Development Director Mark Hammond will conclude his tenure with the city on May 15 to accept a leadership position with a nonprofit organization specifically focused on expanding affordable housing initiatives.
Since joining the city’s leadership team, Hammond has been a driving force behind diversifying Wauwatosa’s housing stock, modernizing city planning, and encouraging commercial growth.
Hammond’s tenure is marked by the successful completion of the Comprehensive Plan, a document that will guide the city’s growth for years to come. Under his leadership, the Development Department achieved several key milestones:
- His team led updates to the zoning code to make affordable housing developments more feasible. These changes specifically targeted areas near the medical campus and emphasized the adaptive reuse of existing buildings, such as the conversion of the Sonesta hotel into apartments.
- Hammond and his team secured $500,000 in commitments for the city’s affordable housing fund and established the strategic parameters for how those funds could be used.
- To increase housing density and flexibility, his team created the city’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) program, allowing residents to build small, functional spaces on their properties.
- He oversaw a critical update to the city’s housing study which helps the city and its partners understand the existing conditions and path ahead.
Beyond residential initiatives, Hammond managed high-profile commercial developments and provided support for the local economy:
- He continued the momentum of major redevelopment projects at Mayfair Mall, including the ongoing work with Barrett Lo and the arrival of SCHEELS.
- Hammond’s department continues to manage Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) loans, providing the capital necessary for local businesses to thrive.
- Alongside Irgens, the City of Wauwatosa created a master plan for the Milwaukee County Research Park which sets a clear vision for improved infrastructure, economic growth, and more housing options.
Transition and Next Steps
The city will begin a formal recruitment process led by the Human Resources Department to identify a new Development Director. The goal is to have someone hired by late summer.
