Friday Photos
The Artistry in Walker’s Point
38 new apartments and commercial space in three buildings, a former artists' haven.
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38 new apartments and commercial space in three buildings, a former artists' haven. Back to the full article.
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Huseby Co. built bamboo and aluminum bicycles here in 1890s.
From the Milwaukee Business Journal article after acquisition: “There are a number of current tenants, including an artist studio, custom wood-working business and music studio, O’Connell said. They are potential tenants for the envisioned office space in the buildings, she said. “There’s quite a few different businesses in there and we have reached out to them because we want to keep as many existing tenants in the building as possible,” O’Connell said.
So, I see the building is named after Artists. Is there more? These artist and creative tenants had been long term occupants and creators of Walker’s Point diversity and a “funkiness” the new owners cited as a motivation for acquisition. I have only talked to three past tenants, but they indicated they were evicted and not offered opportunity to remain or return. I”m wondering what the status is generally of the originally stated commitment to “keep as many existing tenants as possible”. I’d love to know. These sorts of small businesses and creative makers represent the soul of places like Walker’s Point.
To Juli’s point, there are tools for cities to not run out the artists and others who seed the revitalization of an area like Walker’s Point. Here’s one example:
“How Kansas City’s Crossroads Became An Arts District”
http://kcur.org/post/how-kansas-citys-crossroads-became-arts-district-and-story-behind-first-fridays#stream/0
“Artists want space to work and the ability to connect with an audience,” says architect David Dowell, of el dorado, inc., a firm that set up shop in the Crossroads back in the 1990s. “Because of the natural evolution of the neighborhood and the pace, which was relatively slow, a lot of artists were able to get a foothold.”
Both O’Brien and Dowell credit Kansas City’s PIEA, or Public Industrial Expansion Authority, with helping artists to maintain a significant presence in the district. The program has given developers an incentive to fill their renovated buildings with artists and other creative professionals.
Let’s work to “Keep Milwaukee Authentic” and let artists and others thrive where they have rooted! This will in turn attract more people to consider Milwaukee as a place to live and work.