The Innovations and Wellness Commons
The Innovations and Wellness Commons (aka The Commons) is a community-driven, cooperatively funded multi-use commercial development on the corner of N. 16th and W. North Ave. in Milwaukee’s historic Lindsay Heights neighborhood. The Commons is revitalizing the commercial corridor of W. North Avenue, creating sustainable jobs, and increasing access to a variety of integrated services – healthy food, workforce training, educational and community programming, and health and wellness services – for local residents. Development of The Commons was divided into two phases.
PURPOSEFUL Fundraiser for Phase II of The Innovations and Wellness Commons
We would like to give a big thank you for joining us at a PURPOSEFUL Fundraiser Celebration Under the Stars on, Friday, June 2nd, 6 pm-9 pm at Grohmann Museum. We are incredibly grateful to our Guest Speaker Mary Pattillo, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology and African American Studies at Northwestern University and all of the event sponsors that made the event possible.
Phase I
Phase I was completed in October 2015 and is fully leased to four tenant-partners: The Juice Kitchen, Outpost Natural Foods, Fondy Food Center, and a commercial kitchen for the Milwaukee Center for Independence. They provide food-focused products and services, forming a healthy “food hub.”
Phase I, which won a 2016 Mayor’s Design Award and 2017 MANDI Award cost $2.9 million and is fully funded.
Phase II
Phase II is set up as a socio-economic cooperative model that will activate the spirit of entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and self-care (through educational and wellness programming) within Lindsay Heights. Tenant-partners include Walnut Way Conservation Corp., CORE/El Centro, Engineering for Kids, Inc., Milwaukee JobsWork, and local health and wellness practitioners. Phase II will also include a 2,000 sq. ft. rooftop convening space that will be open to tenant-partners and community groups for events up to 130 people.
Phase II will cost $4.2 million. Construction is scheduled to start in 2018.
Many thanks to Barry Mainwood and Jeff Enders of Mainly Editing, Inc. for creating this amazing video!
The Phase II Capital Campaign
Nearly 70% ($2.9 million) of the $4.2 million has been raised in Walnut Way’s Phase II capital campaign. Only $1.1 million remains to close the funding gap for this community-driven catalytic commercial development. Won’t you help close this gap with a one-time gift or multi-year pledge?
Your contribution is a one-time only gift for development and construction costs. Coop membership fees and rents from small businesses, entrepreneurs, and wellness practitioners will cover long-term operational and maintenance expenses of The Commons.
Thank you to these individuals and foundations who have already contributed to the Phase II Capital Campaign
DeAndre Levy • Linda and John Meurer • Jim and Marie Seder • Lynde Uihlein
And many others from Lindsay Heights and Greater Milwaukee community.
Learn More About Phase II of The Commons
To learn more about The Commons and the Phase II capital campaign, email development@walnutway.org or call 414-265-2326 or Nancy Ketchman, Phase II Campaign Consultant, at ketchman@bottlewood.co or 414-305-6923.
Maanaan Sabir, Co-owner of The Juice Kitchen at The Commons serves up fresh vegetable and fruit juices daily.
Read
Walnut Way Campaign Seeks $4.2 Million
Urban Milwaukee, November 15, 2016
Learning center to replace Outpost North Ave. store
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 4, 2016
Walnut Way Mission Moves Forward Under New Director
Neighborhood News Service, July 26, 2016
Walnut Way Securing Funding for Phase Two of The Commons Project
BizTimes, May 27, 2016
Walnut Way Plans Education Wellness Building
Milwaukee Business Journal, May 25, 2016
Video
https://vimeo.com/109473111
(Phase I)
https://vimeo.com/167327324
(Phase II)
Walnut Way Provides Weekly Health and Wellness Classes and Programs
Fox6 News, June 7, 2016
“Helping things grow:” Food hub on Milwaukee’s North Ave. dedicate to healthier community
Fox6 News, October 30, 2015
Land and Space: Innovation and Wellness Commons
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 16, 2016