Newly Approved Business Improvement District to Give Rebirth to NW Milwaukee Area and Northridge

Published on: 2/15/2013

With the approval on Mon., Feb. 4 by the Milwaukee Common Council of the Business Improvement District (BID) No. 48, business leaders in the area that comprise the BID will soon launch major revitalization programs in an effort to stimulate much of far northwest Milwaukee, including the former Northridge Shopping Center.

The area included in the BID includes portions of Milwaukee from 60th Street on the east to 95th Street on the west, and from Glenbrook Rd. on the north to Good Hope Rd. on the south.

The following area leaders were sworn in Mon., Feb. 11, as members of the BID’s Board of Directors:

Kim Eccleston: Pain Management & Treatment Center, S.C.
Larry Kamke: United Tool, Inc.
Mark Krause: Krause Funeral Homes and Cremation Service
Gary Mohn: Alexian Village of Milwaukee
Suzanne Quinlan: Office Furniture Resources, Inc.
Michael Weiss: General Capital Group, LLP

In addition to the Board of Directors, the plan to improve the area through major economic development will be carried out with input and assistance by Granville BID 48 executive director Mary Hoehne.

“We are committed to being the economic engine that will help drive the growth of the area and will work with the city, county, and state to assure that there becomes a sense of urgency to the redevelopment of Granville projects by all government entities to bring jobs and a wonderful sense of community to the Northwest side,” said Mary Hoehne, BID 48 Executive Director.

The Board of Directors and other area business owners are planning substantial safety, and marketing efforts for the area. “The 344 businesses in this area are strongly in favor of redevelopment, including the move by Penzeys into the community to give new life to it,” said Krause.

Leaders of the BID are now strongly urging city, county, and state officials to help get activities jump started, as a significant part of the project is being held up waiting for approval for owner William Penzey of Penzeys Spices to move much of his Wauwatosa operation to the former Northridge mall.

“The Penzey’s project would be a huge shot in the arm for the Northridge area businesses,” Krause said. “Both existing companies and companies looking to relocate to the area would receive the benefits of the additional activity, traffic, and revenue from such a neighborhood changing project.”

“The Granville-Brown Deer Chamber welcomes and supports the proposal by Penzeys Spices, a highly respected and growing business, to invest in the former Northridge site and in our community,” said Barb Fleming, Granville-Brown Deer Chamber President. “This investment will once again create a thriving center for commerce and jobs in our area and will enhance the quality of life for our residents. We stand with Penzeys Spices and pledge to do all that we can to make their vision become a reality.”

“Repurposing the Northridge Mall building will be a big win for the Northwest side, as retail at that location is no longer viable,” said Michael Weiss, President, General Capital. “It makes terrific sense to align the area’s most notable property with manufacturing.”

“There is a more than 12-year history of local community initiatives to improve the quality of the residential and business community in the far Northwest side,” Mohn said. “The Northwest Community Collaboration was begun in 1998 and worked to improve home ownership and housing opportunities, parks development, community clean ups and promotion of the Cudahy YMCA.”

Mohn explained that the Historic Granville Association took next steps in these areas and began an earnest effort to strongly involve local businesses in 2002. “In the years that followed, the Historic Granville Association, also known as the Granville Chamber of Commerce, merged with the Brown Deer Chamber Commerce,” Mohn said. “This year, the Granville Chamber promoted and successfully achieved the completion of the BID.”

“Throughout this time, the common goal has been to highlight the area’s strengths and opportunities, while focusing resources on the weaknesses and threats,” Mohn said. “Our intent has been to create a neighborhood second to none in quality of life of its residents, develop a healthy and growing business climate, and make the area attractive asset to this region of Milwaukee.”