Council adopts engineer's report for South 53rd and West Rogers reconstruction; $1.8 million project includes assessments

The Common Council adopted the city engineer’s report and assessment schedule for concrete reconstruction of South 53rd Street (West Burnham to West Rogers) and West Rogers Street (South 53rd to the dead end) on Jan. 14.

Melinda Dieske, the city engineer, told the council the two streets received low condition ratings (3 on a 1–10 scale) and are slated for full reconstruction because of significant pavement deterioration and aged underground utilities. She said the combined project cost is about $1,800,000: roughly $496,000 for Rogers Street and about $1,300,000 for South 53rd Street.

Funding sources include utility funds and city taxes: the storm water utility ($370,000), water utility ($285,000), sanitary utility ($800,000), and a $148,000 total in special assessments to affected property owners. Dieske noted that water mains and sanitary laterals in the area date from the 1910s and will be replaced during the reconstruction; new water service lines will be installed on the public side and staff will address lead services on the private side if discovered.

Examples provided to property owners showed assessment bills for individual parcels; property owners can elect 5- or 10-year installment plans at 4% interest (the interest covers city debt costs, not profit). Dieske said West Allis will bid the project in spring with construction planned for late spring through fall and that affected property owners will receive notices and a construction schedule when the project is approved.

The public works committee and council approved the report; a committee vote and a subsequent council roll call confirmed adoption.