Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee cohousing project receives Mayor Johnson's approval
MILWAUKEE – A unique housing project planned for Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood received the public thumbs up from Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson Friday.
In front of what will eventually be the River Trail Commons cohousing development, the Mayor signed a public file advancing the project. Mayor Johnson also signed a second file authorizing the Environmental Collaboration Office to seek clean energy tax credits to support various projects like the new Martin Luther King Jr. Drive library branch in the Harambee neighborhood.
In addition to the advancement of the project, Friday’s public ceremony served as a chance for several Milwaukee city leaders to show their solidarity with the man who pushed heavily for River Trail Commons and other ideas like it: late Third District Alderman Jonathan Brostoff. The alderman died by suicide earlier this month at just 41-years-old.
Thousands gather to honor late Alderman Jonathan Brostoff
“A big part of the reason why I wanted to sign these files publicly was to honor Jonathan, and to recommit ourselves to Jonathan’s approach, was to be forward thinking,” said Mayor Johnson.
Nine of the 14 living Common Council members flanked Mayor Johnson and Alderman Brostoff’s widow Diana Vang-Brostoff during the event.
“When Jonathan took an oath of office, he decided he would work very hard to create affordable housing in the Third District. The use of this space for townhomes and condos would make him proud at accomplishing an important goal of adding diverse housing to the city,” said Vang-Brostoff.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Planned Milwaukee cohousing project gets first city approval
The cohousing project would be the first of its kind in the city, including 39 housing units at a site formerly occupied by the Milwaukee Beer Bistro and then Big Daddy’s BBQ & Soul Food near Humboldt Boulevard and Center Street. The goal of the project according to its leader, attorney Nola Hitchcock Cross, is to build a community of neighbors around sharing resources.
“We’re creating a new-old fashioned development, where everybody knows your name,” says Hitchcock Cross. “It’s got secret sauce, and the secret sauce is the community.”
As part of the community-building mission, Hitchcock Cross says the development will include a public gathering space for meals, a community garden, library, play room, workshop, guest suites, multifunction room, and outdoor lounge space. There would also be a shared electric vehicle on site.
According to Realtor.com, in July of 2024, the median listing home price in Milwaukee was 219,900 dollars, trending up 15.8% year-over-year. Of the 39 planned units, 13 will be sold at below-market prices to those who meet income restriction requirements. It’s still not known what the rate on the below-market price units will be.
Groundbreaking on River Trail Commons is anticipated sometime in 2025, with the hope of completing the development the same year.
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MILWAUKEE – The clock is ticking in the fight between ICE and Milwaukee. The federal Department of Justice gave Milwaukee until Friday to respond.
Law enforcement mask ban
The backstory:
In April, Milwaukee passed an ordinance that bans all law enforcement from wearing masks. There are exemptions for health or safety reasons. Those breaking it can face a fine of up to $10,000.
Supporters said it was part of what they called “ICE Out Milwaukee.” It was clear from debate, they were targeting immigration agents.
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The U.S. DOJ sent the mayor and city attorney a letter on July 10. It says the federal government will not comply. It tells the city to respond by this Friday, July 17, that it will not enforce the ban against federal agents.
One Milwaukee nonprofit leader critical of ICE responded to the situation.
“I look at the federal government’s threats to Milwaukee as analogous to David versus Goliath,” said Emilio De Torre of the Milwaukee Turners at Turner Hall. “David was doing the right thing in the face of of violence and oppression, and Milwaukee’s doing the right thing too. If a person is proud of what they’re doing, if they know that what they’re doing is legal and justified, then they don’t need to be a coward and hide behind a mask.”
U.S. DOJ ultimatum
What we know:
The U.S. Department of Justice letter was signed by an assistant attorney and also Brad Schimel, who leads the U.S. attorney’s office in Eastern Wisconsin.
It says the mask ordinance is unconstitutional by breaking the U.S. Constitution’s supremacy clause.
“This Mask Ban endangers federal officers and undermines federal law enforcement operations,” the letter also states. “The consequences are severe. Protecting the personal identities of federal officers and their families is especially critical in part due to the increasingly common threats of targeted harassment, tracking, interference, and assaults on federal agents for simply doing their jobs.”
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Several Milwaukee groups held a vigil and protest against ICE on Wednesday, July 15 in Burnham Park. That included Milwaukee Turners, the Milwaukee teachers’ union and Voces de la Frontera. They are criticizing recent deaths.
Portions of this article were formatted using A.I. FOX6’s Jason Calvi and an editor reviewed it for accuracy and tone prior to publishing.
The Source: Information in this story was gathered from the U.S. Department of Justice, and Emilio De Torre, the Milwaukee Turners, along with Milwaukee’s ordinance on law enforcement masks.
The City of Chicago has awarded a $3 million Community Development Grant for the redevelopment of the former Grace’s Furniture building at 2618 N. Milwaukee. Planned by Bluestar Properties and Marc Realty, the building was built in 1914 as a storage warehouse and sits within the Logan Square Boulevards District.
2618 N. MilwaukeeGoogle Maps
With K2 Studio serving as the architect, the existing structure will be converted into a four-story health club with a ground floor restaurant and cafe. Set to be known as Logan Square Athletic Club, the health club will be operated by Chicago Athletic Clubs.
The redevelopment will rehabilitate the existing brick facade along N. Milwaukee Ave while creating a new brick facade on the south elevation.
2618 N. MilwaukeeK2 Studio
The $11 million development will be supported in part by the $3 million Community Development Grant, which is funded through the city’s Housing and Economic Development bond.
According to Block Club Chicago, the project is expected to begin construction in Fall 2026 with construction expected to last for one year, with the gym set to open in late 2027.
The Holton Street Bridge nearly ready to reopen after a rehab project
The Holton Street Bridge in Milwaukee is nearly ready to reopen after a rehabilitation project. A public reopening ceremony on will take place on July 16.
A teen was shot in Milwaukee on the afternoon of July 14, and the Milwaukee Police Department is asking the public for information about the incident.
Police said a 16-year-old was shot in the 2700 block of North 44th Street around 4:23 p.m., according to a news release. The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation.
Milwaukee police are looking for unknown suspects.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Milwaukee Police Department at 414-935-7360 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS or submit a tip through the P3 Tips app.
Adrienne Davis is a general assignment and breaking news reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.
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