MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It’s been a decades long debate – what should happen to I-794? Now, the mayor of Milwaukee is weighing in.

Built roughly 50 years ago, I-794 continues to face aging infrastructure. Mayor Cavalier Johnson says instead of removing the freeway, he wants to see the existing interstate improved.

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Under the plan the mayor supports, the East-West part of I-794 and the number of ramps would shrink. The elevated part of the freeway would stay.

“The full cost to local taxpayers is also a big unknown if the elevated freeway would be removed," said Johnson.

Despite his recommendation, there are supporters of removing the freeway.

“On the reverse side, removal would substantially make economic development happen in this corridor and connect the region with regional rail, and housing, and economic development here," said Taylor Korslin, a volunteer with Rethink 794

Rethink 794 is a community driven project that says removing 1.5 miles of the freeway near downtown Milwaukee could bring in $475 million dollars in just property taxes alone from new developments.

"When we talk about a million Milwaukeeans, and the year of housing, this is the place to start, right? This is the potential for all this housing," said Korslin.

But opponents say the freeway is a regional asset. In a statement sent to CBS 58, the Commercial Association of Realtors Wisconsin wrote, in part, "We applaud Mayor Johnson's announcement today supporting modifications to I-794 that recognize its importance as a critical economic corridor for southeastern Wisconsin. WisDOT data and CARW's independent research demonstrate that there are viable design options that improve connectivity, support regional mobility, and open opportunities for new development."

An independent study done by The Commercial Association of Realtors found that the longer it takes people to get downtown, the more money the city loses.

Mayor Johnson says economic costs, coupled with traffic concerns is why he’s recommending the freeway remain.

“Traffic studies show a significant potential for gridlock, especially in the summer season," said Johnson.

WisDOT is expected to pick a plan sometime next year.