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Home > BizTimes Daily > Archives > January 11, 2007
Milwaukee launches 'Greenlight District' in industrial corridor
Published January 11, 2007 - BizTimes Daily
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced today the city will commit significant resources and work with local, state and federal partners on a plan to redevelop its 30th Street industrial corridor, similar to the long-range efforts that went into the revitalization of the Menomonee Valley.
Barrett is calling the project Milwaukee's "Greenlight District," to indicate a zone where the city gives a "green light" on the use of tax incremental financing (TIF) and other economic development tools within the corridor to attract businesses, especially "green" industries.
TIF plans could include funds for job training and specific workforce development initiatives to help prepare neighboring residents to work at the industries within the corridor, Barrett said.
The project area is defined by the following boundaries: West Hampton Avenue on the north; West Highland Boulevard on the south; North 27th Street on the east; and North 35th Street on the west.
"I want to make revitalization and new job opportunities a reality for the 30th Street industrial corridor," Barrett said. "The City of Milwaukee led the way in bringing strong partners together under one plan for the Menomonee Valley, and we will do the same for this industrial corridor that crosses the central city."
The corridor has traditionally been a rail corridor through the central city, providing companies the ability to move raw materials and finished goods in and out of Milwaukee since the late 19th century.
Barrett said the underused, underutilized industrial properties along the rail corridor present new opportunities to grow and attract businesses near remaining successful companies, major transportation routes and an eager workforce.
Barrett said he will ask Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle to include in the state's biennial budget funds from the Urban Reinvestment Initiative to assist with planning, demolition and marketing of sites within the corridor.
Barrett also named Benjamin Timm, a member of the City's Brownfields Team, as project manager for the 30th Street industrial corridor. Timm will coordinate a city team in conjunction with public and private partners who are already at work in the corridor.
The Brownfields Team focuses on putting blighted, recycled properties back into use to boost business. To date, the Brownfields Team has secured nearly $1 million in federal and state resources to renew sites in the corridor.
Timm will work in an office provided by Eaton Corp. at 4201 N. 27th St.
