Milwaukee Common Council approves using $2 million in Grand Avenue property tax revenue to pay off Northridge redevelopment debt

The Milwaukee Common Council on Wednesday approved donating funds from a successful tax incremental financing district to three struggling districts, including the troubled city financing plan to redevelop part of the former Northridge Mall.

The measure uses up to $2 million from the Grand Avenue financing district downtown for the Granville Station financing district, which was created to provide $4.4 million to redevelop the former Northridge Mall as a new retail center. The Granville Station district hasn't generated enough revenue to pay off its debt.

The measure also directs millions in funds from the Grand Avenue district to two others that are struggling:

• About $2.7 million would go to a financing district created to provide about $2.9 million for development efforts along the West Historic Mitchell Street commercial corridor.
• About $2.6 million would go to a district created to provide about $1.1 million for the first phase of the Bishop’s Creek affordable apartments development at 4765 N. 32nd St. and $300,000 for forgivable loans to homeowners.

If the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic means the Grand Avenue district doesn't generate the expected revenue, it will not make the contributions to the other three districts.

In that circumstance, additional funds won't be borrowed by the Grand Avenue district, Ald. Robert Bauman said at Wednesday's meeting of the Common Council.

The council also approved new design standards for the Harbor District RiverWalk. The standards balance the area's industrial uses, future commercial development and environmental restoration for the public walkway along Milwaukee's inner harbor and the Kinnickinnic River.

'Milwaukee Active Streets' approved

A new pilot program dubbed "Milwaukee Active Streets" also won unanimous approval from the Common Council. The measure closes 10 miles of streets to through vehicle traffic so pedestrians and bicyclists have more space outside to stay 6 feet from each other during the coronavirus pandemic.

The measure is a partnership between the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County. 

According to a city document, about 7.5 miles of city streets and about 2.5 miles of county parkways will be closed to through vehicle traffic. 

The city streets are: 

• Custer Avenue from North 64th Street to North Sherman Boulevard.
• Fratney Street from West Meinecke Avenue to West Keefe Avenue.
• Wright Street from North Palmer Street to Gordon Park.
• West Galena Street from North 40th Street to North 14th Street.
• West Cherry Street from North 27th Street to North 24th Street.
• North 24th Street from West Cherry Street to West Galena Street.
• North 14th Street from West Juneau Avenue to West Galena Street.
• Washington Street from South 20th Street to South Water Street. 

The closed streets are still accessible to anyone who lives on the street. 

Closed parkways are: Jackson Park Parkway, from South 43rd Street to West Forest Home Avenue; Humboldt Park, from South Howell Avenue to East Oklahoma Avenue; and Little Menomonee Park Parkway, from West Appleton Avenue to West Mill Road.

Estabrook Park Parkway is listed as "coming soon" on the initiative's website, milwaukee.gov/activestreets.

Hazard pay, fee waivers for 'parklets' approved

The council also approved measures in a Friday proclamation by Mayor Tom Barrett that provide hazard pay for certain city employees who are working in roles that put them at higher risk for exposure to COVID-19 and waives fees related to “parklets,” the temporary outdoor dining areas located in a street’s parking lane.

The additional $3.13 per hour worked will be funded by the federal CARES Act, according to the city. The hazard pay will begin immediately and expire on July 27, according to the proclamation.

Contact Alison Dirr at 414-224-2383 or adirr@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter @AlisonDirr.