The City of Milwaukee is leading the redesign and reconstruction project of N. Water Street from E. Erie Street to E. Clybourn Street. The project is currently in the preliminary design phase, with final design completion anticipated in summer 2026. Utility relocation and construction work are anticipated to occur throughout 2026 and 2027.

This project is funded by the Erie/Jefferson Riverwalk Tax Incremental District (TID) 56.

Throughout 2024, Historic Third Ward Business Improvement District (BID) No. 2 led conceptual planning for the Water Street corridor between E. Erie Street and E. Clybourn Street. This early phase involved engaging with stakeholders and local businesses to gather input, identify constraints, and define project needs and priorities.

The goal of this phase was to explore high-level design options and establish a preliminary cost estimate for future design and construction. Considerations included accommodations for people walking, biking and taking transit, with early feedback emphasizing the importance of improvements for people walking. A preliminary preferred alternative was selected based on input from a series of stakeholder meetings (see figure below).

The following goals were established during the early phases of the project and help guide the project’s preliminary design.

The City of Milwaukee is committed to meaningful community engagement. Public involvement efforts will include:

• One public meeting
• One stakeholder advisory committee meeting
• Individual stakeholder meetings
• Pop-up tables at community events
• Coordination with relevant agencies

The upcoming public meeting will build upon the outreach conducted during the conceptual design phase led by the Historic Third Ward BID. Attendees will be presented with the preliminary preferred design alternative, an overview of the planning process, and invited to provide feedback to help shape the final design.