A new health and wellness hub will be opening in our neighborhood of neighborhoods! NWSP Anchor institution Aurora Health Care is investing $44 million in The Beacon, a collaborative health and wellness hub coming to the Near West Side. This hub will be located at the former Wisconsin Avenue School at 27th and Wisconsin, providing a wide range of programs to empower individuals and families to achieve physical, mental, and social wellness in Milwaukee.
This mixed-use, community wellness-focused development will continue the momentum generated by Concordia 27, furthering NWSP’s plans for 27th Street to become a collaborative Health and Wellness Corridor and advance the Near West Side Comprehensive Plan.
“As one of our five founding anchor institutions, Aurora Health Care understands our vision for the Near West Side and the transformational and catalytic effect this development will have on the surrounding neighborhood,” said Lindsey St Arnold Bell, executive director of Near West Side Partners, in a recent OnMilwaukee article.
Programming at The Beacon is being developed as a direct result of an extensive community input process. Over many months, more than 200 neighbors and 40 community organizations participated in 14 community listening sessions. Additional community listening sessions are scheduled in the months ahead to refine the service offerings further.
“Everybody deserves the opportunity to achieve physical, mental, and social wellness, and have the resources available in their own neighborhood,” said Rayna Andrews, Managing Director of The Beacon. “In Milwaukee, social factors contribute to a 13-year life expectancy gap between those in the near west side and the northeast side – two communities located just five miles apart. We are committed to changing that.”
The Beacon will offer a range of programs and services designed to solve pressing challenges like access to employment, affordable housing, chronic disease prevention, behavioral health care, and more. Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2026.
Want to get involved? Share what types of programs and services you would like to see in your community, and join an upcoming community conversation to help shape a healthier Near West Side:
- Thursday, May 1 | 10 – 11 a.m. & 6 – 7 p.m. | Uplifting Mansion, 3121 W. Wisconsin Ave.
- Wednesday, May 7 | 11 a.m. – noon & 6 – 7 p.m. | Concordia 27, 801 N. 27th St.
- Thursday, May 8 | 2-3 p.m. | Penfield Children’s Center, 833 N. 26th St.
Learn more on the Aurora Health Care website.
