[media-credit name=’MATTHEW KUTZ/Herald file photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]After agreeing to return the annual Mifflin Street Block Party to its traditional date on the first weekend of May this year, city officials decided Thursday to not interrupt the celebration, holding off street reconstruction until May 28.

The Board of Public Works had unanimously approved a plan Wednesday to reconstruct the 400 and 500 blocks of West Mifflin Street this spring, but Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said he called an "emergency meeting" yesterday to assure that construction did not interfere with the annual block party.

"[T]he coverage in the Herald this morning prompted me to request a very prompt meeting with the city engineer this morning to try to nip this in the bud," Verveer said. "I received quick assurances that my concerns could be alleviated."

City Engineer Larry Nelson said the board planned to not only repave West Mifflin Street, but also fix the utility work under the street and put new lighting in place.

But Verveer said talking to Nelson about delaying construction "did not take much convincing at all." Most city officials, residents and students realize the importance of the Mifflin Street Block Party, he added. Verveer also said Nelson is the one city official who has the power and authority to put a hold on the Mifflin Street construction.

"Mike wanted to make sure the project was done after the Mifflin Street Block Party, and I said we would do that," Nelson said.

Construction during a time when the regular school year is not in session, Nelson added, is much easier anyway because there is generally not as much street or pedestrian traffic. He said the biggest problem with starting later would be finishing on time in September.

"It's a lot easier constructing in this area when the spring class is over, but then we've got to get it done before school starts again in September," Nelson said. "It's a pretty small window."

Nelson said though construction will begin later, students could still be affected by the lack of access to driveways, parking and sidewalks. Contractors are allowed by law to begin construction work at 7 a.m. throughout the summer, he added.

"I'm not going to lie, [the construction] … will definitely be an inconvenience," Verveer said. "But on the bright side, when the project is completed, the street will look a hell of a lot nicer."

In addition to changing the construction dates, Verveer said the city also officially set the date of the block party for May 5. He said in 2005 and 2006, the city changed the date of the celebration from the first weekend in May to the last in April due to conflicts with the University of Wisconsin academic schedule. This year, the tradition will return to the way it has been since its origin in 1969.

"The city had altered the date to accommodate students, and this year we will go back to the traditional date," Verveer said. "[The Mifflin Street Block Party] is always an opportunity for students to blow off steam and party before they have to hit the books for finals and papers and projects."