Alderwoman Coggs

Ald. Coggs seeks details and repair plans to address city’s streetlight outage problems

March 20, 2024 By MKE Community Journal Leave a Comment

The Department of Public Works is being directed to share information about its hardest hit areas for streetlight outages, as well as detailed plans for how it will tackle the repairs needed to get the lights turned back on for local residents and businesses.

A Common Council communication file (Council File #231847) introduced by Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs and co-sponsored by Alderwoman Andrea M. Pratt and Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr., directs DPW to provide metrics on the most troublesome streetlight outage areas across the city (based on reports/complaints) and detailed plans on how it will be addressing those streetlight circuit and equipment problems in both the near and long term.

Alderwoman Coggs, chair of the Licenses Committee, notes that there is a disconnect with residents about the information they receive regarding infrastructure priorities, and it is a problem that must be addressed without delay.

“Last week residents heard about the sizable investment being allocated to help transform two miles of 6^th Street – which is great – yet they are living without adequate street lighting in their neighborhood just a few blocks away,” Alderwoman Coggs said. “We have residents who are experiencing an uptick in crime because the streetlights are out, and those outages stretch back for more than a year. It is just not acceptable and we need to know how DPW plans to address the issues.”

The communication file seeks details relating to the structure and age of the city’s street lighting system (specifics on which areas are oldest/most in need of updates and repairs), and which areas are seeing the most calls about outages.

Additionally, Alderwoman Coggs wants to ensure a plan is in place for additional dollars that may be coming to help address these types of issues. “Should additional funds to support streetlight replacement become available, we need to know that as a city we are ready to push those resources into the places with the most problematic circuits that experience the most outages. I look forward to discussing all of these topics publicly in the near future,” she said.

The file will be assigned to the Public Works Committee and a hearing scheduled for an upcoming meeting of the committee.

Applications now being accepted for Healing Spaces Initiative

April 1, 2021 By MKE Community Journal Leave a Comment

Applications are now being accepted for the City’s new Healing Spaces Initiative which aims to build relaxing natural environments on available city-owned vacant lots while also eliminating blighted spaces and engaging residents. Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs sponsored the budget amendment and subsequent legislation establishing the program that formally kicked off last week.

“I am excited about the potential of this program to not only create new, vibrant public spaces but to also help utilize vacant city-owned lots while allowing residents the opportunity to play a key role in the process,” said Alderwoman Coggs. “Our neighborhoods are stronger when we collaborate on projects like this, and I encourage any Harambee resident or community based organization with an idea for a healing space to submit an application today.”

Harambee residents or community based organizations who work in the Harambee neighborhood are eligible to apply for the initiative. The City provides technical assistance, planning resources, and grant money to fully fund these opportunities for community members. Projects may include basic elements such as seating, flowers, walking paths or lighting, and relaxation elements like little free libraries, positive signage, bird baths and more. Interested applicants should visit the program website here to fill out an interest form and to review additional guidelines. Applications must be submitted by Monday, April 26^th. Grants will be awarded on May 21^st with projects slated to begin this summer.

Those interested must also attend a Healing Spaces Initiative orientation session. There are upcoming sessions on April 7^th at noon, April 8^th at 6 p.m., April 20^th at noon and April 21^st at 6 p.m.

The Healing Spaces Initiative is supported by the City of Milwaukee, Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation, Bader Philanthropies Inc., Eras Senior Network, Groundwork Milwaukee, Safe & Sound and True Skool, Inc.

Dr James G White Award Winners To Be Announced

January 11, 2021 By MKE Community Journal Leave a Comment

The 6th district Milwaukee will be holding it’s town hall meeting, Thursday January 21st virtually. The district which includes streets like, Vel Phillips has been home to much positive energy this past year. The site of many protest walks , the beautiful Black Lives Matter mural painted just off 3rd and Locust steeet. This meeting will also discuss more excitement such as, the winner of the Dr James G. White district differed maker award winners. The awards honor individuals and groups that work diligently to improve and strengthen the quality of life for themselves, their neighborhood and the City of Milwaukee.

In addition, the district Alderwoman Coggs and Representatives from Various departments

( Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation, adept of Public Works), and others will be present to answer questions. Then in to this power packed meeting via Facebook, have a great week!

All The Tools To Start A Business Given at Local Summit

January 28, 2019 By MKE Community Journal Leave a Comment

“I’m not a businessman, I’m a business man!” A popular quote from the song Diamonds by Hip hop mogul Jay Z. Rap lyrics are typically filled with over inflated statements, but this one happens to be true. The rapper has started multiple business endeavors with all of them being wildly successful. Between Rocafella records, to Rocawear clothing line, sports management and slew of other things, he has a net worth of over 700 million dollars. By investing millions from his music career, he accumulated the necessary funds to invest and build his massive wealth, a feat impressive for anyone let alone an African American, who in earlier years did not make up a large part of business owners. Times are changing; there are massive increases in minority owned businesses around the world as well as Wisconsin. Recently there was summit held in Milwaukee to motivate those to join the wave.

The Milwaukee business now summit was held to give minority groups resources to start up. Reports have shown over the last year, there has been a 400% increase minority owned businesses worldwide, ad in Wisconsin a 71% increase during that time.

“I am hoping that you all take the information that you learn today. And that it aids you on your own business and that you share this information with others.”

This was a statement from Alderwoman Coggs who went on to say:

“Milwaukee is a great city, but it is as great as we make it.”

Attendees were able to learn about business financing options directly from sources like, Us Bank representatives, as well as reps from the WWBIC (Wisconsin Woman’s Business Initiative Corporation).

The event ended with a panel discussion that featured many local business owners such as, Joanna Brooks of Embody Yoga, and moderated by Andrea Williams of 98.3fm.

Not everyone can invest millions right away like Jay z did, but we can start small and build up. There are no as many limitations fro minorities the way it use to be in fact, out of all the increases African Americans are the group most highly represented, lets join the wave!

Pete’s Market Employs Kwabena Nixon to Emcee 1 year Anniversary Celebration

October 16, 2018 By MKE Community Journal Leave a Comment

Just a Year after Alderwoman Coggs Helped Bring It to the Neighborhood.

A Triple whopper with cheese topped with bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, and a side of fries. How about a succulent double bacon smokehouse burger, served on an artisan roll from McDonalds? Are you hungry yet? What if I word it like this: 1,200 to 1,300 calories, which is approximately 50% of recommended daily calorie intake.

Better yet: 1,700 to 1,900 grams of sodium, about 92 percent of a healthy daily sodium intake.

Fast food conglomerates like these, glamorize their food with unrealistic photos, and “affordable deals.” While it is ones personal choice to purchase the food, some families are in situations where they simply must purchase 1 dollar burgers, because that is what they can afford. Furthermore, some single parents work to many hours, so they have to buy fast food, because they are too tired to cook when they get home. The accessibility in the inner city areas to fast food is why they continue to grow. It is for this reasons and many other, places like Pete’s Market are so important.

In 1963, a man named Pete emigrated from Greece bringing his family along for economical opportunities. By 1976 he opened his first Pete’s Market in Waukegan Illinois, after a dwindling job market forced his hand. Providing fresh fruits, vegetables and meat options, the grocery store quickly became a hit, prompting him to sell the store, and open a store in Greenfield Wisconsin in 1992. It was not until 2017 that a store opened in Milwaukee. Spearheaded by Alderman Milele Coggs, and passionate residents, they were able to disrupt and shut down the construction on a proposed Dollar Tree. Also instrumental in the process, was the late and great Vel Philips, who served the area with grace and passion, until her passing in August of this year. On October 13^th, Pete’s Market celebrated its 1 year anniversary in the community with poetry, music, discounts and a lot of smiles.

“We fought for this,” said one resident who was alluding to the aforementioned process that took place just a year ago.

“I hope they stay around for another hundred,” said another passionate resident.

Local Author, poet and activist Kwabena Nixon along with the local band The B.I.T, emceed the event providing his usual energy to the stage, and inspiring moment as he explained a story of young man whom he mentored.

The event ended with Nixon inviting the band to play one last song, and encouraging attendees to take part in the specials Pete’s were offering. Some say it is juts one store, but as we know from fast food places, all it takes is one before you’re an entire franchise.