Session Title: SUN-B11-From Gray to Green; Revitalizing Milwaukee’s Industrial Heart

Description: Over the past 15 years the City of Milwaukee transformed the Menomonee Valley, Milwaukee's derelict industrial heart, into a thriving multiple use district. The planning and build-out of a 140 acre district is recognized nationally as a model for green infrastructure, environmental responsibility, and community revitalization.

Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the roles of the City, nonprofits, state and federal agencies, and

foundations, in implementing Milwaukee's vision.

2. Develop an understanding of the multiple planning efforts required to implement the vision.

3. Learn about implementing a subdistrict that includes a consolidated stormwater treatment system and restored natural areas.

4. Learn of the economic, community, and health benefits realized.

Detailed Outline:

1. Introduction (Bill Wenk, FASLA, President Wenk Associates, Inc.)

a. A brief description of learning objectives b. A brief history of the Menomonee Valley, its transformation from natural area

to industrial use, and its decline. c. Role of the Landscape Architect in transforming the Valley

2. Role of the City and key agency partners in initiating Valley-wide planning and redevelopment (Dave Misky, Assistant Executive Director of Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee)

a. A summary of the Valley in the context of surrounding neighborhoods, and related redevelopment initiatives.

b. A description of the City's role in implementation. c. A summary of the legal and financial structures for redevelopment. d. A description of key partnerships that have supported long-term success. e. A description of the role of State and Federal agencies for project funding and

permitting. f. A summary of the scope, costs, and economic return of City led projects. g. A description of how the City would modify its role on future revitalization

projects.

3. The role of nonprofits in redevelopment (Corey Zetts, Executive Director of Menomonee Valley Partners, Inc.)

a. A summary of the importance of a nonprofit advocate/partner. b. A description of community outreach and partnering. c. A summary of findings regarding improved health, safety, community benefits. d. A description of how MVP would change its or other nonprofits role in the

process.

4. Implementation - the planning, design and construction of light industrial developments, parks and open space areas. Greg Dorolek, Principal Wenk Associates, Inc)

a. A summary of the design competition, final planning and design, and construction process.

b. A description of design and multiple project construction phases required for implementation.

c. A description of the role of green infrastructure concepts and techniques, and its environmental, economic, and community benefits

Speaker Bios:

Bill Wenk, FASLA, RLA, is founder and President of Wenk Associates, Inc., a Denver-based landscape architectural firm. For over 30 years, he has been influential in the restoration and redevelopment of urban river and stream corridors, the transformation of derelict urban land, and the design of public parks and open spaces. Work includes planning and design for build-out of a portion of the Menomonee Valley.

Dave Misky has 19 years of diversified experience in real estate and economic development with a strong focus on creative financing and environmental issues. He currently oversees the City of Milwaukee’s Real Estate, 30th Street Industrial Corridor, and Brownfield programs. Dave and his team manage projects from small vacant residential lots to vast economic drivers that address development plans, zoning changes, gap financing, stormwater management, and environmental aspects of remediation and sustainability. One such project is the Menomonee Valley Industrial Center and Community Park along the Menomonee River.

Corey Zetts is the acting Executive Director of Menomonee Valley Partners, a public-private partnership coordinating the revitalization of Milwaukee’s Menomonee Valley through economic development, environmental restoration and community building programs. Corey has 12 years' experience leading diverse projects, including real estate development and business recruitment, infrastructure and sustainable design development, habitat restoration, greenspace and recreational planning, public art and community engagement.

Greg Dorolek is a Principal with Wenk Associates in Denver, Colorado with over 13 years of experience leading various urban projects that require detailed analysis, a holistic

approach, and creative solutions. He works at many different project scales and utilizes green infrastructure concepts to treat and manage stormwater runoff while also creating ecological, human, and economic value. Recent work includes national award winning projects like the Menomonee Valley Park and Redevelopment in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that transformed an 140-acre Brownfield into a natural park and thriving community. Greg holds a Master’s degree in landscape architecture from Harvard University.

Published Articles: Attached: “Green Infrastructure: A Landscape Approach” authored by David Rouse and

Ignacio Bunster Ossa. Published by the American Planning Association. Case Study: Menomonee Valley Park and Redevelopment, Milwaukee. Bill Wenk and Greg Dorolek