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.
Content referencing Robert Bauman - Page 13
A Week of Ground-Breaking News
Announcement of Johnson Controls' 50-story lakefront tower is week's biggest development.
Jan 26th, 2015 by Dave Reid
Streetcar Responses Shows Wide Support
Eleven out of 15 aldermanic districts, and 76 percent of all respondents support the proposed streetcar starter system.
Jan 22nd, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
Streetcar Approved, but Held
Large majority votes to approve streetcar, but parliamentary maneuver puts issue on hold until February 10th meeting.
Jan 21st, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
Streetcar Backers Say They Have the Votes
Aldermen Witkowski and Perez now favor it, and touted plan to extend the line into their south-side districts.
Jan 20th, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
Who Will Replace Paul Jakubovich?
Ald. Bauman is pushing for prompt action to replace the longtime historic preservation head, who died last month.
Jan 20th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Who Is Funding the Anti-Streetcar Effort?
Ald. Bauman and others are certain that dark money is pouring in for this, which streetcar opponents deny.
Jan 20th, 2015 by Bruce Murphy
Will Anti-Streetcar Referendum Succeed?
The process is far more complicated legally than has been reported. Which will make it harder for opponents.
Jan 9th, 2015 by Bruce Murphy
The Legacy of Paul Jakubovich
The City’s Historic Preservation Officer had an unmatched knowledge of and commitment to the preservation of historic buildings.
Dec 31st, 2014 by Michael Horne
Council Delays Streetcar Until January
Minority of aldermen were able to use city charter provision to delay project for one month, but a majority seems poised to approve it.
Dec 16th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
Committee Takes No Action on Streetcar
Public Works Committee votes to send streetcar proposal to full council, setting up a showdown Dec. 16th.
Dec 10th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
Committee Approves Milwaukee Streetcar
Mayor offers historic address to council committee on streetcar and it gains their approval. Only one person speaks in opposition.
Dec 9th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
The Bizarre Politics of Ald. Tony Zielinski
Once a hard core conservative, he’s now a Bay View liberal. Except when opposing things like the streetcar.
Dec 4th, 2014 by Bruce Murphy
Mitchell Leather Building Seeks Historic Tax Credits
But most of Third Ward architectural review board meeting debates handicapped access ramp for Martin Building.
Nov 29th, 2014 by Michael Horne
How to Sell the Streetcar
Ald. Bob Bauman says mayor’s sales pitch lacks vision.
Nov 28th, 2014 by Michael Horne
Next Stops For The Streetcar
The devil is in the details of tax incremental financing and various meetings and approvals needed before construction begins.
Nov 24th, 2014 by Michael Horne
Barrett Moving Forward With Streetcar
If Common Council approves at December 16 meeting, construction would start in late 2015, and Milwaukee would follow in footsteps of many other cities.
Nov 18th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
New Apartments Planned for Third Ward
Building which once housed Northwestern Coffee Mills will be renovated to include 15 urban apartments and two retail spaces.
Nov 13th, 2014 by Michael Horne
Conference Touts Historic Preservation
Conference at We Energies offers experts touting the huge environmental payoff for historic reuse of buildings.
Oct 31st, 2014 by Michael Horne
County Supervisor Candidate Charlie Fox’s Historic Home
If Fox is to become the model for future supervisors of a "gentleman politician," he has the perfectly pedigreed home to go with such a title.
Oct 20th, 2014 by Michael Horne
Condos Will Replace Third Ward Leather Factory
And Ald. Bauman's tough style of running Third Ward architectural review board.
Oct 10th, 2014 by Michael Horne
New Apartment Building Approved at Pabst
Florida developer willing to undertake a project that no local developers will. The result will be 118 market-rate apartments, with no city financing.
Oct 8th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
700 E. Kilbourn High-Rise Wins Key Approval
Proposed high-rise would add up to 275 "ultra luxury" apartments to downtown Milwaukee -- with no public financing.
Oct 7th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
MIAD Apartments Changes Irk Bauman, Who Demands Fix
A planned community gathering space instead becomes an underwhelming staircase.
Sep 11th, 2014 by Michael Horne
City Leaders Plot New Urban Placemaking Effort
With some creative use of grant money, the Greater Milwaukee Committee is helping neighborhoods update their image by ‘Urban Placemaking’
Sep 9th, 2014 by Michael Horne
The Unbearable Loudness of Harley Hogs
Why are they allowed to violate noise ordinances? No one seems to know.
Sep 2nd, 2014 by Bruce Murphy
MIAD Opens New Residence Hall, Celebrates 40 Years
Half-birthday bash, half-ribbon cutting, the ceremony unveiled MIAD's new six-story, Third Ward building.
Aug 27th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
Is Iron Block the Finest Historic Restoration Ever Done?
City officials are wowed at ribbon cutting ceremony.
Jul 29th, 2014 by Mac Writt
Media Thrilled, Donovan Will Run for Mayor!
Colorful, combative foe of Mayor Barrett will oppose him in 2016, which means far more fun for reporters covering the race.
Jul 29th, 2014 by Bruce Murphy
Uber and Lyft Legalized in Milwaukee
Taxis for anyone who wants to drive one. Uber and Lyft are legal. And someone will probably sue the city to stop this.
Jul 22nd, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
Will Uber Bring Cheaper Rides?
As ride sharing service slashes rates, Milwaukee Common Council mulls changes in rules.
Jul 14th, 2014 by Bruce Murphy
New York Discovers Our Sinking City
City Hall, Milwaukee Rep and Mitchell buildings are sinking. Is Deep Tunnel the culprit? The Times is not sure.
Jul 8th, 2014 by Michael Horne
The Hotel That Isn’t There
The downtown Marriott made so many compromises in design there's barely any left.
Jun 16th, 2014 by Tom Bamberger
Finally, a New Park East Plan
Ten years later, the city and county are finally on the same page. Is development in the area ready to "explode"?
Jun 10th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
Marcus Prize-Winner’s New Installation Unveiled
Tokyo-based architect Sou Fujimoto gets the $100,000 Marcus Prize and works with students to create a temporary installation at Prospect and Ogden.
May 9th, 2014 by Michael Horne
Who Will Be Streetcar Operator?
The city? A private company? The downtown BID? Maybe Ald. Bauman? No one really knows.
May 8th, 2014 by Michael Horne
Riverfront Apartments Approved
The 216,906 square foot, 133-unit, mixed-use, retail and apartment building will have splendid views of the river.
Apr 23rd, 2014 by Michael Horne
Let Them Take Taxis…or Uber or Lyft
City may lift cap on cabs and embrace upstart ride sharing services. There will be rides for everyone!
Apr 22nd, 2014 by Bruce Murphy
We Hate This Boston Store Subsidy!
Common Council members all complain about the TIF for Boston Store, then pass it 11-3.
Apr 3rd, 2014 by Dave Reid
The House of Hank the Dog
The Brewer's canine mascot has a nine-room Whitefish Bay home and 10,000 square foot lot to roam in, all worth $570,000.
Mar 24th, 2014 by Michael Horne
Taxi Cab Lottery Has Light Turnout
Though there were 1,706 applications for 100 new licenses, only about 200 showed up for the lottery. But the show must go on! -- and did.
Mar 17th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
North End Phase Gets $2 Million in Funding
And the Pedal Tavern gets approved, with caveats, in Common Council actions.
Mar 6th, 2014 by Dave Reid
The Long Arms of Uber
The upstart ride service company could replace cab companies across the globe, some predict. How will it change our city?
Mar 4th, 2014 by Bruce Murphy
Murphy Announces New Committee Assignments
The changes aren't radical but big winner is Ald. Kovac, who becomes chair of Finance and vice-chair of Steering and Rules.
Feb 12th, 2014 by Michael Horne
Betting on the Common Council
Haven't got your fix with the Super Bowl? Gamble with friends on who will be the next council president.
Feb 2nd, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
Huge Turnout for City Birthday Party
Lots of politicians, journalists, lobbyists and others glad-handed each other and drank free beer to salute the city's 168th birthday.
Jan 31st, 2014 by Michael Horne
Can City Save Boston Store?
City subsidy will keep declining store open, but leaves controversial questions about its downtown strategy.
Jan 28th, 2014 by Bruce Murphy
Fox Point Decrees: Pedestrians Must Wear Reflective Clothing
The village with no sidewalks or street lights will require pedestrians to be visible at a distance of 500 feet.
Jan 22nd, 2014 by Michael Horne
Crystal Ball for 2014
25 predictions that are certain (well, maybe) to come true this year.
Jan 3rd, 2014 by Bruce Murphy
County Transit Applicants Sell Themselves to — Huh?– the City
Just to further mess up a murky issue, the companies' often sketchy presentations were made to a city committee, not to the county.
Dec 13th, 2013 by Jeramey Jannene
Can County Board Solve Taxicab Problem?
The board's resolution got media play, but will probably accomplish nothing.
Nov 21st, 2013 by Bruce Murphy
Will City Smooth The Way for Silk?
Silk applies to run strip club in city-owned garage across from Bradley Center.
Nov 14th, 2013 by Michael Horne
Strip Club Coming to Downtown?
City committee rules against exotic nightclub on Old World Third, then seems to open door to a location across from Bradley Center.
Nov 7th, 2013 by Dave Reid
Is an “Art Island” Possible?
Art Milwaukee’s idea to transform a RR swing bridge is intriguing but has hurdles to overcome.
Aug 12th, 2013 by Joe Kelly
Can Wisconsin Avenue Be Saved?
A city task force hopes to revive the street but the obstacles are many.
Aug 8th, 2013 by Bruce Murphy
A New Look for 27th Street
The new $10 million project on 27th and Wisconsin is nearly complete, as our photos show.
Jul 19th, 2013 by Dave Reid
“Wait, Wait, Wait”
The city’s new audio crosswalk alerts are annoying -- and potentially dangerous.
Jul 2nd, 2013 by Tom Bamberger
Bike Sharing and Permeable Pavement
City committee approves spending $100,000 on bike sharing in Walker’s Point, and the MMSD will experiment with permeable pavement.
Jun 21st, 2013 by Dave Reid
Residents Reject Freshwater Name
Contest to rename Pittsburgh Ave. to honor water institute didn't convince street's residents, who nixed Freshwater Way.
Jun 20th, 2013 by Michael Horne
$350,000 Grant Funds Art Corridors
GMC lands grant from ArtPlace America to create artistic corridors in Riverwest and Harambee and on West Wisconsin Ave.
May 20th, 2013 by Jeramey Jannene
The Mystery of Sanfelippo’s Taxicab Empire
Why is Rep. Joe Sanfelippo the registered agent for all of his brother’s many companies?
Apr 30th, 2013 by Bruce Murphy
Make Way for Wisconsin’s Largest Building!
Plan for new NML building has been expanded to make it the state's largest building.
Apr 23rd, 2013 by Dave Reid
Terrible Town for Taxis
How a city permit system enabled a cartel to dominate the taxicab business, stifling competition and providing poor service.
Apr 23rd, 2013 by Bruce Murphy
Mayor Says Streetcar is “Trojan Horse”
Streetcar will be first leg of what he hopes will be a more extensive rail system.
Apr 17th, 2013 by Michael Horne
More Taxis for Milwaukee?
Bauman's proposal would drastically increase the number of cabs, and a recent court decision makes change more likely.
Apr 17th, 2013 by Jeramey Jannene
Pabst Leader’s Salary Far Below Smiley’s
Pabst boss Gary Witt makes less than a third of what Smiley makes. Ald. Bauman questions this.
Apr 10th, 2013 by Michael Horne
Controversial Building Going Up
New office building on 27th and Wisconsin, once the center of conflict, is now a center of construction.
Mar 1st, 2013 by Urban Milwaukee
A Historic Milwaukee Celebration
Plus: A national green award for The Brewery; and bringing fruit trees to Walker's Point.
Feb 28th, 2013 by Urban Milwaukee
MU Campus Apartments Approved
Council approves zoning change for 6-floor, 80-apartment project at 14th and Wells. Latest renderings released, too.
Feb 6th, 2013 by Dave Reid
Every Politician in Town
Well, not quite, but the City's Birthday Party had a big turnout of politicians and insiders.
Feb 5th, 2013 by Michael Horne
Hines Would Reduce Fire & Police Commission Power
Council appears to back radical change, Barrett seems lukewarm.
Jan 29th, 2013 by Bruce Murphy
Northwestern Mutual Tower Advances
Proposal that's a "celebration of Downtown" sails through the city's Redevelopment Authority.
Jan 17th, 2013 by Dave Reid
Witkowiak Runs Off to Siberia
The former alderman is an obsessive marathon runner. And the city gets 2000 more trees.
Jan 10th, 2013 by Dave Reid
Quiet Company Could Build City’s Tallest Building
An examination of the who, what, where, and when of the new Northwestern Mutual office tower.
Dec 6th, 2012 by Jeramey Jannene
Bait and Switch?
One building was presented, but another is being built. Ald. Bauman's proposal will end such practices.
Oct 24th, 2012 by Dave Reid
Power Play
A city committee resists heavy lobbying and forestalls a special taxing district for Juneau Park and Cathedral Square.
Oct 14th, 2012 by Dave Reid
Ald. Bauman’s Century-Old Home
Bob Bauman's house is 119 years old, with two fireplaces and one lonely bathroom.
Oct 12th, 2012 by Michael Horne
Four More Years
The Common Council approves the reappointment of DCD Commissioner Rocky Marcoux for another term.
Sep 25th, 2012 by Dave Reid
The Saga Continues
Once again, a city committee approved -- after disagreeing -- the reappointment of DCD Commissioner Rocky Marcoux.
Sep 19th, 2012 by Dave Reid
Why Voter Fraud Is So Rare
What the experts know that the scaremongers are deliberately ignoring.
Sep 6th, 2012 by Bruce Murphy
A Really Rocky Road
Opponents succeed in delaying the reappointment of DCD Commissioner Rocky Marcoux, sending a message to Marcoux and Mayor Barrett.
Jul 25th, 2012 by Dave Reid
Not Too Rocky a Road. So Far.
DCD Commissioner Rocky Marcoux's reappointment won committee approval, but what will the full council do?
Jul 18th, 2012 by Dave Reid
New Bike Transit System?
A city committee votes to support a system of bike-sharing kiosks. Other cities have cut auto traffic this way.
Jul 13th, 2012 by Dave Reid
One More Chance for the Sydney HIH
Parliamentary procedure buys the Sydney HIH a few more days.
Jul 6th, 2012 by Dave Reid
Last Days for the Sydney Hih
Unless a savior comes along before July 6th, it truly will have been the last days for the Sydney Hih.
Jun 28th, 2012 by Dave Reid
Rocky Road
Some aldermen want to dump DCD head Rocky Marcoux, but Mayor Barrett disagrees.
Jun 26th, 2012 by Bruce Murphy
Banish the Freeway’s Gloom!
Design winners attempt to brighten the gloomy passageway between downtown Milwaukee and the Historic Third Ward.
Jun 13th, 2012 by Dave Reid
Commission Recommends Historic Designation for Sydney Hih Building, Fuse Still Lit
The Historic Preservation Commission recommended approval of interim historic designation for the Sydney Hih building, though the future of the building remains very much in doubt.
Jun 7th, 2012 by Jeramey Jannene
Did Donovan Make Bauman Soil His Pants?
Another week, another Ald. Donovan anti-streetcar press conference. Plus: will the Bucks get a new owner and new arena? And: East Side zoning changes and the return of the Downtown Trolley loop.
May 24th, 2012 by Jeramey Jannene
Bob vs Bob (Almost)
We reached out to Aldermen Bob Bauman and Bob Donovan to get their perspective on the Milwaukee Streetcar project following the press conference "debate"
May 19th, 2012 by Jeramey Jannene
Donovan vs Bauman Streetcar Press Conference
Leave it to Ald. Bob Bauman to upstage Ald. Bob Donovan at his own press conference.
May 18th, 2012 by Jeramey Jannene
Tour the Talgo Trains You Might Never Ride
Downtown block parties are coming, use of bike racks on MCTS buses doubles year-over-year, explore the Historic Concordia neighborhood with HMI, UWM gets a zoning change, The Moderne is meeting hiring requirements, and kids can ride free on the Amtrak Hiawatha this summer.
May 17th, 2012 by Jeramey Jannene
After Revisions Office Building Approved for 27th and Wisconsin
WIS27 LLC's proposal to develop a 64,000 SF office building at the corner of 27th Street and Wisconsin Avenue was approved by the Milwaukee Common Council today. WIS27 will purchase the vacant lot from the city for $1, and intends to lease the new building to the State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.
Apr 17th, 2012 by Dave Reid
Future of Transit Discussion at the top of the US Bank Center
If you care about transit in Milwaukee, or if you simply want the best view of the city available, come to the 40th floor of the US Bank Center next Monday night, April 16th from 5:30 until 8:00 for a cocktail hour and discussion on the future of transit in Milwaukee and how we move through the city.
Apr 11th, 2012 by Jeramey Jannene
Jackson St. Apartment Proposal Approved at Zoning Committee
Back for a second time, Dermond Property Investments' request for a change in zoning for the properties 1601 N. Jackson and 522 E. Pleasant, the former Joey's Restaurant location, from Local Business (LB2) to a Detailed Planned Development (DPD) was once again in front of the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee.
Apr 5th, 2012 by Dave Reid
Hines for Mayor, Coggs for Life, Thomas for 34%, and More City Politics
Welcome to the seventh installment of Eyes on Milwaukee. This week the focus is all on City of Milwaukee elected officials following yesterday's election. I explore the likelihood that Willie Hines runs for Mayor, how the new Common Council will resemble the old Common Council, the wide disparity in vote totals between districts, Bob Donovan winning the war, the shocking number of votes Johnny Thomas got, and Spencer Coggs' new job.
Apr 4th, 2012 by Jeramey Jannene
Are Milwaukee’s Historic Preservation Laws Too Strong or Too Weak? Yes
Are Milwaukee's historic preservation laws too strong or too weak? Should the entire ordinance be re-written, or is just a revision in order? Alderman Witkowski's proposed overhaul to Milwaukee's historic preservation ordinance sparked these very questions.
Apr 3rd, 2012 by Dave Reid
City Land Sale for East Library Redevelopment Held at Committee
At the March 27th, 2012 meeting of the Public Works Committee, the committee briefly took up the purchase agreement between the City of Milwaukee and HSI Properties, LLC, which had it been approved, would have been the next step in the city's effort redevelop the East Library site.
Mar 28th, 2012 by Dave Reid
Talgos being Mothballed, Bike Corrals Return, YP Week, and More
Welcome to the fifth installment of Eyes on Milwaukee. This week we take a look at mothballing the new Talgo trainsets for the Amtrak Hiawatha line, the return of the bike corrals, Young Professional Week, free music from the Milwaukee Public Library, and more.
Mar 21st, 2012 by Jeramey Jannene
Free Bus Rides, Moneyball and Renderings, Crime on Buses Way Down, and More
Welcome to the fourth installment of Eyes on Milwaukee. This week we take a look at free bus rides for St. Patrick's Day, the idea of applying Moneyball principles to project renderings, how Police Chief Flynn has apparently managed to cut in half the service calls originated from MCTS buses, the notion of a new union for UWM, and more.
Mar 14th, 2012 by Jeramey Jannene
Alderman Bauman’s Milwaukee Police Department – MacArthur Square Plan Worth Exploring
Alderman Bob Bauman, who represents downtown and the near west side, has put forth a proposal to relocate the Milwaukee Police Department headquarters and municipal courts to southeast corner of 27th Street and Wisconsin Avenue. As part of that proposal the MPD District 1 station would be relocated to W. Wisconsin Avenue between 6th Street and the Milwaukee River and the former MPD headquarters would be redeveloped.
Feb 15th, 2012 by Jeramey Jannene
