The RiverWalk is a partnership between riverfront property owners and the City. In exchange for permanent public access along the river, the City provides financial assistance for the construction of private RiverWalk improvements.

Since 1994, public-private cost sharing has facilitated construction of more than 12,000 linear feet of RiverWalk segments, with an average public contribution of 70 percent of the cost of construction.

To create a predictable and equitable development process, the City adopted a formal policy in October 2006 that defines the City’s cost sharing formula for all future RiverWalk segments in which City funds are utilized. Read the resolution adopting the policy 

The RiverWalk funding policy states that when the City provides funds for a portion of the construction of RiverWalk segments on private property, the City’s cost share shall be established at 70 percent of RiverWalk construction costs up to $2,000 per linear foot and 50 percent of the dock wall costs up to $800 per linear foot (adjusted annually based on the industry index, using 2006 as the Base Year).

 In return for public financial assistance, the City of Milwaukee receives a permanent public access easement along the surface of the RiverWalk.

To date, the city has funded its portion of RiverWalk costs through a former Capitol RiverWalk Development Fund, the Department of City Development (DCD) Development Fund and five Tax Incremental Financing Districts (TIDs 22, 34, 41, 48, and 56).