New Bronzeville website unveiled

Residential, commercial opportunities promoted

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs today invited the public to visit a new website that promotes opportunities for business development and homeownership in Bronzeville. The online home of the proposed African-American cultural and entertainment district can be found at www.milwaukee.gov/bronzeville.

The new webpage provides more information about the history of the project— a redevelopment concept initiated by the City of Milwaukee and inspired by the original Bronzeville District in the early to mid 1900’s. The 21st Century Bronzeville is a vision to revitalize an area of Milwaukee where African-American culture has been a mainstay. The project area runs from Garfield to Center Streets, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive to west to 7th Street. West North Avenue serves as the main commercial corridor of Bronzeville.

“The community came together with the City of Milwaukee to put in place a vision and it’s serving as the long-range blueprint for future development in the area,” said Mayor Barrett. “We invite the public to visit the new Bronzeville website to learn more about the vision and participate in its progress.”

The City’s Redevelopment Authority has invested more than $1.3 million to acquire blighted, underused properties within the corridor and will work with the private sector to add new development that supports the Bronzeville concept. A market study conducted for the project shows that there’s a demand in the area for entertainment venues, retail and food shops, restaurants and mixed-use development. New signage will soon appear that promotes development opportunities.

"I am delighted to see the progress of the Bronzeville district and this fresh new website is a great tool to help update the community, business owners, and developers on the growth and opportunities available in the Bronzeville area as we continue to move forward," said Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs.

In addition to commercial development along W. North Avenue, the City of Milwaukee is working to strengthen the surrounding neighborhood by selling up to 20 vacant lots for $1 for new home construction along with offering incentives to new and existing homeowners. New homebuyers that remain in their homes for five years could be eligible for a $10,000 forgivable loan, and existing homeowners are eligible for the same amount to apply towards exterior repair.

To-date, three new homes have been built and two more are underway in the Bronzeville area. Home rehabilitation work to 25 housing units is also underway, with $163,486 in forgivable loans to existing homeowners for exterior repairs. Seven of the housing units are rental properties, with an agreement that the landlord will keep the property code-compliant and rents affordable. The forgivable loans require matching private investment dollars and is part of the City’s Targeted Investment Neighborhood program.

For information on Bronzeville opportunities, visit  www.milwaukee.gov/
bronzeville.