If you take a walk along West Wisconsin Avenue, you’ll see advertisements on the bus shelters for Ald. Bob Bauman, the incumbent in the 4th District covering downtown and the near west side. Ald. Bauman is running for re-election this spring for the seat he has held since 2004.
The bus shelter ads probably don’t come as a surprise to many, as Ald. Bauman has a long record for being a leader in improving public transportation for city residents.
Bauman had a 27-year career as an attorney and businessman before being elected Alderman.
He is a former owner of a company that rebuilt and remanufactured railroad passenger cars and transit equipment.
He has also served as a consultant to the transportation industry.
Bauman has been a champion for strengthening public transportation, focusing on maintaining public safety, and revitalizing neighborhoods.
In late January, 27th Street Tobacco in the 4th Aldermanic District was shut down by city officials and the police.
A judge ordered the property a nuisance. Alderman Bauman said, “The business has created an economic dead zone, and is affecting the quality of life for those who live nearby.”
Quality of life and revitalizing neighborhoods is something that Bauman has been a strong supporter of. Bauman resides in the Historic Concordia Neighborhood near 29th and Kilbourn and since being elected, he has been the voice of combating crime and driving economic development in the neighborhood.
In 2014, Ald. Bauman participated in the grand opening of Daddy’s Soul Food & Grille, at 754 N. 27th St. in the SOHI District.
The restaurant, owned by Bennie and Angela Smith, is a welcome addition to the neighborhood with its beautiful architecture and African-American artwork adorning the inside walls.
Bauman, through his involvement as chair of the Public Works Committee and the Third Ward Architectural Review Board and membership on the Zoning and Neighborhood Development Committee and Historic Preservation Commission, has kept a close eye on the entire process of development in the district – always stressing job creation, and quality architecture and design. “Bringing new businesses to the SOHI District is important to me.
There is a lot happening in the 4th District and I know that residents will benefit a great deal from having attractive places to dine, work and play, all while having reliable, quality transportation to get them to and from,” Bauman said.
“We have various partners in the neighborhood to help us drive these new developments and the excitement for the 4th District is just beginning.”
