Department of City Development

Council approves sale of city-owned Villard Avenue properties

TID amendment means affordable housing, traffic safety and other improvements for Bronzeville

Despite Alderwoman’s Opposition, Northwest Side Affordable Housing Project Approved

After years of delay, Cudahy Farms deal passed by council.

Alders Support Sprinkler Subsidies

Retrofitting old buildings is costly, but 'you can't put a price on' saving lives.

100 East Proposal Triggers Questions on New TIF Guidelines

Council gets in the weeds on deal to redevelop state's third tallest building.

Subsidies Will Advance Three Developments Along King Drive

Plus: Funding for a statue and more streetscaping, traffic safety projects.

New Proposal Would Save Long-Vacant Villa Theater

Thomas Matthews has big plans for 99-year-old movie theater.

Haymarket Development Will Start With Demolition

New property owner plans to clear long-vacant building.

Sprinkler Tragedy Changes Affordable Housing Subsidy

One RACM commissioner is to thank. But no easy solution for adding sprinklers to buildings.

City Subsidy To Redevelop State’s Third Tallest Building Scores First Approval

DCD Commissioner says more deals are coming with city's new TIF guidelines.

Mayor Signs Housing Legislation, Praises Late Jonathan Brostoff

'Honey Badger' alderman was champion of affordable housing effort.

Everyone Agrees, Let’s Delay Affordable Housing Proposal

Ald. Larresa Taylor still negotiating changes in controversial proposal.

Council Adopts Growing MKE Plan

Now known as 'Housing Element,' plan aims to fight off gentrification, create 'missing middle' housing.

Common Council action paves way for new development at Timmerman Plaza

A step forward for housing in Milwaukee

Joint Statement from members of the Common Council: Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr., Alderperson JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Sharlen Moore, Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, Alderman Peter Burgelis, and Alderman Alex Brower

Council Split On Cudahy Farms Proposal

Area Alderwoman Larresa Taylor opposes plan backed by Mayor, DCD.

Housing Plan Wins Key Council Committee Endorsement

Revised 'Growing MKE' is not perfect, but council should still adopt it say sponsors.

Housing Element Plan Approved by Committee

Statement from members of the Common Council: Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr., Alderperson JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Sharlen Moore and Alderman Peter Burgelis July 8, 2025

Public EV Charging Plan Faces Trump Opposition, Council Concerns

'I'd cut this program if I was the federal government,' said one alderman.

Milwaukee Proposes Subsidy For Downtown Office Tower Conversion

King Drive development would also be aided by city subsidy.

Statement on the announced closure of Pick ‘n Save at 2355 N. 35th St.

Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II June 25, 2025

Alderman Still Opposes Land Sale For Potential World-Tallest Timber Tower

Company won RFP contest, wants to build 55-story building. Bauman not sold.

Committee Waters Down Proposed ‘Granny Flat’ Plan

Result: The sponsors of proposal have now become the opponents.

One of Milwaukee’s Largest Apartment Complexes Sold

Price much higher than assessed value of 596-apartment complex.

County Picks Site For New Courthouse

It won't be Milwaukee Public Museum site, leaving it available for redevelopment.

At Long Last, Northridge Begins To Disappear

Long-shuttered mall being erased from landscape.

City Rejects Massive Billboard for Downtown Tower

Proposal would 'blow up the zoning code' says area alderman.

‘Growing MKE’ Proposal Picks Up Key Endorsement

New name, revised plan turns one major opponent into a supporter.

Moxy Hotel Passed by Divided Committee, Sets Up Council Showdown

Deer District project hit by proxy war over unionizing The Trade.

City Advancing Financing Plan For 59 Affordable, Owner-Occupied Homes

Complicated Harambee TIF plan guided by Community Development Alliance.

New Event Venue Would Fill Empty Industrial Building

A 'perfect' location, says veteran event planner Jerhonda McCrary.

See Milwaukee’s 2025 Mayor’s Design Awards Winners

From pavement turned to art to 44-story buildings, awards recognize the best of Milwaukee design.

Largest Office Building in Westown Could Be Partially Converted To Apartments

310W could become one of downtown's largest apartment buildings.

City Subsidy Will Fund Affordable Apartment Renovation

But concerns about sprinklers and a recent fire elsewhere arise.

Neighbor Proposes To Renovate Long-Vacant North Avenue Building

Teira Bailey wants to create a resource center for women victims of crimes.

New Grocery Store Planned for 35th, Fond du Lac and Burleigh

Building would replace city-owned vacant lot.

New Building Planned For Southside Commercial Corridor

Accountant revives proposal for mixed-use building.

Committee Delays Consideration of New Downtown Hotel

Moxy Hotel proposal leads to messy meeting, closed session with City Attorney.

City Revises Its ‘Growing MKE’ Plan, Including Changing The Name

A 'benefit and harm analysis' also attempts to address critics' concerns.

City Grappling With Complicated State Law Changes On Tax Foreclosures

New restrictions set tight time and price standards, a dramatic departure from current practices.

DCD Commissioner Makes Case For Milwaukee’s New TIF Guidelines

Developers are frustrated. City 'plants flag' with revised approach.

DCD Unveils Subsidy Guidelines For Workforce Housing

Guidelines issued after contentious meeting where council, developer blasted administration.

Milwaukee Delays Legalizing Carriage Houses

How the sponsors of accessory dwelling units sabotaged their own proposal.

Committee Overturns Plan Commission, Recommends ‘Missing Middle’ Housing

But coalition of community groups continues to strongly oppose proposal.

Council Committee Backs Return of Granny Flats

Legalizing accessory dwelling units could grow housing across entire city.

Three-Way Standoff on Workforce Housing in Milwaukee

Council, administration, developers seek solution between low-income and luxury.

Salvation Army Now Wants To Save Black Landmark It Planned To Raze

Preservation advocacy results in compromise to save 1970's complex.

7-Story East Side Apartment Complex Wins Key Endorsement

New alder Alex Brower backs new housing for long-vacant site.

Plan Commission Backs Carriage Homes, Spikes ‘Missing Middle’ Housing

Proposals differ from mayor's Growing MKE plan and divide commission members.

New Bronzeville Hub Rising

New building is a mix of affordable apartments and commercial space for creatives, educators.

RACM Board Overrules Taylor, Neighbors, Recommends Funding For Cudahy Farms Development

Move sets up council showdown over affordable housing proposal.

Bronzeville Committee Weighs Pros, Cons of Preserving Black Landmark

Some members expressed opinions, but committee delays decision as deadline nears.

Highly-Visible Site From I-94 Getting Redeveloped

Former Hunger Task Force location west of Brewers stadium a prime spot for signage.

Housing Authority Says City Didn’t Cash More Than $2 Million In Checks

New CFO finds that agency previously tried to pay city for employee wages.

City Wants To Advance Affordable Housing Development, Alderwoman Not So Sure

Alderwoman Larresa Taylor raises concerns about potential 1,145-unit Cudahy Farms development. DCD proposes subsidy.

Mayor Talks Education, Public Safety in 2025 State of the City

Upbeat speech also discusses Growing MKE plan, elections and safe streets.

Former Library Would Be Redeveloped Into Apartments

Former Bay View library would be redeveloped and expanded with 3-story addition.

Youth Gardening Group Buying 3 City Lots

City charges nonprofit We Got This, which teaches urban gardening to hundreds of kids, $1 per lot.

Plan Commission Approves New East Side Apartments

But council approval will be held until after April special election.

Milwaukee Rebuilding Key Lakefront Intersection, But Not The One You Hate

But the confusing one will follow the busy one later this decade.

New Hotel Pits Labor Groups Against One Another

Public hearing on second proposed Deer District hotel centers on union battle at first one.

Comptroller Discovers Housing Authority Owes City An Additional $4 Million

Latest 'crippling' blow for HACM adds to long list of problems.

New bookstore, café and community space coming to 5th Aldermanic District

Statement from Alderman Lamont Westmoreland February 11, 2025

Bauman Wins Preservation Funding By Sacrificing Deconstruction Funds

Did he open the door to the council taking the remainder of the deconstruction fund?

ICE Can Build Whatever Facility It Wants in Milwaukee

Council learns federal immigration agency can simply bypass local authorities.

Public input to help shape Growing MKE

Joint statement from Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr. and Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa

City To Host Discussion On ICE Facility, But Attorney Suggests It May Be Moot Point

But there are options the city has to possibly slow or redirect plan.

City, Bucks, Plan Commission Happy With Deer District Apartments Design

The design for 'a complex site with some complex constraints' wins approval.

Private School Plans Soccer Field Atop Public Street

Nativity Jesuit wants to build playing field, green space in unusual location.

2025 Mayor’s Design Awards Now Accepting Nominations

Nominations must be submitted by March 1, 2025

Niche Book Bar Opens in Bronzeville

A neighborhood welcome for new book store, which will soon add a wine program.

Is ICE Building A Detention Facility in Milwaukee?

Politicians and community groups keep using the D word. ICE says no.

Broad Coalition Opposes New Immigration Enforcement Facility

City, county and state officials, community and business leaders condemn ICE proposal.

New Buyer Emerges For Long-Vacant Church

City has tried multiple times to sell former Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church.

New Riverwalk Plaza Will Be Named For Visionary Developer

Gary Grunau was longtime champion of big civic projects, including riverwalk system.

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.

Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 announces changes in leadership

CEO Beth Weirick to step down in June; Economic Development Director Matt Dorner tapped as successor with other staff changes in store

Milwaukee Arts Board Announces 2025 Application Cycles for Sustaining Grant Program, Public Art Conservation Fund

International Restaurant, IVR Bar Opens on Northwest Side

Plus: Big brewery news, EE-Sane update and the latest on chicken-keeping.

Once-Controversial Menomonee Valley Building Sold For Redevelopment

Breunig buys building, advancing housing conversion.

Proposed East Side Apartments Will Go Before The Neighbors

For the second time in 20 years, developer trying to turn parking lot into housing.

New Plaza, Protected Bike Lanes, Street Reconstructions Proposed

$33 million effort aims to improve Downtown, Historic Third Ward and Walker's Point.

What’s In The 18 Footnotes Added To Milwaukee’s Budget?

See Common Council members' ideas to make city government better serve the public.

Old Library To Become Appliance Store

Mill Road Library building to get new lease on life for a price below appraised value.

Report Finds Lauded Real Estate Program Could Improve

ACRE has helped reduce racial disparities, but needs more mentoring, WPF finds.

More Funding Needed To Advance School-to-Apartments Conversion

Former Carleton School redevelopment at 41st and Silver Spring first proposed in 2019.

Mayor Johnson Signs Brostoff’s Final Legislation Into Effect

Johnson pushes for everyone to follow in late alderman's forward-thinking spirit.

Demolition of Northridge Mall Reaches Key Milestone

Mall is now visibly falling, while DCD still planning what comes next.

‘Peace Treaty’ Reached on Menomonee Valley Building

Kendall Breunig will get zoning change to redevelop Cream City brick structure.

City Demolishing King Drive Building It Once Sought to Save

Meanwhile, it acquired a nearby, vacant building via property tax foreclosure.

100 East Redevelopment Secures Key Financing Component, See Renderings

Historic redevelopment includes pool deck, 384 apartments.

Johnson Controls’ Former HQ Will Become Modern Offices, Housing

A redevelopment called 'The Patent Block' will fill a full downtown block.

Commissioner Lafayette L. Crump to be honored as 2025 Wisconsin Titan 100 Hall of Fame

The Titan 100 Hall of Fame is a prestigious honor for a class of elite executives

City Seeking Developer For Land Near Marquette Campus

RFP gives preference to homeownership-focused development.

City Budget Amendment Responds to Residents’ Concerns