About Historic Downer Avenue
Business Improvement District #41
Historic Downer Avenue is one of Milwaukee’s most popular East Side business districts known for its great dining, shopping, movies, and annual events. The sophisticated but welcoming district is adjacent to quiet, residential neighborhoods to the east and west. The commercial corridor itself is about two-blocks long, consisting of mixed-use buildings that are home to a variety of specialty shops including a grocery and fine wine store, casual restaurants, an independent bookstore, a hardware store, and a movie theater which recently celebrated its 100th birthday.
Currently, Downer Avenue hosts two major events per year including the Downer Classic Bike Races in June and Haunted Halloween in October!
What is a BID?
A Business Improvement District (BID) is a defined area within which businesses are required to pay a special assessment on their property tax in order to fund projects within the district’s boundaries. Projects include activities such as cleaning, lighting, events, making capital improvements, streetscape enhancements, and marketing the area.
Our BID Boundaries
The boundaries of the Historic Downer Avenue Business District, BID#41, include N. Downer Avenue, between E. Webster Pl. on the south and E. Park Place on the north, including the address range of 2551 to 2651 N. Downer Avenue on the west side and the address range of 2608 to 2650 on the east side. 2525 E. Belleview Pl, at the intersection of Belleview Pl. and Downer Ave is included in the Downer Avenue BID Boundaries.
2015 Downer Streetscape Project, historic images
Historic Downer Avenue BID Board Meetings are held the 4th Wednesday of each month at 8:30am at Canela Cafe. The meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
Board of Directors:
Jeff Bentoff
Bentoff Communications
Kurt Benzel
Shorewest
Michael DeMichele – President
DeMichele Company
Isaac Godin
Breadsmith
Daniel Goldin
Boswell Books
Thomas Johnston
Resident
Kevin McElroy
Robert Laurence Salon
Michael O’Connor – Vice President
Dominion Properties
Staff
Janet Henning
Executive Director
Discover Downer
Historic Downer Avenue is one of Milwaukee’s most popular East Side business districts known for its great dining, shopping, movies, and annual events.