Department of City Development

Taco John’s, Popeyes Opening Near Airport

Plan Commission okays two new fast food places in vacant site at 5th and Layton.

Menomonee Valley Building Wins Key Approval

180,469-square-foot building on Canal St. to be built on 'spec,' as a possible warehouse.

The Rise of José Pérez

How high school dropout rose to become first Latino Common Council president in Milwaukee history.

2022 Mayor’s Design Awards Announced

25 projects cover entire city, range from big to small.

Factory Faces $15 Million Pollution, PCBs Cleanup

Site near Capitol and Holton has toxic history. Plus: A recap of the week's real estate news.

City Selling Old Capitol Drive Fire Station

Two bidders vying for property.

Vacant 27th Street Building Will See New Life

Agora Direct will operate one-stop contractor hub along W. Clybourn St.

City Seeks Firms To Transform Vacant Homes

Plus: A recap of the week's real estate news.

City of Milwaukee Seeking Developer Proposals for Homes MKE Initiative

American Rescue Plan Act funding will support Homes MKE initiative to renovate vacant houses, build stronger neighborhoods

Bublr Rolling Out Hundreds of E-Bikes, 26 New Stations

New e-bikes are "awesome" and "extremely fun" says Mayor Johnson.

How Will City Plan Change Bay View?

DCD is at halfway point in process, planning three development sites for neighborhood.

County Supervisors Congratulate José G. Pérez on Election as Common Council President

Community Land Trust Comes To Town

Nonprofit creates affordable housing and equity through land leases, initial subsidies.

Perez Elected Common Council President

Ald. Jose Perez is first Latino to lead council. Fills vacancy created by Johnson's election as mayor.

Bronzeville Project Could Be Creative Hub

Partnership envisions four-story, 54-apartment complex and three-story creative hub for entrepreneurs at 6th and North.

Developer Seeks Extension To Develop City Place Apartments

New affordable housing development would be just north of Fiserv Forum and proposed museum.

New Third Ward Building Revealed

Minnesota firm plans a five-story, 260-unit apartment building near Summerfest grounds.

Choice School Must Pay Property Taxes

Deal for Greater Holy Temple Christian Academy to purchase former MPS school will require this.

Foreclosed Home Will House Those Displaced By Lead Abatement

Community Advocates will buy, rehab city-owned home for temporarily displaced families.

Garden Homes Project May Get Extension

Ald. Hamilton backs redevelopment, once threatened to camp out if neighborhood not cleaned up.

DNS Could Drop City Attorney, Hire Its Own

Council debates, then holds off proposal to help Department of Neighborhood Services.

6th District town hall meeting to take place Wednesday, April 20

MPS’ Fletcher School Would Be Sold For Choice School

Greater Holy Temple Christian Academy would use vacant school near 91st and Brown Deer.

Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan sets Milwaukee up for success

City Selling Former Villa/Ritz Theater

Villard Avenue theater is landmark on far north side main street.

Karen Dettmer Leaving City For Federal Job

Interim Public Works Commissioner, former Water Works leader will join federal EPA.

Third Ward Board Approves New Tower

Design approval for 31-story, 333-unit building with retail space facing river and outdoor patio.

The Couture Starts Massive Concrete Pour

78 truckloads of concrete for building's base. Developer exploring direct link to US Bank complex.

Black-Owned Bookstore, Wine Bar Project Advances

Committee approves selling building on King Drive for Niche Book Bar.

More Turnover In City Attorney’s Office

6 attorneys recently resigned or were fired; 24 have left in less than two years. Non-attorneys also quitting.

Third Ward Zoning Change On Hold

Change wouldn't stop proposed concert venue, and confuses neighbors.

City Seeking Buyer For Mixed-Use Building

Plus: Recapping the week's real estate news, seven stories affecting the city.

Foreclosure Fiasco Costing Taxpayers Nearly $200,000

City Wide Investments had $49,000 in unpaid taxes before the city stepped in and a lawsuit started.

New Program Aids Homeowners Facing Back Taxes

Legal Aid, ACTS Housing working with DCD to keep people in their homes.

Council Ends Battle Over Couture, City Attorney

Acting Mayor reverses position and now supports ending the fight.

Van Buren Could Receive Protected Bike Lane

City of Milwaukee considering three options.

Could City Become Magnet For Remote Workers?

Department of City Development studies ways to lure remote workers to live here.

Council Could End Fight Over Couture Provision

But City Attorney and Acting Mayor object. Legality of requiring $100,000 donation at issue.

Huge River House Expansion Advancing

Council committee supports subsidy to extend riverwalk segment for addition of two-building apartment complex.

Tearman Spencer Attacks Robert Bauman

City Attorney says alderman broke local, state and federal laws and has bullied and exceeded his authority at great cost to taxpayers.

Committee to hear update on American Rescue Plan Act funds used for housing rehabilitation

$1.4 Million Verdict Against Alderman, City

No immediate payment expected for Bauman's comments in 2007. Case involving controversial housing facility could take several more years to settle.

New Plans Aims To Grow 13th Street

Extension of KK River Trail, traffic calming for Oklahoma Ave and safety improvements for S. 13th Street.

Bronzeville Embracing Artist Housing

City properties rehabbed at intersection of Meinecke and Vel R. Phillips avenues.

City To Pay $50,000 For Church Crushed By Collapsed Building

City owned foreclosed building. Near north-side church submitted $1.1 million claim.

Gallery With Artist Housing Proposed For West Side

Neighborhood resident proposes to redevelop fire-damaged building built in 1875.

City Taps TIF For Affordable Housing

TIF district for northside factory overperforms expectations, so DCD will use surplus funds for affordable housing.

El Rey Plans New Cesar Chavez Dr. Building

Villareal plans two-story building with commercial space and apartments on vacant lot.

AN OX Cafe Offers Up Asian Comfort Food

New northwest side bar and restaurant offering Lao and Thai cuisine was a long time coming.

City Needs Act of Congress Because of Couture-Streetcar Delay

City officials admit project is behind schedule.

Milwaukee Has a Singing Mayor Again

Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson tries singing at city's 176th Birthday Party, before a big turnout of politicians.

City Sold 249 Foreclosed Homes in 2021

But hundreds of homes remain in city ownership awaiting your bid.

MKE Business Now Entrepreneurship Summit is Tomorrow

MKE Business Now Entrepreneurship Summit Set For Saturday, January 29th

Virtual event will include workshops and live panel discussion

Interval Coffee Will Open In Bay View

Cafe will replace recently vacated Stone Creek Cafe on southside main street.

Northwest Side Planet Fitness Gets Approved

City Plan Commission okays new gym to be located at 76th and Good Hope.

Virtual 6th District town hall meeting set for Thursday, January 20

Event will include announcement of 2021 Difference Makers Award winners

Council Won’t Review New Concert Venues

Proposed Third Ward venues face no roadblocks, unless legal challenge emerges.

Deal Would Fix Leaning Stone Creek Wall

New tenant could replace Stone Creek Coffee at busy Bay View intersection.

City Selling 1880s King Drive Building

Classic Cream City brick building designed by prominent Milwaukee architect in very rough shape.

Nominations Sought for 25th Annual Mayor’s Design Awards

Milwaukee Buildings, Improvements, and Spaces Will Be Honored

Does City Need Third Drop-Off Center for Waste?

DPW says it would provide efficiencies, but one alderman balks at the cost.

Johnson Ceremonially Sworn In As Mayor

Milwaukee's acting mayor hosts a ceremony of pomp and circumstance to tell his story.

Tom Barrett Takes Oath To Serve As Ambassador

No longer mayor, Barrett is preparing to head to Luxembourg.

Silicon Valley Company Expanding In Milwaukee

OpenGov plans to grow office in Walker's Point to 100 employees.

Alderman Wants Debate On Proposed Third Ward Theater

But has Ald. Robert Bauman already lost the chance to create such a forum?

Dettmer’s Appointment As Public Works Head Is Historic

First female to lead DPW, first time that no major mayor-appointed leaders are white males.

Software firm growing Milwaukee office with WEDC help

OpenGov plans to add 65 employees, invest $400,000

Arts and Culture Hub Planned For W. North Ave.

Melissa Allen will develop home for Bronzeville Center for the Arts.

Port Plays Key Role In Construction of World’s Tallest Timber Tower

But not a single piece arrived in Milwaukee by ship.

Third Ward Entertainment Proposal Raises Questions

But the two-theater music complex may ultimately be subject to little public review.

Port Milwaukee Helps Move Ascent Project Forward

Last Shipment of Mass Timber Structural Elements Leaving Port Milwaukee for Downtown Tower’s Construction Site

Summerfest Lands One of the City of Milwaukee’s Top Attorneys

Mary Schanning will become general counsel, chief administrative officer at Milwaukee World Festival.

New Event Venue Would Overlook Rivers

Former Love Shack space would offer views of Downtown and Milwaukee and Menomonee rivers.

Make Your Voice Heard on The Future of Downtown

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

City of Milwaukee, Habitat for Humanity Working to Build New Housing in Harambee Neighborhood

Anti-Displacement Policy Sees Slow Start

But city program to keep renters in their neighborhoods by setting aside new apartments is growing.

Growing ThriveOn King Gets Extension

And adds food hall, child care center. First floor designed to accommodate neighbors' desires.

The Council’s War With Tearman Spencer

Lots of grumbling, but City Attorney scores wins in two of three battles Tuesday.

Planned Riverwalk Lets You Touch the Water

City seeking grant to pay for "The Node" riverwalk in the Harbor District

New Building Would Include Restaurant, Rooftop Event Space, Recording Studio

Fatima Laster is uplifting the Five Points neighborhood.

Zoning Committee Okays Factory-to-Housing Conversions

Former dairy plant and one-time Perlick factory could both become housing.

Three Duplexes Planned Near Marquette University

Student housing investment group would purchase, develop city-owned lot.

Council, Mayor At Odds Over City Attorney

Council wants to hire its own attorney. City Attorney oppose this and Barrett vetoes proposal.

Affordable Senior Apartments Get Plan Commission Approval

Plan calls for redeveloping former Perlick plant, with connection to planned bike trail.

Urban Spaceship Will Land In Milwaukee

National urbanism conference on November 9 on the future of cities. Urban Milwaukee members can get free tickets, while supplies last.

7 Milwaukee Affordable Housing Projects Win Funding

Federal Home Loan Bank grants will close financing gaps.

Brew City Match Offers More Grants

Fourth round of grants for small business development and commercial property revitalization.

Tearman Spencer Adds Media To List Of Those Inhibiting Him

Conditions at City Attorney's office would improve if media quit "erroneously" reporting on them says City Attorney.

Committee Recommends Few Budget Amendments

No fee increases and few changes as council braces for next year's fiscal cliff.

WCD Celebrates Start of Convention Center Expansion

$420 million project is intended to boost business, fully realize Wisconin Center's potential.

THIRTEEN31 Apartment Building Opens

Walker's Point complex has 74 affordable apartments, all already full.

North Side Plan Plots 16 Priority Projects

Traffic calming, housing rehab, safety, dealing with vacant lots top list of recommended projects.

School Will Be Redeveloped, But Into What?

Committee endorses zoning change for former Catholic school on East Side.

Fond du Lac North Area Plan Earns City Plan Commission Approval

Triciclo Peru Owners Could Buy Vliet Street Building

Restaurant plans production space for frozen empanadas in vacant, city-owned building.

Council Strikes Deal On How To Spend $179 Million ARPA Allocation

Housing, lead abatement, child care, police recruits, violence prevention, a new MLK library and more.

Redeveloped 37th Street School Opens

Affordable apartments available for seniors, with neighborhood resident serving as developer.

Council looks to maximize positive benefits with ARPA-funded housing rehab and construction work

City Selling Building at 76th and Capitol

Multi-tenant office building available for $75,000.