Department of Neighborhood Services

How To Check Your Landlord’s Background

Renters union offers tips for finding your landlord's rental, eviction history.

Judge Reverses $1.4 Million Verdict Against Bauman, City

Lawsuit over Bauman's criticism of demolished housing facility dates back to 2007.

Vacant 27th Street Building Will See New Life

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

Scardina Specialties New Deli is Official

The owner of the beloved Riverwest deli has officially secure a new home for it.

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

Northridge Mall Raze Order Delayed

Appeals court sends case back to circuit court for review of city order, new estimate of repair costs.

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.

Jake’s Deli Has a New Owner

Bud Selig has sold it. Plus: New downtown cafe, new Cudahy breakfast-lunch place and Italian deli returns to Riverwest.

Scardina Deli Plans Return To Riverwest

Scardina Specialties, closed in 2021 when its building condemned, would reopen in bigger space on Locust St.

$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.

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

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

Deconstruction Program Suspended Again

But DNS officials hope new coalition of contractors could bid on work.

Gallery With Artist Housing Proposed For West Side

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

New Assessment Commissioner Chosen

Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson picks Nicole Larsen to first serve as Chief Assessor, then Assessment Commissioner.

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

Event will include announcement of 2021 Difference Makers Award winners

Layton Lofts Under Construction

New apartment building joins busy commercial corridor, but contractor fighting city on utility use.

House Saved, Moved Nearly 2 Miles

Once an apartment above a steakhouse, it's now a single-family home on Howell Ave.

A Harbor District Revival

1915 building at 2nd and Mineral racked up lawsuits, code violations. New owner going back to basics.

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.

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.

Deconstruction Policy Remains, Well… Deconstructed

City of Milwaukee can't make the vision for program work. Who's to blame?

Port Milwaukee Helps Move Ascent Project Forward

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

Downtown Food Hall Adds Sushi, Ramen, Hot Dogs

Plus: Radio Milwaukee's new cafe, new downtown restaurant, Redbrick Pizza closes.

City Closes T Jay’s Lounge

36 shootings near bar in 2021, including a triple shooting inside tavern and bar staff involved in cleanup.

Bay View Apartment Project Advances

Plus: Recapping a big week of real estate news.

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

Fatima Laster is uplifting the Five Points neighborhood.

Council, Mayor At Odds Over City Attorney

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

New African Restaurant For East Side

Plus: New downtown lunch and brunch place. A bigger Bavette. And Foxfire Food Truck shuts down

Stone Creek Closing Bay View Cafe

UPDATE: DNS confirms wall is not at "imminent risk" of collapse, is rescinding order.

Stamper Wants Rat Inspections Of Excavations

Could the city possibly check every construction project for rat infestations?

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.

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.

MKE Business Now Entrepreneurship Summit Day set for Jan. 29, 2022

City Could Issue Citations For Failing To Disconnect Downspouts

But focus will be on hiring contractors to complete work, keep stormwater out of Deep Tunnel.

12 Options to Solve Milwaukee’s Fiscal Crisis

Nine are bad says alderman. Without solution Milwaukee would need to cut one-fourth of workforce.

School To Buy Nuisance Building For Garden

Notre Dame girls school will raze building on 15th and Scott for garden, outdoor classes.

Connaughton’s Company Withdraws Brewers Hill Plan. For Now

Historic Preservation Commission finds fault with design of 50-unit apartment complex.

DSPS Secretary Dawn Crim Assembles Mass Timber Task Force, Looks to Distinguish the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code

The task force will meet virtually and is expected to generate a set of mass timber guidelines by year end.

City Creating Zoning Code For EV Chargers

City anticipates surge in electric vehicles and could get federal money for charging stations.

Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDI) Announces 2021 Winners for Improving Milwaukee Neighborhoods during Virtual Event

Connaughton Pursuing Bigger Brewers Hill Project

Three Leaf expands proposed building, now needs historic commission approval.

New Apartment Complex For Bay View?

Plan for four-story complex has long way to go. Plus: A recap of week's real estate news.

Barrett Calls For $44 Million In Workforce And Housing Spending

Funds would come from $394 million federal ARPA grant.

Plan To Renovate Every City-Owned Home Gains Traction

Council now embraces Bauman proposal. Barrett's plan will include elements of it.

Can City Prevent Miami-Like Disaster?

Bauman grills officials. Should Milwaukee ramp up building inspections?

Committee to discuss file related to $150 million allocation of ARPA funding for affordable housing

The Downspout Police Are Coming

Disconnecting downspouts is part of strategy to reduce Deep Tunnel overflows into Lake Michigan.

New Advance Auto Parts Store On North Avenue

Retailer opening store two blocks from competitor.

Bauman’s $150 Million Affordable Housing Plan

Plan would save every city-owned single-family home and duplex.

14th District town hall meetings to take place June 28 and 29

Bauman’s Demolition Moratorium Killed

Two council members whose districts would be most affected are strongly opposed.

City Could Require Laser Scanning of Buildings Slated for Demolition

Effort would create a database of lost buildings.

Committee to hear file related to moratorium on mechanical demolitions

Hayat Pharmacy Will Open on Brady Street

New pharmacy will occupy former Starbucks space.

Harbor District Building Slated for Redevelopment

Plus: Changes at Eastcastle Place and a recap of the week's real estate news.

Historic Home Will Be Moved Three Blocks

To make way for new Marquette sorority building, 1885 home at 16th and Kilbourn moving to lot on 19th St.

Bauman Proposes Moratorium On City Demolitions

Alderman proposes fixing all deteriorated city-owned homes using federal stimulus funds.

Small Apartment Building Planned for Harambee

Three-story building will expand senior housing complex on near North Side.

New BBQ Joint a Success

Plus: a Dubbel Dutch pop-up, new Culvers in Bay Shore, and the downtown SportClub reopens.

Food Hall Planned for Downtown

Chicago group targeting two possible East Town sites for 20-stall food hall.

McKinley School Project’s Final Design Okayed

'Worst building ever seen' by city DNS will be turned into 35 apartments.

Demolition Underway on River One

Following explosion, construction and demolition are occurring side by side.

New Deconstruction Firm Makes Progress

But citywide deconstruction requirement will again be suspended until March 2022.

Supervisor Wasserman Statement on Proposed Changes to the Bradford Beach Bathhouse

Third Ward Nightclub Surrenders License Before Revocation Hearing

SITE closes following shooting.

Virtual 6th District town hall meeting set for Thursday, January 21

Event will include announcement of 2020 Difference Makers Award winners

Program Teaches Tenants Rights for Renters

Rent For Success gives renters information and practical advice for safely renting in Milwaukee.

Downtown Apartment Building Nears Completion

Bucks' Pat Connaughton is building a three-unit apartment building in East Town.

Work Resuming On Explosion-Damaged River One

The damage will cost millions. The cause of explosion is still under investigation.

Housing Advocates Prepare For End of Eviction Moratorium

With no extension in sight, advocates are scrambling for solutions to an expected tidal wave of evictions.

$1.6 Billion Adopted Budget Raises Fees, Cuts Police

City's fiscal challenges continue to mount under state restrictions, rising costs.

Lead Testing Down During Pandemic

Milwaukee has performed nearly 40% fewer lead tests this year.

Committee Approves Over 20 Amendments To Milwaukee Budget

Amendments target violence prevention, housing, lead abatement and more.

Almost Half of Budget Amendments Are Policy Footnotes

Footnotes call for a racial equity audit, benches in vacant lots, lead-safe property database and much more.

Bucks Guard Plans Third Apartment Building

Pat Connaughton's Three Leaf Development plans four-story building in Brewers Hill.

SafeHomes initiative expands lead abatement efforts for a lead-free Milwaukee

City Hires New Deconstruction Contractor

Spencer Renovation fired, White Glove Group hired to deconstruct, not demolish city-owned homes.

What You Need to Know About Rent and Eviction

Raphael Ramos, of Legal Action of Wisconsin, answers your questions.

Virtual Town Hall Meeting to Focus on 2021 City Budget, City Services

Downtown Building Being Demolished

Building from 1885 was once planned for indoor-outdoor bar concept.

Work Starting Soon on McKinley School Redevelopment

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

Milwaukee Police Gobble Up City Budget

MPD got 62 cents of every new city budget dollar over last ten years.

Council Spending Hours Reviewing Barrett’s Appointments

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

Milwaukee Adopts Mask Mandate

Council unanimously adopts indoor and outdoor mandate. Goes into effect Thursday.

Council Grilling, But Advancing Mayoral Appointees

Most being confirmed unanimously after long meetings.

City Launches Active Streets for Business

Policy allows restaurants, bars to use space on sidewalks, streets, but details worry alders.

City Workers Will Get Hazard Pay Bonus

Mayor Barrett's proclamation boosts hourly pay by $3.13 for front-line workers.

Judge Rules Northridge Mall Must Be Demolished

City scores victory in bid to take control of vacant mall.

City To Furlough, Cut Hours For 750 Employees

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

Mexican Restaurant Planned for Bay View

Co-owner of Las 7 Estrellas plans new restaurant on S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

Boarded Up Businesses Appear Across Milwaukee

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

Should City Workers Get COVID Bonus?

Public Works employees can't work from home, face more risk of COVID-19.

City To Do Video Inspections of Projects

With drop-off location for plans. Goal to protect workers yet keep construction going.

Milwaukee on 70-Year Pace To Replace Lead Laterals

What will the city do for property owners that want to voluntarily replace their laterals?