Department of City Development

Work Starting Soon on McKinley School Redevelopment

$1.1 million environmental cleanup comes first for fire-damaged school.

Buy A Brick at Pompeii Square

Downtown plaza that honors demolished church being redeveloped.

Asian Market Plans Expansion

New owners chart big future for 5XEN Super Asian Market.

WEDC, Milwaukee Downtown Tout “We’re All In” Safety Campaign

Saying COVID-19 is not a political issue, leaders want individuals to support businesses with safe practices.

8th Annual Bronzeville Week continues with events highlighting art, music and more

Gorman Plans Edison Middle School Redevelopment

Vacant for a decade, former MPS school would become apartments.

Developers Will Rehab Locust St. Building

Buyers making jump from homes to commercial buildings, will rehab vacant 1875 building.

Plumber Buying City Owned Property

City acquired 96-year-old building on Atkinson through tax foreclosure. Owner to rehab for office and apartment.

$1 Million For ‘Really Unique Project’

Headline: Journal Sentinel building from 1960s would become housing for MATC students.

Council Spending Hours Reviewing Barrett’s Appointments

Plenty of praise and criticism for department heads, including Jeff Polenske and Jeanette Kowalik.

King Drive Apartments Moving Forward

Development team buying five lots from city.

City Funds Get First Approval for Journal Square Lofts

Affordable housing development is focused on non-traditional MATC students.

400 Businesses Will Split $4 Million For COVID-19 Readiness

City grant program only allocates 20 percent of expected budget. Designed to retool businesses to adapt to COVID-19 dangers.

Demolition Underway for Adams Hotel

Plus: DCD gets new leadership team

Apartments Rising Alongside Office Tower at River One

First phases of $100 million complex taking shape in Harbor District.

Harbor District Riverwalk Joines the High Lines Network of Infrastructure Reuse Projects

The Harbor District Riverwalk is one of 15 New Members, Broadening the Diversity of the Network of Projects across North America

Library Director Paula Kiely Retiring

Kiely has led library since 2006, presided over great change.

Council Grilling, But Advancing Mayoral Appointees

Most being confirmed unanimously after long meetings.

Crump Wins Committee Support to Head DCD

New commissioner would serve in one of most visible, influential administration roles.

Biggest Ever Affordable Housing Project Advances

197-unit, $59 million Community Within the Corridor project would get $3 million from city.

The Couture Developer Secures Financing

No construction date announced, but private financing commitment marks major milestone.

Rite Hite’s New HQ Approved

Plus: Walker's Point apartment plans dropped, while another neighborhood building sells.

Trump Announces Funding for Milwaukee Bus Rapid Transit Line

President tweets long-awaited $40.9 million grant is being awarded.

Instituting hazard pay a matter of fairness for front line City employees

Statement of Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs May 27, 2020

Lafayette Crump Appointed DCD Leader

Duke graduated attorney works for Milwaukee DNC 2020, has experience with real estate development.

DCD Leader Rocky Marcoux Will Retire

Marcoux has held position for 16 years, survived contentious reappointment battles.

Mayor Names Lafayette Crump to Head City Development

Commissioner-Nominee is a Champion of Economic Growth and Inclusion

City Rezoning Lot for Future North Side Trail

Future trail would run along Lincoln Creek.

Harbor District Presents Riverwalk Design

Nature-centered plan linking Downtown with Bay View 'beyond anything we have ever taken on.'

86 Homeowners Getting Property Tax Help

Foundation's anti-displacement fund gives $38,356 to owners in four city neighborhoods.

Downtown TIF Will Bail Out Three Districts

City increasingly using downtown revenue to support ailing neighborhoods.

City Launches Business Restart Grants

Businesses with $2 million or less in revenue can apply for $20 million grant program.

Is A Couture Deal Finally Coming?

City officials say it is, while Ald. Bauman pushes city to separate streetcar from project.

Resources for Homeowners During the Pandemic

These resources can help you with critical repairs to your home.

City To Furlough, Cut Hours For 750 Employees

Revenue down $27 million in pandemic and city forced to make cuts.

Common Council President Cavalier Johnson announces 2020-2024 committee assignments

Affordable Housing Redevelopment for 37th Street School Gets City Funding

Plus: City assessments top 2008 values for the first time.

24 Groups Win Healthy Food Grants From City

New grant program focused on increasing access to, providing education on healthy foods.

City Housing Program Targets Emerging Developers

MERI 2.0 intended to create jobs, train developers and rehab tax-foreclosed homes.

Boarded Up Businesses Appear Across Milwaukee

Modern furniture store, a grocery store and gas stations are all covered in plywood.

Inside Milwaukee’s Vote Counting Operation

Over 200 workers sort, count and process thousands of ballots in a downtown office building.

Council Overrides Mayor’s Veto

Should Friends of Housing contract be terminated? Did mayor violate attorney-client privilege or council violate city charter?

Donut Shop Planned for 41st and North

Fred Chambers grew up in neighborhood, plans to revitalize vacant building.

River One Rises Over Harbor District

Michels' new office building hits the heights.

National Ave. Affordable Housing Moves Forward

But is it ugly? Committee debates design of Thirteen31 building at 13th and National.

Rexnord’s Secret Headquarters

Company is moving HQ downtown, but still hasn't publicly announced deal.

City Selling “Prime” E. North Ave Site

Seeks developer for Riverwest site that could host affordable housing.

World’s Tallest Timber Tower Gets First Okay

City Plan Commission approves increase in Ascent's height to 25 floors.

Commission Okays Rezoning for Wantable

Company to double in size, add public cafe to new Walker's Point headquarters.

UWM Gets Okay to Partially Demolish Columbia Hospital

Plus: Council could delay convention center expansion, MSOE expanding nursing facilities.

Perez Leads Termination of Friends of Housing Contract

Frustrated by nuisance properties, Alderman takes aim at organization's city contracts.

Emergency Housing Program Stalls

Proposal for 10 homes for those at-risk could face funding gap, other issues.

Developers Must Monitor Homes on Hold

Under new policy, developers must watchdog city-owned homes held for them to buy.

What To Do About Century City?

Bailout needed; what's the impact of losing Strauss or trying to start a hemp farm?

Safe & Sound Announces New Executive Director

Joe’Mar Hooper brings leadership experience, local ties, and passion for community to his new role

Cathedral Square Improvements, Century City Bailout Get First Approval

$16 million plan would repay debt, improve park, rebuild streets.

Goll Mansion Site for Sale

Plus: A full week of real estate news.

City Using Downtown TIFs to Bail Out Century City

Overperforming downtown development districts will repay debt used to create Century City business park.

Neighbors React to New East Side Apartment Building

Meeting attendees offer feedback on renderings, ask who secret developers are.

Brew City Match Announces Second Round of Competition

Entrepreneurs and Commercial Property Owners are Invited to Apply

Design of Brady Street Building Approved

Bucks guard Pat Connaughton's proposed building sails through historic commission.

10,000 Affordable Homes Effort On Track

Two years into it, mayor's initiative driven by new houses, home repairs, home sales.

Tracking Four Downtown Tower Proposals

Real estate news from Walker's Point, the East Side and Near West Side caps a busy week.

City, Partners Creating 13th Street Plan

Effort will focus on charting future of Crisol Corridor.

Is This Good Urban Design?

Alderman objects to car-centric layout of proposed south side grocery store.

Bucks Player to Buy City Lot for $105,000

Mixed-use building on Brady Street will be Bucks guard Pat Connaughton's second Milwaukee project.

27 Apartments Planned Near Marquette

Plus: MU plans new business school, Rivecca brothers buy out disgraced Ganos, Abele gives $300,000 to new project.

Healthy Food for the Central City

Project championed by Ald. Rainey seeks partners, offers $400,000 in grants.

Is Tire Disposal Fee Causing Illegal Dumping?

Council wants data, raises concerns.

Hoping for a 50-Story Lakefront Tower?

City consolidates land parcels, Rinka envisions tower, but no development imminent.

Apartment Building Planned for King Drive

More development happening near new home of Bader Philanthropies.

Downtown House Being Deconstructed For Apartments

Plus: City planning third cruise ship dock

City Plans 2nd Round of Housing Rehab

MERI 2.0 to sell homes for $1 and developers must hire under- or unemployed workers.

Crane Added to City Plan Commission

Menomonee Valley Partners deputy Catrina Crane has long worked on economic development.

Lakefront Tower Loses A Few Floors

Plus: Northridge Mall trial starts, Foxconn bailing on project could cause up to $120 million state bailout.

A New Design Vision for Villard Avenue

UW-Milwaukee will lead design charette to envision future of commercial corridor.

“Catalytic” West Side Project Coming?

Committee okays vacating two alleys, hoping 27th and Wisconsin site attracts state office building.

500 Media Members Get DNC Preview

Officials host national media for first look at city and convention venues.

Urban Farm Planned for Near West Side

Plus: A trio downtown buildings change hands, including one that contained Trio.

Meet HQ501

Scott Lurie, in partnership with RINKA, unveils renderings for redeveloped Assurant building.

Can Downtown Boom Boost Poorer Areas?

Airbnb tax, mentorship program, other proposals suggested to boost investment elsewhere.

See The Canstruction of Local Landmarks

Plus: Associated gives Milwaukee Center new name & upgrades, mass timber building tops off.

City Adjusts Zoning for First Floor Design

More active first floors create more a more activated, walkable city.

Could Strauss Plant Deal Be Revived?

Ald. Johnson working to save deal, Barrett holds out hope, community meeting planned.

Racist Policy? Committee Rejects Hotel Sign

Comfort Suites hotel simply wanted a new sign. Then things got strange.

Still No Deal For The Couture. Yet

Sorry, Mark Belling, deal still isn't quite done, says developer.

Committee Okays Reed Street Yards Fix

Sewer being relocated to accommodate development. But by which company?

40 Affordable Homes for Washington Park

Developer plans to rehab 24 properties, including many duplexes, in one-mile radius.

The “Little Pink Church” is Back

New version of long-gone church part of Lower East Side senior housing complex.

City Targets Scam Artists and Slumlords

Fines doubled to ensure city-repaired bargain homes aren't turned into rentals.

Journal Square Will Be Hundreds of Apartments

Plus: Packed week of affordable housing news, and Cheesehead expansion.

117-Year-Old School Getting Transformed

Developer will turn MPS school he once attended into 40-unit apartment complex.

RACM Okays $3.4 Million Reed Street Yards Fix

New sewers being built to help attract future tenants, possibly Rite-Hite HQ.

Gorman Buying 38 Foreclosed Homes

Developer will convert city-owned homes on North Side to affordable rental housing.

MPS School To Become Apartments

Plus community programming in unused expanded building on far northwest side.

City Subsidy for Schuster’s Project Okayed

$85 million redevelopment of old department store will have prestige tenants.

Admiral’s Wharf Sails Through Committee

City committee okays zoning for 11-story, 133-unit apartment complex in Walker's Point.

Cafe-Cop House Coming to Clarke Square

Unique center is a partnership of city, non-profit Journey House and police department.

Statement on closure of Midtown Starbucks

Statement of Alderman Cavalier Johnson November 15, 2019

The Quiet Plan to Save Grand Avenue

Actually written 10 years ago. Civic leaders discuss how public private partnerships revived Downtown.