Milwaukee Development Corporation (MDC)

Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce | Milwaukee, WI 53202
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Milwaukee Development Corporation
Founded in 1973 as the Milwaukee Redevelopment Corporation, the Milwaukee Development Corporation has served as the business community’s not-for-profit civic developer. In 2003, Milwaukee Redevelopment Corporation became an affiliate organization of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, changed its name to the Milwaukee Development Corporation (MDC) and expanded its mission to include more broad-based economic development initiatives throughout greater Milwaukee.

MDC initially provided private-sector leadership and financial support to revitalize downtown Milwaukee through the backing of 46 leading Milwaukee businesses. Its priority was stabilizing the retail district west of the Milwaukee River. The development focus was a $150 million venture that included the construction of the Hyatt Regency, the Henry Reuss Federal Plaza and the Grand Avenue.  

Today, MDC continues to initiate and promote projects that support the Milwaukee community. MDC is active in the Pettit Ice Center, 30th St. Industrial Corridor, City of Milwaukee Downtown Stakeholders, Menomonee Valley Partners, and the W. Wisconsin Avenue Task Force.

MDC has also taken on a leadership role and is the operating entity for the Milwaukee 7 Regional Economic Development Partnership. The affiliation between MMAC and MDC strengthens both organizations’ ability to respond to retention, expansion and attraction opportunities that drive economic growth for the region. >>Learn more at ChooseMilwaukee.com.
​

Current Commitments IN Real Estate

Picture
Library Hill 
Library Hill Apartments closed 2017 with 95% occupancy rates. In 2013, MDC refinanced the Library Hill project/property which provided additional capital to invest elsewhere in the community. This resulted in the formation of the Milwaukee Urban Strategic Investment Corporation (MUSIC). >>LEARN MORE about MUSIC projects and investments


Picture
Kenilworth 
The Kenilworth Building, our joint-venture project housing UWM graduate students, the UWM Peck School of the Arts and street level retail continues to perform leasing at almost full occupancy anchored by national tenants

RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECTS

MDC was granted ownership of a land parcel in the Pabst redevelopment project that has now been converted to Preservation Park and will be turned over to the local business improvement district. The park is dedicated to Milwaukee’s rich brewing history.

Board of Directors

Chairman: David Baumgarten
Old National Bank

Treasurer: Frank Krejci
Strattec Security Corp.

Secretary: Timothy Sheehy
MMAC

President: D. Patrick O’Brien
Milwaukee Development Corp.

​Steve Chernof
Godfrey & Kahn

Erica-Nicole Harris
WISPARK

Michael Hatch
Foley & Lardner

Bob Hillis
Direct Supply

John Kissinger
GRAEF

Barry Mandel
Mandel Group

Rolando Rodriguez
The Marcus Corporation

Stephen McGuire
U.S. Bank

Investors

Bank Mutual
Blue Ribbon Management
Direct Supply
Foley & Lardner
Godfrey & Kahn
GRAEF
Mandel Group
MGIC
Northwestern Mutual
Strattec
The Marcus Corporation
Zilber/Towne Realty

historical Projects

Hover over each image for more details.
The redevelopment of west Wisconsin Avenue into the Hyatt Regency, Henry Reuss Federal Plaza and Grand Avenue was a large-scale boost to revitalize the downtown landscape. Today, the Shops at Grand Avenue foster important partnerships between the business community and the City of Milwaukee. MDC was the catalyst for the project, responsible for $16 million in stockholder equity.
The MDC played a critical role in helping to free up land in the Menomonee Valley to make way for the Harley-Davidson Museum. The museum opened in 2008 and generates approximately $78 million in annual spending, plus 70 jobs.
This 11-acre, 3-block site includes 124 apartments and 64 townhouses on property - revitalizing the northeast end of downtown. MDC helped secured a tax incremental finance district for the project. The second phase introduced a grocery store and an additional 18,000-square feet of retail space.
Grand Avenue Mall, Henry Reuss Federal Plaza and Hyatt Regency
Timeframe:
​Cost:
​Developers:

​Architects: ​
1980 - Aug. 1982 
$70 million
The Rouse Company, City of Milwaukee, MDC 
Elbasani, Logan & Severin Design Group
Harley-Davidson Museum
East Pointe Commons
Timeframe:
Developer:
​Architects:
​1987-1992
Trammell Crow
Nagle Hartray & Associates, Eppstein Uhen 
MDC was a joint venture partner with the Madsen Corp. in the development of the 354-unit Yankee Hill Housing. The rental project included two apartment towers built between Jackson and Van Buren Streets north of Kilbourn Avenue.
Yankee Hill Housing
Timeframe:
Cost:
Developer:
1988
$30 million
Madsen Corp.
Milwaukee Center Theater District ​
Timeframe:
Cost:
Developers:
​Architects:
1985 – 1987
$100+ million
Trammell Crow Company
Skidmore Owings Merrill (SOM)
Direct Supply

Catalytic city-wide partnerships ​

  • Milwaukee Urban Strategic Initiative Corporation (MUSIC) 
  • Pettit National Ice Center 
  • Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee Development Corporation (WAM DC)
  • Menomonee Valley Partners 
  • Mid-West Energy Research Consortium (M-WERC) 
  • Near West Side Partners (NWSP) 

contact us

Milwaukee Development Corporation (MDC)
275 W. Wisconsin Ave., Ste. 220  |  Milwaukee, WI  53203


Picture
Pat O'Brien
President of MDC
414/287-4112

Picture
Marjorie Yoshida
Administrative Services Manager
​414/287-4126

Copyright © 2021 Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce.  All rights reserved.
275 W Wisconsin Ave., Ste. 220 | Milwaukee, WI 53203  |  Tel 414/287-4100 | Fax 414/271-7753 | info@mmac.org
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  • Membership
    • Gain visibility >
      • Advertising
      • Event Sponsorship
      • Lead generation
    • Grow & strengthen your biz >
      • Executive roundtable program >
        • Roundtable News
      • Food and beverage manufacturers
      • Focus on the Future Awards
      • Future 50 Awards >
        • Future 50 winner archive
      • Leadership Council
      • International >
        • Global Business Insights series
        • Wisconsin International Trade Conference
        • Benefits of WTA membership >
          • Join WTA now
        • WTA member directory
        • Global Pulse - eNewsletter Archive
        • WTA events
        • Volunteer leadership
      • Roundtables for high-growth companies
      • Small business >
        • Council of Small Business Executives
      • Young professionals
    • Improve the business climate
    • Invest in our community
    • Cost Savings programs >
      • Certificates of origin
      • Health insurance plan
      • Office supply discount program
    • Join now
    • Request More Information
    • Members only >
      • Member Orientation
      • Submit an event
      • Submit news about your company
      • Update email preferences
      • Promote your MMAC membership
  • Events
    • MMAC event calendar
    • Event photos >
      • 2020 Golf Outing
    • Community events calendar
    • Submit an event
    • Sponsorship
    • 2019 MMAC All Member Meeting
  • Talent Pipeline
    • Grow your talent pipeline >
      • Business tours for students
      • Career-based learning
      • Manufacturing CAREERx
      • Technology Education & Literacy in Schools (TEALS)
    • Attracting & retaining young professionals
    • Professional development
  • Equity
    • Region of Choice initiative >
      • ROC: Improve the recruitment, retention & advancement
      • ROC: Increase educational attainment & career development opportunities
      • ROC: Support wealth creation of Black & Brown businesses
      • ROC Background & Data
      • ROC FAQs
  • Advocacy
    • Miller Park economic impact study
    • Legislator voting records
    • Education recommendations >
      • Supportive policies
      • Quality schools
      • Effective Educators
      • Community engagement
    • Ranking Milwaukee County Schools
  • Economic Growth
    • Attracting & retaining businesses
    • Food & beverage cluster
    • Milwaukee Development Corp. >
      • Rebuild & Revitalize Program
    • Milwaukee EB-5 Visa program
    • Milwaukee Urban Strategic Investment Corp. (MUSIC)
    • Metro Milwaukee reports
    • Starting a business >
      • BizStarts
      • New business planning guide
  • About the Region
    • 2021 Navigate Business MKE
    • Benchmarking metro MKE
    • Business outlook survey
    • Economic Trends
    • Local media listings
    • Major employers in metro Milwaukee
    • Metro Milwaukee demographics
    • Order a publication
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