The Milwaukee Common Council is scheduled to vote on the fate of the proposed downtown streetcar project next week.
The plan has cleared several hurdles – most notably the issue of the cost of relocating utility lines.
And it still faces others, including vocal opposition from several council members and a petition drive aimed at stalling the project and putting it to a referendum.
A forum was held earlier this week on the streetcar issue. Panelists included Kevin Muhs, transit planner for the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission; JerameyJannene, who covers transit issues for UrbanMilwaukee.com; and Rob Henken, president of the Public Policy Forum.
The panelists saw benefits in continuing to move forward with the streetcar project, although some urged more caution.
The panelists were then joined by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, an advocate for the streetcar, for a question and answer session with the audience.
Although there have undoubtedly been obstacles to the progress of the streetcar, Mayor Barrett, ultimately, wants this project to be for the city, and built by those who inhabit it.
