THE NEAR WEST SIDE

MISSION

Near West Side Partners, Inc. (NWSP) is a non-profit organization founded through the support of five anchor institutions: Advocate Aurora Health, Harley-Davidson, Marquette University, Molson Coors, and Potawatomi Ventures. NWSP’s Board of Directors and Working Teams comprise institutional stakeholders, civic leaders, and residents.

Together, these groups work toward a collective goal to make the Near West Side a great place to live, work, play and stay by revitalizing and sustaining thriving business and residential corridors.

The Near West Side Vision

Near West Side Partners envisions a vibrant Near West Side with a well-balanced mix of residential neighborhoods and business corridors that is thriving because it offers:

A Safe & Welcoming Environment

A safe and welcoming environment for employees, residents and visitors.

A Place to Live & Work

Residential neighborhoods that are attractive to those working in the area.

A Healthy Community

A healthy community that supports the wellness of our neighbors.

A Vibrant Commercial Corridor

A vibrant mix of commercial corridor development that serves the needs of those living and working on the Near West Side.

The

HISTORY

OF THE NEAR WEST SIDE

2014

Harley-Davidson convenes anchor institutions, local businesses and neighborhood stakeholders.

2015

NWSP forms and launches its signature, public-private initiative: “Promoting Assets and Reducing Crime.”

2016

Rev-Up MKE launches and Pete’s Pops wins the first annual small business competition, starting momentum for other local entrepreneurs to open new businesses in the Near West Side.

2017

Near West Side Farmers market opens to increase access to fresh food.

2018

NWSP and Marquette University receive $1.3M Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

2019

U.S. debut of “Evicted,” immersive exhibit based on Matthew Desmond’s award-winning book, hosted in the Near West Side.

2020

Response to COVID-19 pandemic supports businesses, vulnerable residents and community at large.

2021

NWSP and Harley-Davidson brought community stakeholders together for an Appreciative Inquiry Summit to envision and plan for the future of the Near West Side.

2022

Development begins on Concordia 27, a community center that will support the wellness of the Near West Side community, Milwaukee, and Southeast Wisconsin.

2023

NWSP helps Merrill Park secure Targeted Investment Neighborhood (TIN) approval and celebrate the launch of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route through the Near West Side.

2024

NWSP celebrates the opening of Concordia 27, a comprehensive community center where neighbors can access health and wellness resources, grow into new full-time job opportunities, find small business coaching, and build community connections.

2025

In 2025, NWSP is celebrating its 10th Anniversary, recognizing a decade of bold partnerships and transformative investment in Milwaukee’s Near West Side.

Celebrating

More Than 10 Years of Impact

in the Near West Side

Since its inception in 2014, NWSP has been a catalyst for community revitalization, born from a shared vision led by the late Dr. Mike Lovell of Marquette University and championed by neighbors, small businesses and five anchor institutions. From safety and housing to small business growth and community health, NWSP has driven tangible outcomes across its focus areas — including support for 60 new businesses, over $1 million in grants awarded to entrepreneurs since 2021 and the transformation of key commercial corridors like Vliet Street and 27th Street.

NWSP’s success is rooted in its collaborative model, powered by the support of its five anchor institutions — Aurora Health Care, Harley-Davidson, Marquette University, Molson Coors and Potawatomi Ventures — as well as countless neighbors, entrepreneurs and public sector allies. This wide-ranging partnership enables NWSP to rapidly implement high-impact projects based on grassroots priorities, backed by data and informed by the lived experiences of residents.

As NWSP embarks on its second decade, it is actively building on a strong foundation of community-driven success and looks ahead to an even brighter future for the Near West Side.

The Near West Side Team

The Near West Side Board of Directors

OFFICERS

Rana Altenburg

President
Marquette University

Nkem Iroegbu

Vice President
Advocate Health

Joe Tesch

Vice President
Potawatomi Business Development Corporation

Steven Brown

Treasurer
Molson Coors

MEMBERS

  • Lindsay Blumer, WRTP | BIG STEP
  • Captain Raymond Bratchett, Milwaukee Police Department – District 3
  • Donna Brown-Martin, Milwaukee County Department of Transportation
  • Heidi Chada, Milwaukee Center for Independence (MCFI)
  • Mick Hatch, Foley & Lardner
  • Jim Hill, The Common Good, LLC
  • Vanessa Koster, City of Milwaukee Department of City Development
  • James Madlom, Mueller Communications
  • Jay Mack, Town Bank
  • Polina Makievsky, Penfield Children’s Center
  • Leo Ries, Wisconsin Preservation Fund
  • Brian Scotty, Quorum Architects
  • Tori Termaat, Harley Davidson
  • James Washington, City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works
  • Rick Wiegand, Wiegand Enterprises

Anchor Institutions

That year, Harley-Davidson convened a group of anchor institutions – legacy companies and organizations with deep roots in the neighborhood, including Advocate Aurora Health, Marquette University, Molson Coors and Potawatomi Ventures (formerly Potawatomi Business Development Corporation) – to commit to supporting the revitalization of the neighborhood.

Check out all the events in the Near West Side.