FUN FACTS ABOUT MUSKEGO
• The name Muskego is derived from the Potawatomi Indian name for
the area, “Mus-kee-Guaac,” meaning sunfish. The Potawatomi were the
original inhabitants of Muskego, and the City was their last hunting place.
• The City celebrated its 50th anniversary on November 9, 2014.
• Nearly a quarter of the city is covered with water, including three lakes.
Big Muskego Lake is 2,260 acres. Most of the lake is less than 4 feet deep.
Little Muskego Lake is 506 acres with a maximum depth of 65 feet, with
an average of 14 feet deep. Lake Denoon is 162-acre, glacially formed lake
with a maximum depth of 55 feet.
JANESVILLE ROAD PROJECT AWARDS
• The American Planning Association-Wisconsin presented the City with a
2014 Great Places Award for its Janesville Road reconstruction project.
The annual award celebrates places of exemplary character, quality, and
planning to showcase the best places to live, work, socialize, and relax in
Wisconsin.
• The project also earned 2015 Project of the Year from the American Public
Works Association Wisconsin Chapter.
and there’s a nice city feel to it and
an identity. I think everyone got what
they wanted out of the project.”
PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS
DICTATE NEXT STEPS
Public involvement was crucial to
project success, especially in the
beginning to get a clear view of
everyone’s priorities, Evans said. The
County used a process called context
sensitive solutions (CSS) to listen to
and incorporate major project desires
upfront.
The CSS process, which began in late
2007 and lasted about six months,
involved a broad cross-section of the
community. CSS is a collaborative,
interdisciplinary approach that
involves all stakeholders in providing
a transportation facility that fits the
community’s unique setting.
18│TRENDS
“People are educating us on their
concerns, and we’re talking to them
about what we see going on out
there,” Evans said. “You’re working
on the solutions to the problems
together. It’s that educational element
that really is valuable.”
Throughout the project the County
and the City kept motorists, residents,
and businesses informed about the
progress. The roadway was kept open
to traffic during construction, which
ensured access to businesses.
The City maintained a Janesville Road
project status section on its website
and a Facebook page dedicated to
the project. There also were several
community events encouraging
residents to visit downtown and
support local businesses during
construction.
One recurring event, “Jammin’
on Janesville,” was held the first
Friday of each month during the
summer, Muenkel said. The Muskego
Area Chamber of Commerce and
Tourism organized the event,
which encouraged residents to visit
downtown during construction and
included music, food, and other
attractions. It was so popular officials
have continued hosting it as a regular
event.
An important decision early on
involved the City deciding to pay
to place utilities underground to
declutter the corridor and provide
future maintenance benefits.
Most utilities now are contained in
one trench. This allowed for a clear
site when roadway reconstruction
began above ground, Evans said.