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Wauwatosa faces severe housing crisis as rents soar

December 10, 2024 | Wauwatosa City, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

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Wauwatosa faces severe housing crisis as rents soar
The Wauwatosa City Council meeting on December 10, 2024, focused on critical issues surrounding the city's severe housing shortage and traffic safety concerns. Alder highlighted the urgent need for more housing in Wauwatosa, noting that the city faces some of the highest rents in Wisconsin and that this issue is part of a broader trend affecting many developed countries. The discussion emphasized that while Wauwatosa's population growth is limited, the demand for housing is driven by smaller household sizes and an influx of workers from surrounding areas, particularly those employed at the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center.

Alder pointed out that Wauwatosa's daytime population swells significantly, with over 105,000 people present, indicating a strong need for housing options for those who work in the city but live elsewhere. The conversation also touched on the rapid development of housing in nearby West Allis, which is catering to the same workforce.

In addition to housing, the meeting addressed traffic safety, particularly on Wisconsin Avenue. Alder expressed concerns about the width of streets contributing to unsafe conditions and advocated for traffic calming measures, such as narrowing streets and adding bump-outs at intersections. The goal is to enhance safety for pedestrians and drivers alike. Alder also mentioned upcoming improvements to biking infrastructure, funded primarily by a state grant, which will create a multiuse path extending from Honey Creek Parkway to Wisconsin Avenue.

The council is committed to addressing these pressing issues, with plans for further discussions on traffic safety and housing development in the coming months. The overall sentiment from the meeting underscored the importance of creating a safer, more livable community in Wauwatosa.

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Scribe from Workplace AI
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