Whether you’ve walked through The Grand Avenue, taken a tour of the Harley Davidson Museum or driven past the Library Hill apartments, you are bearing witness to projects that have come to fruition through the hard work of the Milwaukee Development Corporation (MDC). MDC has transformed Milwaukee’s landscape for over 50 years through catalytic real estate projects that foster a vibrant, inclusive, growing and sustainable community. Today, this not-for-profit civic developer is the operating entity for the Milwaukee 7 Regional Economic Development Partnership and a proud affiliate of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC).
Over five decades of growth
In 1973, 46 leading Milwaukee businesses joined forces to support the revitalization of downtown Milwaukee; the beginning of what was initially dubbed the Milwaukee Redevelopment Corporation (MRC). MRC began by stabilizing the retail district west of the Milwaukee River. Hyatt Regency, Henry Reuss Federal Plaza and The Grand Avenue are evidence of this $150 million venture.
In 2004, MRC changed to its current name, the Milwaukee Development Corporation, announced its affiliation with MMAC and expanded its geographic mission to include the greater Milwaukee community. This was also the year Patrick O’Brien began his role as MDC president.
“MDC supports projects that would not otherwise get off the ground. I enjoy collaborating with an experienced board of directors, who are united by the shared vision of driving positive change in our community,” said O’Brien.
In 2013, MDC formed the Milwaukee Urban Strategic Investment Corporation (MUSIC) upon acquiring additional capital through a residential project that could be reinvested into the community. MUSIC empowers communities to thrive by investing in real estate and other mission related projects that address the roots of urban decline.
Today, MDC/MUSIC focuses the majority of its efforts on low-income housing in disadvantaged communities throughout the city of Milwaukee, while also considering place-based development opportunities across the M7 region.
“MDC looks forward to continuing its role as the community’s business-led developer, creating spaces where all Milwaukee residents can thrive,” said O’Brien.