Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee Meeting - April 14, 2026

On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee convened at 9:10 a.m. in Room 301-B of City Hall, Milwaukee. All five members (Ald. Bauman, Stamper, Coggs, Jackson, Spiker) were present. The committee reviewed 18 agenda items, including reappointments, an ordinance on emergency order fees, tax increment district amendments, a parking structure RFP, an apartment project update, and multiple property sale-backs. Key outcomes included recommendations for confirmation, passage, and adoption, as well as holds for further discussion.

Consent Calendar

• Reappointment of Lashawndra Vernon (File 252114) to the Bronzeville Advisory Committee: Recommended for confirmation (3-0, with Ald. Stamper and Coggs excused).
• Reappointment of Rayhainio Boynes (File 252115) to the Bronzeville Advisory Committee: Recommended for confirmation (3-0, with Ald. Stamper and Coggs excused).
• Sale-back to Estate of Robert J. Arts (File 252017) for 1330 West Euclid Avenue: Recommended for adoption (5-0).
• Sale-back to Millionaire Enterprise Group, LLC (File 252018) for 2839 North 21st Street: Recommended for adoption (5-0).
• Sale-back to Global Estates, LLC (File 252019) for 2845-47 North 27th Street: Recommended for adoption (5-0).
• Sale-back to E & K Capitol Holdings, LLC (File 252021) for 4177 North 19th Place: Recommended for adoption (5-0).
• Sale-back to E & K Capitol Holdings, LLC (File 252022) for 4516-18 West Keefe Avenue: Recommended for adoption (5-0).
• Sale-back to Michael & Viviana Resnick (File 252024) for 5262 North 50th Street: Recommended for adoption (5-0).
• Sale-back to Global Estates, LLC (File 252057) for 1408 West Concordia Avenue: Recommended for adoption (5-0).
• Sale-back to Shaunte S. Haynes (File 252058) for 3882 North Teutonia Avenue: Recommended for adoption (5-0).
• File 241553 (Cesar E. Chavez TIF District) and File 251723 (sale at 4016-A West Silver Spring Drive): Placed on file as no longer necessary (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jesse Byam-Katzman (resident of Historic Brewers Hill, 1843 North 2nd Street) testified on behalf of himself and neighboring property owners regarding the proposed sale-back of 1847 North 2nd Street (File 252059). He expressed concerns about the property's long history of code violations, fire risk, rodent issues, and the uncertainty of enforcement of the restoration agreement. He urged the committee to include strong enforcement mechanisms to ensure the property is improved or demolished if the owner fails to comply.

Discussion Items

• Item 3 – Ordinance on Emergency Order Fees (File 252103): Mike Mazmanian, Deputy Commissioner of Neighborhood Services, presented the ordinance to impose fees on landlords for the cost of posting emergency orders (e.g., no heat, no electricity). Each order requires at least three inspections. The fee aligns with existing placard posting fees. Discussion focused on fee alignment and behavior change. The committee recommended passage (3-0, with two excused).
• Item 4 – TID 68 Amendment No. 5 (File 252013): Alyssa Remington (DCD) presented the amendment to add $12 million for public infrastructure, including 29 linear feet of riverwalk at 350 South Water Street, street reconstructions (South Barclay, East Menominee, West Walker, West Bruce), high-impact paving on 11 roadways, bikeway improvements on South 2nd and Virginia Streets, specialty lighting on East Florida and South Water Streets, and $1 million for commercial corridor grants. The district's current incremental value is $75 million with annual increment of $2 million. Discussion included the status of the Railroad Swing Bridge (estimated $7-10 million removal cost, heavily contaminated, conversations ongoing). The committee recommended adoption (5-0).
• Item 5 – TID 60 Amendment No. 2 (File 252014): Lori Lutzka (DCD) presented the $2.1 million amendment for street improvements near the Milwaukee Intermodal Passenger Station, including high-impact paving on West St. Paul Avenue (13th to 16th Streets), traffic calming on St. Paul, West Michigan, and West Canal Streets, and bikeway improvements. The TID is expected to pay off by 2031. Discussion included traffic calming to address street takeovers on Canal Street, and the status of TID 74 (Century City) which is now producing positive increment after years of debt. The committee recommended adoption (5-0).
• Item 6 – Marcus Center Parking Structure RFP (File 250966): Lafayette Crump (DCD) provided an update on ongoing conversations with developers. The market is challenging, with stalled projects and financing difficulties. The committee held the item to the call of the chair (5-0) to allow further discussions and a future framework.
• Item 7 – Edison SPC Apartment Project (File 250969): Lafayette Crump updated on the privately owned site at 1005 Edison Street. The developer recently sold a Madison project at a loss, but no progress on the Milwaukee site. The construction fence remains due to a removed sidewalk. The committee considered tax foreclosure as a potential option. The item was held to the call of the chair (5-0).
• Item 16 – Sale-back of 1847 North 2nd Street (File 252059): Taken out of order. DCD (Kari Smith, Deborah McCollum-Gathing) and DNS (Jumaane Cheatham) discussed the property's history, a raze order, and a restoration agreement requiring 50% of scope by August 1, 2026, with a $7,500 escrow. The property is historically designated, complicating demolition. Alderwoman Coggs expressed support but wanted clear pathways for demolition or resale if the owner fails. Jesse Byam-Katzman testified about safety concerns. The committee held the item to the call of the chair (5-0) to allow the city attorney to amend the agreement with stronger enforcement provisions.

Key Outcomes

• Reappointments (Items 1-2): Recommended for confirmation (3-0, two excused).
• Ordinance (Item 3): Recommended for passage (3-0, two excused).
• TID Amendments (Items 4-5): Recommended for adoption (5-0 each).
• Marcus Center RFP (Item 6): Held to call of chair (5-0).
• Edison Project (Item 7): Held to call of chair (5-0).
• Sale-backs (Items 8-15): All recommended for adoption (5-0 each), except Item 16 held to call of chair (5-0).
• Files placed on file (Items 17-18): Recommended for placing on file (5-0).
• Next Steps: DCD to continue discussions on the Marcus Center site and Edison project, and to return with updates. The city attorney to draft amended language for the restoration agreement on 1847 North 2nd Street before final action.