[excerpted from the Journal-Sentinel]

A stretch of S. 2nd St. between downtown and Walker's Point will be rebuilt and narrowed to become more friendly to bicyclists and pedestrians under a plan approved Tuesday by the Milwaukee Common Council.

Aldermen voted 13-1 for the overhaul, which was backed by city public works and development officials as well as some local businesses and residents as a way to stimulate neighborhood development. Opponents, led by businessman Mike Sanfelippo, have argued the changes would increase traffic congestion and would be bad for business.

The reconstruction will narrow the street from four lanes to two from W. National Ave. to just south of W. St. Paul Ave., and it will add bicycle lanes, trees, plants and grass. State transportation funds and federal stimulus money will pick up most of the $2.4 million cost, but local property owners will be assessed for sidewalk and driveway improvements.

Follow the links below to read more: