Milwaukee Downtown, Business Improvement District #21

See The Three Options to Redesign Red Arrow Park

Key downtown park could get new features designed to increase summer and winter use.

Milwaukee County Parks Opens Slice of Ice at Red Arrow Park for 2025-26 season

Committee Recommends Closing ELMNT Lounge

Milwaukee Common Council will take a final vote next month.

City Will Subsidize Conversion of 1870s-Era Building To Housing

Ornate, Second Empire-style building will get a second lease on life.

Downtown Dog Park Opens

23,000-square-foot park is first of its kind, part of larger riverwalk redevelopment.

Downtown Dog Park Announces Opening Date

'Yappy Hour' will launch dog park, which will then be open daily.

Trump’s Flip-Flop on Immigrants Impacts Wisconsin

His stop and start on ICE raids affects restaurants, dairy industry, hotels and more.

Dog Park and Foxtown Rise in Freeway’s Shadow

Brewery and dog park will activate long-vacant site.

Matt Dorner Named Head of Milwaukee Downtown, Weirick Stepping Down

New face atop highly visible organization for first time in 27 years. Weirick helped change Downtown.

The Secret To Getting You To Move Downtown? Your Dog

Dog park is about suburban competition say politicians, developers already in the game.

Construction Starts On Long-Awaited Downtown Dog Park

Project expected to be completed by year's end. Foxtown Landing will follow in 2026.

Who Wants To Redesign Red Arrow Park?

Downtown park on Water St. targeted for redesign to increase its use and accessibility.

Groundbreaking Ceremony Announced for Downtown Milwaukee Dog Park

Project leaders, public officials and sponsors to gather for first dig on Sept. 5

Giant Inflatable Art Installation Debuts Downtown

Starting July 23, 'Elysian Arcs' will be on display for just one week at the Marcus Center.

5 Huge Rainbow Arcs Coming To Downtown

Rainbow Summer will light up middle of Downtown with 'Elysian Arcs'.

Marcus Performing Arts Center and Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 Announce “Broadway Skates!” Event at Red Arrow Park

Celebrate SHREK – The Musical with this free community event on Saturday, February 24

Plan Would Improve Red Arrow Park, Overhaul Two Downtown Streets

And use downtown property taxes to bail out Century City TIF district.

Slice of Ice at Red Arrow Park to Open on Friday, January 5th

Biggby Coffee Will Replace Starbucks at Red Arrow Park

New business will sell coffee, cocoa and more in the coveted downtown cafe space.

Bus Service Between Downer and Downtown Could Return

Service along former GoldLine route could be restored in 2024.

Starbucks Closing, County Seeks New Vendor For Red Arrow Park

New concessionaire or complementary business would anchor key downtown park.

Light The Hoan Adds Dockside Viewing Locations For Thursday’s Event

'Hoanchella' serves as kickoff to light the lake side of bridge.

The Bubbles Have Landed in Milwaukee

The evanescent event in Downtown will last just one week before, poof, it disappears.

New Food Truck Restrictions Approved

Time limits, distance minimums, other rules target bad actors, say sponsors Brostoff and Zamarripa.

Massive Bubbles Coming To Downtown In July

Promoter promises 'the most Instagrammable moment of the summer.'

Does Milwaukee City Hall Need A Plaza?

Visions differ for future of N. Market Street.

Food Trucks Face New Restrictions

Proposal includes downtown time limit and ban on operating within 50 feet of a restaurant.

Superheroes and A Touch of Arendelle On Tap For Red Arrow Park’s “Slice of Ice” Rink

Downtown Ice CAPE-ade and “Broadway Skates” featuring Disney’s FROZEN among the themed skating events for February

Northwestern Mutual To Create Second Glassy Tower With $500 Million Investment

Company will completely overhaul existing building, create pedestrian street and relocate Franklin employees to Downtown.

Giving Tents to Homeless Sparks Debate

Street Angels defends it; downtown business leader calls it 'enabling' such behavior, then walks back comment.

Downtown Venues Announce Milwaukee Theater District

New coalition of groups and venues aims to spotlight city as arts and culture destination.

Milwaukee Bucks Creating Deer District Business Improvement District

Self-taxing entity will be used to draw more events to area around Fiserv Forum.

New Mural Tackles Isolation, Celebration, Mental Health

Tia Richardson paints new downtown mural on the side of the Grand Avenue Club.

Sculpture Milwaukee Returning In Phases For 2022

Five pieces on display now with more to follow as part of sixth-annual series.

Evers Awards $2.2 Million For City Policing

ARPA funds will aid Milwaukee's efforts to control crowds, curb violence in downtown bar districts.

More Renderings of Downtown ‘Iron District’ Released

11-acre development with new soccer stadium, concert venue lists big-name supporters.

Milwaukee Will Enforce Citywide Curfew For Those 16 And Under

Decision comes after 21 shot, 11 arrested from three Friday shootings.

Downtown Curfew Instituted, Bucks Watch Party Canceled

Mass shooting triggers two-night curfew for individuals under 21, Bucks cancel Deer District party.

17 People Shot, 10 In Custody From Water Street Shooting

21 people shot across three incidents downtown Friday night following Bucks game.

Downtown Gets Three-Story Giannis Mural

It will be the fifth, and largest, Milwaukee mural honoring Antetokounmpo.

New Murals Coming To Skywalk System

Murals will bookend Plankinton Arcade building in heavily-traveled corridor.

Make Your Voice Heard on The Future of Downtown

City soliciting input via community meeting, interactive maps and idea wall.

Construction Underway on ‘Frame the Square’ Project in Milwaukee’s Cathedral Square

Streetscaping project will bring needed upgrades to the perimeter of the square; all park amenities will remain open and accessible throughout construction

The Avenue Lands New Tenant

TEMPO will occupy office on second floor of former Grand Avenue Mall.

Work Starting on Cathedral Square Upgrade

Changing popular park's perimeter to accommodate crowds, make square more attractive

New Mural Transforms You Into a Peacock

Downtown artwork aims to win social media attention -- and put a smile on your face.

‘414 (New) Day’ is Love Letter to Milwaukee

Milwaukee Day video offers a reflection on the past year, and hope for the next.

Milwaukee Arts Board Opens Public Art New Work Fund’s 2021 Cycle

City Updating Downtown Plan

Equity and inclusion at forefront of latest effort.

New Art Installation in Cathedral Square Park

Massimals MKE will be up through the spring.

Downtown BID Touts Successes, Awards

Downtown growing, group adds homeless outreach coordinator, charts plan for 2020.

Artists, BID Enliven Downtown Streets

Milwaukee Downtown unveils three new art installations in partnership with local artists.

Downtown debuts Key to Change meters on Sept. 13 to aid in ending chronic homelessness

Seven parking meters retrofitted to collect coin donations for quality-of-life programs

The Table is Set for Milwaukee’s 2016 Downtown Dining Week

Three-course meal deals at 44 downtown eateries June 2-9

The Marcus Corporation Promotes Katie Falvey to Vice President of Real Estate

As an 18-year veteran of the company, Katie has had a direct impact on the strength of the company’s real estate portfolio.

Downtown’s summer trolley bells will toll again beginning June 4

The service will run Thursdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., June 4 through Sept. 5.

We Must Imitate Other Cities

New study says we must build a Bucks arena and bigger convention center. But its data actually tells a much different story.

Milwaukee Downtown Business Development Loan Pool Program Announced

The Program will help revitalization efforts, increase capital investments and provide support for new and existing businesses in Business Improvement District (BID) No. 21.

Why Businesses Are Moving To The City

Many are moving from suburbs to Downtown and Walker's Point, seeking younger workers.

Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 endorses Mayor’s streetcar plan

“The Milwaukee Streetcar is a game changer for downtown.”

Milwaukee Downtown Names Matt Dorner as Economic Development Director

Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 has hired Matt Dorner as its new Economic Development Director

Let Us All Praise Downtown Employees

This week is the 9th annual Downtown Employee Appreciation Week. So start feeling appreciated. And check our list of the events.

Downtown launches Dining Week and Milwaukee Trolley Loop tomorrow

Signaling the start of summer, Milwaukee Downtown, Business Improvement District #21 will roll out two programs tomorrow – Downtown Dining Week and the Milwaukee Trolley Loop.

Downtown trolleys begin summer loop Thursday

Milwaukee Trolley Loop – Thursdays through Saturdays, June 5 – September 6, 2014

Who Will Be Streetcar Operator?

The city? A private company? The downtown BID? Maybe Ald. Bauman? No one really knows.

Obama Official Lauds City’s Sustainability Programs

Energy Department official visits to praise Milwaukee's green efforts, which now save $500,000 annually. Our photos capture the event.

Downtown employees get a boost of appreciation

Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 to host Downtown Employee Appreciation Week July 29 – August 2

Beth Weirick’s Gay Nineties Home

The city's best-known Downtown promoter lives in a charming, 123-year-old home.

Downtown Dining Week kicks off next Thursday

40+ dining destinations to serve meal deals June 6 – 13

Downtown trolleys start engines tomorrow

Milwaukee Trolley Loop to operate Thursdays through Saturdays, May 23 – August 31, 2013

Downtown Milwaukee restaurants prep for Downtown Dining Week 2013

40+ dining destinations to serve meal deals June 6 – 13

VISIT Milwaukee to Present Lamplighter Award to Milwaukee Downtown BID #21

Annual Meeting on March 5th also features Bill Davidson with preview of the Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary

Common Council approves two new facets of Milwaukee Jobs Act

The Common Council enabled the Milwaukee Jobs Act to take two more significant steps toward putting city residents back to work Wednesday, approving funding that increases the number of positions in the LEAP program and dramatically expands the Neighborhood Ambassador program.

“Ambassador” Justin Miller

The downtown ambassador helps visitors, prevents crime and answers questions -- but won’t help you get a date.

Free holiday fun abounds downtown with Cocoa with the Clauses and Holly Trolley rides on Dec. 8

The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival is giving area residents more free things to do this season.

Downtown Employee Appreciation Week kicks off Monday

Monday marks the start of the 7th Annual Downtown Employee Appreciation Week, July 30 – August 3.

Milwaukee Downtown names Steven Looft new Economic Development Director

Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 has hired Steven Looft as its first Economic Development Director.

Transit System Facing Nearly 30% Service Reduction

Challenges ahead for MCTS, but good news in Westown, Lake Park, Silver City, and the Menomonee Valley

Amtrak Accidents and Customer Service

Also discussion of Downtown Dining Week, some development news, and new tv commercials from MCTS.

Grand Theatre ticket booth transformed to meet needs of visitors and newcomers

Downtown Milwaukee is finding creative ways to revitalize Wisconsin Ave.

Brighten The Passage

Walking from downtown to the Historic Third Ward can be an uncomfortable experience. I-794 and the sea of surface parking lots on Water St., Broadway, and Milwaukee St. create an isolated and intimidating dead spot that deters pedestrians from walking between the two districts.

Colby Abbot Pop-up Stores are Open for Business

Although, the renovation of the first floor of Colby Abbot, located at 759 N. Milwaukee St., building is taking a little longer than expected, the change is a welcome improvement to Milwaukee St.

Demolish Part of Downtown Milwaukee? No.

Recently, it was reported that Robert and Michael Levine are once again considering the demolition of historic buildings along Wisconsin Ave. and Broadway, with the hope of landing a hotel development.

Historic Colby-Abbot Building Renovation is Underway

Construction has begun on the long anticipated renovation of the 134-year old, 6-story, Colby-Abbot Building, located at 759 N. Milwaukee St.

Downtown Dining Week Starts Today in Milwaukee

Perhaps the greatest week of eating in Milwaukee, Downtown Dining Week, kicks off today and runs through June 4th. You can eat a $10 three course lunch or $20 three course dinner at some of Milwaukee's best restaurants. If you're looking to get a taste of great restaurants that you haven't been to before, this is your week to branch out.

Commission Approves Expansion of BID 21

In stark contrast to the previous City Plan Commission meeting, this meeting featured no heated debates but it did see the approval of two resolutions aimed at improving downtown Milwaukee. Resolution 080617 proposed the expansion of Business Improvement District (“BID”) 21.  This expansion has been in the works for the past four years and went through a lengthy process of approval within the BID membership.  The expansion includes Schlitz Park, The Brewery, Manpower, East Point, the Park East and two other tax exempt areas.  Although these properties currently don’t represent a large addition to the BID tax base, these additions were made looking to the future.  Additionally, Beth Nichols, the executive director BID 21, explained that in order to bring more retail options to downtown Milwaukee the BID has recently hired a retail strategist and will be adding a retail coordinator soon.  This resolution was approved and will now go before the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee. Resolution 080515 proposed creating the first Neighborhood Improvement District in Wisconsin.  It was explained that the key difference between a Business Improvement District and a Neighborhood Improvement District (“NID”) is that the NID can include residential properties with eight units or more whereas a BID can’t include residential properties.  This NID would include The Brewery neighborhood and would pay for, the upkeep of pocket parks, streetscaping, alleys, the Pabst sign, and storm-water management facilities.  This resolution was approved and will now go before the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee.

Why Businesses Are Attacking The State’s Freeway Plan

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation's latest freeway project could "virtually suffocate downtown Milwaukee," a letter from the Downtown Business Improvement District complains.