Milwaukee County announced on Mar. 24 that it has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of the soon-to-be-vacant Medical Examiner’s Office property at 933 West Highland Avenue in Downtown Milwaukee. The site, originally built in 1931 and converted for county use in 1989, will become available as the Medical Examiner’s Office moves to a new facility in Wauwatosa later this year.
The RFP is part of Milwaukee County’s efforts to support economic development by repurposing real estate assets to attract investment and job growth. According to County Executive David Crowley, “Milwaukee County boasts a strong history of supporting economic development efforts by utilizing our real estate assets to attract investments and boost job growth.” Crowley said his administration looks forward to working with developers, local businesses, and the public “to realize a new vision for this County-owned property.”
The county is seeking proposals that align with community goals, demonstrate strong architectural design and financial feasibility, prioritize equity and inclusion, and fit within the City of Milwaukee’s Downtown Area Plan. Projects featuring higher-density or affordable housing will receive priority consideration under the evaluation criteria.
A pre-proposal walkthrough at the site is scheduled for Friday, April 24 at 1:00 p.m., with proposals accepted on a rolling basis; the first deadline is May 26 at 5:00 p.m. Interested parties can access full details via countymilwaukee.bonfirehub.com.
Milwaukee County serves over 950,000 residents across its communities. The county’s educational landscape during the 2023-24 school year included Oak Creek High School as its largest school with an enrollment of over two thousand students according to data from Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Black students made up about one-third of all students enrolled in Milwaukee County schools during that period according to state data, while white students were nearly one-third as well—representing the second largest group—and Hispanic students accounted for just under one-quarter according to state records. Multiracial students comprised about five percent of enrollment while Pacific Islander students were less than one percent as reported by Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Broader implications include opportunities not only for economic growth but also potential impacts on housing diversity if prioritized projects move forward. As redevelopment plans progress through community engagement and review processes, observers will watch how future projects may shape downtown Milwaukee.
