Milwaukee’s Bronzeville Advisory Committee on Monday chose Milwaukee-based real estate development firm KG Development Group‘s plans to construct a mixed-use development at 2601 and 2615 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

The $15.6 million project was one of three pitched in response to a request for proposals for the city-owned site, located 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 committee’s selection of KG Development Group’s project for the site is subject to final approval by the Common Council.

KG Development Group submitted plans for 48 units of workforce and affordable housing, a 7,500-square-foot cultural hub and commercial kitchen and 10,300 square feet of community green space.

The mixed-used development proposal was created by three students — Donna Page, Babonnie Tatum and Jairus 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. The team was mentored by Anthony Kazee, principal at KG Development Group.

“I’m really proud of the work that we have done as a team,” Page said. “My grandparents own businesses in Bronzeville. My father owns businesses (in Bronzeville) — and now to be a third generation Bronzeville business owner — just means quite a lot to me.”

“As a Bronzeville business owner, and working in Bronzeville for the last eight or nine years, I’m excited to bring something new and different to the area,” Tatum added.

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 cultural hub and commercial kitchen space would feature live performances and theater, culinary programming, cultural festivals and other community gathering events.

The team will work 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.

But the team does not want development in the area to stop here.

“We just want to continue to be a catalyst for more development in the corridor, so we don’t want this to be the last project,” Shaw said. “We want this to be just one of many that helps develop the corridor.”

The project is set to break ground in spring 2028, with an estimated completion date of spring 2029.

If the project does not come to fruition, the committee chose Northernstar Companies LLC’s proposal as the runner-up and Martin Luther King Economic Development Corp.’s proposal third.

Credit: Google Street View 2601 and 2615 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Milwaukee.