| Layton Boulevard West |
| N e i g h b o r h o o d s |
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| 3500 W. National Ave |
| Layton Boulevard West Neighbors Inc., Sacred Heart Center 1545 S. Layton Boulevard Suite 506 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53215 414-383-9038 |
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Over the years, 3500 W. National Avenue has been the location of several different bars. These bars
have created problems for the Silver City commercial district
including shootings, fights, and intoxicated clients for
neighboring eateries. The property owner believed that the
property was best suited for a bar, liquor store or gas station.
Since LBWN advised the owner that none of these uses fit the
vision that the Silver City business owners have for this very
visible intersection, the property remained vacant for over a
year.
LBWN worked to purchase and finance the vacant mixed-use
building into a renovated bakery and café with two affordable 2-
including shootings, fights, and intoxicated clients for
neighboring eateries. The property owner believed that the
property was best suited for a bar, liquor store or gas station.
Since LBWN advised the owner that none of these uses fit the
vision that the Silver City business owners have for this very
visible intersection, the property remained vacant for over a
year.
LBWN worked to purchase and finance the vacant mixed-use
building into a renovated bakery and café with two affordable 2-
bedroom apartment units. The addition of Mekato’s Bakery and
Cafe created jobs and provided a needed neighborhood
service. This renovation project removed the vacant property’s
blighting influence and revitalized a highly visible intersection,
which is a major gateway into the near south side and Silver
City commercial district. The investment of more than $600,000
increased tax revenues for the city of Milwaukee due to a
substantial increase from the assessed value of $110,000.
To finance the development, staff worked with the City, County,
Helen Bader Foundation, Harris Bank (formerly Lincoln State
Bank) and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). Staff
also worked with the City, Bradley Tech High School, Arnold
and O’Sheridan, Inc, Continuum Architects, Tarantino and Co.,
Community Development Advocates, and the commercial
tenants to manage and complete the project. When it was
finished LBWN was a finalist for LISC’s Milwaukee Awards for
Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDI) in the Building
Blocks category for the Mekato’s Bakery & Café Project and in
the Cornerstone category for creating a significant impact in the
neighborhood.
Cafe created jobs and provided a needed neighborhood
service. This renovation project removed the vacant property’s
blighting influence and revitalized a highly visible intersection,
which is a major gateway into the near south side and Silver
City commercial district. The investment of more than $600,000
increased tax revenues for the city of Milwaukee due to a
substantial increase from the assessed value of $110,000.
To finance the development, staff worked with the City, County,
Helen Bader Foundation, Harris Bank (formerly Lincoln State
Bank) and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). Staff
also worked with the City, Bradley Tech High School, Arnold
and O’Sheridan, Inc, Continuum Architects, Tarantino and Co.,
Community Development Advocates, and the commercial
tenants to manage and complete the project. When it was
finished LBWN was a finalist for LISC’s Milwaukee Awards for
Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDI) in the Building
Blocks category for the Mekato’s Bakery & Café Project and in
the Cornerstone category for creating a significant impact in the
neighborhood.