Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 to host State of Downtown meeting addressing successes, future of Downtown Milwaukee on Oct. 1

MILWAUKEE (Sept. 19, 2024) – Downtown Milwaukee is punching well above its weight. According to a “Value of U.S. Downtowns and Center Cities” study by the International Downtown Association, Downtown Milwaukee is an established downtown providing an outsized impact to the region.

Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 will host a State of Downtown forum outlining the findings of the study on Tuesday, Oct. 1 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Baird Center, 405 W. Kilbourn Ave. Metrics from the report will be shared in a keynote address from David Downey, president and CEO of the International Downtown Association. Trends for urban centers to maximize economic prosperity will also be discussed.

The value of Downtown Milwaukee was measured by over 150 data points under five key principles – economy, inclusion, vibrancy, identity and resilience. In part, the study found Downtown Milwaukee’s median income to be above average, land values to be higher than city averages and Downtown to be home to a young and diverse group of individuals both living and working in Downtown.

“The Value of Downtown Milwaukee report confirms that the vitality of the central business district is critical to the city and region,” said Matt Dorner, economic development director for Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. “It’s essential that we continue to support the momentum taking place here.”

Following Downey’s presentation, Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 will recap its achievements from the past year and present goals from its five-year strategic plan. The forum will conclude with the presentation of the 2024 Downtown Achievement Awards, which will honor nearly 20 businesses, organizations and individuals who have made a significant impact on Downtown in the last year.

“Benchmarking the growth of Downtown Milwaukee with quantifiable data has been a major priority for our organization since its inception,” said Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. “This event is an opportunity for our team to share with stakeholders their return on investment for the quality-of-life services provided by Milwaukee Downtown.”

Milwaukee Downtown’s State of Downtown meeting is open to the public. The cost is $25 per person to attend. Registration can be completed at www.milwaukeedowntown.com/bid-events/state-downtown-2024 before Monday, Sept. 23.

2024 State of Downtown: For the Record is sponsored by Colliers and Reinhart.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.