Department of City Development

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

Amendment Would Shift Money From Demolishing Homes To Fixing Them

And deconstruction effort again on the drawing board.

Riverwest Cohousing Development Receives First Approval

40-unit development would merge condominiums and community.

Debate Over Future of Vacant Menomonee Valley Building Could Be Reaching The End

Kendall Breunig wants to redevelop a former tin ware factory into housing, but city has opposed him.

As Tower Delayed, Site Will Provide More Parking On East Side

Proposed Farwell Avenue tower appears unlikely to move forward soon. City supports shared parking.

New Condo Development Proposed For North End of Downtown

Proposal would be largest condo development in Milwaukee in more than a decade.

City Seeks State Funds for Small Businesses

Program would help fund the startup or expansion of small businesses.

TIF Funds Will Support New Northwest Side Restaurant

International Variety Restaurant would offer Mexican, Indian, Italian and Chinese dishes.

Design Concepts Revealed For Downtown Sculpture Honoring Vel Phillips

Public will be able to sit in a bronze version of Phillips' desk, contemplate her legacy.

11th District town hall meeting to take place on Tuesday, October 8

Milwaukee Wins Federal Funds For Largest Ever Riverwalk Expansion

$14.7 million grant will extend riverwalk almost to Bay View

Milwaukee Harbor District Riverwalk awarded $14.7 million in federal funding

Zillman Park grand opening set for Friday, September 27

Choice School Network Wants To Buy Former MPS School

One of largest local voucher schools wins bid for long-vacant Emanuel Philipp School.

TIF Funds Support Walker Square Park Upgrades

One of a number of county parks getting funding from a city TIF district.

Growing MKE Plan Takes Center Stage at ‘Zoned Out’ Event

Panel attempts to unpack racial history of zoning, and how zoning can help build a better Milwaukee.

City Could Claw Back Ownership of Fire-Damaged Historic House

For now, Historic Preservation Commission is poised to block demolition request.

Developer, City, Nonprofit Fighting Over Menomonee Valley Project

DCD and BID prefer industrial, commercial use. Developer wants an apartment complex.

The Moving City: A huge waste of money that won’t impact reckless driving

Statement of Alderman Lamont Westmoreland August 30, 2024

Enerpac Move Downtown Includes Controversial, Large Riverfront Balcony

But preservation advocates have concerns about where the deck is being installed.

New Retail Building Planned For Midtown Center

Standalone Foot Locker store would be constructed on vacant lot, boost shopping complex.

What Will Be Done With Existing Public Museum Building?

Milwaukee County seeking consultant to help sell property.

Growing MKE Plan Suffers Sudden Growing Pains

Much criticism, fears of gentrification at hearing from central city residents.

Our voices will NOT be silenced this time – Lessons from MKE’s “GROWTH” of the past

Statement from Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II

First Key Vote On Zoning Overhaul Scheduled For Monday

Is Growing MKE good to go or dead on arrival? City Plan Commission gets first say.

Tallest Building in Wisconsin Proposal Could Be Downsized, Stalled

Alderman Robert Bauman wants a market study conducted for each bid the city received.

New Development Boasts Tallest Building in Wisconsin

City unveils $700 million redevelopment proposal for Marcus Center parking strucuture.

City of Milwaukee Announces Developer for Marcus Performing Arts Center Parking Garage

City Hiring GRAEF For Northridge Mall Replacement Design

Plan calls for a market analysis and many different options for development. Public input sought.

City Awards $100K in Fresh Food Grants

Fresh Food Access Fund grants for 7 groups include a sober living center, food pantry and hydroponic farm.

New Third Ward Condos Moving Forward

Peter Renner lining up final pieces of 13-unit development on Summerfest Pl.

City of Milwaukee awards Fresh Food Access Fund Grants

Vel Phillips Plaza Opens To Great Fanfare

Downtown's new "front door" honors civil rights pioneer, trailblazer.

Chicago City Exchange Sees Milwaukee Leaders Discuss Big Ideas in Windy City

Hoan Group spends day building connections.

Veit Submits Winning Bid To Demolish Northridge Mall

Company has smashed everything from Bradley Center to Marquette's beer-can-shaped dorm.

Winning bid marks important step in demolition of former Northridge Mall

Milwaukee Aims High In Bid For Transportation Grants

And it looks like the State of Wisconsin has federal aid to make dreams into reality.

Former Bay View Library Listed For Sale

City wants to see it repurposed. Plus: A nearby church sold to new congregation.

September Construction Start Targeted For Harbor District Apartments

Mixed-income building will include new public water feature on E. Greenfield Avenue.

Dockwall Collapse Creates Uncertain Future For Riverfront Site

City could compel repairs, but hasn't yet. What comes next?

Council Hates For-Profit College, But Approves It Anyway

Threat of lawsuit a factor as Arizona College of Nursing seeks to open on West Side.

Council Retreats On For-Profit College

Opponents call Arizona College of Nursing predatory. Committee decides to allow zoning change for it.

City of Milwaukee awarded federal funding for brownfield remediation and redevelopment

Walker’s Point Will Get New Plaza, Protected Bike Lanes

And upgraded skate park. City plans 11 projects to improve south-side area.

See the 2024 Mayor’s Design Awards Winners

20 projects big and small are named best of the best in Milwaukee design

City Funds Will Boost Walker’s Point Development

Corner of 1st and National would see new affordable apartment building.

Four Milwaukee Affordable Housing Proposals Secure Critical Tax Credits

WHEDA's housing tax credit award puts developments on path to groundbreaking.

See Inside Northridge Mall Before It’s Demolished

Milwaukee may have never had a bigger collection of broken glass and phallic graffiti.

Northwestern Mutual Considers Options For University Club

Including events, a restaurant and hotel. Plan commission okays zoning change.

Zoning Changes Would Clear Path To 1 Million Residents

But the Growing MKE plan is also intended to prevent gentrification and deter spikes in housing prices.

Milwaukee Reaches The Hard Part of Demolishing Northridge Mall

Demolition nearly complete for former Boston Store.

Draft & Vessel Owner Plans Cafe at Vel R. Phillips Plaza

Entrepreneur Nat Davauer has big plans for key downtown space.

City of Milwaukee releases Growing MKE Draft Plan

Growing MKE recommends updates to Milwaukee’s zoning code to permit additional styles of housing in all Milwaukee neighborhoods.

New City Attorney Brings Back Deputy Who Departed Under Spencer

Mary Schanning will return to City Hall as one of Evan Goyke's top deputies.

Council President Jose Perez Reelected

Pérez wins by 10-5 vote over Milele Coggs to lead city's legislative body.

New Council Most Diverse In Milwaukee History

The largest number of Black, women and LBGTQ+ members in history. Meet all 15.

City Will Redesign King Drive, Pere Marquette Park

And build a protected bike lane on W. Highland Avenue.

New Restaurant Would Save Historic Wildenberg Hotel

Cafe India owner plans major development on S. 27th St.

Demolition Starting At Northridge Mall

Former Boston Store will be the first section to fall.

Committee Punts On For-Profit College Approval

But without approval, Arizona College of Nursing issue seems likely headed to court.

Vacant Building Would Become Gaming Center

Building at 16th and Walnut would see new life as "PrimeTime Gaming"

Public Approval Process Starting For Country’s Tallest Mass Timber Building

And company hopes to build an even taller building next door.

New Corporate Headquarters, 130 Jobs For Downtown

Enerpac Tool HQ moving to Milwaukee. Plus: A recap of week's real estate news.

New Plan Would Save Former Acapulco Restaurant Building

And a new brunch restaurant would fill the popular restaurant's space.

New Design Released For Dog-Friendly Downtown Brewery

Foxtown Landing, dog park planned for riverfront site on edge of Historic Third Ward.

Plan Commission Rejects For-Profit Nursing School

Unanimous decision sets up high-stakes council vote, possible court challenge.

A New Plan For Tiny Homes

With a new design and developer for project to support homeless veterans.

330 Affordable Apartments Planned By Developers

Part of 2,021 planned across Wisconsin. Plus: A recap of the week's real estate news.

Construction Starts On Long-Awaited King Drive Building

Five Points Lofts, first proposed in 2020, is finally becoming reality.

City of Milwaukee Opens Application Period for Summer Youth Internship Program

Since 2005, the Summer Youth Internship Program has connected thousands of young people with job opportunities and career pathways in City government