Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs

Construction Project Impact Mitigation

Prepared for:

City of Milwaukee, Department of Administration,Budget and Management Division

May 7, 2010

By:Bo McCready, Ian Ritz, Rocio

Sanchez-Moyano, Mike Schultz, Sarah Wainscott

Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs

The Impact of Construction

Public construction projects may harm business Limit access Change shopping patterns Business failure decreased health of local

economy, smaller tax base for City This creates the need for mitigation

Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs

Background and Methods

Status Quo

Limited public meetings

Communication Limited signage Construction

supervisor Limited website DPW call center

Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs

Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs

Goals

Cost-effectiveness Ease of implementation Political feasibility Equity

Construction Mitigation OptionsService Service Definition

Percent that provide service (%)

Communication Mailings, email, flyers, phone with stakeholders 94

Public Meetings Open meetings with relevant stakeholders 94

Signage Postings to inform public 79

Website/Hotline Informational telephone operator or updates and information available electronically on the internet 68

Program Liaison Position designated to interact with stakeholders 62

Parking Efforts to ensure adequate parking by business staff and customers 53

Paid Advertising Fully or partially funded advertising effort by city 38

Cooperation with local entities

Inclusion of resources from community organizations or development groups 35

Business Education Instruction intended to assist business operation 29

Loan Public or private loan to business 26

Art Temporary pieces incorporated into construction site during construction 18

Cooperation with higher education institution

Inclusion of resources from a college/university 15

Direct compensation Financial resources distributed to business with no repayment expected 6

Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs

Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs

Recommended Construction Mitigation Service Package

Public meetings Communication Signage Website Business education Program liaison

Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs

Program Evaluation

Goal: Services are effective Increase service usage, Reduce complaints,

Increase satisfaction with services

Gather data: Track complaints, administer survey

Analyze data: Identify trends Report findings

Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs

Status Quo vs. Construction Mitigation Service Package

Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs

For copies of report, email:publications@lafollette.wisc.edu

Additional Information