Milwaukee’s Bronzeville Advisory Committee is weighing three development proposals for the site at 2601 and 2615 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Milwaukee’s Bronzeville district.
The three proposals from Milwaukee-based development firms Martin Luther King Economic Development Corp., Northernstar Companies LLC and KG Development Group are all mixed-use, affordable housing developments that attempt to revitalize the area while honoring the parcel’s history. The site is adjacent to the city’s Victory Over Violence Park, created in honor of Jeannetta Simpson-Robinson, a well-known activist for non-violence in the city.
The Department of City Development originally received six proposals for the site and the top three were chosen for the advisory committee to review.
Here’s what you need to know about the three proposals:
Martin Luther King Economic Development Corp. proposal – The MLK Mosaic
Milwaukee-based development firm Martin Luther King Economic Development Corp. is proposing a four-story, 60-unit mixed-income apartment complex with 92% of the units allocated for affordable housing, an 8,860-square-foot food hall with five vendors, including 1,600 square feet of shared commercial kitchen space and more than 10,000 square feet of space for a public gathering plaza.
The apartment complex would offer 24 one-bedroom units, 21 two-bedroom units and 15 three-bedroom units, with price points ranging from $622 to $2,302. One-bedrooms would be 620 square feet, two-bedrooms would be 900 square feet and three-bedrooms would be 1,120 square feet.
Amenities for the apartment complex include a 768-square-foot fitness center, a 698-square-foot co-working space, a 627-square-foot media room, 2,567-square-foot community room and other spaces like a lobby, bike room, leasing office and package room.
The food hall would include communal seating and flexible zones for dining, events, markets and gatherings and 10 dedicated commercial parking spaces. Vendors like Wok on Campus, Sam’s Place Jazz Café and Abyssinia Coffee would be considered for the space.
The Mosaic Park would include a performance area for events like spoken word or outdoor concerts, an interactive sculpture garden, children’s play area, community seating, programmed events and stormwater features.
The developer is partnering with Milwaukee-based construction firm CG Schmidt, Milwaukee-based Continuum Architects + Planners and Milwaukee-based Prime Consulting Services for the project.
The proposed development, named The MLK Mosaic, would require the demolition of existing structures on the site, at an estimated cost of $900,000. The total construction budget for the project is $27.6 million.
The construction of the building would create more than 60 jobs and generate more than $67 million in MLKFDC investment, the developer said.
KG Development Group proposal – Victory Lofts
Milwaukee-based real estate development firm KG Development Group is proposing a 48-unit workforce and affordable housing apartment complex. The project, named Victory Lofts, would include a 7,500-square-foot cultural hub and commercial kitchen and 10,300 square feet of community green space.
The three-story apartment complex plans include 25 one-bedroom units, 13 two-bedroom units and 10 three-bedroom units. The one-bedrooms units will be 600 square feet, two-bedroom units will be 850 square feet and three-bedroom units will be 1,200 square feet.
Surface and alley parking will be available for residents only, totaling 55 spots.
The mixed-used development was created by three students — Donna Page, Babonnie Tatum and Jarius Shaw — in the Associates in Commercial Real Estate (ACRE) program, a 26-week program designed to expand minority representation in the commercial real estate industry.
Outside of KG Development Group, the team is working with Engberg Anderson Architects, Catalyst Construction, Shaw Companies, Sapphire Enterprises, Chic Lifestyles and The Sigma Group on the project.
The proposed development would require the demolition of existing structures on the site. The estimated cost of the project is $15.6 million. The construction would also help to create 60 to 80 constructions jobs, the developer said.
If approved, the project would break ground in spring 2028, with an estimated completion date of spring 2029.
Northernstar Companies LLC proposal
Milwaukee-based development firm Northernstar Companies LLC is proposing a five-story, 61-unit affordable housing apartment complex, with a retail business and restaurant onsite and more than 10,000 square feet of community green space.
The ground floor of the building would feature a 2,210-square-foot vegan café owned by Twisted Plants and a 1,560-square-foot mushroom retail business owned by Uniting Garden Homes, Inc. The ground floor would also include residential units, live-work space, a 975-square-foot fitness center, a 900-square-foot clubroom, a 615-square-foot lobby, and a 340-square-foot leasing office and mail room.
The upper floors would be allocated for apartment units. The apartment complex would have 23 one-bedroom units, 25 two-bedroom units and 13 three-bedroom units. One-bedroom units would be 670 square feet, two-bedrooms would be 990 square feet and three-bedrooms would be 1,320 square feet.
Price points for the units would range from roughly $550 to roughly $1550.
The developer is partnering with Milwaukee-based architectural firm JLA Architects, Milwaukee-based construction firm Stevens Construction Corp and Milwaukee-based non-profit Community First on the project. The estimated cost of construction is $18 million.
If chosen, a groundbreaking would happen in summer 2028, followed by 12 to 16 months construction, with a leasing period starting in summer 2029. The developer also noted that the rendering intentionally leaves room for community input.
The advisory committee will make its recommendations at its June 1 virtual meeting.
