Robert “Bob” Bauman is an alderman on the Milwaukee Common Council. He represents the city’s 4th District, which includes much of downtown.

Official Biography

Alderman Robert J. Bauman was first elected in April 2004 after a 27-year career as an attorney and businessman. A native of Chicago, Alderman Bauman received his B.A., cum laude, from Marquette University in 1974 and his J.D., cum laude, from Northwestern University School of Law in 1977.

After working five years with a major Milwaukee law firm, Alderman Bauman formed a start-up company on Milwaukee’s north side that rebuilt and remanufactured railroad passenger cars and transit equipment. After the sale of that company, he worked as a consultant to the transportation industry.

In 1990 Alderman Bauman returned to the practice of law in downtown Milwaukee specializing in commercial litigation, criminal defense, employment law and real estate. He has been an advocate for improved and expanded public transportation and improved land use planning in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin. He served as chair of the Southeast Wisconsin New Transportation Alliance; served on the Technical Advisory Committee of the East-West Corridor Study and on the Advisory Committee of the Downtown Transit Connector Study; and served as a commissioner on the Milwaukee Transportation Commission.

Alderman Bauman is also a longtime historic preservation advocate. Since 1997, he has resided in an 1888 Victorian home in the Historic Concordia Neighborhood on Milwaukee’s west side and is a member of the board of directors of Historic Concordia Neighbors, Inc.

Source

Campaign Finance Reports

2025 - January Continuing - $15,070 - 53 contributions

2020 - July Continuing - No Contributions

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Content referencing Robert Bauman

Council Pushes 60-Day Notice For Grocery Store Closings

Council Pushes 60-Day Notice For Grocery Store Closings

Ordinance would require food retailers to warn city leaders. Is it enforceable?

What Closing Four Milwaukee TIF Districts Really Means For Your Tax Bill

What Closing Four Milwaukee TIF Districts Really Means For Your Tax Bill

The end of Hilton, Midtown, Grand Avenue and Granville Station districts brings savings and a lesson in property taxes.

How Could Milwaukee Finance A Convention Headquarters Hotel?

How Could Milwaukee Finance A Convention Headquarters Hotel?

And has the Wisconsin Center District had a plan all along?

City Subsidies Proposed For Two Affordable Housing Developments

City Subsidies Proposed For Two Affordable Housing Developments

Proposals include former hospital, land owned by sausage company.

Despite Objection, Milwaukee Approves Laser Scanning Requirement

Despite Objection, Milwaukee Approves Laser Scanning Requirement

Demolishing a historic building will now require an additional step.

Council Hits Pause On Violence Prevention Pick After Grant Snub

Council Hits Pause On Violence Prevention Pick After Grant Snub

Loss of a $2 million state grant deepens doubts about Karin Tyler and the future of the new department.

City Attorney Freezes Council’s ICE Masking Legislation

City Attorney Freezes Council’s ICE Masking Legislation

Council is angry. 'This is pretty outrageous,' says alderman.

Can Milwaukee Rescue Its Failed Deconstruction Program?

Can Milwaukee Rescue Its Failed Deconstruction Program?

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

One of City’s Oldest Homes Will Be Razed, Not Relocated

One of City’s Oldest Homes Will Be Razed, Not Relocated

New apartment building will replace home once planned for relocation.

Fire Chief in Line For Huge Pay Increase Due to ‘Mistake’

Fire Chief in Line For Huge Pay Increase Due to ‘Mistake’

Council decision led to 'enormous' raise for police chief, could benefit fire chief.

Proposed Deer District, Third Ward Hotels Change Brands

Proposed Deer District, Third Ward Hotels Change Brands

Developer pledges summer construction start on first project.

Hotel Giants Blast Study Backing New Convention Hotel

Hotel Giants Blast Study Backing New Convention Hotel

Marcus and Jackson Street say a subsidized 650-room project would dilute an already weak market.

$14.1 Million Plan Targets Safer Streets In Walker’s Point, Valley, Westown

$14.1 Million Plan Targets Safer Streets In Walker’s Point, Valley, Westown

TIF funds would pay for repaving, new lighting and bike lanes in three key areas.

Downtown Snack Shop Reopens

Downtown Snack Shop Reopens

Jr's Treats returns with a shortened menu and a promise of 'delicious' additions.

Menomonee Falls Could Get More Milwaukee Water

Menomonee Falls Could Get More Milwaukee Water

And Milwaukee will get more cash.

Council Moving To Block ICE From City Property

Council Moving To Block ICE From City Property

Third piece of 'ICE Out' package gets key endorsement.

City Hall: Mayor Signs ‘Sanctuary City’ Resolution, With Key Caveat
City Hall

Mayor Signs ‘Sanctuary City’ Resolution, With Key Caveat

Will Trump administration label Milwaukee a 'sanctuary city'?

The Clause in Milwaukee’s ICE Package That Could Trigger ‘Sanctuary City’ Label
City Will Test Pothole Detection Technology

City Will Test Pothole Detection Technology

A boon for personal injury attorneys? Our approach will limit liability, says official.

Council Opposes We Energies Data Center Plan

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Ald. Dimitrijevic says proposal could leave ratepayers on the hook for new power plants.

Did Milwaukee Just Make Itself A Sanctuary City?

Did Milwaukee Just Make Itself A Sanctuary City?

City Attorney warns of Trump Adm. reaction as council passes 'ICE Out' proposal.

Manufacturer Plans Facility on 27th Street

Manufacturer Plans Facility on 27th Street

Big idea, with connection to high-end retailers, would launch in small building.

Milwaukee Could Require Laser Scanning Before Historic Building Demolition

Milwaukee Could Require Laser Scanning Before Historic Building Demolition

Long simmering idea intended to aid research, restoration.

Cafe With Healthy Options Proposed For Center Street

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Proposal calls for renovating vacant, city-owned building.

Convention Center Partner Says Hotel Study Findings Were Fixed

Convention Center Partner Says Hotel Study Findings Were Fixed

CEO accuses Wisconsin Center District of steering $145,000 study toward one outcome.

City Hall: Downtown Parking Building’s Collapse Leads to Oversight Plan
City Hall

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?

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

Milwaukee Loves Peter Feigin

Milwaukee Loves Peter Feigin

Outgoing Bucks leader, replaced by the team, showered with praise by community, given rare 'key to the city.'

Is Demolishing High Life Theatre A Good Idea? Even Consultant Won’t Say

Is Demolishing High Life Theatre A Good Idea? Even Consultant Won’t Say

More questions than answers as 'highest and best use committee' starts its work.

Council Announces ‘ICE Out Milwaukee’ Plan

Council Announces ‘ICE Out Milwaukee’ Plan

Seeking to use 'every single city resource' to oppose possible ICE surge in Milwaukee.

Mayor Sidesteps Another Controversial Historic Designation

Mayor Sidesteps Another Controversial Historic Designation

Property owner objected to designating East Side properties.

Inside the Police Report on Marty Brooks’ Alleged Pinch of José Pérez

Inside the Police Report on Marty Brooks’ Alleged Pinch of José Pérez

Newly obtained report reveals recorded call, witness statements and why prosecutors closed the sexual assault case without charges.

One of Milwaukee’s Oldest Houses Could Be Moved

One of Milwaukee’s Oldest Houses Could Be Moved

Plus: Walker's Point factory coming down.

Property Owner Losing Historic Preservation Battle

Property Owner Losing Historic Preservation Battle

Scott Lurie can't convince the city his East Side properties aren't historic.

City Reveals $30 Million Plan For 35th Street Purchase

City Reveals $30 Million Plan For 35th Street Purchase

Proposed redevelopment plan gets plenty of questions from alders.

City Hall: Milwaukee Finds Young Users For Abandoned Motorcycles
City Hall

Milwaukee Finds Young Users For Abandoned Motorcycles

Youth program will use abandoned dirt bikes, motorcycles for training.

Convention Hotel, Theater Demolition Plan Gets Cold Reception

Convention Hotel, Theater Demolition Plan Gets Cold Reception

Skepticism about viability, quality of report.

Report Suggests Demolishing Historic Building For Convention Center Hotel

Report Suggests Demolishing Historic Building For Convention Center Hotel

Wisconsin Center District could reshape its campus, attract more events with large hotel.

Will Legal Concerns Kill City’s Pothole-Detection Technology?

Will Legal Concerns Kill City’s Pothole-Detection Technology?

Building a database of potholes could be a bad idea, warns alderman.

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

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

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

Church Is Historic, Commission Rules, Though Developer Objects

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Neighbors back designation for unique 1880s church. Will council approve?

Milwaukee Cracks Down on 28,000 Illegal Parkers

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Threatening to tow any car whose owner has five or more unpaid tickets.

Should The City of Milwaukee Shovel Your Sidewalk?

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One alderman wants to at least see the option offered.

Milwaukee Paid $10 Million in Policing Settlements in 2025

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

Murphy’s Law: Wisconsin Has Third Highest Hike in Winter Heating Bills
Murphy’s Law

Wisconsin Has Third Highest Hike in Winter Heating Bills

So says new study. Public Service Commission doesn’t know.

Buyer Revealed For Potentially Historic Church

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Plus: Who can apply to demolish your house?

Name, Operator Revealed For New Luxury Hotel

Name, Operator Revealed For New Luxury Hotel

New life and amenities for old University Club. But what about the canopy?

Milwaukee Modernism Gains National Awards

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But many of city's buildings from that era lack historic protection.

New Plan To Save Building Literally Falling Apart

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Real estate investor has made a cottage industry of saving blighted buildings.

Aging TIF Districts Will Fund City’s Affordable Housing Efforts

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Expiring TIFs for decades-old redevelopment efforts will end by funding housing.

Murphy’s Law: Milwaukee Mayor’s Power in Decline?
Murphy’s Law

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Council grabbing more power, overriding nearly every veto by Mayor Johnson.

City Plan For Marcus Parking Structure Repairs Falling Apart

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Financial data is murky. 'More unanswered questions than answers,' says comptroller.

Mayor Declines to Sign Historic Preservation for Arena, Auditorium

Mayor Declines to Sign Historic Preservation for Arena, Auditorium

Facing unanimous council vote, Johnson punts on the issue.

City Suspends Downtown Nightclub

City Suspends Downtown Nightclub

Several fights, 500 fake IDs and many underage patrons at 'lucrative' bar.

City Reveals New Plan For ‘Landmark’ Downtown Site

City Reveals New Plan For ‘Landmark’ Downtown Site

After dropping developer, city hoping to find replacement 'in six months.'

Marcus Center Problem Has Been 40 Years in the Making

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City being asked to fund repairs to structure it doesn't own.

Council Committee Says Milwaukee Theater, Arena Are Historic

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Decision could affect Wisconsin Center District, whose leader fiercely opposed it.

Little-Known Federal Tribal Program Saving Milwaukee Taxpayers Millions

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Could it also be used to pay for streetcar expansion?

City Ditches $700 Million Plan, Wants New Developer For Marcus Center Garage

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Prior developer encountered financial issues.

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

Bar Exam: Your Office Is New and Truly Unique
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Tons of office memorabilia and jokes, reasonably-priced drinks and food.

Luxury Tower Developer Hit With Liens, Nonpayment Claims

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The tower crane is gone, and $14 million in legal challenges are coming.

Back in the News: Key Streetcar Opponent Opposes Effort to Shut It Down
Back in the News

Key Streetcar Opponent Opposes Effort to Shut It Down

‘It’s now a $250 million city asset. You don’t throw that away.’

Council Marks Up Mayor’s 2026 Budget, Adds Services, Pay Raises

Council Marks Up Mayor’s 2026 Budget, Adds Services, Pay Raises

Proposal now subject to Cavalier Johnson's veto pen.

Historic Designations For Milwaukee Auditorium, Arena Is Strategic Move

Historic Designations For Milwaukee Auditorium, Arena Is Strategic Move

Aiming to slow redevelopment? It's all about 'transparency' says Ald. Bob Bauman.

City Closes ELMNT Lounge

City Closes ELMNT Lounge

After 7 years in business Common Council revoke its license, but club plans court challenge.

Huge Tower Crane Removed From Neutral Edison Site

Huge Tower Crane Removed From Neutral Edison Site

'Temporary pause' to 31-story, mass-timber tower project may last longer.

Milwaukee Aims To Build ‘Missing Middle’ Housing in 2026

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But alderman is skeptical of timing and wants to reduce funding.

Alderman, State Allies Seek Federal Help to Kill the Streetcar

Alderman, State Allies Seek Federal Help to Kill the Streetcar

Ald. Spiker makes a federal case out of stopping The Hop.

Committee Recommends Closing ELMNT Lounge

Committee Recommends Closing ELMNT Lounge

Milwaukee Common Council will take a final vote next month.

One Alderman’s Quest To Defund The Streetcar

One Alderman’s Quest To Defund The Streetcar

Ald. Scott Spiker wants city to hop off The Hop.

Milwaukee Changing How It Deals With Habitual Parking Offenders

Milwaukee Changing How It Deals With Habitual Parking Offenders

Those with five or more tickets will receive new treatment from the city.

Compromise Sought on Bay View Historic District

Compromise Sought on Bay View Historic District

Initial proposer shifts to opposition.

What’s The Story With The Halted High Rise?

What’s The Story With The Halted High Rise?

Commissioner hints DCD could subsidize it. Area alderman believes it's dead. Marcus Center caught in middle.

Milwaukee Again Exploring Third Drop-Off Center

Milwaukee Again Exploring Third Drop-Off Center

But will it be able to find a location?

Council Will Debate New Plan To Sell Parking Structure

Council Will Debate New Plan To Sell Parking Structure

Alderman introduces proposal following construction stalling on neighboring tower.

Police Ask Council To Close Downtown Nightclub

Police Ask Council To Close Downtown Nightclub

Formal revocation filing triggers high-stakes hearing.

Is City Prepared For National Avenue Disruption?

Is City Prepared For National Avenue Disruption?

Multi-year reconstruction project could hurt businesses. What's the strategy?

Despite Its Passage, ‘Growing MKE’ Still Not A Done Deal

Despite Its Passage, ‘Growing MKE’ Still Not A Done Deal

Tensions reemerge as zoning changes proposed. 'That's how a frog is boiled.'

Property Owners Divided Over West Side Historic District

Property Owners Divided Over West Side Historic District

James Dieter's proposal will either save the neighborhood or destroy it.

Milwaukee’s Largest Neon Sign Will Be Replaced

Milwaukee’s Largest Neon Sign Will Be Replaced

But not without objection from some preservation experts.

Bay View Historic District Faces Pivotal Vote

Bay View Historic District Faces Pivotal Vote

The homes are unique, the history notable, but alders are lukewarm.

Downtown Dog Park Opens

Downtown Dog Park Opens

23,000-square-foot park is first of its kind, part of larger riverwalk redevelopment.

Mayor Touts Changes To Address Water Street Violence

Mayor Touts Changes To Address Water Street Violence

Mobile booking facility, drones and more.

City Hall: Police Want To Shutter Downtown Nightclub
City Hall

Police Want To Shutter Downtown Nightclub

Investigations link 25% of recent downtown violence to just one club.

City Hall: Alders Support Sprinkler Subsidies
City Hall

Alders Support Sprinkler Subsidies

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

City Hall: Council, Mayor Clash Over Parking
City Hall

Council, Mayor Clash Over Parking

A stinging defeat for mayor, a win for Bauman, and Westmoreland issue ends quietly.

100 East Proposal Triggers Questions on New TIF Guidelines

100 East Proposal Triggers Questions on New TIF Guidelines

Council gets in the weeds on deal to redevelop state's third tallest building.

Downtown Dog Park Announces Opening Date

Downtown Dog Park Announces Opening Date

'Yappy Hour' will launch dog park, which will then be open daily.

Everyone Agrees, Let’s Delay Affordable Housing Proposal

Everyone Agrees, Let’s Delay Affordable Housing Proposal

Ald. Larresa Taylor still negotiating changes in controversial proposal.

Council Bounces Trampoline Rules

Council Bounces Trampoline Rules

How much regulation is too much?

Council Adopts Growing MKE Plan

Council Adopts Growing MKE Plan

Now known as 'Housing Element,' plan aims to fight off gentrification, create 'missing middle' housing.

After Lengthy Debate, Council Legalizes Carriage Homes

After Lengthy Debate, Council Legalizes Carriage Homes

Did Milwaukee just eliminate single-family zoning?

Council Split On Cudahy Farms Proposal

Council Split On Cudahy Farms Proposal

Area Alderwoman Larresa Taylor opposes plan backed by Mayor, DCD.

MKE County: Supervisors Rip EV Chargers in Parks
MKE County

Supervisors Rip EV Chargers in Parks

Supervisors echo criticism from Common Council members.

Housing Plan Wins Key Council Committee Endorsement

Housing Plan Wins Key Council Committee Endorsement

Revised 'Growing MKE' is not perfect, but council should still adopt it say sponsors.

City Hall: Public EV Charging Plan Faces Trump Opposition, Council Concerns
City Hall

Public EV Charging Plan Faces Trump Opposition, Council Concerns

'I'd cut this program if I was the federal government,' said one alderman.

New Business Proposed For Allure MKE Space

New Business Proposed For Allure MKE Space

Mosaic International Bistro + Social would replace Jefferson St. nightclub.

Milwaukee Proposes Subsidy For Downtown Office Tower Conversion

Milwaukee Proposes Subsidy For Downtown Office Tower Conversion

King Drive development would also be aided by city subsidy.

‘Cream of the Cream City’ Honors Creme de la Creme Preservation Projects

‘Cream of the Cream City’ Honors Creme de la Creme Preservation Projects

Preservation projects big and small recognized for their contribution to Milwaukee's built environment.

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