Construction of the long-planned downtown Milwaukee streetcar project could begin in 2015 and be complete in 2018.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett recently announced a plan to use $59 million from three tax incremental financing districts and $54.9 million in federal funds to pay for the $113.9 million project. The total cost of the project was increased to cover the cost to add a lakefront extension to the original planned 2.1-mile route and to cover $22.7 million in utility relocation costs. In addition, the city plans to allocate $17.5 million in TIF funds for a transportation hub at The Couture, a proposed 44-story apartment tower near the lakefront.
