Department of Neighborhood Services

Leaking Roof, Collapsed Ceiling Put Spotlight On Highgrove Holdings

Family alleges embattled landlord has ignored years of maintenance complaints.

Milwaukee Again Cleaning Up From ‘Overwhelming Force of Nature’

City officials said there was little more they could have done to prepare.

Mayor’s Message To Milwaukee – Home Is Where City Policy Starts

State of the City address spotlights housing.

Mayor Delivers the 2026 State of the City

The Year of Housing is Featured Prominently

City of Milwaukee, Common Ground File Lawsuits, Launch Campaign Against Out-of-State Landlord

Highgrove Holdings owns more than 200 properties in city.

Milwaukee City Attorney Files One of the Largest Public Nuisance Enforcement Actions in City History

The City files sweeping lawsuits targeting properties tied to out-of-state landlord network accused of widespread neglect, code violations, and unpaid taxes.

Common Ground & Tenants United “Evicting” CA-Based Corporate Landlord

Partner with City Attorney to Sue Highgrove Holdings LLC

Can Milwaukee Rescue Its Failed Deconstruction Program?

City staff promise a narrowed focus as funding and political patience run low.

Harley-Davidson Prepares To Reactivate Its Corporate Headquarters

New CEO makes the case for why in-person work matters.

Downtown Parking Building’s Collapse Leads to Oversight Plan

Council proposal requires regular structural inspections of parking structures.

Milwaukee May Reduce Cost of Sprinkler Installation, Will It Matter?

City still seeking ways to save lives, improve safety of older apartment buildings.

Council Seeks To Levy Big Fines, Up to $50,000, on Problem Landlords

City has shuttered 11 buildings this winter for dangerous emergency violations.

City Wants To Clean Up Contaminated Bay View Factory

But will it get the money to do so?

Lakefront Brewery Adding Riverside Amenities

Will make riverside more pedestrian friendly, more fun for customers.

Should The City of Milwaukee Shovel Your Sidewalk?

One alderman wants to at least see the option offered.

Milwaukee Paid $10 Million in Policing Settlements in 2025

And tacked on even more for a run-away garbage truck and other issues.

After Deadly May Fire, Milwaukee Adds New Safety Requirements

More inspections, more data and changes that will impact landlords, tenants.

East Side Apartment Building Advancing

7-story apartment complex on site where 11-story project set off 2008 controversy.

City Seeks Contractors To Demolish Fire-Damaged Homes

Those on the list include a notable, neoclassical-style Walker Square building.

Council Adopts New Fire-Safety Disclosure Ordinance to Protect Renters

Top City Official Resigns

Preston Cole rose to the unofficial title of 'deputy mayor,' then walked away.

What’s In the 44 Footnotes Added to Milwaukee’s Budget?

Record number of footnotes reveal what council members are thinking. And who's the new prolific author?

Public Safety and Health Committee to Consider Tenant Life-Safety Disclosure Ordinance Tomorrow

Proposed Ordinance Targets Unsanctioned Nightclubs

City leaders say legal loophole allows nightclubs in private event venues.

Northridge is Gone, Milwaukee Looks to Transform the Site

Searching for an anchor business or organization to help revive the area.

These City Employees Make More Than Mayor Cavalier Johnson

27 employees top the city's pay scale.

Parks Allows Advertising on Public Lakefront

Only to get angry feedback from citizens and take down the signs. So no more ads?

City of Milwaukee and MPL to kick off Fall & Winter Career Fair Tour

Residents can visit various locations around the City to learn about available job opportunities

Cactus Club Accessibility Improvements Inspire City Officials

City will waive fees for additions like wheelchair ramps. 'We want thousands more.'

Common Council Unanimously Approves $750,000 for Flood Relief and Home Repair Assistance

Milwaukee Will Provide Cash For Some Homeowners’ Flood Repairs

Proposal cobbles together funds to help low-income owners make repairs.

File suspending permit fees for projects related to flood damage approved by committee

City Will Waive Permit Fees For Owner-Occupied Homes Flood Repair

Proposal aims to reduce costs of rebuilding after 1,000-year storm.

Council Pleased With City’s Response To 1,000-Year Storm

But two key issues still need to be addressed.

Second Federal Agency Moving Into Milwaukee ICE Building

Agency will create new center in facility on Milwaukee's Northwest Side.

Milwaukee’s Storm Cleanup Effort By The Numbers

Start with billions of gallons of water, end up with millions of dollars in damage and thousands of hours of cleanup.

Flood Recovery Efforts Ongoing One Week After Disaster

Baldwin Calls for Federal Disaster Relief for Wisconsin

After tour with mayor and county exec, she cites widespread damage.

City Moving To Demolish Art Deco Retail Building, Former Soap Warehouse

Public will bear cost of demolishing dilapidated private buildings.

Boutique Office Building Planned for Tight Harbor District Site

Moede family has big plans for small space.

Alders Support Sprinkler Subsidies

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

Council Bounces Trampoline Rules

How much regulation is too much?

2025 Adopt-A-Neighborhood initiative kicks-off in Arlington Heights

Council Jumps Off Trampoline Debate

A $500 fine for improper usage? 'This is a trampoline. It's not a fire.'

Milwaukee Could Regulate Where You Can Place Your Trampoline

"This is not an ordinance against fun," says sponsor.

City Deploying Additional Cameras to Address Illegal Dumping

And is offering $1,000 rewards for tips leading to citation.

Fire Chief Says Sprinklers Don’t Cost Much

Less than cost of new carpet? Chief Lipski calls for sprinklers in large buildings.

Committee to discuss building code provisions related to installation of sprinkler systems

Largest Office Building in Westown Could Be Partially Converted To Apartments

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

Lack of Sprinklers Worsened Deadly Fire, Chief Says

Ald. Bauman calls for investigation of building codes, sprinkler requirements.

City Clears Two of Six Shuttered Pizza Huts to Reopen

But new owner speaks out about frustrations with licensing process.

‘Zero’ Chance of Plea Bargain in Tearman Spencer Case

Trial scheduled in former City Attorney's felony misconduct case.

City Boosts Illegal Dumping Fine To $5,000

"The tire lady" is sick of bad actors trashing her aldermanic district. Her colleagues agree.

Milwaukee Delays Legalizing Carriage Houses

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

Survey Finds Alarming Number of Milwaukee Homes Need Major Repairs

And one type of property owner is overwhelmingly responsible.

Council Committee Backs Return of Granny Flats

Legalizing accessory dwelling units could grow housing across entire city.

New body would take on Milwaukee’s illegal dumping epidemic

City Does Emergency Demolition Of Commercial Building

The city has avoided taking ownership of property for more than a decade.

City Will Demolish Former Masonic Lodge, School

Four other buildings in town will come down with century-old structure.

Former City Attorney Pleads Not Guilty, Case Bound Over For Trial

Tearman Spencer accused of using his position to illegally avoid thousands in fees.

Bauman Wins Preservation Funding By Sacrificing Deconstruction Funds

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

Ald. Coggs introduces file to discuss after-hours locations and other nuisance properties

The Tire Bounty Is Back

Bauman again pushes idea to end tire dumping. Will the proposal pass this time?

ICE Can Build Whatever Facility It Wants in Milwaukee

Council learns federal immigration agency can simply bypass local authorities.

Broad Coalition Opposes New Immigration Enforcement Facility

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

Milwaukee Creates Economic Hardship Waiver For Keeping Chickens

After budget amendment failed, Ald. Burgelis finds new way to issue free chicken coop permits.

City Official Double Dips to Earn $250,000

Department of Administration head Preston Cole awarded $73,700 raise.

City Demolishing King Drive Building It Once Sought to Save

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

Shuttered Walmart Could Be Replaced By Apartments, Grocery Store

The Walmart at 103rd and Silver Spring closed in early 2023.

Court Finds Probable Cause In Spencer Misconduct Case

Court declines to dismiss felony and misdemeanor charges against former city attorney.

Milwaukee Public Schools Unanimously Passes $1.5 Billion Budget

13 schools could close, merge as part of long-range facilities plan.

Amendment Would Shift Money From Demolishing Homes To Fixing Them

And deconstruction effort again on the drawing board.

Ahead of Biden Visit, Council, DPW Officials Question Efficacy of Replacing Lead Pipes

Data suggests that tackling paint, not water, might reduce lead poisoning faster.

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

Former City Attorney Tearman Spencer Charged with Felony Misconduct

Spencer is alleged to use his city position to avoid fees on storing his car collection.

Satin Doll’s Lounge Will Be Demolished

Famed tavern had 'crazy' owner with connections to Duke Ellington, David Byrne and Frank Balistrieri.

City Could Claw Back Ownership of Fire-Damaged Historic House

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

Demolition Permit Filed For Brady Street Hotel

Former shopping center to be leveled. But no definitive date for a construction start.

Airport Hotel Headed For Auction, Another Could Reopen Soon

And two more buildings are for sale.

Federal Officials Will Meet With Mayor, Housing Authority, Residents

Visiting Milwaukee later this week to discuss fixes for embattled public housing agency.

Open Letter to Mayor Johnson – Why Are You Protecting Willie Hines?

South Side Community Walk Steps Off Thursday Afternoon

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.

Effort To Ban Guns From Area Around RNC Fails

Ald. Robert Bauman wanted to challenge state law, but his colleagues demur.

Council Retreats On For-Profit College

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

Common Ground Gets National Attention

Group’s battle with city housing authority becoming embarrassing for Milwaukee.

See Inside Northridge Mall Before It’s Demolished

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

Common Ground Scores Win For Public Housing Residents

New policy sends city inspectors to check Housing Authority properties starting this week.

Committee Punts On For-Profit College Approval

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

Milwaukee Landlord Berrada Drops Lawsuit Against Tenants Union

Lawsuit 'a retaliatory measure for tenant organizing in Berrada buildings,' group charges.

By Demolishing Homes, Milwaukee Hopes To Revive Neighborhoods

City hopes to raze 180 houses this year, but how long will neighborhoods take to revive?