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Work continues on the North-South Transit Enhancement Study—a feasibility study exploring options for improving transit along and near 27th Street in Milwaukee County. Milwaukee County and the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission are seeking more public feedback during the second round of public meetings scheduled for June 22-24. In addition to these meetings, the study team is working with several community organizations to do grassroots neighborhood engagement along the corridor. More information, including registration for the virtual meetings, is available at mkenorthsouth.com.
Connecting With Bus Riders and Residents in the Corridor
In addition to hosting virtual public meetings, the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) and Milwaukee County are partnering with community organizations to connect with bus riders and residents to collect feedback about what they would like to see in a transit enhancement in the 27th Street corridor. Staff from the organizations are working with the study team to survey current bus riders at stops and share information and collect feedback at neighborhood events and community gathering spaces throughout the remainder of the study.
Carrie Cooper, project manager for the study explained, “We received stakeholder feedback early in the study indicating that we may not be reaching residents in the corridor or current bus riders though our traditional public involvement methods, many of which have been limited due to the pandemic. By partnering with organizations that are experts in community engagement and well known in the neighborhoods, we hope to better connect with residents, businesses, and transit users in the 27th Street corridor. It is so important that the outcome of this study reflects the needs and priorities of the residents and businesses that this potential investment will serve.”
The study corridor runs primarily along 27th street, with route options spanning nearly the entire length of Milwaukee County, and is home to about 150,000 residents and 84,000 jobs. Of the population in the corridor, approximately 73 percent are people of color, 25 percent live in poverty, and 21 percent do not have access to a car—population groups that are often underserved by existing transportation options.
“The North-South Transit Enhancement Project will bring tremendous benefit to underserved communities and communities of color where frequent, efficient transit services improve quality of life for so many. Racial equity is a top priority of Milwaukee County government, and we strive to address and correct policies, practices, and power structures that, whether intentionally or unintentionally, favor white people and create barriers for black, brown, and indigenous people,” explained Donna Brown-Martin, Director of the Milwaukee County Department of Transportation.
Register Now for Virtual Public Meetings
The second round of virtual public meetings for the study is scheduled to take place June 22-24 at the dates and times listed below. The meetings will take place on Zoom and provide an update on the study and include breakout rooms to discuss route options, station locations, and transit types being considered for the corridor.
Tuesday, June 22 | 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Spanish Only: Wednesday, June 23 | 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Thursday, June 24 | 6:00 – 7:00 PM
To register for the meetings, visit mkenorthsouth.com.
Spanish and American Sign Language interpreters will be provided for the meetings on June 22 and 24. For assistance registering, or additional accommodations email info@mkenorthsouth.com or call the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission at (262) 547-6721 within three business days of the meeting.
Comments may also be submitted in any of the following ways:
Web: Contact page at mkenorthsouth.com/contact
E-mail: info@mkenorthsouth.com
Mail: P.O. Box 1607, Waukesha, WI 53187-1607
Fax: (262) 547-1103
About SEWRPC
The Regional Planning Commission is the official areawide planning agency for infrastructure and land use for Southeastern Wisconsin. The Commission serves the following seven Southeastern Wisconsin Counties: Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha. Under State law, Commission plans are advisory to local and State governments.
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