Recent developments could attract the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Freshwater Sciences
project to the Walker’s Point (east of 1st Street along Greenfield Avenue). Our State
Representative Pedro Colon supports the land on Milwaukee’s inner harbor as the front-runner
for the UWM project. This could breathe new life into the area.
The land is near the existing Great Lakes Water Institute, but the area’s industrial past does
present a challenge. Specifically, the land includes a coal pile for the Valley Power Plant and,
nearby, the vacant, 46-acre former home of Solvay Coke & Gas and the vacant former Grede
Foundry.
Colon is working with City, State and Federal resources to develop strategies to address blight
in the area to support a UWM move. Tom Luljak, the UWM’s vice chancellor for public affairs
has said that there are some challenges that exist on the site, but they don’t think that any are
insurmountable.
Val Klump, director of the Great Lakes Water Institute, currently located at the site, said the
redevelopment challenges could present opportunities. Klump, who is involved in planning the
UWM water school, said combining the school and water institute would open the door for
developing a business park for water research companies.
This is a huge opportunity for our neighborhood. If these plans proceed, we are also told that
there will be strong efforts to locate a KRM (Kenosha Racine Milwaukee Commuter Rail) transfer
stop at the site, right here in our neighborhood.
Let your public representatives know that you support this site!
Mayor Tom Barrett
DCD Commissioner Rocky Marcoux
Common Council President Willie Hines