Mayor Cavalier Johnson of Milwaukee expressed frustration as he announced the withdrawal of federal funding for a significant city development project. "This project would have made a high-injury traffic corridor safer, created over 450 good-paying jobs, and created tens-of-millions of dollars in local economic impacts," Johnson stated in a press release on the City of Milwaukee website, stressing the missed opportunities resulting from the cut in financial support. The defunding move strips away the promised $34 million destined for the reconstruction of the 6th Street corridor, a project relying on the USDOT Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program.
The removal of funds comes as part of broader budget cuts by congressional Republicans, impacting infrastructure developments nationwide. The 6th Street project poised to transform a dangerous traffic zone into a safer avenue for Milwaukee's residents, consequently generating employment as well as boosting the local economy. Prior to the defunding action, Johnson had joined forces with cities across the political spectrum to advocate for this federal program. Despite these efforts, the current administration and congressional Republicans decided to walk back on their commitment to urban improvements that the grant was designed to foster.
Senator Tammy Baldwin's intervention in support of the program involved sponsoring an amendment on the Senate floor to counteract the fund rescission. In the statement obtained by the City of Milwaukee, Mayor Johnson extended his thanks to Baldwin, alignment with dozens of other communities that would have benefitted from such federal dollars. "Unfortunately, congressional Republicans and the White House chose not to support the improvements to public safety, good-paying jobs, and economic development the Neighborhood Access and Equity Program advanced," Johnson remarked.
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