City-county $15 million DOT grant to install public EV chargers; first 13 sites proposed for county parks and libraries

The City of Milwaukee is leading a city-county effort to deploy a public electric-vehicle charging network funded by a $15 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant, with the city naming 13 initial public sites on Milwaukee County parks and library sites as the first batch.

Eric Schomburger, Director of the City's Environmental Collaboration Office, said the grant supports a public charging network intended to expand access for people who cannot charge at home. The grant would fund up to 53 locations with four parking spaces dedicated to EV charging at each site. The city selected 13 initial sites that are publicly owned to avoid complex lease negotiations and to align with the project's preliminary plan submitted to the federal government; the first batch includes locations such as Washington Park (Urban Ecology Center), Mitchell Park Domes, Veterans Park, Wilson Park and Lincoln Park.

Schomburger said the federal contract provides engineering funds immediately but will not release construction funds until the city completes federal environmental reviews and addresses other federal guidance. He said the city hopes to issue an RFP in the fourth quarter of the year and, if federal processes proceed, begin construction in mid-2025. Schomburger acknowledged concerns raised at county committee meetings about commercialization of parks and charging speed, and said the sites chosen aim to provide year-round public access and destination uses.

The city intends to use mostly Level 2 chargers for the initial sites; fast-charging (Level 3) requires more costly infrastructure and would reduce the number of sites the grant can reach. Schomburger said a public engagement portal (engage.milwaukee.gov) allows residents to suggest locations for later batches and that the program remains subject to federal guidance and the timing of construction-fund release.