ARCHIVAL WEBSITE

This site was actively used over the period 2005-2011 as the necessary technical and environmental studies to permit the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee (KRM) commuter rail project to proceed to implementation were conducted. These studies were initiated in 2005 by an Intergovernmental Partnership of the County Executives and Mayors of Kenosha, Milwaukee, and Racine, the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, and the Chairman of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. In July 2009, the studies were continued by the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SERTA), which was created by the Wisconsin State Legislature and Governor in the 2009-2011 Wisconsin State budget specifically to oversee the development of a KRM commuter rail service. In June 2011, the State Legislature and Governor repealed the State law creating SERTA, requiring SERTA to dissolve in September 2011, and resulting in the indefinite postponement of the KRM commuter rail studies. As such, links within the site relating to submittal of comments and questions, and sign-up for email updates have been de-activated.

 

Public Involvement

Public participation is a fundamental component of this DEIS and Alternatives Analysis phase of the KRM project. The activities planned throughout this project phase are designed to facilitate open, ongoing, two-way communication and allow the study team to gather suggestions, opinions, perspectives, and values from the community. This public participation will provide valuable information and feedback in order to make the best possible decisions.

Public Hearings for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Three public hearings were held in September 2009 throughout the KRM corridor to obtain comments on the DEIS. The public hearings were conducted in “open house” format, with exhibits on display and project staff available to answer questions about the DEIS or any other aspect of the project. A short project presentation was also made during each hearing, as noted below.

The dates, times, and locations of these meetings were:

Monday, September 14, 2009
5:00-7:00 pm (presentation: 5:45 pm)
Great Lakes Room, Racine Building, Racine Gateway Technical College
901 Pershing Drive, Racine

Tuesday, September 15, 2009
5:00-7:00 pm (presentation: 5:45 pm)
Reuther High School, Gymnasium
913 57th Street, Kenosha

Wednesday, September 16, 2009
5:00-7:00 pm (presentation: 5:45 pm)
Harbor Lights Room, Milwaukee Downtown Transit Center
909 E. Michigan Street, Milwaukee

At the hearings, attendees were able to provide written comments or give oral comments to court reporters at any time during the two hour time frame. In addition, written comments were accepted through October 5, 2009. Although the public comment period has ended, comments regarding any aspect of the project are always welcome, and can be sent via the KRM website, or by email, mail, or fax:

  • E-mail: (email address has been removed for archive)
  • U.S. Mail: KRM Commuter Link, P.O. Box 1607, Waukesha, WI 53187-1607
  • Fax: (262) 547-1103

Record of Public Comments on the KRM DEIS

A record of public comments received on the DEIS was recently prepared. This record includes a summary of the written and oral comments received during the formal public comment period, as well as the comments themselves, attendance records from the public hearings, materials announcing those hearings, materials distributed at those hearings, and newspaper articles pertaining to the DEIS. To view the record of public comments, click on this link:

Public Hearing Display Boards

To view the display boards used at the September 2009 public hearings, click on this link:

Public Hearing Presentation

To view the presentation given at each of the September 2009 public hearings, click on this link:

Previous Activities

Previous Public Informational Meetings

Three public information meeting open houses were held in February 2007 throughout the KRM corridor to present information, answer questions, and get feedback concerning the planning for this project. The meetings were conducted in an “open house” format to provide visitors an opportunity to look at display materials, to meet one-on-one or in small groups with project staff to ask questions, and provide input and feedback. A short presentation was given at 6 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. Information was provided on the proposed locally preferred alternative, the DEIS, potential impacts, and opportunities for continued community involvement. In particular, information at the public meetings highlighted the differences between commuter rail and bus transit alternatives and outlined the reasons for recommending commuter rail.

The dates, times, and locations of these meetings were:

Monday, February 5, 2007
5:30 - 8:00 pm
Presentations: 6 & 7 pm
Theatre, Racine Building
Racine Gateway Technical College
901 Pershing Drive, Racine

Wednesday, February 7, 2007
5:30-8:00 pm
Presentations: 6 & 7 pm
Madrigrano Auditorium
Kenosha Gateway Technical College
3320 30th Avenue, Kenosha

Thursday, February 8, 2007
5:30-8:00 pm
Presentations: 6 & 7 pm
Harbor Lights Room
Milwaukee Downtown Transit Center
909 E. Michigan Street, Milwaukee

Station Area Design Workshops

Two sets of KRM station area design workshops were conducted to identify the potential opportunities for land use development and redevelopment around each proposed transit station. Determining the potential for such “transit-oriented development” is a key component of the KRM Commuter Link project and will be important to deciding whether or not to proceed with the project. The first set of station area workshops was held in March and April of 2006.

After the first set of workshops, the project team had begun to develop station area land use plans and the next step was to bring these preliminary plans back to the public for input and comments at a second set of workshops. These were held in June, July, and August 2006. Public and community participation is vital to the creation of station area plans that stimulate and accommodate desired development and redevelopment. Eventually, each community will be asked to endorse their station area development plan and to adopt policies, plans, and regulations to support them if commuter rail is implemented.

Station area design workshops were held for the Kenosha, Somers, Racine, Caledonia, Oak Creek, South Milwaukee, Cudahy-St. Francis, South Side Milwaukee, and Downtown Milwaukee station areas.

Public Scoping Meetings Held

This KRM planning phase kicked off with several public information meetings held during February, 2006 in Kenosha, Racine, and Milwaukee. This first round of public information meetings was part of the project scoping process, used to identify issues and concerns early in the study. All interested or affected residents, property owners, civic and community leaders, business owners, and other community members throughout the corridor were encouraged to attend, learn more about the project, and most importantly, provide feedback and comments.

The public information meetings were conducted in “open house” format with staffed information displays. A twenty minute presentation was made by Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission staff with members of the study team available throughout the evening to provide information and hear community input. Information was provided on:

  • The purpose and need for the project;
  • The objectives of the Alternative Analysis, DEIS, and scoping process;
  • The scope and schedule of the KRM Alternative Analysis;
  • Issues to be addressed throughout the course of the study, including potential impacts to be studied; and
  • Opportunities for continued public involvement and participation.

Future Plans

Public participation is important to developing sound recommendations and selecting a transit alternative that can be supported by the community. One of the project team’s goals is to keep the public informed and to incorporate their feedback into the decision making process.

In the future, newsletters and other materials will continue to be produced to provide information as the KRM project moves forward into later phases. Sign up on the comment form page of this website to be added to the mailing list. The current newsletter may be viewed and downloaded here:

Additional public involvement meetings will be held in later phases of the project. Public involvement meetings will be advertised in local newspapers, in newsletters, and on the project website. Attend one or all of the public involvement meetings and encourage your neighbors, colleagues, and friends to participate as well.

If you prefer to get your information electronically, continue to use the KRM website. The website will be updated as new project information becomes available. And the site is interactive so you can provide your comments online.

Other opportunities for public involvement will occur as the project proceeds and we will do our best to make sure you are made aware of them.