Johnson focuses on growing Milwaukee, addressing challenges during State of the City

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Mayor Cavalier Johnson touted the work being done to grow Milwaukee during his State of the City address.

"I want Milwaukee's story of opportunity and innovation to be known across the country," Johnson said. "Of course we have challenges, but I join people throughout the city to address those challenges."

The mayor addressed a room full of people at a warehouse in Milwaukee's 5th district on Monday. During his speech, Johnson called himself the city's most vocal promoter and shared his self-proclaimed ambitious goal of growing the city's population to one million.

One ongoing project is the effort to reduce lead in drinking water by replacing roughly 65,000 residential lead service lines. To keep the progress on the lead pipe replacement project transparent, the city created a new webpage for residents.

"Now, with new federal resources, we are aiming to replace all the city's lead service lines in the next 10 years," Johnson explained.

Amid continued scrutiny by tenants, Johnson said he backs the work being done by the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM).

"I am keeping a close eye on the agency and am staying in touch with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as the Housing Authority addresses the problems," he said.

While speaking with reporters, Johnson explained where his confidence stems from.

"The confidence I have in the leadership of HACM is because of my conversations with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, and their inspections locally have said that HACM continues to improve and continues to be headed in the right direction," the mayor explained.

With thousands expected to visit the city for the Republican National Convention, Johnson said $75 million is needed for property safety measures, $25 million more than host cities are typically given in security grants. It is now up to Congress to approve the funds.

"It appears we're in a position to receive some of that. It's not a slam dunk yet. It's in pending legislation. As I said in the speech, I encourage Congress to pass that, so we have the resources to have a safe convention," Johnson told reporters on Monday.

Johnson also touched on public safety, explaining that 45 traffic calming projects will take place across the city this year to reduce reckless driving and that Milwaukee is seeing reduced crime compared to this time last year.

"I've got no higher priority than making sure Milwaukee is as safe as possible, not just for big events, but every day and in every neighborhood," he said.