Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett recently unveiled plans to redevelop the 30th Street Industrial Corridor, a move that city officials believe will revitalize the community. Dubbed the “Greenlight District,” the city hopes to bring businesses back to the city through the use of Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) and other economic development tools.

The area has been home to a variety of businesses, including motorcycle giant Harley-Davidson, Master Lock, DRS Technologies, and Tower Automotive, which shut its doors last year. The remaining companies have dramatically downsized their workforce, casualties of a waning manufacturing industry.

Residents of the district are predominantly African-American, many of whom are low-income. Employment opportunities in the area are scarce.

“It’s not just a brownfield issue. It’s a socioeconomic issue, an environmental justice issue,” says Greenlight District Project Manager Benji Timm. 

“My job is to understand current needs, build a team and move towards bigger and better things … helping current business grow, attracting more jobs and identifying new ones. It’s a continual evolution.”

Realizing that industrial property is a hot commodity, the city is working to maximize what it has available, and is looking to companies that want to move into the corridor to be innovative when it comes to environmental practices.

Partnering with officials from all levels of government and private sector companies, Milwaukee has secured nearly $1 million in state and federal funding to redevelop several sites along the corridor. Timm will be working on various initiatives with several aldermen, the 30th Street Industrial Corridor Corporation, and the newly formed 30th Street Industrial Corridor Business Improvement District. Community involvement is important, says Timm.

“The people here should have a say in determining the future of the area, as there are a lot of historical ties between those who have lived and worked here,” he adds. “Getting their input is one of our highest priorities.”