Milwaukee mayor wants to double funding to fight against blight

On Tuesday, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson released his $1.9 billion budget proposal for 2024 at city hall.

Part of the plan calls for more than $3 million to be spent on the demolition of 180 vacant buildings next year.

“Buildings that are set to be razed, they need to come down. So, in a proposal that I’m calling, ‘Raze and Revive,’ my budget doubles funding for demolition,” Johnson said.

Alderman Robert Bauman argued the money should be spent saving buildings, not tearing them down.

Home after home near 35th and Locust in Milwaukee sits empty.

“They’re drawing crime, unwanted rodents,” said Tony Mills, who lives nearby.

The vacant properties are boarded up with overgrown weeds and garbage littering lawns.