Frame the Square is a streetscaping project that is the first phase of a group of master-planned improvements to Cathedral Square. Cathedral Square Friends is coordinating the proposal with Milwaukee Downtown BID 21, East Town Association, the City of Milwaukee, and Milwaukee County Parks to enhance the public space adjacent to the square in a manner that engages all parts of the community. Like most streetscaping projects, the improvements are located in the city right-of-way.
Frame the Square Fall 2022 Project Update
In the upcoming weeks, the final “punch-list” items such as paver completion and repair, lawn restorations and final plantings will wrap up the construction of Frame the Square project. Below are some pics as we begin the fall season.
Jefferson Street Wall SignA View of Jefferson Street Looking NorthA Typical Bench with ADA SpaceA View of Jefferson Street Looking SouthA View of Jackson Street Looking South at The Cathedral of St John The EvangelistA View of Jackson Street Looking SouthA View of Kilbourn Ave Looking EastDouble Row of Trees along Kilbourn AvenueWells Street Wall Sign Looking West
Previous Posts During Construction
Temporary Sidewalk Opening and Access. The side walk on Kilbourn and the northern portion of the sidewalk on Jefferson Street to the path into the square are open. All access paths into Cathedral Square are now open, allowing users to traverse the entire space, and side to side, without closures. This even includes a passage at the southwest corner at Jefferson and Wells street.
Frame the Square Phases. As the start-up of the project was delayed by permit approval issues, in fall, our team adjusted the project into two phases, much of Phase 1 was be done before a winter pause, and Phase 2, do be done starting in April when work can resume, after thawing of the ground.
New Walk on Jefferson Street
Frame the Square Phase 1 Progress. We are pleased to report that we did accomplish a good deal of Phase 1, however one of the last steps for the walks, the pavers, was only able to be completed on about half of the larger Phase 1 area. All of the removals, underground wiring, new water and sewer service on Wells, street light removal and re-installation, the new curbing, repairing the street pavement, ADA corner ramps, tree wells, sidewalk foundation slabs, rough grading of adjacent lawn and temporary access paths to connect into the Square were completed. The contractor has recently finished the low 30” accent walls at the southwest corner of Jefferson and Wells at this time.
Frame The Square Aerial Diagram at Winter Pause
Winter Pause. During a winter pause, a construction area and fenced access remains along the southern part of the Jefferson Street frontage and along the Wells Street frontage. While walks remain closed in these area, parking is available during this winter in the adjacent areas, prior to construction completion in spring. All parking spaces are now open for use.
Future Project Conclusion. In spring, likely by beginning of April, the remainder of the project on the Jackson Street side, and wrapping back on Kilbourn and Wells to the Phase 1 limits will occur. The remaining pavers in the Phase 1 area will be installed. Traffic signal improvement will occur on the Wells Street corners, allowing finishing of both corners. Landscaping work will be done, which will include planting of new trees, installation of low level landscaping and finish grading and lawn restoration.
We hope to have everything complete by early summer and plan a grand opening celebration. More news to come!
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
What is Being Constructed?
What is Not Being Affected by This Project?
Who is Involved in this Project?
Future Phases
What is Being Constructed?
Like most street-scaping projects, the improvements are located in the city right-of-way. This phase of improvements is not intended to change the center of the square. City funding limits area of scope.
Improvements will include:
New Sidewalks and Curbs
Sidewalks will be surfaced in 24’ x36” pavers that are smooth, tightly fit, with no uneven pavers or awkward joints
Pavers will extend between the sidewalk and curb, removing gravel and weeds
Unhealthy trees will be replaced, and trees will be added
Tree wells with custom concrete borders at the trees
Harp lamps will be removed and re-installed
Benches, waste containers and bike racks will be added
Storage enclosure will be adjusted slightly and re-built
Southern corners will receive special landscape treatment including low landscape walls and utility screening
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements are fully integrated into the project
Frame The Square Cross Section Image
The design of the new sidewalk area is intended to be a timeless classic look that will allow improved use of the Square and will blend well with both the existing neighborhood as well as any new future changes to Cathedral Square. You can see the plans for the Frame the Square here.
What is Not Being Affected by This Project?
This is a street perimeter project. It does not include any change to the interior of the square such as alteration to paths, repair or replacement of the fountain.
The square will continue to be open through the duration of the project.
The Friends, BID 21 and its professional design team has work with the City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works, Milwaukee County Parks, and neighborhood stakeholders in the design process.
FUTURE PHASES
Frame the Square is a streetscaping project that is the first phase of a group of master-planned improvements to Cathedral Square
The project will be designed to easily and flexibly fit with various options in future phases inside the actual square that will arise from community-based master planning, as well as meshing with other public projects in the area and existing uses of the square.
Frame the Square
Frame the Square is a streetscaping project that is the first phase of a group of master-planned improvements to Cathedral Square. Cathedral Square Friends is coordinating the proposal with Milwaukee Downtown BID 21, East Town Association, the City of Milwaukee, and Milwaukee County Parks to enhance the public space adjacent to the square in a manner that engages all parts of the community. Like most streetscaping projects, the improvements are located in the city right-of-way.
Frame the Square Fall 2022 Project Update
In the upcoming weeks, the final “punch-list” items such as paver completion and repair, lawn restorations and final plantings will wrap up the construction of Frame the Square project. Below are some pics as we begin the fall season.
Previous Posts During Construction
Temporary Sidewalk Opening and Access. The side walk on Kilbourn and the northern portion of the sidewalk on Jefferson Street to the path into the square are open. All access paths into Cathedral Square are now open, allowing users to traverse the entire space, and side to side, without closures. This even includes a passage at the southwest corner at Jefferson and Wells street.
Frame the Square Phases. As the start-up of the project was delayed by permit approval issues, in fall, our team adjusted the project into two phases, much of Phase 1 was be done before a winter pause, and Phase 2, do be done starting in April when work can resume, after thawing of the ground.
Frame the Square Phase 1 Progress. We are pleased to report that we did accomplish a good deal of Phase 1, however one of the last steps for the walks, the pavers, was only able to be completed on about half of the larger Phase 1 area. All of the removals, underground wiring, new water and sewer service on Wells, street light removal and re-installation, the new curbing, repairing the street pavement, ADA corner ramps, tree wells, sidewalk foundation slabs, rough grading of adjacent lawn and temporary access paths to connect into the Square were completed. The contractor has recently finished the low 30” accent walls at the southwest corner of Jefferson and Wells at this time.
Winter Pause. During a winter pause, a construction area and fenced access remains along the southern part of the Jefferson Street frontage and along the Wells Street frontage. While walks remain closed in these area, parking is available during this winter in the adjacent areas, prior to construction completion in spring. All parking spaces are now open for use.
Future Project Conclusion. In spring, likely by beginning of April, the remainder of the project on the Jackson Street side, and wrapping back on Kilbourn and Wells to the Phase 1 limits will occur. The remaining pavers in the Phase 1 area will be installed. Traffic signal improvement will occur on the Wells Street corners, allowing finishing of both corners. Landscaping work will be done, which will include planting of new trees, installation of low level landscaping and finish grading and lawn restoration.
We hope to have everything complete by early summer and plan a grand opening celebration. More news to come!
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
What is Being Constructed?
Like most street-scaping projects, the improvements are located in the city right-of-way. This phase of improvements is not intended to change the center of the square. City funding limits area of scope.
Improvements will include:
The design of the new sidewalk area is intended to be a timeless classic look that will allow improved use of the Square and will blend well with both the existing neighborhood as well as any new future changes to Cathedral Square. You can see the plans for the Frame the Square here.
What is Not Being Affected by This Project?
This is a street perimeter project. It does not include any change to the interior of the square such as alteration to paths, repair or replacement of the fountain.
The square will continue to be open through the duration of the project.
Who is Involved in this Project?
Cathedral Square Friends is coordinating the proposal with Milwaukee Downtown BID 21, East Town Association, the City of Milwaukee, and Milwaukee County Parks to enhance the public space adjacent to the square in a manner that engages all parts of the community.
JCP Construction is working to make the streetscape improvement a reality. The design has been led by the infrastructure firm HNTB, along with the civil/landscape design firm Kapur & Associates. Prism Technical Service is monitoring Small Business Enterprise inclusion and Residents Preference Program participation in the project’s construction. Integris serves as the Cathedral Square Friends and Milwaukee Downtown’s project representative through the course of the construction and completion.
The Friends, BID 21 and its professional design team has work with the City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works, Milwaukee County Parks, and neighborhood stakeholders in the design process.
FUTURE PHASES
Frame the Square is a streetscaping project that is the first phase of a group of master-planned improvements to Cathedral Square
The project will be designed to easily and flexibly fit with various options in future phases inside the actual square that will arise from community-based master planning, as well as meshing with other public projects in the area and existing uses of the square.