Walnut Way is continuing to work strategically to support community wealth building efforts and improve the quality of life within the Lindsay Heights Neighborhood. “We know that creating economic stability and momentum is a true path to empowering our community,” said Antonio Butts, Walnut Way Executive Director.

Walnut Way is working with resident leaders to establish a Neighborhood Improvement District (NID) Committee in Lindsay Heights.  The NID committee will support the implementation process of forming a NID. Walnut Way is creating space and conditions required for residents to organize, establish a unified voice and drive solutions to our housing, commercial corridors and economic mobility challenges in Lindsay Heights. NIDs are a powerful tool for “community control” and resident governance over municipal resources to invest in services and infrastructure, foster leadership and collaboration within the neighborhood among home owners, renters and businesses.

“As a pastor and community organizer within the Lindsay Heights neighborhood, I see the NID opportunity as a win-win,” Pastor Teresa Thomas-Boyd communicated. “The NID enables Lindsay Heights to project and impact our neighborhood with positive social, mental, and economic benefits. We are able to exercise our faith by celebrating our history, collaborating with our current gifts and talents and building a better future for generations to come. It is definitely a great time to value each other and move on with unity and creativity,” she added.

NIDs are funded by an additional property tax assessment approved by home, business, and property owners in the district. The funds are then distributed annually by the Department of City Development to each NID. Each NID establishes an operating plan to manage the day to day activities and objectives as outlined by the NID Board.

“Neighborhood Improvement District’s (NID) assist in providing the optimum structure and leadership to craft economic development strategies that join stakeholders together as one team – with one vision.  Walnut Way has begun to lay the foundation for Lindsay Heights, and I think incorporating a NID into the equation will only improve future outcomes,” said Cassandra Flagg, NID team member.

Previous NIDs have helped stabilize housing stock, through home repair programs, clean up commercial corridors, revitalize parks, support community schools, improve lighting for safety, and create beautiful and walkable streets.

The NID in Lindsay Heights is focused on supporting long-term economic growth and sustainability. The Lindsay Heights NID would serve the residents, homeowners, business owners, community-based organizations, neighborhood schools, community churches, and more.

“I see that the NID will give the will-power and community control to the residents to effect positive changes, lead to community empowerment, with the potential for innovation in community development, community ownership, wealth creation, and energy security,” Abraham Larkoh, the NID Coordinator said. “The NID will connect the residents with funds and resources for emergency home repairs and other social services, as well as keeping the neighbourhood and commercial corridors clean to make the neighbourhood a great place to live in and do business,” he added.

Walnut Way’s Abraham Larkoh is coordinating the proposed Lindsay Heights NID. Larkoh is looking forward to work with individuals who own or occupy residential and commercial properties to set up a NID board within the district.

The next NID Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 25 at 6:00 p.m. at Walnut Way Gardens – 2240 N 17th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53205. For more information, please, contact Abraham Larkoh, NID Coordinator, at alarkoh@walnutway.org, 414-264-2326 ext. 20.