Economic Development

Downtown Milwaukee has seen over $3.5 billion worth of development in the last decade, with another $2.5 billion currently under construction or proposed. The city is growing at a frenetic pace, and much of that activity is on or near The Hop’s route.

This development is critical to our city’s growth. New development means more people living, working and visiting the heart of the city, which in turn means more economic activity at bars, restaurants, retail and entertainment destinations. All of that raises the city’s tax base, which produces a ripple effect that extends outwards into the neighborhoods and throughout the city.

The Hop continues to serve as a catalyst for this growth. Fixed-route transit provides a degree of certainty that has consistently proven to be an attractive asset for developers. Dating back to the Common Council’s approval of the streetcar project in 2015, we’ve seen countless development projects proposed, completed and under way along the route, from new corporate headquarters to residential and hotel construction to retro-fitting under-utilized buildings for more modern, vibrant uses.