'Streetscaping' project underway on Milwaukee's historic King Drive

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee's historic King Drive has the usual street signs, but sometimes street signs aren't quite enough. 

On Thursday, local leaders showed us a new attempt to enhance the identity of that north side neighborhood. It's the first phase of a King Drive streetscaping project. 

"This is the best King Drive in the entire country," said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. "And when you look at what is happening today, we are owning up to that title."

The streetscaping includes bright new benches, signs, planters, even trash receptacles, all embracing the history of King Drive and designed to let visitors know where they are and to give residents a sense of pride. 

Two years ago, the Business Improvement District (BID) asked people what King Drive meant to them. 

"And many of the common things were history, as well as branding," said Ray Hill, executive director of Historic King Drive BID. "So it was important for people to celebrate and champion where they are, whether if they worked here, if they had a business here, if they lived in the area. And so we really wanted to ensure that our branding was really prominent."

The new bright colors will be hard to miss.

You can check out the new look this weekend. Several King Drive sites will be part of the Doors Open event. There will be a trolley and a walking tour of the King Drive commercial district.