Success Stories
Together We Have Created…
Burnham Park Futsal Courts
Vision
Create a space that was active, safe and free of cost for kids and adults to practice their favorite sport.
Challenge
Burnham Park is the only significant green space in a 165 block radius and thus is the neighborhood park to 21,000 residents, including over 7,000 young people, but it was not fully serving the recreation needs of the community. Surveys repeatedly showed soccer as the #1 desired sport for neighborhood residents, but the park had no dedicated soccer fields. Additionally, a large section of the active park was unusable because it was occupied by abandoned and dilapidated tennis courts.
Vision In Action
The Burnham Park Task Force (BPTF), led by a group of neighbors, partnered with VIA to engage our neighbors and work with MKE Rec (who manages the Park) to advocate for improvements to the Park. For ten years, the BPFT instigated community meetings, design charettes, negotiations and fundraising to bring soccer and other improvements to Burnham Park. An MKE Rec equity audit of their playfields combined with the extremely high level of engagement from neighbors led MKE Rec to select Burnham Park as one of the first playfields for major renovations.
Now
Together we opened the Burnham Park futsal courts in September of 2019! That vision is now a reality thanks to the support of over 100 individuals, organizations and businesses. The Burnham Park Futsal Courts, located on the corner of 35th and Mitchell, are free to use and open every day for thousands of youth, adults, and grandparents to enjoy the beautiful game. No need to register or pay fees or have a team, everyone is welcome to join pickup games at the courts.
Next
This project is only the beginning of a significant renovation plan for the rest of Burnham Park, which broke ground in the Summer of 2020. The redevelopment is led by MKE Rec and includes new basketball courts, playground equipment, a splash pad, lighting, seating area, and a youth turf soccer field. None of this would have been possible without the BPTF. You can be part of the Burnham Park Task Force and improving our community park!
Project Partners
MKE Rec (a division of Milwaukee Public Schools), Abacus Architects, Mike Mervis, Carmen High School of Science and Technology Students, City of Milwaukee – Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation, Sport Court and RAMZ General Construction LLC. You can see the full list of partners and supporters, including those who joined the Sponsor a Square campaign.
Turnkey Renovation Program
Vision
Restore the character & potential of neighborhood homes, increase homeownership opportunities, reduce foreclosures and employ neighborhood contractors.
Challenge
In the wake of the economic crisis in 2008 and with increasing foreclosed homes in the neighborhood, VIA saw an opportunity. Blighted, nuisance properties were affecting the quality of life of neighbors on those blocks.
Vision In Action
VIA purchased the first Turnkey home to convert one of these properties into a restored, energy-efficient home to improve both the housing stock and the social fabric and confidence on that block. Since 2008, VIA has been acquiring, renovating and selling properties with income restrictions by combining our borrowing capacity with public subsidies, corporate philanthropic support, and community partnerships. While all homes strive to be good stewards of the environment, through additional support some have included larger investments like solar panels, solar thermal hot water systems, and more. Through this model, vacant and dilapidated properties are transformed into affordable and energy-efficient, like-new homes.
Now
Together we have leveraged over $4.7 million while developing 25 Turnkey properties, now home to 25 amazing households who are strengthening our community. Since 2008 the market has changed in VIA’s anchor neighborhoods (increasing home values to pre-recession levels) and the number of foreclosure homes have declined. With other housing strategies, the Turnkey model has been one puzzle piece towards ensuring safe, healthy and beautiful homes. In addition, VIA is working to grow our Contractor Coaching to develop, support and hire more local contractors.
Next
VIA continues to develop Turnkey Renovation Homes in partnership with local place-based organizations in Milwaukee in the Clarke Square and Lindsay Heights neighborhoods. To ensure the long-term affordability of these homes VIA is exploring partnership with the Milwaukee Community Land Trust and hopes to sell the first home into the MCLT soon.
Project Partners
City of Milwaukee (Community Development Grant Administration, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Housing Trust Fund, Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative, Department of City Development), Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council, Tri City National Bank, US Bank, Walnut Way Conservation Corp.