“Keeper of the District”
Alderman Nik Kovac, born in 1977, has represented Milwaukee’s Third District for five years now. His passion for the area has deep roots from the time he was a child. He attended schools on the East Side, including Riverside High School. Whether recalling his work at the Downer Popcorn Wagon when he was 11, or the walk to and from soccer practice along Newberry Boulevard, Kovac’s connection to the East Side is evident. He even remembers the fountain in front of the laundromat on Downer, and how people would pour their extra soap into the water! Even in his adult life, after studying at Harvard University and living in New York, the pull of Milwaukee drew him back to his current home in Riverwest.
Kovac’s passion for the Third District extends beyond his childhood connections, though. As alderman, he feels great responsibility for the area and its well-being. Talking about Downer Avenue, his investment in keeping the area a pleasant one for neighbors and others alike is evident. To him, Downer is unique because, despite the somewhat exclusive neighborhood surrounding the area, the street itself is quite accessible to people from all over. Whether people want a wrench, loaf of bread, or a candle-lit meal, Downer is a destination spot. Kovac takes the responsibility for protecting and preserving this area very seriously, and from that sense of duty dislikes some of the changes that have been happening along Downer.
For Kovac, The new, five story parking garage is an example of “ham-handed” change. He does not oppose change or development per se, even mentioning that urban density is better than suburban sprawl. However, to Kovac, development must be carried out with great attention to detail, and the consensus of surrounding community. In his mind, any development should be part of the community and react to the current buildings. To him, the building of the parking garage was done without the community’s approval, and without the community’s well-being in mind.
Even from this negative incident, Kovac draws energy to continue working. From his goal of being a good steward of the area himself, he hopes for communities to get involved and be engaged. Kovac sees that only by getting community feedback can he make sure that the built environment changes in ways that benefit the area. Indeed, for Kovac the “most rewarding part of [being alderman]” is being able to harness the imagination of others to work together, creating the built world around them.
Kovac’s passion for the Third District extends beyond his childhood connections, though. As alderman, he feels great responsibility for the area and its well-being. Talking about Downer Avenue, his investment in keeping the area a pleasant one for neighbors and others alike is evident. To him, Downer is unique because, despite the somewhat exclusive neighborhood surrounding the area, the street itself is quite accessible to people from all over. Whether people want a wrench, loaf of bread, or a candle-lit meal, Downer is a destination spot. Kovac takes the responsibility for protecting and preserving this area very seriously, and from that sense of duty dislikes some of the changes that have been happening along Downer.
For Kovac, The new, five story parking garage is an example of “ham-handed” change. He does not oppose change or development per se, even mentioning that urban density is better than suburban sprawl. However, to Kovac, development must be carried out with great attention to detail, and the consensus of surrounding community. In his mind, any development should be part of the community and react to the current buildings. To him, the building of the parking garage was done without the community’s approval, and without the community’s well-being in mind.
Even from this negative incident, Kovac draws energy to continue working. From his goal of being a good steward of the area himself, he hopes for communities to get involved and be engaged. Kovac sees that only by getting community feedback can he make sure that the built environment changes in ways that benefit the area. Indeed, for Kovac the “most rewarding part of [being alderman]” is being able to harness the imagination of others to work together, creating the built world around them.