How Much Should the City Pay So Boats Can Get to the Horny Goat?

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A proposed $12 million over the next two years for bridge repair over the Kinnickinnic River caused dispute at a recent Milwaukee Capital Improvements Committee meeting.  At issue: How much taxpayers should pay so pleasure crafts can get to a local pub and marina.

The location of the South 1st Street Bridge. The Horny Goat Brew Pub is beyond the bridge along the water. Photo credit: Google maps image created by Bo Bayerl.
The location of the South 1st Street Bridge. The Horny Goat Brew Pub is beyond the bridge along the water. Photo credit: Google maps image created by Bo Bayerl.

Alderman Bob Bauman immediately had questions once Craig Liberto spoke on behalf of the Milwaukee Department of Public Works’ bridge program. Liberto is the structural design manager for the department. Bauman suggested making the South 1st Street movable bascule bridge a fixed bridge to save money because the department was asking for $5,500,000 in 2016 and $6,500,000 in 2017 for repairs on the current movable bridge that is mainly used for pleasure crafts to get to the Horny Goat Brew Pub and marina beyond this bridge.

“In the grand scheme of things, it’s important to the unique experience people can have here,” Horny Goat manager Jacob Wood said. “It’s another way customers can get to us. Also, our marina houses many boats so having the bridge movable is of great importance.”

Milwaukee Department of Public Works presented a total proposed budget for 2016 of $8,925,000 for the Bridge Program that will fund this bridge among others. The Local Bridge Program is entirely city funded and attempts to make up for the state and federal aid bridge program, which is a small fraction each year. For example, the 2016 budget for state and federal aid is less than $1 million.

“That’s a lot of money for pleasure and no job creation,” Bauman said.

Capital Improvements Committee member Mariano Schifalacqua and Alderman Bob Bauman talk with Craig Liberto about the implications of 1st Street bascule bridge. Photo credit: Milwauke Legistar website obtained by Bo Bayerl.
Capital Improvements Committee member Mariano Schifalacqua and Alderman Bob Bauman talk with Craig Liberto about the implications of 1st Street bascule bridge. Photo credit: Milwauke Legistar website obtained by Bo Bayerl.

According to Liberto, making the bridge fixed would pose potential problems. The Kinnickinnic River is considered a navigable waterway by federal government up to the Lincoln Avenue Bridge, so having a fixed bridge would not allow sailboats to get to The Horny Goat’s docks.

Liberto said that in order to even begin making a movable bridge into a fixed bridge, a request would have to be made, and this request is a long process.

Currently, the city is doing this with the 16th Street bascule bridge. At one time in the past, the movable bridge was needed for lake freighters to get through. According to Liberto, the use of this area has changed over the years and this bridge has not been open once for many years.

For the 1st Street Bridge, the same would have to be done. Liberto said it would go up for public comment, meaning The Horny Goat owners would have to approve the city purchasing their water rights.

Bauman, along with Nik Kovac, the other alderman in attendance, tossed around possible other ideas to spend less money. Kovac suggested the possibility of a referendum for the bridge.

Liberto further revealed the project for the 1st Street Bridge is already in the design phase. According to Liberto, they have already spent to date approximately $100,000.

“Let’s put the breaks on it now,” Kovac said.

Craig Liberto proposes the bridge program 2016 budget on behalf of the Milwaukee Department of Public Works. Photo credit: Milwaukee Legistar website photo obtained by Bo Bayerl.
Craig Liberto proposes the bridge program 2016 budget on behalf of the Milwaukee Department of Public Works. Photo credit: Milwaukee Legistar website photo obtained by Bo Bayerl.

Many questions were asked in regards to legal issues on the water that Liberto did not have the answers to.

“This should be kicked around internally to see what the relative costs are,” Bauman said. “Because at some point when we get all of these incredible budget requests from the police. You know, public safety. $24 million worth of software that they absolutely need tomorrow or else public safety grinds to a halt.”

Department of Public Works Commissioner Ghassan Korban said the committee would look into the process of making the bridge fixed with the city attorney’s office.

The committee meeting also brought up City Hall’s foundation repair project, which was approved back in November. Out of Infrastructure Services requested $25,030,000 budget, $20,000,000 of that would be going towards the foundation repair project.

According to Paul Fredrich, facilities manager for the City of Milwaukee, the plan is to do the work in quadrants, starting with the northwest quadrant. Little by little, occupants of the basement will be vacated during the project and moved upstairs permanently. Notably, the treasurer’s office will be moved up to the first floor.

“What about the vault with all of the gold in it?” Kovac asked jokingly.

“We’re going to bury that a little deeper.” Fredrich said, laughing.

This is the only the beginning, though, for the budget requests. The committee must approve the requests made at Thursday and Friday’s meeting at a future meeting first before moving onto the full Common Council for final approval.