Latest news with #NeighborhoodsandDevelopmentCommittee
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Milwaukee fatal apartment fire; city leaders seek prevention options
The Brief Milwaukee city leaders are debating what to do to prevent fires in apartment buildings. Leaders are looking for options because the city cannot enact legislation that is stricter than state law. This debate comes in the wake of the fire at the Highland Court apartments in which five people died. MILWAUKEE - Firefighters say sprinklers could have saved five lives in a fatal Mother's Day Milwaukee fire. So why are thousands of buildings in the city not required to have them? What we know On Wednesday, May 28, the Milwaukee Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee met to talk about sprinklers. The Highland Court apartments did not have them. Highland Court was built in 1968, making it exempt from the state law that later required sprinklers. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android The Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services estimates 10,000 of the city's apartment-style buildings are not required to have sprinklers. What they're saying "I assure you we would not have had five fatalities probably would have had zero fatalities if we had functioning sprinklers," said Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski. Wisconsin law prevents cities from having ordinances stricter than state law. That means Milwaukee cannot pass its own requirement for older buildings to go back and install sprinklers. On Wednesday, council members floated ideas like increasing safety inspections, looking for grant funding to help with sprinkler installation costs, and requiring landlords to disclose to tenants if the building does not have sprinklers before they sign a lease. "If we can even take small steps in that direction it would it would be a benefit," Lipski said. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News The case of the Highland Court fire remains under investigation. The Source The information in this post was produced by FOX6 News after sitting in on a committee meeting and using previous FOX6 News coverage.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Milwaukee Central City Plaza building gains support for historic status
The Brief The Bronzeville Advisory Committee on Wednesday, April 9, voted to support the historic designation of three properties in Milwaukee's Central City Plaza complex on the city's near north side. Milwaukee's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee will now take up the consideration at a meeting on Tuesday, April 15. The three buildings near 6th and Vine were built in 1973. MILWAUKEE - The push to preserve some Milwaukee buildings is taking the next step toward becoming a reality. What we know The Bronzeville Advisory Committee on Wednesday, April 9, voted to support the historic designation of three properties in Milwaukee's Central City Plaza complex on the city's near north side. The three buildings near 6th and Vine were built in 1973. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android They were once the hub for the city's first Black-owned shopping center. It was also designed by the city's first registered Black architect. The backstory The Salvation Army owns two of those buildings. In January, they said they're using one for temporary sheltering, and they want to demolish the smaller building to expand it. Milwaukee's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee will now take up the consideration at a meeting on Tuesday, April 15. What they're saying Salvation Army of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan General Secretary Major Rachel Stouder provided the following statement: "The Salvation Army remains committed to expanding critical services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness while also respecting the historical significance of Cental City Plaza. We understand the importance of this site to the Bronzeville community and to the City of Milwaukee. We are actively working with local leaders, preservation advocates and city officials to explore a solution that honors the past while addressing the present needs of the community. Our architects are currently reviewing the existing infrastructure to determine how we can best integrate it into our plans, ensuring we maximize our ability to serve those in need. This location is uniquely positioned to provide direct access to essential services, transportation and other community resources, making it an irreplaceable asset in our efforts to break the cycle of homelessness. We look forward to continuing an open and collaborative dialogue as we work toward a plan that benefits both the community and the individuals we serve." The Source The information in this post was produced by FOX6 News.
