The Common Council voted unanimously to oppose the state’s plans to relocate its Department of Health Services center to a location at 2151 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
The Milwaukee Common Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to oppose the state Department of Administration’s plans to relocate its Department of Health Services center at North 12th Street and West Vliet Street in Milwaukee to a location at 2151 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Milwaukee, in the Bronzeville district.
“The city has invested heavily in redevelopment of the Bronzeville area,” said Ald. Milele Coggs. “Putting the DHS services center in that district just isn’t compatible.”
The Bronzeville area lacks parking for the DHS center, Coggs said. Neighborhood groups oppose the move, she said. In addition, the DHS center move would cost Milwaukee County $1.2 million in lost rent unless the space it occupies at the Marcia P. Coggs Human Services Center, 1220 W. Vliet St., is leased to another tenant, Coggs said.
Public testimony on the relocation of the DHS center will be heard by the state Building Commission’s Administrative Sub-Committee at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the state Capitol in Madison. People interested in attending the meeting can take a bus that will leave at 6:45 a.m. that day at 2212 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. and will return by 5 p.m.
“This is one very positive step today, having the full (Common) Council lending its voice in clear opposition to the move, but the bigger hearing is scheduled to take place next week in Madison,” Coggs said.
