A downtown storefront with the letters MKE in the window.

What We Do

Core Programs and Initiatives

What we do is in our name—BID, or Business Improvement District. Whether that’s elevating experiences for residents, workers, and visitors, or enhancing our streets with more art and less litter, we put purpose and passion into our efforts.

Kids play in a park.

Placemaking and Public Art

We are reinvigorating public spaces with new events, exciting programming, and public art—all to make Downtown Milwaukee more vibrant, walkable, and welcoming.

Three people walk outside a building.

Economic Development

Twelve million square feet of office inventory, plus billions of dollars in current and proposed projects, make Downtown Milwaukee the place to be for business.

Kids line up to peek inside a Department of Public Works truck at Big Truck Day.

Events and Marketing

We love to celebrate with the community. From holiday festivals to weekday concert series, join us at the many events we coordinate throughout the year.

A member of the Homeless Outreach team in their car.

Quality-of-Life Initiatives

Through the creation of intervention teams, fundraising campaigns, and outreach programs, we have worked to assist and reduce the city’s unhoused population.

A Public Service Ambassador helps a mom and daughter at the park.

Public Service Ambassadors

Our spirit squad, walking concierges, and information gurus. Discover how this team promotes Downtown Milwaukee and works to keep it a safe, welcoming place for all.

A member of the Clean Sweep crew cleans the sidewalk.

Clean Sweep Ambassadors

They sweep. They scrub. They stop gum from ever meeting your shoe. This hardworking crew helps keep our district litter-free and sparkling clean, sunup to sundown.

A member of the landscape crew waters flowers in Milwaukee.

Landscape Crew

Over 375 planters and beds, and 75 hanging baskets brighten up the streets in our community. All thanks to these green thumbs, who rotate out arrangements every season.

A Public Service Ambassador cleans an old Milwaukee police call box.

Graffiti Removal Team

It’s not just about wiping away stubborn, unwanted markings. Graffiti removal also helps keep property values from lowering and criminal activity from rising.

About Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21

We embrace possibilities and fund initiatives to create a clean, safe, and welcoming downtown for all.

An aerial view of downtown Milwaukee during golden hour.