Hamilton to launch effort to raze blighted properties in Milwaukee’s central city
The new blight-fighting endeavor will advocate public/private partnerships that will demolish abandoned, dangerous and unsanitary properties in the city’s Promise Zones.
Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton will host a news conference Wednesday morning May 4th at 10 a.m. to launch his new effort to eliminate severely blighted properties in Milwaukee’s central city.
The news conference will take place at 4051 N. 27th Street at the site of the old Citation plant buildings (located just north of Capitol Drive and south of W. Hope Ave.).
The new blight-fighting endeavor — dubbed “Out of Harm’s Way” — will advocate public/private partnerships that will demolish abandoned, dangerous and unsanitary properties in the city’s Promise Zones and make way for new growth, opportunity, and a renewed sense of safety in the city.
Promise Zones are areas throughout the city which have been identified by President Hamilton and other elected officials. It has been determined that these zones are more likely to be targeted by criminal behavior and overwhelmed by poverty, unemployment and homelessness. The Citation property is located in one of these zones.
“We are striving to eliminate severely damaged properties in the city that have served as hiding places for criminal behavior, and we plan to get our community out of harm’s way from threats like vandalism, theft and intimidation,” President Hamilton said.
“I applaud Council President Ashanti Hamilton’s leadership in addressing blighted properties around the City of Milwaukee. While I’ve known and admired Ashanti’s work for years, even I was impressed with how quickly he sought to work with partners, like the County, in tackling issues that matter to us all. This is a great sign that real change can happen when everyone works together,” County Executive Abele said.
The property where President Hamilton will speak on Wednesday is a prime example of his effort to partner with the private sector to eliminate blighted properties located in the city’s Promise Zones. President Hamilton joined forces with Phoenix Investors last fall when the Milwaukee-based industrial real estate firm’s property next door was being targeted by criminal activity coming directly from the Citation property.
Phoenix now owns the Citation property, after teaming up with President Hamilton and the city to take ownership. Their intent is to demolish its multiple vacant buildings, which were shielding criminal behavior.
President Hamilton said the site was unsafe and was a staging area for criminals looking to commit criminal acts on neighboring businesses and properties.
“We observed evidence of criminal activity, drug use, and even some burn areas used to melt stolen copper,” President Hamilton said.
Phoenix Investors is working on plans to redevelop the property now that it has taken sole ownership. Demolition on its abandoned industrial buildings began in April, and the entire property will be razed by the end of this month. In the meantime, Phoenix just inked a deal with Briggs & Stratton to occupy a majority of its newly redeveloped property next door.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Ald. Ashanti Hamilton
I definitely see the clear path Mr. Hamilton is taking to first secure the exciting business sites and community to reduce the spread of crime.
Recently a meeting has been conducted with the new alderman of district 2 with Mr. Chevy Johnson who replaced Mr. Joe Davis. This meeting was with the 88 condo units of silver spring condo association handling the recent situation of the 4 teens shoot and one killed in the condo units. This is next to the Browning elementary school. This review shared the crime in the area with weapons has increased and security needs to be increased. First step is to develop communication with all 88 units and nearby business including the elementary school. Then a neighbor watch program is beginning with training. The next item will be increasing security cameras and lighting for the condo area with the condo association. Then the security cameras by the city for the drug active corner well recognized at Leon terrace and Sheridan with drive up cars making fast transactions in the middle of the street. Members of the condo association have been robbed at gun point going to and from their cars. We can take back our neighborhoods if we are not blocked by the ridiculous privacy act statements no you can not put cameras up to protect your self and property. The traffic lights have cameras due to the car jacking and bump and rob activities . First things first with the Neighboorhood watch then security cameras with the condo association and the city taking back our neighborhoods. Safety first then privacy. Who needs privacy when you can’t make it to your home from your car safely without being robbed and assaulted . District 4 Liason police team are on board communicating to support the community. Safe and smart communities with technology could evolve providing comminities the opportunity to grow instead of run away or arm themselves to handle the business of safety.