Community Improvement Project grants available

Neighborhoods invited to apply for block projects

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and the Common Council today invited neighborhood groups located outside the Community Development Block Grant areas to submit ideas to improve their block and apply for a ‘Community Improvement Project’ grant.

Funds up to $2,000 per project are available for proposals that enhance curb appeal and unite residents. The grant could be applied towards safety and security enhancements, the purchase of neighborhood banner displays, front yard landscaping initiatives and more. The grants require matching dollar per dollar, either through matching cash contributions, donated goods, and/or professional services.

“The goal of these projects is to bring residents together to build stronger neighborhoods,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “The Community Improvement Grants are yet another way in which we are working with residents across the City to make an impact on the quality of life.”

Ald. Michael J. Murphy said it’s important to sustain the health of neighborhoods as well as work to improve more challenged neighborhoods. Murphy was the lead sponsor of the City of Milwaukee Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative, providing resources to assist neighborhoods outside of Community Block Grant areas.

“The goal is to encourage residents to make stronger connections to their neighborhoods and to boost the work of neighborhood groups to improve or maintain the strength of the area.” said Ald. Murphy.
 

In 2008, residents of the Martin Drive neighborhood planned and created a series of mosaic neighborhood markers. The activity brought the neighborhood together to discuss other issues, and a ‘green’ neighborhood market was organized as a result. The Kopps Park Neighborhood Association will use a project grant to create a community learning garden on Auer Street. Neighborhood groups interested in applying for the Community Improvement Project should contact Dave Weber, of the Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation at 286-5626. The Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation, affiliated with the Department of City Development, operates programs that target public resources into building stronger neighborhoods through loans, grants and community-building projects. Visit its website at www.mkedcd.org/housing/ nidc.

Martin Drive neighborhood volunteers at work on the Mosaic Art Project. The project got neighborhood youth engaged in their community.

Large planters were recycled as neighborhood entry markers. A neighborhood artist helped with the design.