Northwestern Mutual unveils design of its new office tower

Northwestern Mutual unveils design of its new office tower

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It stands 32 stories high with over  one million square feet of space.Within months, Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons will begin making its mark in Milwaukee."It's a strong statement about the vitality of Milwaukee, it's a strong statement about the vitality of the economy, and it's a strong statement about their commitment both to their employees and to the community," says Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.Due to ongoing maintenance costs, the company will tear down its current east building on the corner of Cass and Mason to build the new structure.And a project like this means jobs.It will employ nearly 1,000 construction workers along with creating many new permanent jobs.

Downtown Milwaukee to get first new office building in 10 years

Downtown Milwaukee to get first new office building in 10 years

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- City leaders celebrated on Friday, September 20th, as workers poured concrete on the site of something downtown Milwaukee hasn't seen in more than a decade -- a new office building.Developer Tom Gehl, with Blue Ribbon Management, says he has no doubt the brand new office building next to The Brewery will be a huge success."When you see the beautiful design and the statement it'll make in Milwaukee, we have total confidence in the project," said Gehl.Milwaukee has plenty riding on the project as the city has invested around $27 million for site preparation, demolition, and state-of-the-art environmental design and improvements.

Mayor Barrett looks to allocate more funds to foreclosure problem

Mayor Barrett looks to allocate more funds to foreclosure problem

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- This week, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett will introduce his budget, in which he is allocating a lot more money to solve the city's foreclosure problem.Mayor Barrett is set to propose an increase nearly two times what is already being spent on the foreclosure problem in the city.

9/11 remembered at Milwaukee's War Memorial Center

9/11 remembered at Milwaukee's War Memorial Center

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- People from all walks of life came to Milwaukee's War Memorial Center on Wednesday to remember 9/11 and the lives lost on this day 12 years ago."The events of 12 years ago changed our lives forever. 12 years later, 12 years has not eased the shock and grief over the loss of life," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett."May the memory of that horrific a day strengthen us to do what we all know is the right thing to do every hour and every day," said Hannah Rosenthal of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.FBI Agent Christopher Combs saw the devastation after the attack on the Pentagon firsthand."I was there, 6 minutes after the plane hit and saw the horror and the carnage that was there," said Combs.But Combs also saw what rose out of the tragedy."It makes me think about the roles that the first responders played and how they should always be remembered," said Combs.Those first responders -- firefighters, police officers, military men and women -- were remembered in Wednesday's ceremony on Milwaukee's lakefront.

Lawmakers speak out against proposed cuts to Great Lakes funding

Lawmakers speak out against proposed cuts to Great Lakes funding

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Congress is proposing a 30% to 75% cut in funding for the Great Lakes.Milwaukee and Wisconsin leaders say both the state and city would be greatly affected, so now they are speaking out in an effort to stop the cuts from being made."I'm asking my colleagues on the House side consider the powerful economic impact the great Lakes have not only in Wisconsin, but in the region and in our entire country,” said Sen.

Mayor Barrett meets with Obama to discuss solutions to violence

Mayor Barrett meets with Obama to discuss solutions to violence

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett was one of 18 of the nation's mayors who spoke with President Barack Obama and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder about the city's violence problem.August 2013 has been one of the most violent months city of Milwaukee officials can remember.President Barack Obama asked Mayor Barrett to be one of those to help brainstorm solutions to the violence problem that is affecting cities across the nation."We are obviously in the midst of the worst month since I've been mayor when it comes to crime," Mayor Barrett said.Mayor Barrett says a group of mayors talked to President Obama about the way the federal government can help -- from changes in education to FBI enforcement and gun legislation."If we had plane crashes every week where forty people are killed, the National Transportation Safety Board would be on this problem immediately -- and what we have is a situation where people are being killed on the streets of this country between midnight and 4:00 a.m. on Friday nights on a weekly basis," Mayor Barrett said.Mayor Barrett says he plans to get together with Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn to talk about specifics -- although Mayor Barrett says he doesn't expect much help in terms of dollars.

Mayor Barrett announces proposal for 100 police officers for city

Mayor Barrett announces proposal for 100 police officers for city

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett wants to hire 100 police officers for the city of Milwaukee -- a proposal that to many, sounds great, but even Mayor Barrett admits this may not mean a bigger Milwaukee Police Department.On Tuesday night, August 20th, Mayor Barrett offered a sneak peek of his proposed 2014 budget, which will be unveiled in September, and one of the big budget items is Barrett's proposal to hire 100 police officers.Cameron Streff is one of those who believes Milwaukee needs more police officers.

City, state leaders tour Milwaukee neighborhood impacted by violence

City, state leaders tour Milwaukee neighborhood impacted by violence

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- We've seen more violence in Milwaukee this week, and a group of city leaders gathered Tuesday, August 20th for a tour of a neighborhood not far from one of the recent murders.Milwaukee Police on Tuesday were investigating four separate shooting incidents that occurred Monday night, August 20th.

City officials speak out on recent gun violence in Milwaukee

City officials speak out on recent gun violence in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee has seen a rash of violence in the last few days and on Wednesday, August 7th Mayor Tom Barrett and Police Chief Ed Flynn spoke out for the second time this week on the recent gun violence, and called on the state for help.On Wednesday, Barrett announced that he has approved $500,000 in overtime for Milwaukee police officers, and he is asking the state to match that amount."We have to have a partnership here.

Some city leaders say state is solution for Milwaukee's violence problem

Some city leaders say state is solution for Milwaukee's violence problem

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Officials, including Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Milwaukee Alderman Bob Donovan spoke out Monday following a violent weekend in the city.Police responded to at least six shootings in less than five hours on Friday, August 2nd.

Mayor Barrett signs wage increase ordinance for city workers

Mayor Barrett signs wage increase ordinance for city workers

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- On Monday, July 29th, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett signed a wage increase ordinance for city of Milwaukee employees who agree to continue living in the city.The 1.5% wage increase is the first for Milwaukee city employees in four years.In order to receive the raise, employees must agree to continue living in the city.It's the city's latest push to keep enforcing its residency requirement.During a meeting on July 23rd, the Milwaukee Common Council approved the pay raise."We as a Council felt we made some savings and it is fair after a four long years, that a 1.5% increase was necessary.

As heat and humidity continues, officials urge caution

As heat and humidity continues, officials urge caution

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A Heat Advisory is in effect for all of southeastern Wisconsin through Friday, July 19th at 7:00 p.m., and the city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County have gone on the offensive, making plans to keep people safe as the heat and humidity brought on by a high dewpoint continues.Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele on Wednesday afternoon, held a joint news conference, where they told residents to stay cool, stay hydrated and stay informed."The most important thing, if you remember nothing else, is pay attention and take care of each other.