MAY 22, 2012 HEDC BUS TOUR
On the beautiful, sunny Tuesday morning, members of the HEDC and Bid #31 boards loaded a Riteway School Bus from the CINTAS parking lot in Havenwoods. Executive Director Stephanie Harling took the board and HEDC employees to the south side and back stopping at various key sites on the way in order to familiarize the Board of Directors with the community we serve and how we serve them, to learn and be inspired by projects our colleagues are doing in conjunction with other Milwaukee BIDS and to identify opportunities for impact in Havenwoods.
The tour started with our very own KANDO Landlord compact, coordinated by Liz Hammer, and Havenwood's Brody community, a new Healthy Neighborhood Initiative focus under Jessica Noth. Board members had the opportunity to hear from key landlords about their efforts and how they have made a significant impact on Kaul Ave. A Brody resident described neighbors' work in the Bloom and Groom event as well as future aspirations. Heading to 29th St., the Hand of Norville Blockwatch inspired all with how a group of citizens can change a neighborhood.
Menomonee Valley Partners, directed by Laura Bray, wowed all with her presentation of what the collaboration of businesses, non-profits, the City of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin afforded the Valley. Check out this transformation at www.renewthevalley.org/documents/3-a-decade-of-transformation. Harling and HEDC's business network coordinator, Mary Hoehne, are working on various projects to draw in and support our numerous companies.
Layton Boulevard West Neighbors, directed by Charlotte John Gomez, and Riverworks Development Corporation and Business Improvement District, directed by Darryl Johnson, illuminated what a neighborhood organization can do for a neighborhood through investment in home rehab and mixed-use commercial projects.
To see Silver City's home rehab projects, click www.lbwn.org/TurnkeyRenovation.html . To see LBWN's mixed-use commercial project, now La Isla Restaurant, click www.lbwn.org/3500WNtnl.html . The story behind Riverworks Center's loft apartment conversion project can be found www.riverworksmke.org/rdc/documents/RDCNews0411.pdf.
The tour ended back in Havenwoods with a glimpse of a block of old businesses ripe for renovation and the great Asian Market, directed by Pai Yang, Thai Vang and Tou Vang, where members sampled cuisine from the cafes inside as well as the fresh produce. This was a highlight sending everyone home with a bag of Asian treats.
Mission accomplished. Many left with plenty of information and inspiration to digest. Stay tuned for results after follow-up board meetings.