The Commons – Walnut Way

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.

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.

Meet the Tenants

Phase II

Phase II is a 7,853 sq. ft. new construction that will be built on the parking lot adjacent to Phase I. It will focus on creating a hub of like-minded tenant-partners offering entrepreneurial and workforce development, integrative health and wellness services, and a casual cafe and event space(s) that foster community engagement. Tenant-partners include the African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, North Avenue-Fond du Lac Marketplace BID 32, Milwaukee Community Business Collaborative/JobsWork, a locally owned cafe/coffee shop, and space for local health, yoga, mindfulness, and massage providers. Phase II includes a 2,000 sq. ft. rooftop convening space that will be open to tenant-partners and community groups for events up to 130 people.

Many thanks to Barry Mainwood and Jeff Enders of Mainly Editing, Inc. for creating this amazing video!

The Phase II Capital Campaign

Phase II will cost $4 million. Construction is scheduled to start in 2018.

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

Raymond and Christine Seaver • The William G. and Christie A. Krugler Fund

Actuant Community Outreach Fund • Wisconsin Preservation Fund

Outpost Natural Foods • MSOE • Milwaukee Bucks • Fix Development

Foster Development • Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C. • von Briesen and Roper S.C.

Adams Garden Park • Bottlewood Communications • Digicopy • Digital Edge

Interior Systems • Michael Lucchesi

And many others from Lindsay Heights and Greater Milwaukee community.

Donate Today!

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

The Innovations and Wellness Commons: A Case Study in Transformative Commercial & Community Investment

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