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Wisconsin’s Urban Reinvestment Initiative and the 30th Street Industrial Corridor Project

Urban Reinvestment Initiative

In 2005, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced his Urban Reinvestment Initiative, which set as a state priority the cleanup of urban neighborhoods in economically and environmentally distressed areas.

All too often urban redevelopment efforts stall due to fears of environmental contamination, liability issues, safety issues from dilapidated buildings, and lack of adequate space for new buildings. Ensuring a safe and economically viable neighborhood while creating and retaining living wage jobs requires long-term commitment and coordinated effort by a multitude of public and private agencies, individuals and resources.

As part of his Conserve Wisconsin Plan, Governor Doyle’s Urban Reinvestment Initiative committed state agencies to partner with cities and community leaders to first identify and investigate contaminated properties, known as brownfields, and then work together to secure resources for the cleanup and eventual redevelopment of these blighted areas.

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First Project – Milwaukee’s 30th Street Industrial Corridor

History

Site in the 30th Street Industrial Corridor.One of Governor Doyle’s first targeted areas for his Urban Reinvestment Initiative is the 30th Street Industrial Corridor. Located in the north central part of the city, the corridor stretches for approximately five miles south to north, and much of the area lies within five blocks of 30th Street. The corridor is bounded by Highland Boulevard to the south and Congress Avenue to the north, 35th Street to the west and 27th Street to the east. Portions of the five-mile corridor are included in eleven different neighborhoods.

According to the most recent census data, neighborhood unemployment is at 19 percent and at least 15 percent of the housing units are vacant. Approximately 34 percent of the population in the corridor live in poverty, and 97 percent of residents are considered minority.

Site in the 30th Street Industrial Corridor.In the past, foundries, tanneries, breweries and motor manufacturers thrived in the area and employed nearly 40 percent of neighborhood residents. Today the factory buildings remain, but a great share of the manufacturing jobs are gone. Also, with the long history of industrial use, contamination has become a major issue in the corridor.

The presence of this contamination, along with abandoned, underused former manufacturing properties have discouraged investment and economic development in the corridor. Assessment and eventual cleanup of these brownfields will remove health and environmental hazards and help restore a vibrant economy to the 30th Street community.

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Brownfields Assessment In The Corridor

In 2004, the DNR, in partnership with the city of Milwaukee and the 30th Street Industrial Corridor Corporation (ICC), applied for and received two EPA brownfield assessment grants – a $200,000 grant for hazardous substances and another $200,000 for petroleum contamination. The partnership is the first created under Governor Doyle’s Wisconsin Urban Reinvestment Initiative.

The partners conducted Phase I and II environmental site assessments at approximately 15-20 properties. The assessments allow the partners to determine whether environmental contamination exists and then evaluate the priority of the properties for additional funding, further investigation, tank removal and other cleanup.

In 2007, the partners received an additional $400,000 to continue assessing brownfield properties in the corridor (please see Federal Funding For Brownfields Assessment In The Corridor below for more information).

The final goal of the partners is to return the properties back to the 30th Street community for productive uses as industrial, commercial, residential or mixed use sites. If successful, these redeveloped properties will become catalysts for additional public, private and non-profit reinvestment in the corridor.

Chart of 30th Street Properties & Current Status

New! The RR Program and city of Milwaukee are targeting several properties in the 30th Street Corridor for the EPA Brownfields Site Assessment funding. To view information on these properties, including current status, activities conducted, and redevelopment plans, please view the Current Activity and Status Chart.

For more information on the status of these properties, please contact Benjamin Timm (414.286.5756) with the Milwaukee Department of City Development (MCDC).

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Federal Funding For Brownfields Assessments In The Corridor

2007-2009 EPA Assessment Grants

In 2006 the DNR applied for an additional $400,000 in EPA Brownfield Assessment Grants in December, 2006. One $200,000 grant addresses hazardous substance contamination, while the other $200,000 grant addresses petroleum contamination.

In 2007, EPA announced the DNR, city and ICC had received the grants; DNR is the lead agency in administering the grants.

Grant Announcement Publications

Grant Application Materials

2005-2007 EPA Assessment Grants

In 2004 the DNR – along with the city of Milwaukee and the 30th Street Industrial Corridor Corporation (ICC) – applied for $400,000 in EPA Brownfield Assessment Grants in 2004. One $200,000 grant addresses hazardous substance contamination, while the other $200,000 grant addresses petroleum contamination.

In 2005, EPA announced the DNR, city and ICC had received the grants; DNR is the lead agency in administering the grants.

Grant Announcement Publications

Grant Application Materials

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University Projects in the Corridor

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM)

A group of UWM students are reviewing existing neighborhood and district plans for the areas within and immediately adjacent to the 30th Street Industrial Corridor, will synthesize their findings and recommendations and then work with city and DNR officials to target public investment in the area.

Specific project ideas include:

  1. Review existing neighborhood plans and data related to the area.
  2. Synthesize findings from existing plans and data, including data inventories and recommendations. Identify data gaps and planning gaps related to future use of properties or areas in the 30th street.
  3. Identify additional data and planning needs that might be fulfilled.
  4. Obtain stakeholder input on opportunities, visions and planning needs within the area.

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Neighborhood Successes

The 30th Street Industrial Corridor has many advantages typical of an urban area: a concentrated population, established transportation corridors and close proximity to major geographic and demographic centers (e.g. Lake Michigan and Chicago).

Redevelopment has taken place in several areas within and adjacent to the corridor, which are highlighted below. Also, the 30th Street Industrial Corridor Corporation created a Business Improvement District (BID #37) to generate funds that can be used to improve and attract additional business investment in the area.

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April 22, 2008, DNR Open House

On April 22 from 4-7 p.m., the DNR held an open house at the Fitzsimonds Boys & Girls Club in the 30th Street Corridor. More than 45 people attended to learn about brownfields site assessment work in the corridor and the DNR's EPA grant, as well as provide input on future properties that might need assessment.

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Related Links

For more information on this page, contact:

Andrew Savagian
608.261.6422

Last Revised: Monday June 09 2008