6 Corners features new ‘People Spot’ in front of Josi’s cafe
by BRIAN NADIG
The Six Corners Association recently installed an approximately 10-foot-long “people spot” with café-style tables and chairs in the parking lane in front of Josi’s Frozen Yogurt Café, 4032 N. Milwaukee Ave.
“We’ve had a lot of positive comments about having it out there and how this helps everyone envision Milwaukee as a place that people want to be,” said association executive director Kelli Wefenstette. “It gives a place for people to gather.”
The temporary structure, which includes landscaping elements, benches and a wood frame, is intended to be put in storage during the winter. In recent recent years the city has been encouraging the use of people spots as a way to enhance the pedestrian friendly atmosphere of neighborhood shopping districts.
The association worked with the city Department of Transportation to select a safe and effective location for a people sopt, Weffenstette said. Irving Park Road and Cicero Avenue were ruled out in part because those streets tend to have more traffic than Milwaukee, she said.
Alderman John Arena (45th) used a portion of the ward’s discretionary funds, which are intended for infrastructure improvements, to pay for the people spot. The association has agreed to maintain the structure.
The people spot installation followed the recent installation of bike corrals in the parking lane at four locations in the Six Corners district. “People are still getting used to them, but when the Filament and Portage theater’s have shows, they’re completely filled,” Wefenstette said.
