Blood Center Announced As ThriveOn King Tenant
Operation will focus on increasing blood donations from diverse communities.
The partners behind the $105 million ThriveOn King development announced a new first-floor tenant this week.
Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin will operate both a blood donation center and community hub on the first floor of the building, 2153 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is leasing 3,500 square feet of space in the complex, formerly a department store.
“Versiti has proudly been part of the Milwaukee community for 75 years. While we have made great strides to address racial disparities in blood and organ donation, we know there is much work yet to do,” said Chris Miskel, Versiti President and CEO, in a statement. “Through advocacy and community outreach, Versiti hopes to further establish itself as a trusted resource and agent of change for the donors and patients we serve.”
According to a press release, Versiti’s ThriveOn location will provide healthcare job training, education about the need for blood donation and a blood donation center targeted at growing the number of minority donors.
In March, GMF announced a $150,000 grant for Versiti’s work to increase blood donations from diverse communities.
“Versiti’s commitment to health equity and resources for the community aligns with the dedication of ThriveOn Collaboration to make generational investments in the well-being of Milwaukee communities aimed at eliminating racial, health, economic and social disparities,” said MCW vice president Greg Wesley, co-lead of the ThriveOn Collaboration. “Offering new resources and opportunity to the community, based on their feedback and collaboration, is a key goal coming to fruition.”
Versiti’s Wisconsin arm reports providing approximately 230,000 units of blood annually to more than 56 hospitals across 29 counties. The Milwaukee-based organization also operates in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.
Eighty-nine apartments, with 74 set aside at below-market rates, are planned for the upper floors of the 350,000-square-foot complex.
Royal Capital Group is serving as the developer on the complex, which was most recently used as a storage facility.
Other funding sources include $48.5 million from commercial loans, $22.5 million from historic preservation tax credits, $9.4 million from low-income housing tax credits, $8.5 million in developer equity and $3.5 million as a deferred developer fee.
Engberg Anderson Architects is serving as the project’s design firm.
The oldest building in the complex was built in 1907 as a home for Schuster’s Department Store and expanded many times. The Gimbels chain acquired Schuster’s in 1961 and operated the store until 1969.
It was used as a warehouse by Gimbels (which eventually went out of business) until 1992, according to city records. It was then acquired by CH Coakley. which used the building for storage and office space. Many of the former department store fixtures, including escalators, can still be found in the building.
A new parking garage would be constructed on the southwest corner of the block with approximately 315 stalls. Loading docks would be demolished along N. Vel R. Phillips Ave. creating a new, open-air entry area.
Included in the original proposal and TIF agreement was a warehouse located across the street from the building at 2212-2228 N. Vel R. Phillips Ave. But project representatives said it could be used by a school in November, and last week the Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy filed for Board of Zoning Appeals approval to demolish the warehouse and build a new structure.
2015 Facade Exposure
2019 Renderings and Site Plans
Revised First Floor Renderings
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More about the ThriveOn King development
- Inside The Huge ThriveOn King Development - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 24th, 2024
- Malaika Receives $250,000 Challenge Grant from the Fotsch Family Foundation - Malaika Early Learning Center - Nov 3rd, 2023
- Plats and Parcels: Construction Starts on Bronzeville High School - Jeramey Jannene - Nov 20th, 2022
- Friday Photos: Schuster’s Returns to King Drive - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 29th, 2022
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Charter School Reveals New $20 Million High School - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 21st, 2022
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Historic Schuster’s Department Store Getting Exposed - Jeramey Jannene - Jun 30th, 2022
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Work Starting On ThriveOn King Project - Jeramey Jannene - Jun 7th, 2022
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Blood Center Announced As ThriveOn King Tenant - Jeramey Jannene - May 26th, 2022
- New High School Planned in Bronzeville - Jeramey Jannene - May 24th, 2022
- ThriveOn Collaboration Welcomes Versiti as Anchor Tenant - Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin - May 24th, 2022
Read more about ThriveOn King development here
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