner of Public Works to issue permits as appropriate allowing the Milwaukee Riverwalk District to install the decorative trellises. Two sets of trellises will be located on City-owned segments of the riverwalk and thus will become the property of the City and will be maintained under the City’s maintenance agreement with the Milwaukee Riverwalk District.
BODY
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Riverwalk District (MRD) have worked together over the past decade to develop the downtown riverwalk system; and
Whereas, That system continues to evolve and expand with recent improvements creating a link to the Third Ward and to the Time Warner complex; and
Whereas, Additional improvements are being implemented which will upgrade the existing riverwalk segments to make them more attractive and usable; and
Whereas, One of these improvements is the new riverwalk signing system that was recently installed; and
Whereas, The next planned improvement is a series of decorative trellises to be installed along both sides of the river in the block between Wells Street and Kilbourn Avenue; and
Whereas, The City’s approved 2004 capital budget contained funding for the planned riverwalk upgrades, including the proposed trellises; and
Whereas, While the City will fund the initial cost of the trellises and other improvements, property owners in Business Improvement District No. 15 will pay back a portion of the cost in accord with the approved development agreement with the City; and
Whereas, Two sets of trellises will be located on City-owned segments of the riverwalk while the other three sets will be located within public access easement areas of private segments; and
Whereas, The City Plan Commission has previously reviewed and approved the trellis designs; and
Whereas, To ensure the trellises are properly located and securely installed, the Commissioner of Public Works must review and approve installation plans and specifications and issue the appropriate permits; and
Whereas, Once installed, the two sets of trellises located on City-owned riverwalk segments will be maintained by the City through its riverwalk maintenance agreement with Business Improvement District No. 15; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Commissioner of Public Works is hereby authorized to issue permits as needed to the Milwaukee Riverwalk District allowing installation of decorative trellises along both sides of the downtown riverwalk between Wells Street and Kilbourn Avenue; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Commissioner shall establish appropriate permit conditions to protect public improvements and to ensure the well being of the general public.
Drafter
DPW-ADM
THM:dr
December 28, 2005
Milwaukee Riverwalk