SARS Means Landscaping Setback in Milwaukee

Who would have thought the SARS epidemic in China would infect a landscaping project in downtown Milwaukee?

While it may seem strange, it’s nonetheless true. The granite that will frame new planter beds along two blocks of W. Wisconsin Ave. comes from China, and was supposed to be delivered by mid-July. But the recent outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome in the Asian country hampered the project.

“The employees and management didn’t show up for work, so the granite wasn’t being cut for two months,” said Ghassan Korbanies, who is in charge of the $5 million projects for the Department of Public Works.

SARS also impeded the work force at Chinese shipyards, delayed overseas deliveries, Korban said. Things are now getting back to normal but, because of a backlog in shipping orders, the granite won’t arrive in Milwaukee until around Aug. 15.

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel