City Center Milwaukee Amani Neighborhood | City of Milwaukee cut a deal with Sisters of Assisi, St. Ann Intergenerational Center and friends (Bucyrus), that was not theirs to cut without coming to the people who gave permission 19 years ago for development of 15.5 acres of land on the northside of North Avenue from 24th-27th Street, Census tract 99. Amanians and neighbors came together and authorized the development to create JOBS and access to business development to empower their families, neighborhood businesses and neighborhood.
Bait-n-Switch jobs con game
What have the Amani People gotten for agreeing to the promises of ex-Alderman Fred Gordon;
and, appointed and hired city representatives who put the development together? The ones who by Oath are suppose to protect the citizenry's rights and privileges. They are not there for "Conflict of Interest".
What did the Amani neighborhood stakeholders and property owners receive in representation
(since 1993) from ex-mayor John Norquist, ex-mayor Marvin Pratt, mayor Tom Barrett, ex-Alderman Gordon, ex-Alderman and Common Council President Willie Hines that honors the original consent by the People for their fingerprint in the 15.5 acres of land blueprint?
AFTER 19 years, can we find TID/Tax Increment District 21? If not, WHY?
AFTER 19 years, can we find TID/Tax Increment District 21 and promised benefits? If not, WHY?
After 19 years, can we put a NUMBER to the promised jobs to those "who live-in" the Amani and contiguous neighborhoods?
After 19 years, did RACM, DCD, Boldt Development and Irgens Development Partners, satisfy DBE/Disadvantage Business Enterprise promises and an incubator Commerce Center component?
After 19 years, can we find accountability to depict ongoing presentations to Amanians and neighbors by Boldt, Irgens, DCD and RACM?
After 19 years, can we point to the 15.5 acre development to contrast the Federal Reserve and Brookings Institution study of 2008, The Challenge of Enduring Concentrated Poverty in America, Case Studies from across the U.S., pp: 159-168? Milwaukee was one of the 16 cities in America cited.
After 19 years, can we point to the approved plan by the members of the City Planning Commission, DCD, RACM board, city attorney Grant Langley, mayor John Norquist and the Common Council members (i.e., Alderman Michael Murphy) is an investment of Milwaukeeans funds and entitled resources that was an overwhelming success and one of the steps in the right direction to contrast the, Job loss worse than the Great Depression's in Milwaukee's urban center, 2004, John Schmid, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
After 19 years, can we find the growth of this 15.5 acre development listed in, The State of Black-Owned Businesses in Milwaukee: Uneven Progress, Fragile Gain, September 2013, Levine, Williams and Madison, Center of Economic Development, UW-Milwaukee?
After 19 years, can we say that the hostile environment mentiond by Dester Martin no longer exist with the development and investment of the North Avenue Commerce Center?
"Dester Martin, president of the African-American Chamber of Commerce in Milwaukee, said Hopkins & Hopkins is no longer operating. He said that its demise is an indication of the hostile environment that black-owned businesses face in the city." "We're up against the wall," Martin said. "The businesses are getting killed one at a time."
The Hopkinses believed they would be selected to work on such large-scale projects as the Midwest Express Center and Miller Park, but were overlooked too many times to remain financially viable, Martin added. Click
After 19 years, can we find the stimulus of this 15.5 acre development listed in the DWilson Disparity Report, 2010. - conducted for the city of Milwaukee?
After 19 years, can we point to the 4-Phase development by Boldt, Irgens, RACM, DCD, and elected-appointed-hired government representatives impacting positively the 2012 Center for Economic Development Working Paper, Black Male Employment Rates in Milwaukee Race and Male Employment in the Wake of the Great Recession by Marc Levine, UW-Milwaukee?
After 19 years, can we find the 4-Phase development on Irgens Timeline of valued team leader developments in Milwaukee?
The answer is overwhelmingly "NO" to ALL above.
The People have continually received Bait-n-Switch and proxy representation from elected-appointed-hired representation of government that allowed "outsourcing" of resources to every Tom, Dick, Harry, Sue Sally and Jane while denying neighborhood stakeholders access in planning and development of their resources. That's not due process.
That is disenfranchisement and "by-design" perpetuated Enduring Concentrated Poverty.
Amanians and contiguous neighborhoods are predominately African American. They have repeatedly:
Fred Gordon (12 years) and Willie Hines (17 years), two African American aldermen, had an opportunity to lead the Amani district in gallantry infrastructure sustainability.
Fred Gordon 2110 W. Keefe Ave attygg@aol.com www.fredgordon08.com I am a candidate for the Sixth Aldermanic District because the district is in dire need of experienced and dynamic leadership. I previously served as the alderman of the Seventh District for 12 years and I am well versed in the politics of City Hall. If elected, I can hit the ground running and I can get things done for the district immediately. The district has no presence in the 2008 city budget, which is tantamount to taxation without representation. I have a long history of advocacy and a complete understanding of how to deliver services to constituents. Riverwest currents, February 2008.
They both created a "zero-sum gain" for their constituents. They would like to talk about bringing JOBS and how the developments they supported would bring JOBS; but, the reports above speak for themselves. Then, there is the whole question of gainful employment - wages, career paths, health benefits, education attainment support, etc.
It is easy to wave $$$ signs in the millions and quote fictitious number of jobs in the hundreds to sway with no "in-the-neighborhood plan", no "enforced monitoring, no oversight and accountability of:
So it was self-serving. Is that why they are not in office now?
They forgot their Oath and joined the fraternity of "un-authorized proxy leadership", "monopoly-oligopoly", "staging", and "conflict-of-interest" with arrogance that allowed Enduring Concentrated Poverty to explode through constituents being uninformed, barriers of entry through lack of engagement, strategic plans commandeered by DCD/Department of City Development, DPW/Department of Public Works, Building Inspection-Neighborhood Services, Department of Administration, Department of Health and the Police Department.
Therefore, the People have been disenfranchised. The people have desired respect and due process. They support work ethics and business development; but they have not been given access as seen by the Caucasian led projects mentioned in this article.
Let's take a look
Once again RACM/Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee have failed in innovation and stewardship of the people's resources, transparency, and best practices.
City Planning Commission, City of Milwaukee, approved Tax Incremental District No. 21 - Central City Industrial Jobs Bank: November 15, 1993. The development completion was scheduled for 9 years, NOT 19 years.
Historic Background
The land development, 24th-27th Street on W. North Avenue in Milwaukee's Amani Neighborhood goes back to the early 1990's and four parcels of land along west North Avenue. The four parcels, 15.5 acres were:
The first development team was:
Bait-n-Switch jobs con game
What have the Amani People gotten for agreeing to the promises of ex-Alderman Fred Gordon;
and, appointed and hired city representatives who put the development together? The ones who by Oath are suppose to protect the citizenry's rights and privileges. They are not there for "Conflict of Interest".
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| elected-appointed-hired and Donor-for-Hire |
(since 1993) from ex-mayor John Norquist, ex-mayor Marvin Pratt, mayor Tom Barrett, ex-Alderman Gordon, ex-Alderman and Common Council President Willie Hines that honors the original consent by the People for their fingerprint in the 15.5 acres of land blueprint?
AFTER 19 years, can we find TID/Tax Increment District 21? If not, WHY?
AFTER 19 years, can we find TID/Tax Increment District 21 and promised benefits? If not, WHY?
AFTER 19 years, can we see the strength of TID/Tax Increment District 15 and District 21? It is known that Steeltech and Capitol Stamping experienced bankruptcy - Steelcraft took over Capitol Stamping from another city and continued to import employees to 27th & North while Amanians and contiguous neighborhoods remain with high employment un-employment.
After 19 years, did RACM/Redevelopment Authority City of Milwaukee and DCD/Department of City Development, using the People's financial wherewithal complete all 4-Phases, bring business opportunities for the neighborhood investors that were PROMISED entrepreneurial opportunities?After 19 years, can we put a NUMBER to the promised jobs to those "who live-in" the Amani and contiguous neighborhoods?
After 19 years, did RACM, DCD, Boldt Development and Irgens Development Partners, satisfy DBE/Disadvantage Business Enterprise promises and an incubator Commerce Center component?
After 19 years, can we find accountability to depict ongoing presentations to Amanians and neighbors by Boldt, Irgens, DCD and RACM?
After 19 years, can we point to the 15.5 acre development to contrast the Federal Reserve and Brookings Institution study of 2008, The Challenge of Enduring Concentrated Poverty in America, Case Studies from across the U.S., pp: 159-168? Milwaukee was one of the 16 cities in America cited.
After 19 years, can we point to the approved plan by the members of the City Planning Commission, DCD, RACM board, city attorney Grant Langley, mayor John Norquist and the Common Council members (i.e., Alderman Michael Murphy) is an investment of Milwaukeeans funds and entitled resources that was an overwhelming success and one of the steps in the right direction to contrast the, Job loss worse than the Great Depression's in Milwaukee's urban center, 2004, John Schmid, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
After 19 years, can we find the growth of this 15.5 acre development listed in, The State of Black-Owned Businesses in Milwaukee: Uneven Progress, Fragile Gain, September 2013, Levine, Williams and Madison, Center of Economic Development, UW-Milwaukee?
After 19 years, can we say that the hostile environment mentiond by Dester Martin no longer exist with the development and investment of the North Avenue Commerce Center?
"Dester Martin, president of the African-American Chamber of Commerce in Milwaukee, said Hopkins & Hopkins is no longer operating. He said that its demise is an indication of the hostile environment that black-owned businesses face in the city." "We're up against the wall," Martin said. "The businesses are getting killed one at a time."
The Hopkinses believed they would be selected to work on such large-scale projects as the Midwest Express Center and Miller Park, but were overlooked too many times to remain financially viable, Martin added. Click
After 19 years, can we say that Professor Gregory Squires Editorial has been listen to and positive change has come about due to the development of the 4-Phase North Avenue Commerce Center?
"North Avenue and 27th Street, where Steeltech Manufacturing Inc. and the North Avenue Commerce Center stand, has been one area where the private sector has joined to bring jobs to the central city, Gregory Squires. CLICK
After 19 years, can we point to the 4-Phase development by Boldt, Irgens, RACM, DCD, and elected-appointed-hired government representatives impacting positively the 2012 Center for Economic Development Working Paper, Black Male Employment Rates in Milwaukee Race and Male Employment in the Wake of the Great Recession by Marc Levine, UW-Milwaukee?
After 19 years, can we find the 4-Phase development on Irgens Timeline of valued team leader developments in Milwaukee?
The answer is overwhelmingly "NO" to ALL above.
The People have continually received Bait-n-Switch and proxy representation from elected-appointed-hired representation of government that allowed "outsourcing" of resources to every Tom, Dick, Harry, Sue Sally and Jane while denying neighborhood stakeholders access in planning and development of their resources. That's not due process.
That is disenfranchisement and "by-design" perpetuated Enduring Concentrated Poverty.
Amanians and contiguous neighborhoods are predominately African American. They have repeatedly:
- been lied to.
- been disrespected.
- had increased tax payments.
- forbidden use of Phase I, II, III and IIII.
- seen misrepresentation with cover-ups.
- seen vindictiveness (blacklisted and no response).
- seen African Americans pitted against each other.
- seen exploitation and demonizing.
- seen discrimination, cronyism and conflict of interest.
- seen stakeholders ignored when they sought blueprinting of ideas.
- seen stakeholders denied rights and privileges afforded through city-state-federal law; i.e. 14th Amendment, Eminent Domain, Tax Increment District No. 32, Wisconsin 66.46, etc.
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| L-R: ex-Alderman Fred Gordon & ex-Alderman & Common Council President Willie Hines |
Fred Gordon 2110 W. Keefe Ave attygg@aol.com www.fredgordon08.com I am a candidate for the Sixth Aldermanic District because the district is in dire need of experienced and dynamic leadership. I previously served as the alderman of the Seventh District for 12 years and I am well versed in the politics of City Hall. If elected, I can hit the ground running and I can get things done for the district immediately. The district has no presence in the 2008 city budget, which is tantamount to taxation without representation. I have a long history of advocacy and a complete understanding of how to deliver services to constituents. Riverwest currents, February 2008.
They both created a "zero-sum gain" for their constituents. They would like to talk about bringing JOBS and how the developments they supported would bring JOBS; but, the reports above speak for themselves. Then, there is the whole question of gainful employment - wages, career paths, health benefits, education attainment support, etc.
It is easy to wave $$$ signs in the millions and quote fictitious number of jobs in the hundreds to sway with no "in-the-neighborhood plan", no "enforced monitoring, no oversight and accountability of:
- the appointed by the mayor city planning committee
- appointed by the mayor board of RACM
- appointed by the mayor department heads (DCD-DPW-NEIGHBORHOOD SERV)
- lock-step city attorney, and fraternity of old boys networks (even if there are female alderwomen).
So it was self-serving. Is that why they are not in office now?
 |
| Enlarge - click photo city of Milwaukee - elected-appointed-hired and donor-for-hire |
They forgot their Oath and joined the fraternity of "un-authorized proxy leadership", "monopoly-oligopoly", "staging", and "conflict-of-interest" with arrogance that allowed Enduring Concentrated Poverty to explode through constituents being uninformed, barriers of entry through lack of engagement, strategic plans commandeered by DCD/Department of City Development, DPW/Department of Public Works, Building Inspection-Neighborhood Services, Department of Administration, Department of Health and the Police Department.
Therefore, the People have been disenfranchised. The people have desired respect and due process. They support work ethics and business development; but they have not been given access as seen by the Caucasian led projects mentioned in this article.
 |
| Enlarge - Click photo Un-Inclusive - Monopoly-Oligopoly |
Once again RACM/Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee have failed in innovation and stewardship of the people's resources, transparency, and best practices.
- RACM Board Members - appointed by mayor
- Commissioner Lois A. Smith, Chair, Commissioner Bill Schwartz, Vice Chair, Commissioner Kathryn M. West, Commissioner Alderman Willie C. Wade, Commissioner Robert B. Rondini, Assistant Executive Director-Secretary;
- Jim Sherer, Department of City Development - hired by the city
- City Planning Commission - appointed by the mayor
- J. Allen Stokes, Larri Sue Jacquart, Patricia Najera, Stephanie Bloomingdale, Whitney Gould;
- Commissioner Rocky Marcoux - appointed by mayor;
- mayor Tom Barrett - elected by the people
- ex-alderman Willie Hines and the Common Council - Alderman Michael Murphy, Alderwoman Milele Coggs, Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderman Bob Donovan, Alderman Jose Perez, Alderman Joe Dudiz, Alderman Tim Witkowski, Alderman Willie Wade, Alderman Joe Davis, Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, Alderman Tony Zielinski, Alderman Robert Puenta, Alderman James Bohls (minus vote of Alderman Bob Bauman, 4th District) sold out African Americans and taxpayers and property owners in the Amani and contiguous neighborhoods.
- They failed to conduct the proposed project of the Sisters of Assisi with correct and accurate information.
- They fail due process and due diligence and invited disapproval by the PEOPLE.
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| Enlarge - Click Photo |
Historic Background
The land development, 24th-27th Street on W. North Avenue in Milwaukee's Amani Neighborhood goes back to the early 1990's and four parcels of land along west North Avenue. The four parcels, 15.5 acres were:
- Phase I - Building A.
- Phase II - Building B.
- Phase III - Building C.
- Phase IIII - Building D.
The first development team was:
- Boldt Development Corporation - Developer
- Waukesha, WI.
- Oscar J. Boldt Construction Company - Contractor
- Appleton, WI.
- Eppstein Uhen Keller, Inc. - Architect
- Milwaukee, WI.
- The Lozoff Company, Inc. - Leasing Agent
- Milwaukee, WI.
- H. Carl Mueller, Zeppos-Remsik-Mueller, Inc. - Marketing Consultant
- Bay View, WI
- Bruce T. Block, shareholder, Reinhart, Boener, VanDeuren, Norris & Rieselbach, SC. - Legal Counsel
- Milwaukee, WI
Highly touted Boldt Development Corporation left the North Avenue Commerce Center project unfinished.
Irgens Development emerged with leadership of Mark Irgens and partners - Mark Irgens was a staff member of Boldt Development.
The next development team was put together under the leadership/ownership of Mark Irgens, Irgens Development Partners. A lucrative deal was put in place for Irgens that included TID 21 (land assemblage, relocation and demolition, project improvements and RENT SUPPORT).
Rent support was provided by the city of Milwaukee to help ensure financing. The Rent support agreement was for 9 years to cover debt service, operating expenses and a return to the equity investors. This includes $239,200 for 0% occupancy and a prorated rate of rent support based on occupany, i.e., 50% = $119.415 or 75% occupancy = $59,000 respectively.
Two (2) of four (4) phases were completed. They are:
North Avenue Commerce Center - Phase I occupants included:
- Goodwill Industries merchantile company
- Europe/Africa involvement.
- Goodwill Industries
- Computer Center (non-use by resident).
- H & R Block (seasonal - partnered with Milwaukee Professionals Association).
- Gerard Randall PIC moved in and forced H & R Block to sever business ties with Milwaukee Professionals Association or otherwise lose their space
- Milwaukee Public Schools Transition High School.
- Private Industry Council corporate office
- Gerard Randall - county payment ex-county executive Scott Walker and North Milwaukee State Bank
- Workforce Development (takeover - Barrett and Don Sykes)
- PIC/Private Industry Council to MAWIB/Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board.
Goodwill Industries fold and moved on within two- three years.
Phase I was purchased with funding from Milwaukee County - ex-county executive Scott Walker and North Milwaukee State Bank.
The tenants:
- H & R Block and Transition High School.
Gerard Randall was replaced in a takeover by Tom Barrett, mayor with a name change and Don Sykes, President/CEO.
- Talegris Blood Plasma Center
- Family Dollar 5469
- Hope Lutheran School No. 1 (Prima)
- State or county Child protection agency (at one time)
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| Enlarge - Click Photo Irgens Time line - Click |
You do not see the North Avenue Commerce Center on Irgens Timeline. Why?
North Avenue Commerce Center, Steeltech & Capitol Stamping
Over the years, a parade of business owners, Caucasian-based, have come and gone, gotten corporate welfare, favor, tax credits, unbelievable support by elected-appointed-hired government representatives, massive funding resources and packaged revenue streams.
Start-up, fledgling and pending bankruptcy organizations have been able to amass revenue streams, build personal and business profiles as well as business models through what was to be an anchor for employment and business entrepreneurship for the Amani Neighborhood and contiguous neighborhoods with high census tract unemployment and vetted businesses seeking incubator and economic opportunity.
The residential and neighborhood entrepreneurs were denied access to space for rent, financial packaging and training in the computer lab opened in Goodwill Industries. The computer center set in "non-use" for a time-period and then dismantled. The computers and furnishings were given to someone outside of the city.
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| ex-U.S. Representative Mark Neumann |
Ex-U.S. Representative Mark Neuman, District 1, Republican, is reported to be a staunch supporter of the schools with major fund support - directly and otherwise.
First tenant, North Avenue Commerce Center, on 26th Street, Phase II, Hope Lutheran was paying to Irgens Development in excess of $11,000 per month in rent. It is now at least 10 years later and Hope Lutheran has expanded twice in space. Would think Hope Lutheran School rent rate has no doubt grown exponentially for Sally Peltz and Legacy Corporation.
Legacy Corporation came through Legacy Bank (Fond du Lac and North), an African American bank. Sally Peltz, Founder, Legacy Corporation was added to the staff of Legacy Bank. She benefited from Legacy Bank financial structure and the demographics of the neighborhood. Peltz, through connections, partnered with others outside of the neighborhood including Mark Irgens, Irgens Development Partners, worked with real estate, and promised development on North Avenue, parlayed a lucrative designation as a CDFI/Community Development Financial Institution (annual funding through the U.S. Treasury) to economically empower America's under-served and distressed communities.
Peltz and friends have also become realty developers and purchased Phase II of the North Avenue Commerce Center. Recently, she has added an African American female to her staff. Legacy Corporation lack aggregate results relative to benefits and the vision and mission of CDFI. Legacy Corporation office is located in the Prince Hall Apartments building at 1200 W. North Avenue.
Other promises of jobs for land acquisition were: AutoZone, Steeltech and Capitol Stamping. Steeltech went out of business after contention of ownership-management and support contracts. Capitol Stamping came from the east side and flew high for a while including creating an international office in China.
"CNI/Fondy North Business Association was the business group in the area. When we reached out for engagement of Capitol Stamping they behaved as if they were more than the businesses in the area. When we shared the vision and development mission of the North Avenue Commerce Center and the TID of Steeltech, the owner of Capitol Stamping was very indifferent. His response was he was a member of MMAC. My office told him about the concern for his company 'importing' employees and there was such a high unemployment in the area, said Mary Glass, Chair/CEO of CNI/Fondy North Business Association.
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| L-R: Rocky Marcoux, Julie Penman & Michael Morgan Departmen to City Development Commissioners |
Her non-support was conveyed to the owner of Capitol Stamping and he was more resistive to working with those that allowed his company a safe haven. He actually thought he was better than the people in the area.
Penman made that clear by her office divisiveness with the disbursement of the $1 million dollars ex-Senator Gary George brought to the Fond du Lac Corridor businesses impacted by Highway 145 Restoration. Penman pitting of Legacy Bank and Lena's Foods against others without allowing input and recommendations from CNI/Fondy North Business Association and the Amani Commission was ethically telling.
Penman also blocked CNI/Fondy North leadership in the Main Street project for the Amani and Fond du Lac area. The Main Street proposal was through Wisconsin Department of Commerce. CNI/Fondy North Business Association was the first organization who sought the first urban Main Street and Historic Preservation program for the Amani-Fond du Lac area. It was given to Damon Dorsey who was a crony of DCD. This privilege of Dorsey also gained his proposal for BID/Business Improvement District #32 and development on North Avenue and acquisition development on Fond du Lac.
The BID District was improperly formed by Dorsey according to Wisconsin statute of formation. This was brought to the attention of DCD Rocky Marcoux and Rhonda Manual (in writing and face-to-face meeting). Since a BID is the approval by signature of mayor, Glass more than once shared the failure to obey the state law to mayor Tom Barrett. Nothing has ever been done.
Commissioner Michael Morgan and hired staff [i.e.,Scherer, Brood (?), Shelko, Brown] were also notorious for blocking information, divisiveness and hostile to African American and census tract businesses engagement.
It was glaringly clear with CNI/Fondy North Business Association engagement as the representative consultant for the property owners and people of the area in the Super Kmart proposed project for Fond du Lac and North. DCD staff members were not willing to pay the residential property owners for their Eminent Domain property as well as put-in-place barriers for engagement of the citizenry in the area.
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Goodwill Industries, Capitol Stamping (new owner) and Irgens were able to resurrect their floundering companies - today they are on a "bounce".
The Lutheran School and Legacy Corporation, like Irgens, have been able to create NEW business models and advance exponentially. Lutheran School has gone on to replicate two more sites in the city central neighborhoods.
Family Dollar, Autozone and Talgris Blood Plasma are national and international models respectively.
================== The People, Amanians and contiguous neighbors were left out.
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| To be continued - PART II |
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