Nik Kovac is the City of Milwaukee budget director. He was an alderman on the Milwaukee Common Council until 2022. First elected in 2008, Kovac represented the city’s East Side, Riverwest, and a portion of downtown.

Official Council Biography

Nik Kovac was born and raised on Milwaukee’s East Side. He proudly attended Milwaukee Public Schools—from McDowell Montessori School to Golda Meir Elementary School, and Jackie Robinson Middle School through Riverside High School. While at Riverside, he earned more than 20 college credits from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

Attending Harvard University and graduating cum laude with a degree in mathematics, Alderman Kovac worked to become a beat reporter and then a newspaper editor in New York City. He returned to Milwaukee to work for the Shepherd Express and Riverwest Currents. He continues to write pieces for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Since April 2008, he has been the Alderman for Milwaukee’s 3rd District, which includes the Brady Street neighborhood and the East Side, home to the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Campus and Riverwest neighborhoods. The district also includes many of the city’s artists and art institutions.

At City Hall he serves as the Chair of the Capital Improvements Committee, Vice-Chair of the Finance & Personnel Committee and as an influential member of the Licenses Committee. Alderman Kovac’s work extends outside City Hall and throughout his district as Chair of the East Side Architectural Review Board and as a member of the Milwaukee Arts Board, the Milwaukee Public Library Board of Trustees, the Milwaukee County Federated Library Board, the Park East Advisory Committee and the Riverside University High School Foundation Board of Directors. As a proud stockholder for the Green Bay Packers football club and a resident of Riverwest, Alderman Kovac hosts a weekly radio show, Packerverse, on Riverwest’s Community Radio Station.

These rich experiences in the district have taught him the positive influence that active, engaged artists and citizens can have on the local economy, a sense of community, neighborhood beautification, and the city’s social memory.

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Content referencing Nik Kovac - Page 7

Biking: Kids Ask Common Council for Safer Streets
Biking

Kids Ask Common Council for Safer Streets

Big increase in city pedestrians killed while crossing the street.

Friday Photos: An 18th Century Building Made of Steel
Friday Photos

An 18th Century Building Made of Steel

Hammes' new downtown HQ is Jeffersonian-throwback with modern materials.

Bar Exam: Hi-Hat’s History Dates to 1870s
Bar Exam

Hi-Hat’s History Dates to 1870s

Building moved three times; a veritable history of Polish community.

House Confidential: Lincoln Fowler’s Century-Old Home
House Confidential

Lincoln Fowler’s Century-Old Home

Colectivo co-owner has 4.5 bathrooms, 3 fireplaces, and lots of coffee.

Summer Soulstice Music Festival set for Saturday, June 24
Press Release

Summer Soulstice Music Festival set for Saturday, June 24

East Side Summer Soulstice Music Festival - information from Alderman Nik Kovac

House Confidential: The House of Buried Cars
House Confidential

The House of Buried Cars

Riverwest home, with three cars buried in yard, also a geo-cache site.

Common Council to take up Paris Climate Accord measure
Press Release

Common Council to take up Paris Climate Accord measure

News release from Alderman Michael J. Murphy and Alderman Nik Kovac

Bar Exam: High Dive’s Equitable Atmosphere
Bar Exam

High Dive’s Equitable Atmosphere

For decades a mom-and-pop tavern; now a hip hangout.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Foreclosed Homes to Become Artist Havens
Eyes on Milwaukee

Foreclosed Homes to Become Artist Havens

City aims to cultivate artistic community instead of demolishing homes.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Arena Apartments Receive Design Approval
Eyes on Milwaukee

Arena Apartments Receive Design Approval

Building with green bays gets approval to be built near Milwaukee Bucks arena.

House Confidential: Sheriff Candidate Lives In Style
House Confidential

Sheriff Candidate Lives In Style

Earnell Lucas, head of MLB security has lovely, $621,000 East Side home.

Friday Photos: Keystone on Brady Nears Completion
Friday Photos

Keystone on Brady Nears Completion

Developer of Brady Street apartment building is already planning another.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Sparks Fly Over Hamilton Settlement
Eyes on Milwaukee

Sparks Fly Over Hamilton Settlement

Council approves $2.3 million settlement, but black aldermen debate Donovan.

House Confidential: Tour a 1902 Eschweiler Mansion
House Confidential

Tour a 1902 Eschweiler Mansion

Breast Cancer 2017 Showcase on Terrace Ave. built by industrialist Clarence Falk.

Now Serving: More Berries, Brunch and Beer
Now Serving

More Berries, Brunch and Beer

New Bay View brunch spot, Walker's Point smoothies bar, Lowlands beers.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Marquette Updating Inflatable Dome
Eyes on Milwaukee

Marquette Updating Inflatable Dome

City panel approves design changes, despite snarking about Minnesota Vikings.

Mayor’s Design Awards All Over Map

Mayor’s Design Awards All Over Map

Big, little, new or renovated, award winners in 13 of 15 aldermanic districts.

Ethanol Shipping Fuels Worries

Ethanol Shipping Fuels Worries

U.S. Oil could also ship crude oil across local waters.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Downtown Strip Club Approved
Eyes on Milwaukee

Downtown Strip Club Approved

Lawsuit settled. "Everyone and their brother" can now open a club.

Finally, Greenwich Park Apartments Opens

Finally, Greenwich Park Apartments Opens

The six-story apartment building has a mix of affordable and market rate units.

Eyes on Milwaukee: How to Make a Pedestrian Friendly City
Eyes on Milwaukee

How to Make a Pedestrian Friendly City

New district-by-district reports on improving city for bicycling and walking.

Eyes on Milwaukee: New Apartment Building For East Side
Eyes on Milwaukee

New Apartment Building For East Side

City committee approves "adventuresome," five-story, 96-unit building.

St. Rita Church to be Razed, Replaced

St. Rita Church to be Razed, Replaced

Plan includes $20 million senior living complex on Lower East Side.

House Confidential: Mark Mone’s French Provincial Manse
House Confidential

Mark Mone’s French Provincial Manse

UWM chancellor's nearly $1 million home boasts a bar and wine cellar.

Wangard Still Can’t Meet City Rules

Wangard Still Can’t Meet City Rules

Subsidized Freshwater Plaza project flunks Residents Preference Program.

Plenty of Horne: Long Empty Store Off Brady Street Sold
Plenty of Horne

Long Empty Store Off Brady Street Sold

1894 building was grocery for decades. Plus: remembering bar owner Bill Lennon.

Bar Exam: Bosco’s Is a Baseball Tavern
Bar Exam

Bosco’s Is a Baseball Tavern

Riverwest bar once was next to gas station owned by Bob Uecker's father.

Officials Celebrate Garfield Development

Officials Celebrate Garfield Development

Groundbreaking for $17 million development and reopened Black Holocaust Museum.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Food Trucks Banned On Brady Street
Eyes on Milwaukee

Food Trucks Banned On Brady Street

Council okays ban request by business improvement district. Mayor must approve.

City Proposal Protects Students

City Proposal Protects Students

Protections target for-profit colleges that leave students with huge debts.

Friday Photos: A Brady Street Trio
Friday Photos

A Brady Street Trio

Qdoba, Glorioso's and an apartment building reshape East Side main street.

House Confidential: A Millionaire’s Neoclassical Mansion
House Confidential

A Millionaire’s Neoclassical Mansion

$1.7 million East Side mansion where Fred Miller grew up is architectural gem.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Council Approves Arena, Hammes Design Changes
Eyes on Milwaukee

Council Approves Arena, Hammes Design Changes

Full speed ahead on arena, office building, more downtown changes.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Felons Can Now Buy City Homes
Eyes on Milwaukee

Felons Can Now Buy City Homes

Council agrees: pay debt to society and you can buy city-owned homes.

Eat Ramen In a Parklet? Yes!

Eat Ramen In a Parklet? Yes!

East Side Ramen restaurant will create parklet, extends ambience to the street.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Hammes HQ Starts Construction
Eyes on Milwaukee

Hammes HQ Starts Construction

Brookfield firm moves downtown next year into classical-styled building.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Bucks Select Apartment Developer
Eyes on Milwaukee

Bucks Select Apartment Developer

Up-and-coming development firm will build 90-unit building

Eyes on Milwaukee: Committee Okays Two Downtown Designs
Eyes on Milwaukee

Committee Okays Two Downtown Designs

Plus: What will the Bucks big announcement on Friday be?

City Could Sell Homes to Felons

City Could Sell Homes to Felons

Committee overturns current ban on sales but proposal needs full council approval.

In Public: Design By Committee
In Public

Design By Committee

Or how Ald. Kovac and the Historic Preservation Commission bedevil architects.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Hammes Revises Controversial Design
Eyes on Milwaukee

Hammes Revises Controversial Design

City panel approves a shorter, stouter building. Will that stop the complaints?

Overwhelming support for our fellow citizens and for our ideals
Press Release

Overwhelming support for our fellow citizens and for our ideals

Milwaukee could be the first city in the U.S. to officially declare its opposition to the travel ban.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Clarke Square Apartments Advance
Eyes on Milwaukee

Clarke Square Apartments Advance

Unique apartment project, high-growth internet company and grocery move forward.

Friday Photos: Bader Rutter’s Riverside Digs
Friday Photos

Bader Rutter’s Riverside Digs

New building, dubbed 1433 Water, will be anchored by marketing firm.

Bar Exam: Jazz Estate’s South Side Chic
Bar Exam

Jazz Estate’s South Side Chic

Bought by Bryant's owner, who added some of its plush, padded style.

Murphy’s Law: Journal Sentinel Shrinks Further
Murphy’s Law

Journal Sentinel Shrinks Further

Plummeting circulation, shrinking news coverage, closing government pressrooms.

Council legislation would ban coal tar sealants in Milwaukee
Press Release

Council legislation would ban coal tar sealants in Milwaukee

The proposed ordinance is expected to be heard by the full Common Council at its Feb. 7 regular meeting at City Hall.

New Development For Villard Avenue

New Development For Villard Avenue

City zoning change will allow four-story, 33-unit apartment complex on 37th and Villard.

House Confidential: The Top 10 Stories of 2016
House Confidential

The Top 10 Stories of 2016

Readers' favorites? Stories about mansions, rich people, sports stars, politicians.

Bar Exam: Bremen Cafe’s Roots Go Back to 1895
Bar Exam

Bremen Cafe’s Roots Go Back to 1895

Building began as bar in 1895 and much is still original in popular Riverwest bar.

Court Watch: Muni Court Data Withheld From Public?
Court Watch

Muni Court Data Withheld From Public?

Judge says data from Warrant Withdrawal Wednesday won’t be publicly released.

Muni Court “Warrant Withdrawal” Draws Thousands

Muni Court “Warrant Withdrawal” Draws Thousands

Special one-day clemency program a success, but treatment of indigent questioned.

Three Plans for New City Library

Three Plans for New City Library

MLK library the latest to have private development that includes a new library.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Nomad World Pub’s Expansion Approved
Eyes on Milwaukee

Nomad World Pub’s Expansion Approved

East Side soccer bar will get one heck of a beer garden under a major expansion plan.

Friday Photos: A Brady Street Two-Fer
Friday Photos

A Brady Street Two-Fer

Two projects are rising from the ground, but will they upset the street's character?

House Confidential: Restaurant Owners Have Lots of Land
House Confidential

Restaurant Owners Have Lots of Land

Modest Astor St. homes of Scott Johnson and Leslie Montemurro sit on one-third acre.

Bar Exam: Shaker’s Cigar Bar is Smoking
Bar Exam

Shaker’s Cigar Bar is Smoking

City's only cigar bar has fine dining and retro-cocktails, classic architectural artifacts.

Bar Exam: Tiny Squirrel Cage Hard to Find
Bar Exam

Tiny Squirrel Cage Hard to Find

Peculiar old Riverwest tavern has 500 square feet, no tap beers, squirrelly atmosphere.

In Public: Hammes Building An Obvious Mistake
In Public

Hammes Building An Obvious Mistake

But is it worth fighting to stop it? Nah. Here’s why.

Bar Exam: Malone’s Bar Has a Bay View Style
Bar Exam

Malone’s Bar Has a Bay View Style

But it's on Brady St. Which shows how much the two neighborhoods have in common.

House Confidential: David Stearns’ Must-See Victorian Home!
House Confidential

David Stearns’ Must-See Victorian Home!

Did the Brewers heady GM crunch the numbers before buying the $600,000 home?

Bar Exam: Eastsider, Scene of the Crime?
Bar Exam

Eastsider, Scene of the Crime?

Tiny historic tavern is where police officer drank with patron he allegedly later raped.

Court Watch: Muni Court Indigents Will Get Lawyers
Court Watch

Muni Court Indigents Will Get Lawyers

Common Council votes 9-6 to approve funding for new program.

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele Thanks Common Council for Their Support to Remove Estabrook Dam
Press Release

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele Thanks Common Council for Their Support to Remove Estabrook Dam

MMSD will be responsible for removing the Dam once it obtains the necessary DNR permits.

City of Milwaukee Votes to Rezone Estabrook Dam Land
Press Release

City of Milwaukee Votes to Rezone Estabrook Dam Land

The vote is an important step in the effort to ultimately remove the Estabrook Dam.

House Confidential: Kane Place Cottage Celebrates the Seasons
House Confidential

Kane Place Cottage Celebrates the Seasons

This well-preserved Polish Flat was built in 1900.

Joint letter to DA John Chisholm
Press Release

Joint letter to DA John Chisholm

Joint letter from members of the Common Council to District Attorney Chisholm

Eyes on Milwaukee: How Bad (or Good) is Hammes HQ Design?
Eyes on Milwaukee

How Bad (or Good) is Hammes HQ Design?

Is it urban or suburban, Jeffersonian or Reaganesque? The debate has already begun.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Hammes Moving Downtown in 2018
Eyes on Milwaukee

Hammes Moving Downtown in 2018

Another company moving from suburbs to Downtown and with unusual architectural style.

House Confidential: Union Activist’s Brady Street Beauty
House Confidential

Union Activist’s Brady Street Beauty

The assessor loved the 1909 home's stained glass and bevelled leaded glass windows.

Friday Photos: East Side Deconstruction
Friday Photos

East Side Deconstruction

Building at 1840 N. Farwell Ave. coming down for 13-floor apartment building.

Plenty of Horne: 10-Story Apartment Building Planned for East Side
Plenty of Horne

10-Story Apartment Building Planned for East Side

140-unit, $35 million apartment project proposed for former Boy's Club site, neighbors react

Mayor Barrett’s 2017 Executive Budget Address
Press Release

Mayor Barrett’s 2017 Executive Budget Address

As Delivered

House Confidential: The Whitnall House
House Confidential

The Whitnall House

One of handful of Pre-Civil War homes in City, was birthplace of the "Father of Milwaukee Parks System."

Plenty of Horne: Black Cat Mural Alley Opens
Plenty of Horne

Black Cat Mural Alley Opens

Sometimes the best public art is hidden from view.

City of Milwaukee Announces An Organics Collection Pilot Program
Press Release

City of Milwaukee Announces An Organics Collection Pilot Program

Residents in selected Milwaukee neighborhoods encouraged to participate

Plenty of Horne: Sage on Prospect Opens
Plenty of Horne

Sage on Prospect Opens

Nearly all 34 units leased in the first month. Building on track for LEED Platinum designation.

Eyes on Milwaukee: The Contour is Coming to Prospect
Eyes on Milwaukee

The Contour is Coming to Prospect

Construction will start in next 60 days on East Side apartment building.

House Confidential: An “Extraordinary” Frank Lloyd Wright
House Confidential

An “Extraordinary” Frank Lloyd Wright

Terrace Ave. home cost Manpower exec Robert Elsner $37,000 in 1955, now worth $750,000.

Friday Photos: Brady Street’s Keystone Apartments
Friday Photos

Brady Street’s Keystone Apartments

Work is underway on new, four-floor, 22-unit complex that will the anchor the busy street.

House Confidential: The Fabulous Gustave Pabst Mansion
House Confidential

The Fabulous Gustave Pabst Mansion

Built in 1907 and later divided into four units, one of its renters is custard king Karl Kopp.

Bar Exam: Club Brady Has 130-Year History
Bar Exam

Club Brady Has 130-Year History

There's been a tavern in odd trapezoidal building since 1885. Blame it on the lake.

Edgar Lin Endorsed by Two Leading Milwaukee Newspapers
Press Release

Edgar Lin Endorsed by Two Leading Milwaukee Newspapers

Leading Challenger in 16th AD Race Continue to Rack up Endorsements

Eyes on Milwaukee: Black Husky Brewing Opens
Eyes on Milwaukee

Black Husky Brewing Opens

See inside the new Riverwest brewery.

Mandela Barnes Announces Key Community Endorsements
Press Release

Mandela Barnes Announces Key Community Endorsements

Key Community Leaders and More Progressive Organizations Endorse New Leadership They Can Count On

Edgar Lin Announces Major Endorsements
Press Release

Edgar Lin Announces Major Endorsements

Local Unions, Community Organizations and Community Leaders Express Support for Leading Challenger in 16th AD Race

Eyes on Milwaukee: Rocky Marcoux Keeps His Job
Eyes on Milwaukee

Rocky Marcoux Keeps His Job

In a dramatic turnabout, the once-dead DCD head gains 11 of 15 council member votes.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Council Kills Prospect Ave High Rise
Eyes on Milwaukee

Council Kills Prospect Ave High Rise

Impressive 27-story, $55 million project is dead, due to opposition of neighbors.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Committee Again Says Yes to Rocky
Eyes on Milwaukee

Committee Again Says Yes to Rocky

DCD head Rocky Marcoux once again endorsed at committee, but his fate is still uncertain.

Eyes on Milwaukee: City Committee Approves Prospect Tower
Eyes on Milwaukee

City Committee Approves Prospect Tower

5-0 vote in favor, but project may face significant challenge before full council.

Outrage at ambush of MPD officer & other police shootings
Press Release

Outrage at ambush of MPD officer & other police shootings

Joint Statement from All Members of the Common Council

Eyes on Milwaukee: A New Tower for Prospect Ave
Eyes on Milwaukee

A New Tower for Prospect Ave

Will the council allow a 27 floor apartment tower on Prospect Ave?

Murphy’s Law: Why Rocky Marcoux Is In Trouble
Murphy’s Law

Why Rocky Marcoux Is In Trouble

New Common Council leaders want to ax the DCD leader. But why? Few will say.

Bar Exam: TWO Is For Couples, Get It?
Bar Exam

TWO Is For Couples, Get It?

Yep, the former Riverwest tailor shop is a tavern with intimate booths for TWOsomes.

Eyes on Milwaukee: City Panel Approves Bus Rapid Transit
Eyes on Milwaukee

City Panel Approves Bus Rapid Transit

BRT line linking Downtown and Tosa moves forward, though some decry "the rush."

House Confidential: Gary Witt’s House of Rock
House Confidential

Gary Witt’s House of Rock

Actually, you'd never suspect the hip Pabst leader owns this old-style, Prospect Hill home.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Rocky Marcoux’s Job in Jeopardy
Eyes on Milwaukee

Rocky Marcoux’s Job in Jeopardy

Council majority votes no, but decision will get reconsidered. His chances look slim.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Kick-Off for Brady St. Apartment Complex
Eyes on Milwaukee

Kick-Off for Brady St. Apartment Complex

Gold sledgehammers celebrate groundbreaking for new 22-unit building.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Rocky Marcoux Wins Committee Approval
Eyes on Milwaukee

Rocky Marcoux Wins Committee Approval

DCD leader was thought to be in trouble, but city committee votes 4-0 to reconfirm.

Taking “Home” out of Home Rule
Press Release

Taking “Home” out of Home Rule

Joint Statement from All Members of the Common Council

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Taking “Home” out of Home Rule

Contribution to David Crowley of $30