Chris Abele Donates $100,000 to Adams Garden Park As Challenge Grant to Close the Gap

Milwaukee, WI: Chris Abele, philanthropist and Milwaukee County Executive, is championing a Call to Action to support the opening of Adams Garden Park with a $100,000 personal grant.

Adams Garden Park is the latest endeavor for Larry and Sharon Adams, the retired Co-Founders of Walnut Way Conservation Corp., whose work was highlighted recently on the CBS Morning Show. The $1.3 million redevelopment project in the Lindsay Heights neighborhood will become a vibrant hub for environmental organizations that promote clean water, healthy land and green jobs.

“Sharon and Larry are local treasures whose work in the community I have admired for years,” noted Abele. “They are committed to building up and lifting up people who need it the most by educating, increasing understanding and appreciation for the natural environment and, as importantly as anything, bringing people together.”

Adams Garden Park will become home to four environmental organizations: Milwaukee Environmental Consortium, Milwaukee Water Commons, Wisconsin Conservation Voters, and Walnut Way’s Blue Skies Landscaping Program. These organizations join neighborhood-led environmental stewardship efforts by Walnut Way Conservation Corp, Fondy Food Center, and Alice’s Garden, which have resulted in the Lindsay Heights neighborhood being named the city’s first Eco-Neighborhood.

Located at 1836 W. Fond du Lac Avenue, Adams Garden Park also builds upon the economic momentum in the community. The building is located on the same block as the recently-opened Tandem restaurant and is near the proposed IKON redevelopment of the former Sears Building. The construction has an intentional focus on supporting local businesses and employing neighborhood residents. Project Manager, Curtis Jordan, with Jordan Construction Services, lives four blocks from the project site and hires subcontractors from the community in all major trades.

Abele’s gift is a catalyst to help raise the remaining $300,000 of the project’s $1.3 million goal by October 31, 2019. “Sharon and Larry are also very good at what they do and they know how to create institutions that last. I’m excited to help support the Adams Garden project and I encourage others to do the same, and help make Milwaukee a better community,” said Abele.

“We are so grateful for this support,” says Sharon Adams. “We look forward to welcoming stellar environmental groups in the neighborhood and providing increased access to great environmental practices on a beautiful urban campus.”

The project is on schedule to open on November 1, 2019. Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Wisconsin Preservation Fund, a nonprofit partner. To donate online, visit: www.agpmke.com. Or mail a check payable to Wisconsin Preservation Fund to 1000 N. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1700, Milwaukee, WI, 53202.

Sharon and Larry Adams are Adams Garden Park’s Co-Developers and residents of the Lindsay Heights neighborhood. As the retired Co-Founders of Walnut Way Conservation Corp, the Adams have led efforts for more than two decades to strengthen the Lindsay Heights neighborhood and promote environmental stewardship. The development team includes: Mark Helminiak, Mayer|Helminiak Architects, LLC; Juli Kaufmann, Fix Development, Advisor; Jordan Construction Services and Craftsman Restoration Guild; Walnut Way’s Blue Skies Landscaping Services.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.