Initiatives & Projects:

Below is an alphabetical listing of current initiatives or projects that the Legislative Committee has identified as having significant implications to the Chamber membership.

For each initiative or project, we have provided a brief description of the potential impact to our membership. Please utilize the link (if available) to learn more about the specific effort and please feel free to contact the chamber liason listed for further questions or concerns.

Coalition Advancing Transit  (Barbara Wesener)

Individuals, families, businesses, local governments and community groups in Southeastern Wisconsin have felt the serious impacts of a dwindling transit system over the past decade. An investment in the transit infrastructure for our community is vital to promoting a strong economic future and the ability to compete with similar regions across the nation.

The Coalition for Advancing Transit (C.A.T.) was formed as a result of the recommendations from the Urban Economic Development Association's (UEDA) Seventh Annual Community Development Summit. The Coalitions's mission is to foster regional cooperation, political and community support for the preservation, improvement and expansion of public transit to serve residents, businesses and visitors throughout southeastern Wisconsin through outreach, education and advocacy. It is comprised of more than 200 incividual members and supporters, and is supported by a steering committee and the staff of UEDA. We work to facilitiate a unified voice and ensure that actions are taken to address the critical and urgent need for transit solutions in southeastern Wisconsin. For more information, please visit www.coalitionforadvancingtransit.wordpress.com.


Gateway to Milwaukee and Aerotropolis Milwaukee (John Ackeret)

The Gateway to Milwaukee was established to create a welcoming environment for business and travelers, further community relations, retain and attract businesses, support local regional business development efforts, grow property values and liaise other Gateway to Milwaukee stakeholders including the State, th City and County of Milwaukee, the Milwaukee 7, VISIT Milwaukee, and of course, General Mitchell International Airport. Please visit www.gatewaytomilwaukee.com for further information.

Aerotropolis Milwaukee is a public-private partneship focused around General Mitchell International Airport that foster regional economic collaboration by efficiently linking the region's air, rail, road and shipping capabilities. The partnership will focus on the evolution and implementation of a comprehensive strategy to generate the growth of business and communities in an aerotropolis area. To learn more about the Milwaukee Gateway Aerotropolis visit www.gatewaytomilwaukee.com.


I-94 North-South Freeway project, including new Drexel Ave. Interchange (Mark Mrozek)

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is proceeding with a safety reconstruction plan for the I-94 North-South corridor in southeast Wisconsin. The project runs from the Illinois state line to the Mitchell interchange, and includes the WIS 119 Airport Spur to General Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee. For more information, see the project website http://www.plan94.org/

This project will provide opportunities to improve access to/from I-94 for residents and visitors in the communities served by the Chamber. The new Drexel Ave. interchange will also provide increased opportunities for business development along Drexel Ave. as well as the former Delphi site on S.13th St. to the east and along S. 27th St. to the west. The Legislative Committee will work with the local municipalities and WIS DOT representatives to keep abreast of the project status and inform the membership of any significant developments that may impact their organizations.


Lakeview Village - Urban Land Institute/City of Oak Creek (Linda Sodemann)

Over the past several months, the City has been engaging the public in commenting about the upcoming development of the lakefront which will be known as the Lake View Village. The plan calls for opening up the lakefront to the public by providing ample open space for a variety of recreational and civic activities. It also allows for private investment in appropriate areas, and is sensitive to the environmental challenges of the site. To learn more about the Lake View Village development, please visit: http://www.oakcreekwi.org/communitydevelopment/index.htm.


Ryan Creek Interceptor - MMSD/City of Franklin (Steve Perrigo)

The following action regarding the Ryan Creek Interceptor was approved by the Franklin City Council at its September 2011 meeting.

Acquisition of easement rights and interests in property for the location, extension, installation and maintenance of public sanitary sewer facilities to provide sanitary sewer service to the southwest area of the City of Franklin by way of the Ryan Creek Interceptor sewer installation upon property in the area from the intersection of South 60th Street and West Ryan Road generally following Ryan Creek to the intersection of West Ryan Road and South 112th Street, thence westerly along West Ryan Road to the west City limits, upon the following two (2) properties identified by Acquisition Map Parcel No., Tax Key Number and address, respectively, as follows:

1.)  15,936 9996-000 and 10023 S. 92nd Street
2.)  23,893-9997-002 and W. Ryan Road

The Council may enter closed session pursuant to Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(e), to consider the terms and negotiation of the public acquisition of easement(s) for public sanitary sewer service for the extension of the Ryan Creek Interceptor Sewer project, for competitive and bargaining reasons, and to reenter open session at the same place thereafter to act on such matters discussed therein as it deems appropriate.

This will give agents the authority to start meeting with landowners to negotiate easement rights.



South 27th Street Steering Committee (Mark Hansen)