Contact: Jeff Fleming, 414-286-8580
For release: Thursday, May 29, 2025

Statement from Mayor Cavalier Johnson Regarding WCD Agreement

“Today should have been a day to celebrate the City of Milwaukee moving one step closer to receiving a net revenue of over $26 million in a restructured services and benefits agreement with the Wisconsin Center District (WCD). After over a year of negotiations with representatives from my Administration, the City Comptroller’s Office and WCD, our teams were able to reach a new agreement that undoes a 2020 agreement that may not produce a single dollar of new revenue.

Instead, the Chair of Finance & Personnel decided to not schedule a hearing for today, citing unanswered questions. The problem is, the agreement was first provided to every Common Council member over a month ago, and every question a Council member has asked has been answered through multiple in-person meetings, emails and phone calls. Any additional questions should be heard at a public hearing. That is how democracy works.   

More problematically, the Common Council adopted a process to appoint an alder representative to the negotiations, and I welcomed that participation. That representative refused to join a single internal planning meeting or any of the multiple in-person negotiations. Now, over $26 million to support core city services are at stake.

I want to thank the Wisconsin Center District for negotiating in good faith. I also want to thank the many Common Council members who asked probative questions and provided valuable feedback to make this a stronger deal. But there is nothing to celebrate, yet.

There is a simple approach that will benefit Milwaukee residents. I am calling on the Chair of Finance & Personnel to schedule this agreement for the next meeting of the committee, and for the full Common Council to adopt it.”

Additional Statement by Representative Kalan Haywood (WCD Board Member):

“I appreciate all parties involved for bringing forward an agreement that offers Milwaukee long-term economic certainty. The new revenue this deal generates can be used to improve the quality of life for all Milwaukee residents. I respect the Common Council’s desire to fully evaluate the agreement. The reality is that every day of delay is another missed opportunity to deliver meaningful impact for our city. I strongly urge the Council to move this deal forward and deliver for Milwaukee.”