Taxpayer money should be spent wisely, yet Milwaukee’s recent $88,000 expenditure on an art installation to raise awareness about reckless driving proves otherwise. Dubbed “The Moving City,” the project—a decorated Ford Ranger covered in traffic cones—has already broken down, leaving many wondering what the city’s priorities truly are.
Unveiled in mid-August, “The Moving City” was introduced as part of a broader initiative to address Milwaukee’s reckless driving problem. Instead, it’s now a reminder of how quickly city funds can be wasted. Less than a month after its debut, the vehicle is off the road due to a suspension issue, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill for repairs.
Alderman Lamont Westmoreland, a member of Milwaukee’s Public Safety and Health Committee, quickly voiced his concerns, stating that the project represented a “huge waste of money” and questioning its effectiveness in curbing reckless driving. According to Westmoreland, the cost of the installation was unnecessarily high, and he expressed frustration over the lack of transparency from city officials regarding the vehicle’s failure and the subsequent repair costs that city officials haven’t provided clear answers about the vehicle’s breakdown, repair costs, or how long it will take to fix, according to WISN12.
Westmoreland’s criticisms reflect a broader sentiment shared by many taxpayers who feel that city leaders are not properly allocating public funds. As of August 2024, the city had already spent $61,857.52 on the vehicle, with the total project cost estimated at $88,000. The breakdown of these costs includes a $43,000 stipend for the artist consultant, up to $25,000 for project materials and subcontractors, and a $20,000 liaison stipend. Such high expenditures on a project that has already malfunctioned raise concerns about the efficiency and prudence of government spending.
The failure of “The Moving City” also brings attention to the broader issue of political decision-making when it comes to public art installations. While art can play a valuable role in promoting social awareness, critics argue that projects like this one often prioritize appearance over practicality. In this case, the flashy design of the vehicle has done little to address the actual problem of reckless driving, leaving many to question whether the project will ultimately have any lasting impact.