COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE - 2025-11-12
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Community & Economic Development Committee held the 2026 CDBG/ESG fund allocation plan until December 3, 2025 due to funding concerns. The committee approved a $250,000 WEDC Community Development Investment grant for Four Generations Holdings LLC's event space project at 4930 North 32nd Street, with total development costs estimated at $723,000. Three new appointments were confirmed to Business Improvement District 48, and two Milwaukee Youth Council members were confirmed.
Key Decisions (9)
2026 CDBG/ESG Fund Allocation Plan Hold
The establishment of the year 2026 fund allocation plan for Community Development Block Grant and Emergency Solutions Grant funding was held until December 3, 2025 due to concerns regarding funding. All applicants in the category section are expected to be fully funded once issues are resolved.
BID 28 Operating Plan Hold
Resolution 7251181 approving the 2026 operating plan for Business Improvement District 28 was held at the call of the chair.
Milwaukee Youth Council Appointment - Savannah Herr
Savannah Herr confirmed as at-large member of the Milwaukee Youth Council. She was recently elected president of the youth council and is a student at Hmong American Peace Academy.
Milwaukee Youth Council Appointment - Serena Tao
Serena Tao (pronounced Toe) confirmed as at-large member of the Milwaukee Youth Council. She is a new member involved in forensics, robotics, and serves on the Milwaukee Public Library's youth advisory board.
BID 48 Appointment - Craig Berry
Craig Berry appointed to Business Improvement District 48 board. He owns investment properties in the Granville area including North Ridge, and operates Mister Beeze at 617 West Brown Deer and Legends at 7330 North 76th Street.
BID 48 Appointment - Paris Hibbler
Paris Hibbler appointed to Business Improvement District 48 board. He has a commercial lease property at 9155 North 76th Street and operates a food pantry and tutoring/after school programs in partnership with the her task force.
BID 48 Appointment - Odene Taylor
Odene Taylor appointed to Business Improvement District 48 board. She owns a commercial building with over $1.5 million invested in the area and attended Vincent High School.
WEDC CDI Grant for Four Generations Holdings LLC
Approved development agreement between the City of Milwaukee and Four Generations Holdings LLC for a $250,000 reimbursable WEDC Community Development Investment grant for an event space at 4930 North 32nd Street. Project also received $10,000 Building Bridges grant. Total development cost estimated at $723,000. Applicant is Jironda McCray, working with Small Business Development Center and Northwest Side CDC.
MKE Community Excellence Funds Reallocation - Placed on File
Resolution 250665 to reallocate MKE Community Excellence funds from Girls Day at City Hall to Bronzeville Week was placed on file as no longer needed after reconsideration.
Development Activity (1)
Four Generations Holdings Event Space
Conversion of single-use building to upscale event space. Plans include glass greenhouse courtyard addition. Building acquired June 2024, previously had house on lot taken by city in 2018. Total development cost approximately $723,000. Received $250,000 WEDC CDI grant and $10,000 Building Bridges grant.
Market Signals (4)
Commercial Demand
Event space development on North 32nd Street corridor positioned between Hampton Avenue and Villa Corridor developments, indicating commercial activation in previously underutilized areas.
Infrastructure
Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative reported $78,275 in approved community improvement grants across 14 aldermanic districts with 52 partnerships, indicating active neighborhood investment programs.
Commercial Demand
Multiple business owners with commercial properties in the Granville/BID 48 area (North 76th Street corridor) appointed to improvement district board, suggesting active commercial investment in that area.
Sentiment
Bader Philanthropies awarded $40,000 grant for healing spaces maintenance in Harambee neighborhood through 2027, indicating philanthropic investment in neighborhood stabilization.