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
Dahlberg Leaves City for Cincinnati Job
Did city's longtime building inspector lack the legal qualifications for the job here?
Sep 30th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Restoration Hardware to Third Ward?
Architectural Review Board creates confusion. Plus: New beats for Journal Sentinel reporters.
Sep 23rd, 2015 by Michael Horne
New Bucks Arena Approved
City completes final step of financing puzzle for new Bucks arena.
Sep 22nd, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
Bucks Sign Contract for Park East Land
Press conference with Abele celebrates award of 10 acres of county land for $1 and big dreams.
Sep 9th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Architectural Review Board for Bay View?
Ald. Zielinski has raised question and a KK Ave. BID member makes inquiries about starting ARB.
Aug 27th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Port Director Paul Vornholt’s Surprising Success
Criticized as "unqualified" and a "patronage appointment," Vornholt has pleased even his critics.
Aug 26th, 2015 by Laura Thompson
New Penthouse for Old Third Ward Building
Eppstein Uhen short of space in Headquarters; Bauman rips Summerfest traffic woes; and his challenger kicks off campaign
Aug 12th, 2015 by Michael Horne
New Center Brings Police Closer to People
Press conference celebrates opening of Near West Side Waypoint, a neighborhood center.
Aug 5th, 2015 by Jack Fennimore
Is the The Spot 4MKE A Success?
Creative Alliance Milwaukee has added life to 4th and Wisconsin, but dare we ask for more?
Jul 27th, 2015 by Jack Fennimore
How the Merrill Park Apartments Got Painted
Alderman contacts Marquette High, whose students are now repainting subsidized senior apartments.
Jul 24th, 2015 by Jack Fennimore
The Return of Pabst Brewing
The city's famed beer maker, long absent from Milwaukee, will return to the Pabst Brewery complex.
Jul 15th, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
New Apartment Complex for Brady Street
Proposed three-floor structure would offer apartments aimed at millennials plus 2,400 square feel of retail space.
Jul 9th, 2015 by Michael Horne
City Officials Act to Save Cambridge Ave. Home
Ald. Kovac sought temporary historic designation, contends too many period homes have been razed for apartment buildings.
Jul 8th, 2015 by Amanda Mickevicius
Make Your Voice Heard on Bucks Arena
Our simple, easy-to-use contact form lets you reach officials in Madison on the arena deal and frankly communicate your views.
Jun 22nd, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
Celebrating the Life of Paul Jakubovich
A host of notables gathered to salute Jakubovich and the fabulous historic architecture of Milwaukee he helped protect.
Jun 22nd, 2015 by Michael Horne
The City’s Real Costs for Bucks Arena
The exact total is unknown, but will be much higher than media has reported.
Jun 17th, 2015 by Pat Small
Common Ground Lobbying Against Bucks Arena
Community organization is pushing city, county and state representatives to oppose public funding.
Jun 16th, 2015 by Jabril Faraj
A Battle Over Historic Designation
Developer Robert Joseph wants to demolish 1880s tavern but Ald. Bauman and Third Ward board vote for historic designation, which provides protection for now.
May 27th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Will Historic Building in Third Ward Be Saved?
Third Ward review board defers decision on Historic Designation. And Milwaukee now has a Croatian sister city.
May 15th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Education and Transportation Top Concerns at Budget Forum
Democratic legislators hold listening session in Milwaukee and get an earful.
May 14th, 2015 by Jabril Faraj
Yes, Johnson Controls Wants to Build Downtown
The city will help pay for feasibility study of company building a high-rise near the lake and just west of Discovery World.
May 13th, 2015 by Dave Reid
Bay View’s Golden Age?
A proposal for five new apartment buildings in Bay View. And will At Random be razed?
May 6th, 2015 by Dave Reid
New Community Garden for West Side
Neighborhood House project near 27th and State will bring green space and healthy food to residents.
Apr 30th, 2015 by Andrea Waxman
Plans Proceed to Enhance Lakefront
An internationally unique visitors center announced for Lakeshore State Park. And the Lakefront Gateway Project proceeds.
Apr 29th, 2015 by Dave Reid
Streetcar Signing Is Quite a Celebration
The mayor, business leaders and pols toasted the streetcar in Cudahy's Irish Pub, with Michael Cudahy on hand.
Feb 13th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Milwaukee Streetcar Approved
After years of debate, streetcar will finally move forward. Final engineering will begin immediately, and construction by the end of the year.
Feb 10th, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
Horrors, Look At Those Building Vents!
East Side Architectural Review Board shudders at unapproved venting on new building at Oakland and North. Is there a solution?
Feb 4th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Crowd Celebrates City Birthday Party
Politicians, PR people and other notables schmoozed away. The best rumor was that Chief Flynn might be retiring.
Feb 2nd, 2015 by Michael Horne
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
