Near West Side News
Keep up with the revitalization, community collaboration and positive momentum in Milwaukee’s Near West Side.
Welcoming Fruition MKE: A Space for Coworking and Creativity
On June 4, Concordia 27 and NWSP welcomed the Near West Side’s newest neighbor, Fruition MKE, an innovative co-working space that empowers Milwaukee thinkers to collaborate, use their creativity and grab a coffee! Located at [...]
Choice Neighborhood Initiative (CNI) Planning Grant
By: Anne Marie Gunn On September 10, 2018, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded Marquette University and Near West Side Partners a $1.3 million Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) grant to create [...]
‘Tis the Season to Support Local: Itinerary for a Day in the Near West Side
‘Tis the Season to support local! From festive light displays to delicious foods, you can spend an entire day in the Near West Side celebrating the holidays and supporting local businesses. Read on for ideas [...]
Tree for All Seasons in Martin Drive
By: Bethani Bell “You know almost every day when I’m out here someone will pull up and they’ll roll down their window and say, 'I love your tree!' It makes me so happy, I have [...]
Near West Side Partners Announces Lindsey St. Arnold Bell As Executive Director
Recognized community leader to focus on collaboration and increasing momentum on convening efforts MILWAUKEE – Near West Side Partners today announced that Lindsey St. Arnold Bell will serve as the organization’s next Executive Director. St. [...]
Statement from Keith
Friends of the Near West Side, I’m reaching out to share the news of my departure from Near West Side Partners, effective at the end of this year, to pursue a new opportunity as President [...]
Conversations With Quorum Architects’ Brynn BeBrabant and Emily Neal
By: Bethani Bell In a recent interview, Near West Side Partners’ Commercial Corridor Coordinator Ann Marie Gunn had the opportunity to talk with Quorum Architects’ Brynn DeBrabant and Emily Neal. In this conversation, we get [...]
The City Grants of Milwaukee The Future of our Neighborhoods
By: Kyle Norman The City Grants of Milwaukee are the future of Milwaukee neighborhood development. By giving entrepreneurs access to these grants, property owners have the chance to rebuild their designated properties. The [...]
James E. Groppi High School
By: Bethani Bell Students at James E. Groppi High School have showcased their art in many ways from the Black Lives Matter mural to other portraits expressing themselves and their outstanding creativity. Principal Hall [...]
Vliet Street Farmhouse
The photo to the left is of a local developer and property owner in the Near West Side, Tom Straub. who is the new owner of the Vliet Street Farmhouse. This residential property had been [...]
WDAC Conference 2022
By: Anne Marie Gunn The 2022 Wisconsin Downtown Action Council conference was held in Appleton, WI and was sponsored by AARP. People from the downtowns of Wisconsin gathered to share ideas and projects and to [...]
Neighbor Highlight: Sheri Williams Pannell
By: NWSP Intern Nina Winkler
Above the Clouds Organization Helps Support Health and Wellness at a Near West Side Resident Council Meeting
This past Wednesday, March 30th, Near West Side advocates gathered with residents at the College Court Apartments to discuss health and wellness on the Near West Side. During this meeting, the results of a concept [...]
All About Redeemer Lutheran: An ELCA In The NWS
By: Nina Winkler (NWSP Intern) Located at 1905 W Wisconsin Avenue. Redeemer Lutheran is an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America-affiliated congregation located in the heart of the Avenues West neighborhood. Under the guidance [...]
Near West Side Partners works with Molson Coors on their Tap the Future grant program
This year, the Near West Side Partners (NWSP) look to assist Molson Coors’s grant program in its mission to uplift small business owners and energize the economy of the Near West Side. The ‘Tap the [...]
The Red Cross of Wisconsin assists Near West Side Residents through turmoil
The American Red Cross of Wisconsin has assisted the Badger state with aid and resources for more than 100 years. By providing disaster relief, educational programs, support for military members, and lifesaving blood products, the [...]
Near West Side’s Monthly Covid-19 Update
New West Side Partners (NWSP) would like to begin sharing monthly updates on vaccine data in the Near West Side with the community, accompanied by the efforts of our team to promote vaccine information. With [...]
A Greener Near West Side
Back in July 2021 Near West Side Partners (NWSP) hosted a 3-day Appreciative Inquiry (AI) Summit with the goal to create and set in motion collective action for a brighter future for the Near West [...]
Near West Side Black History Message
https://youtu.be/F0XlfUdrpr4 Thank you for stopping, clicking or scanning to get here. The Near West Side communities appreciates the support that you continually give in the areas of safety, health, housing and commercial corridor development. [...]
Black History in the Near West Side: Westside Church of God in Christ
For Black History Month this year, Near west Side partners would like to highlight historical moments that transpired right here in our very own neighborhood. These moments in time helped shape the society that we [...]
Black History in the Near West Side: Fair Housing Marches
For Black History Month this year, Near west Side partners would like to highlight historical moments that transpired right here in our very own neighborhood. These moments in time helped shape the society that we [...]
Black History in the Near West Side: Nat King Cole
For Black History Month this year, Near west Side partners would like to highlight historical moments that transpired right here in our very own neighborhood. These moments in time helped shape the society that [...]
Black History in the Near West Side: Jesse Owens and Ralph Metcalfe
For Black History Month this year, Near west Side partners would like to highlight historical moments that transpired right here in our very own neighborhood. These moments in time helped shape the society that we [...]
Black History in the Near West Side: MLK
For Black History Month this year, Near west Side partners would like to highlight historical moments that transpired right here in our very own neighborhood. These moments in time helped shape the society that we [...]
Keith’s Conversation with Advance Automotive
Recently Near West Side Partners’ Executive Director Keith Stanley was able to chat a bit with Tony Pa and the team at Advance Automotive Service, a car repair shop located at 965 N 35th [...]
Seven Neighborhood Markers to Be Installed in the Spring
By Anne Marie Gunn and Nina Winkler The Neighborhood Marker project is one of the Near West Side Action Activities, designed to add history and vibrance to each neighborhood and create distinctions between the [...]
Keith’s Conversation with Pastor Barnett
In a recent interview Near West Partners’ Executive Director got a chance to chat with Near West Side’s own Pastor Craig Barnett of Greater Utopian church, located on 2925 W State St. In the community [...]
Vaccination Rates in the Near West Side
By Lucas Johnson, NWSP Intern The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has exposed longstanding health disparities across the United states. Data has shown that across the country African-Americans and other minorities are dying at a higher [...]
Spreading the Message
By Lucas Johnson, NWSP Intern To start off the new year, Near West Side Partners would like to highlight its continual effort to promote th Covid-19 vaccine with the hope of a higher vaccinated population [...]
Upcoming Event: 4th Annual Tripoli Shriners Feztival of Trees!
Beginning Saturday, November 20th, the Tripoli Shriners host their 4th annual Feztival of Trees. The Feztival of Tree’s has had a long history with the Kora Shriners in Maine, and ever since 2016, the Tripoli [...]
The Transformation of Fats Triangle
By Aline Morales, NWSP Intern In 2018 when Near West Side Partners was awarded a Choice Neighborhood Initiative (CNI) Planning Grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) several Action [...]
Housing Authority of Milwaukee Leadership Meets with the NWS Resident Council
By Anne Marie Gunn, Near West Side Commercial Corridor Coordinator Residents at College Court, a public housing apartment building for seniors and adults who are disabled, have always been an important source of feedback and [...]
Vaccinations in the Near West Side: The Push for the “Last Adapters”
By Keith Stanley, NWSP Executive Director As of the end of August the Near West Side communities Merrill Park, Concordia and Avenues West are still in the lower vaccination rates in the City of [...]
2021 Vliet Street Pumpkin Patch Success After Beautification Day Efforts
On October 16th, the 2nd Annual Vliet Street Pumpkin Patch Event, took place. The event, co-hosted by the Near West Side Partners, along with Pete’s Pops and CMS construction, brought together over 200 Near West [...]
ProCare Medical Clinic: Working to Provide Accessible Healthcare to Residents in the Near West Side Area
ProCare, a private medical group, moved into the Near West Side in hopes to provide an array of medical care to residents, one that Dr.Nwilati, owner and resident physician, knew was lacking prior to their [...]
David J. Frank Landscape Contracting Inc. Moves to the Near West Side
By Lauren Katayama, NWSP Intern Since its founding in 1959, David J. Frank Landscape Contracting Inc. has become one of the largest landscape contracting agencies in the nation. Their outstanding staff of professionals has delivered [...]
Traffic Calming Efforts in the Near West Side
Since moving to the Near West Side in 2002, Michael Stark has become a more defensive driver, making sure “that even if I had the green light, that there aren’t cars speeding through the red-light [...]
The Pink Bakery Brings New, Flavorful, Allergy-Free Desserts to the Near West Side
By Clair Stanley, NWSP Intern Since early last year, the COVID-19 pandemic has kept many people from eating at restaurants. But for those who live with severe food allergies, avoiding food not cooked in [...]
Action Activity Update
By Anne Marie Gunn and Lucas Johnson In September of 2018, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded Near West Side Partners a Choice Neighborhood Initiative (CNI) planning grant, presenting [...]
A Brat For Your Thought?
Keith Stanley, NWSP Executive Director So what does a barbecue grill, a few brats and some dedicated NWSP staff do to impact community engagement in the Near West Side? The answer will depend on who [...]
On Cultural Art, the Voices of Black Athletes, and Sharing New Stories with the Community
Throughout the summer, Near West Side Partners (NWSP) has been working with artists to design and install murals around the neighborhood as a part of their Action Activities Initiative. This post is the third in [...]
Lights, Cameras, and Action: How NWSP is Making the Neighborhood Safer
Claire Stanley, NWSP Intern Using Cameras to Monitor the Neighborhood Bobby McQuay said that cameras offer a way to “see what’s really going on and who’s really working with us.” Installing cameras addresses activities such [...]
New Merrill Park Development in the Works!
Mark Rolison, a real estate investor and developer, has purchased a new property in the Near West Side to develop. He’s been developing properties for many years. He stated that his inspiration for investing and [...]
Brightening the Near West Side Nights
Over the last couple of months, you may have noticed different styles of street lights throughout the city of Milwaukee. Some lights are a bright white, illuminating the streets during the night, and others have [...]
The Near West Side and Evictions
As the Evicted exhibit attracts hundreds of visitors to the Mobile Design Box and continues to inspire city-wide conversations, the Near West Side Partners is challenged to provide answers as to how the organization is [...]
Muralists Bring Community Closer Together Through Empowerment, Collaboration
Since implementing the Action Activities initiative earlier this year, Near West Side Partners (NWSP) has recruited artists to design and install eight new murals in the neighborhood. This blog post is the second in a [...]
NOW OPEN! The Vliet Street Oasis Market
This past weekend the Near West Side saw the reopening of the Vliet Street Oasis Market. Utilizing what used to be a vacant lot on the Vliet Street corridor located at the corner of 38th [...]
Near West Side Efforts in COVID-19 Vaccination
As of today's date Merrill Park and Concordia neighborhoods have some of the the lowest rates of vaccination in the Near West Side and the City of Milwaukee with first doses administered per 100k at [...]
Near West Side Murals Expose Residents to Art, Community Work in Unique Ways
In early 2021, Near West Side Partners (NWSP) secured federal funding for six community improvement projects-- also known as Action Activities-- to implement in the spring and complete within one year. This will include the [...]
Home Repair Grants Help Residents Preserve
In 2017, Near West Side Partners (NWSP) opened paths to homeownership by providing incentives through down payment assistance and rental assistance for those looking to buy a home. Since then, these grants have also aimed [...]
Resident Survey Returns for a Sixth Year
The annual resident survey has launched for a sixth year for residents to report their quality of life and important issues in the Near West Side. It seeks to help local groups such as Marquette [...]
UX (User Experience) is Not Just for Apps
Technology businesses always focus around UI/UX (User interface/user experience). It matters for apps, it matters for websites, but did you know that it matters for our in-person business too? Now that we are being [...]
Free Dinner at Daddy’s with Vaccination
Near West Side residents get a free dinner with their vaccination! The Near West Side Partners in conjunction with Daddy's Soul Food Restaurant, City On A Hill and Neighborhood House are offering free dinners with [...]
Mobile Camera Initiative
Mobile Camera Initiative: Catching Illegal Dumpers in the Act The Near West Side Partners believes that safety and security are vital to sustaining the Near West Side as a thriving business and residential corridor. [...]
The NEW STATE
My journey to learning so much great information about the NEW STATE began with a deep dive into the connection behind two of the board members: John Hennessy and Dima Pochtarev. John Hennessy is currently [...]
Near West Side Neighborhood Cleanup
This past weekend on April 17th, the Near West Side Partners in collaboration with the United Methodist Children’s Services hosted a community cleanup in the Near West Side and Washington Park. The weather couldn’t have [...]
Impact of COVID-19 on Businesses
"Most of my staff have filed for unemployment" states Stelio owner of 5 O'Clock Steakhouse. Stelio is offering curbside services but sales is down by 95%. Near West Side businesses are making tough decisions that [...]
Jason Waters and 2627 W. State Street Redevelopment
Jason Waters is a Real Estate professional, husband, and father of three children with deep roots and ties to the Milwaukee area. He attended Rufus King High School where he was able to gain a [...]
Reckless Driving MKE: What is happening now?
Reckless driving is a growing safety concern for Milwaukee community leaders and public safety officials. The City of Milwaukee has seen an overall increase in motor vehicle fatalities especially motor vehicle fatalities that involve speeding. [...]
Licensing Hearings in Milwaukee—The Importance of Proactiveness and Retaining a Competent Attorney.
Whether you are a seasoned business owner, or new to the “game,” when dealing with the City’s licensing body, one must be proactive and seek out competent counsel who specializes in the field. Doing the [...]
Rebuild and Revitalize Program
Throughout the summer of 2020 the country was rife with civil unrest and protests ignited by the murder of George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement. Millions of Americans of diverse backgrounds and beliefs [...]
Hilltopper Community Resident Spotlight: Valerie Langston
Within the greater Merrill Park Neighborhood is a close-knit community called Hilltopper. There lives Ms. Valerie Langston, a Near West Side resident for almost 25 years. Ms. Langston decided to move to Hilltopper in 1996 [...]
PARC Team Recap
What is PARC? Promoting assets, reducing crime. The Promoting Assets and Reducing Crime (PARC) initiative began in 2015 under the collaboration of Aurora Health Care, Harley Davidson, Marquette University, MillerCoors, and the Potawatomi Business Development [...]
Live, Work, Play
In November 2020, the Near West Side welcomed Colin and Rachel and 9 month old Rowen to the Merrill Park neighborhood. Colin and Rachel are the first new homeowners to utilize the Live, Work, Play [...]
Virtual Tour: 2203 W. Michigan (Former Bradley Washfountain Building)
We all know washing our hands is very important to slow the spread of illness but many people may not know how the Near West Side played a role in keeping Milwaukeeans hands clean for [...]
Pop’s, Empanadas, and Produce: The Transformation of Vliet Street
My time With Tom Straub and Pat Mueller started in a vacant property adjacent to the recently opened Vliet Street Oasis. With some of the original foundations dating back to the Civil War Era, the [...]
The Voting Process Week Four: In-person Early Voting
Over the past couple of weeks we have explained how to register to vote and how to apply for an absentee ballot. Now, it is time to discuss in-person voting options. From October 20th to [...]
Domestic Violence Month: Raising Awareness Amidst a Pandemic
Domestic violence is an epidemic that affects and disrupts millions of lives all around the world. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), “nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an [...]
The Voting Process Week Three: How to Apply for an Absentee Ballot
With COVID-19 numbers peaking in Wisconsin, the possibility of catching the virus while at the polling station on election day should be taken seriously. That is why the city has invested in alternative voting methods [...]
The Voting Process Week Two: Becoming a Poll Worker
The April 2020 election in Milwaukee made national news for subjecting citizens to choose between their safety or their vote. Only 5 out of the usual 180 polling stations were open forcing residents to stand [...]
Resident Survey Launch
The resident survey is here! One of the core principles of Near West Side Partners (NWSP) is community and resident engagement. For the last five years, we have been talking with and surveying residents on [...]
The Voting Process Week One: How to Register
We are 5 weeks out from the November election. It is vitally important that each member of our community is able to voice their opinions and get out their vote. Over these next couple of [...]
NWS Virtual Housing Resource Fair
Near West Side Partners has worked with Take Root Milwaukee since 2017 to support homeownership in the Near West Side. Take Root is supported by the Urban Economic Development Association (UEDA) and brings together community [...]
Virtual Tour and Spotlight: 3435 W. Clybourn
As part of the Brew City Match supported by LISC Milwaukee and J.P. Morgan Chase NWSP is highlighting area properties with great promise and opportunity for entrepreneurs and businesses who are looking for a great [...]
Keith’s Conversation with Assistant Chief Jeffrey Norman
Humanity. Trust. Communication. These are the core values of Assistant Chief Jeffrey Norman of the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD). A 24-year veteran of the MPD, Norman formerly served as the Commander of Milwaukee’s District 3, [...]
Virtual Tour and Spotlight: 4227 W. Vliet (Former Milwaukee Nut Company)
As part of the Brew City Match supported by LISC Milwaukee and J.P. Morgan Chase NWSP is highlighting area properties with great promise and opportunity for entrepreneurs and businesses who are looking for a great [...]
Neighborhood Spotlight: Pigsville
This week the Near West Side Partners interviewed a resident from Milwaukee's Pigsville neighborhood about how his community has responded to the coronavirus pandemic. William is a long time Wisconsin resident that grew up in [...]
Community Fridges
This week, the Near West Side Partners interviewed Sarah Tramonte, Co-Director of Milwaukee Community Fridges, an organization looking to combat food insecurity in Milwaukee by creating fridges stocked with food across our city. Sarah and [...]
Eviction in the NWS the Era of COVID-19
Last month, Milwaukee County landlords filed nearly 1,500 eviction actions, a 26% increase from last year (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). This drastic increase in eviction actions can be attributed to the harsh economic conditions that are [...]
A Look Into The Future of The Near West Side
The Near West Side Partners CNI Planning Team is excited to announce our partnership with Torti Gallas + Partners, who will assist with the Housing portion of the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Transformation Plan. Perhaps most [...]
Power of the Partnership: Vliet Street Traffic Calming
It was just a few weeks ago that when watching a group of children crossing the street on Vliet my hair raised on the back of my neck. Children, our children in the Near West [...]
Assessing The Near West Side As a Business Corridor
Commercial corridor audits are a popular tool used to gather basic data on street-level business activity in a community. These audits provide insight into the current state of the local business sector. They accomplish this [...]
Physical and Mental Health Within the Milwaukee Homeless Community
Individuals experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity face many challenges in their day-to-day activities. This week I was able to speak with Jesica Ballenger and Kelly Hedge, community prosecutors for the City of Milwaukee, about the [...]
PCORE in the Near West Side
PCORE stands for Patient Centered Outcomes Research for Employees. If you’re like me, you’re thinking “what does that mean?” This week I had the opportunity to speak with Marquette University professors Dr. Dan Pinto, Assistant [...]
Payroll Protection Program in the Near West Side
“[The PPP] really made the difference to help keep businesses open and help keep people employed.” This is a quote from Frank Sterbin, a proud Marquette University MBA graduate and Senior Vice President of Business [...]
The Marketing and Branding of Near West Side Partners
For many community organizations, being able to share the work that is being done is almost as important as the work being done itself. NWSP prides itself in being able to keep community members up [...]
Community Oversight: Dumping in the Near West Side
This week the Near West Side partners is doing a different kind of blog post, a community spotlight on a problem within our neighborhoods. It was recently brought to our attention that there have been [...]
Avenues West Neighborhood Resident Spotlight
This week the Near West Side interviewed residents of Milwaukee's Avenues West Neighborhood about how COVID-19 has impacted their community and daily life. For this neighborhood we specifically chose to interview college students from Marquette [...]
Getting to Know the Commercial Corridor Development Working Team
Pete’s Pops, Triciclo Peru, Hands in Harmony-- you know them, you love them, and they are all located in the Near West Side’s up and coming commercial corridors! This week I had the opportunity to [...]
Choice Neighborhood Initiative Profile
In 2018, Near West Side Partners and Marquette University were awarded a three-year $1.3 million planning grant to create a locally-driven, comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plan for the Near West Side. This grant, called the Choice [...]
Domestic Violence in the Era of COVID-19
Domestic violence affects families of every race, of every income level, in every neighborhood across the city. Thankfully, there are resources in place to help those affected by domestic violence. Emily Prosser is a Domestic [...]
Housing Resources for Landlords
Since the May 27 expiration of Governor Evers’ state-wide eviction ban, eviction filings have risen over 42% in Milwaukee County. This statistic is unnerving for landlords and tenants, alike. Luckily, there are numerous resources in [...]
Housing Resources for Renters
Since the May 27 expiration of Governor Evers’ state-wide eviction ban, eviction filings have risen over 42% in Milwaukee County. This statistic is unnerving for renters and landlords, alike. Luckily, there are numerous resources in [...]
Conversations on Police Brutality
This week I had the chance to interview Mr. Andrew Larsen, a Milwaukee resident who created a book club within his Concordia Drive neighborhood in order to better inform himself and his community about the [...]
Weekly Webinar: How Protesting, Rioting, and Looting Helps and Hurts Black Communities in MKE
This week’s webinar was titled “Protesting Rioting, and Looting: How it Helps and Hurts Black Communities in Milwaukee.” It was hosted by NWSP’s Britney Roberson, who was joined by Keith Stanley, Executive Director of Near [...]
District 3 Crime and Safety Meeting
On the last Thursday of each month, District 3 of the Milwaukee Police Department holds a crime and safety meeting so that community members have the opportunity to hear directly from Captain Jeffrey Norman and [...]
06/19/20 Weekly Webinar: Removing Racial Residue Workshop
This summer, Near West Side Partners will be hosting a weekly webinar series on Facebook Live each Friday at 2:00 p.m. This week’s webinar was hosted by NWSP’s own Britney Roberson, who was joined by [...]
Mark UP Marquette
An arial shot of the event showing the students of Marquette on their campus courtesy of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Instagram This week the Near West Side Partners ventured to Marquette University's campus for "Mark [...]
Housing First, and Homelessness in Milwaukee
This week, Executive Director of Near West Side Partners Keith Stanley interviews Milwaukee Assistant District Attorney Jesica Ballenger about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected her work in the Milwaukee District Attorney's office and her [...]
“Milwaukee Food Tech Incubator” Coming to the Near West Side
“We want to help cities. And we really want to start with Milwaukee.” - Chris Corkery, CEO of Planet2Plate This week, Near West Side Partners Executive Director Keith Stanley had the opportunity to sit [...]
06/12/20 Weekly Webinar: The American Red Cross
This summer, Near West Side Partners will be hosting a weekly webinar series on Facebook Live each Friday at 2:00 p.m. This week’s webinar was hosted by NWSP’s own Barb Scotty, who was joined by [...]
Advocate Aurora Health Kneeling For Solidarity
At 12:00pm on Thursday, June 4, team members at Advocate Aurora Health, one of the five Anchor Institutions of the Near West Side neighborhood, came together and kneeled for 8 minutes and 46 seconds to [...]
Keith’s Interview with Visit Milwaukee
Last week, Keith Stanley, Executive Director of Near West Side Partners, was invited to speak as a panelist for Visit Milwaukee’s webinar on racial inequality in the hospitality industry. The webinar was hosted by Cecilia [...]
Martin Drive Neighborhood Resident Spotlight: Jessica Breitbach
This week I had the opportunity to interview Jessica Breitbach, an architect at Quorum Architects who has been living in Milwaukee and the Martin Drive Neighborhood for four years. When Jessica was moving to Milwaukee, [...]
Martin Drive Neighborhood Resident Spotlight: Denise Johnson-Sherard
“I love living here. I love the area.” This is a quote from Mrs. Denise Johnson-Sherard, a resident in the Martin Drive Neighborhood for over 20 years. This week, Keith Stanley, Executive Director of Near [...]
More Fresh Options In the NWS
"More people are requesting it" shares Bobby Singh, 20 year operator of Kilbourn Supermarket, as he stands over the produce section at his store on the northeast corner of 27th and Kilbourn. For years Near [...]
Staying Connected During COVID-19
Finding ways to stay connected and keep informed about our community is more important than ever now that we are practicing social distancing. Following the issuance of the Stay at Home Order, all Near West [...]
#MadeInTheNearWestSide
Watching cooking shows is one of my favorite ways to relax: it’s an opportunity to learn about different cuisines and techniques, and the food always looks amazing! When the Safer at Home order went into [...]
Community Organizing in the Era of COVID-19
Social distancing" or really for what many has deemed "physical distancing" has all but put a stop to communities connecting in large gatherings or for the that matter at all across the country. The Coronavirus [...]
Rent Assistance In the Near West Side
The Near West Side is home to many service-oriented industries - restaurants, hotels, and major music venues - and a large population of renters, many who are working at these Near West Side businesses. When [...]
Donations Needed!
Before I hopped into my car to pick up donations for the NWS collection of cleaning supplies and personal care items for our College Court neighbors , I ran through the house looking for odds [...]
Looking For Near West Side Helpers!
It's been hard to stay on task and focus since the news and spread of the Coronavirus last week. Like many organizations, most of our team at Near West Side Partners started working offsite on [...]
Meet NWSP 2020 Interns
NWSP partners with several organizations like Marquette University to provide opportunities for growth and learning for students and youth every semester. Here are our round of 2020 spring semester interns. Mathieu Ackaouy My name is [...]
Wins for Near West Side BID 10
Near West Side Business Improvement District #10 (BID 10) was established in 1993 making the BID 27 years old. The BID since 2015 has doubled in growth and size. As we start the new year, [...]
Ringing In the New Year
In partnership with the Ring Corporation, NWSP held an event on December 16 at Harley-Davidson, offering 50% discounts to Near West Side residents and 30% for non-residents on ten (10) various Ring products. Residents had [...]
It’s Not Rocket Science
Recently, in the news there has been coverage concerning a gas station located at 35th and McKinley in the City of Milwaukee. The Near West Side Partners has had this gas station on its radar [...]
Double Digit Reductions in the Near West Side
Crime Reductions Using a data-driven, public-private partnership, the Near West Side Partners's featured program, Promoting Assets Reducing Crime (PARC) has helped create double-digit improvements in public safety, including a 12 percent decrease in violent crime [...]
Choice Means Choice 2019 in New Orleans
A cohort of Near West Side Partners, Marquette University and City of Milwaukee Housing Authority staff had the opportunity to attend the "Choice Means Choice" conference November 13th - 15th hosted by Urban Strategies, a [...]
Solar Panels and Bee-Hives at Redeemer Lutheran Church
Located on the 19th block of West Wisconsin Avenue, Redeemer Lutheran Church has taken steps to modernize their congregation by being more conscious towards the effects their church has on the environment. They have installed [...]
Campus Impacting the Community
Elizabeth Killian, president of CAMPus Impact at Marquette University discusses below the work her organization completed over the weekend of October 18th and 19th and what this work means to the local community and the [...]
Guest Blogger: Renters’ Rights Series, Part 2: Your Rights While You Rent
At Legal Action of Wisconsin, we often see clients who are renting and having trouble with their landlord. Too often, our clients feel intimidated and afraid, and do not know their rights under state law. [...]
Caught On Camera
Power of the Partnership: Community, Police and Surveillance Cameras When community comes together to work side-by-side with the local police department a lot can be accomplished. In addition, as communities and police districts across the [...]
Doors Open: 11,000+ Visitors
This year the Near West Side was a featured neighborhood during the Doors Open 2019. All seven neighborhoods had sites for Doors Open weekend. During the last week of September, over 11,000 people enjoyed 15 [...]
SereniTea
Local Marquette University student Manpreet Signh is in the final stages of opening his own bubble-tea based cafe. The business will be on Marquette’s Campus located at 1414 West Wells Street and will have its [...]
SereniTea
Local Marquette University student Manpreet Signh is in the final stages of opening his own bubble-tea based cafe. The business will be on Marquette’s Campus located at 1414 West Wells Street and will have its [...]
Guest Blogger: Renters’ Rights Series, Part 1: Protecting Your Rights from the Start
Wisconsin renters have many legal rights. In this blog series, we will introduce you to your rights at three stages: before you rent, while you are renting, and after you move out. This first post [...]
21 Day Initiative Summary
Apart of the Near West Side Partners tool box in improving our commercial corridors is the "21 Day Initiative". This tool works with many community stakeholders and has been proven to be effect to encouraging [...]
Power of the Partnership: NWSP Interns
Summer 2019 has been one of our busiest summers to date in the Near West Side. The NWS Farmers Market, “Brats For Your Thoughts” and many other events and meetings have kept the staff busy. [...]
Jesse Owens Memorial Garden
June 30, 1934 Ralph Metcalfe (right) and Jesse Owens (left) lined up together, toe-to-toe at the Marquette Stadium for the 100 yard dash, near 38th and St. Paul in the Merrill Park neighborhood. Here is [...]
Choice Neighborhood Initiative – Collage Court Updates
On Thursday, July 18th Near West Side Choice Neighborhood Initiative (CNI) hosted its 2nd Resident Stakeholder Leadership Academy (RSLA). Nine residents were able to take advantage of this opportunity, six of which have accepted roles [...]