Milwaukee appeals board revokes nuisance designation for 2809 W. Highland, upholds one at 5065 N. Hopkins

The City of Milwaukee Administrative Review Appeals Board on Feb. 13, 2026, granted an appeal by the owner of 2809 West Highland and reversed the city’s nuisance-property designation, while upholding a nuisance determination for 5065 North Hopkins.

Chair Vincent Bobbitt presided as Officer Jeremiah Lewis of the Milwaukee Police Department and department counsel described two separate incidents at 2809 West Highland in late 2025, including an October 20 assault and a November 10 attempted robbery. Officer Lewis testified that one victim was found bleeding on the building’s front stoop and that police later encountered an attempted robbery that led officers to search the property. But under cross-examination defense counsel successfully highlighted that the city had no persuasive evidence that the people who committed those incidents were owners, managers, residents, occupants, guests, patrons or employees of 2809 West Highland — categories the ordinance defines as “persons associated with the premises.”

“From the report … the perpetrator was last seen on the front steps,” Officer Jeremiah Lewis said when asked about the October incident, but he also agreed he had no evidence the assailant was a resident or operator of the building.

In closing, the city argued the pattern of violent incidents and the property’s partial vacancy supported a nuisance designation; defense counsel replied the ordinance requires proof that persons associated with the premises engaged in the proscribed activities. The board voted to grant the appeal for 2809 West Highland, reversing the nuisance designation by a 4–1 voice vote (one objection recorded).

By contrast, the board denied the appeal for 5065 North Hopkins after Officer Sheets Walker and city counsel described three separate shootings (May 10, June 9 and June 19, 2025), evidence of multiple shell casings and, in at least one incident, a homicide tied to the location or to persons who frequent the apartment complex. Defense counsel for the Hopkins property withdrew the appeal after the city presented its evidence and the board moved to deny, leaving the nuisance designation in place.

Both outcomes carry procedural consequences. For property owners, a denial of an appeal keeps the nuisance designation and related enforcement options available to the city; a successful appeal removes the designation but can be appealed by the city in circuit court. The board said written notices of decisions and appeal rights will be mailed to affected parties.

The board’s action on the two nuisance cases was the most contested business of the morning; members scheduled follow-ups and reminded city staff to provide documentation to appellants as required by statute.