Mayor Barrett launched Main Street Milwaukee in 2005 to jump-start business growth in neighborhoods.

"I launched this program to boost small businesses and attract more investment to our neighborhood main streets,” said Mayor Barrett. “This program is succeeding because it focuses not only the funding but the work of businesses and resident volunteers to turn around blight, promote a main street identity and attract additional neighborhood businesses."

Currently Milwaukee’s Main Street Districts include:

Silver City on ‘interNational’ Avenue and Lincoln Village along Lincoln Ave on the city’s south side;

SOHI (South of Highland) District on N. 27th Street and Mosaic on Burleigh District on the north side.

Over the past three years, work in these districts has included planning and executing revitalization projects, marketing and public safety initiatives.

Mayor Barrett said the addition of two new Main Street Districts will help promote an even greater awareness of opportunities in Milwaukee neighborhoods to locate a business, or find services close to home.


Two new northside districts added

Mayor Tom Barrett recently announced the Main Street Milwaukee program will expand this year due to its successes in attracting new businesses, leveraging private investment and improving properties along four of Milwaukee’s neighborhood main streets. Main Street Milwaukee, modeled after a national program to revitalize older commercial streets, is a collaboration between the City of Milwaukee and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).

The Main Street Milwaukee Partners Board, an oversight group of community representatives, designated the following new Main Street Milwaukee Districts:

Gateway District
	The ‘Gateway’ District is along West North Avenue from 27th Street to Sherman Boulevard. This commercial street serves a number of local neighborhoods including Metcalfe Park, Washington Park and parts of Sherman Park.
		The Gateway District’s development momentum puts its squarely on the map for new opportunities.
	Several new developments have come online over the past few years in the Gateway District, and classic buildings provide an anchor for additional development. The North Avenue Community Development Corporation is the partnering organization.

 

Historic King Drive District
	The Historic King Drive District is along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive from Locust to Walnut. The Main Street District falls within the Historic King Drive Business Improvement District, a two-mile commercial corridor from Locust south to McKinley Street.
		Historic King Drive is known for its ability to draw professionals and entrepreneurs for networking opportunities.
	MLK Economic Development Corporation is the partnering organization. King Drive has retained many of its historic buildings and most of the street has been designated a historic district. Many historic gems need a facelift, which the Main Street Milwaukee program will help boost.

People Power fueling successes on the streets

The Main Street Milwaukee program uses public and private dollars and a 4-point approach to strengthen neighborhood main streets, but much of the program’s success depends on the hard work of neighborhood residents and business owners. In 2007, more than 200 volunteers logged more than 15,000 volunteer hours on various events and projects among the four Main Street Milwaukee Districts.

Mosaic on Burleigh’s District features street amenities created by volunteers using pieces from their home.

"Main Street Milwaukee is one of the best things that has happened in our neighborhoods,” said Margaret Henningsen, a member of the Main Street Milwaukee Partners Board. “I feel strongly that this program could serve as a model for urban Main Street Programs across the country.”

Volunteers plant and maintain Shea Park on National Avenue, in Silver City.

Each year Main Street Milwaukee volunteers are invited to the annual Volunteer Appreciation Awards night with Mayor Tom Barrett. The evening features food from local vendors, music and a recognition program.

This year the Volunteer Award winners received special prize packages offered by the following sponsors: Hotel Metro, The Ambassador Hotel, Lakeside School of Massage Therapy, YMCA, Marquette University, Discovery World, and the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Read about this year’s winners and the wonderful work they’re doing for their neighborhood main streets.