The Community Within the Corridor, a $59 million redevelopment of the former Briggs & Stratton industrial complex in Milwaukee’s 30th Street Industrial Corridor, is slated to receive more than $4 million from the city through the advancement of two separate funding sources this week.
Mayor Tom Barrett announced Tuesday the redevelopment project, located north of where West Center Street meets North 33rd Street, will receive $1 million through the Community Development Block Grant Home Investment Partnerships program.
The announcement came the same day that the Common Council's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee endorsed a proposed $3.15 million grant to the project through tax incremental financing. The proposal still needs final approval from the full council.
The Community Within the Corridor project will develop 197 units of affordable housing and about 70,000 square feet of community and recreational space at the former industrial complex. It consists of six buildings totaling approximately 380,000 square feet on 7 acres between West Hadley Street, Union Pacific railroad tracks, West Center Street and North 33rd Street.
The project is being led by
Que El-Amin, principal of Milwaukee-based Scott Crawford Inc., in partnership with Minnetonka, Minnesota-based
Roers Cos. LLC.
"The funds designated to the Community Within the Corridor mixed-use project marks the largest single allocation of Community Development Block Grant HOME Program funds," Barrett said in a statement. "With this investment, the city will revitalize and reenergize the former Briggs & Stratton Corporation site by developing housing, recreational and commercial areas and green space."
El-Amin said he expects
construction work to begin in November.
The proposed TIF spending is sponsored by Alderman Russell Stamper, who represents the area where the project is located.
“Today we took a major step forward toward transforming the 15th (aldermanic) District and on behalf of the residents of the district I want to thank all of the partners involved in making this happen,” Stamper said in a statement following the committee's endorsement of the proposal. “This project will provide jobs, transform the neighborhood, and bring hope and beautification to the area. The 15th continues to be on the rise and I can’t wait to see this work continue in the months ahead.”
The proposed TIF spending will be taken up by the Common Council at its next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, July 7.
Barrett announced the $1 million in HOME funds to the project as he detailed his plans to redirect money from the CDBG fund to address housing, employment and COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
The total amount to be reprogrammed is approximately $5.6 million. This includes more than $3.9 million in HOME program funds. This includes $500,000 to Dominican Center for Women for the Amani Block Project, which will improve 38 units of existing and new housing stock in the Amani neighborhood; $750,000 toward the Garden Homes Neighborhood Initiative that provides gap funding to renovate 30 in-rem and privately owned properties; and $1.67 million toward Community Advocates to provide matching funds to Milwaukee residents receiving CARES Act money for rental assistance.
