Career Youth Development was a fixture in the Harambee neighborhood for more than 40 years.
It was established in 1970 by Jeannetta Simpson-Robinson and her mother Claretta Simpson. CYD began as a small after-school program before expanding into a social service agency operating out of its longtime headquarters on the corner of North King Drive and West Clarke Street.
Simpson-Robinson was a force in the community tirelessly advocating for violence prevention, a quest aspired by the murder of her daughter, Cheryl, 25, and namesake granddaughter, Jeannetta, 9, in 1984.
When Simpson-Robinson died in 2008, CYD faced financial challenges and closed soon afterward.
The building and the adjacent park she championed as a healing space for violence victims fell into disrepair.
Now the city has issued a call for developers to reimagine the properties.
The Department of City Development held a Feb. 19 information session to discussed development opportunities for the former Career Youth Development building, 2601-09 N. King Drive and neighboring Victory Over Violence Park, 2615 N. King Drive.
Here’s what to know:
City issued request for proposals in January
In January, the city issued a request for proposal for both properties which are being sold together. The list price is $280,000. The city is looking for a developer to take on both properties.
Built in 1900, the city-owned CYD property is a mixed-use building with more than 15,000 square feet. The adjacent Victory Over Violence Park is owned by the city’s Redevelopment Authority and is about 42,000 square feet.
The Redevelopment Authority acquired that property through adverse condemnation said Kari Smith, with the Department of City Development. That allows the agency to legally acquire a property if it is in poor shape to try to maintain it better, she said.
“The intention was for it to be some sort of mixed-use development. But a lot of effort was put into a park space and into a community space as sort as a statement against violence in the community,” said Smith, the department’s real estate and development manager.
The green space eventually fell into disrepair in the 2010s though there were efforts to rehab it.
“But it is still struggling to survive,” Smith said.
CYD building acquired by city through tax foreclosure
The city acquired the CYD building in 2024 through tax foreclosure. The building suffered a fire and is in poor condition like many buildings the city acquires, Smith said.
The building could be renovated or all or a portion could be razed. The properties have an LB2 zoning which accommodates a range of uses including housing, office, retail or a cultural space.
City officials encourage an urban design for the development that has walkability and transparency for ground floor commercial space.
“These are general ideas,” said Rosita Ross, the sales manager for the property. “We looking for any ideas that will enhance the community and fit into that space.”
The project can include one or multiple developments but must maintain a public gathering space to be owned and maintained by the buyer, according to the RFP. That public gathering space should be at least 10,000 square feet and include direct access from King Drive.
Ideas for activating Victory over Violence space sought
The city wants to find ways to program and activate the green space. Victory Over Violence has been plagued with loitering and homeless encampments.
Kyle Gast, with the DCD’s Planning Division, said a good use could be a food and beverage business that could spill out on that space. That approach, he said, accomplishes keeping the space open to the public but also provides ownership.
“Some of the activities that have been problematic would probably migrate elsewhere if it is designed appropriately,” Gast said.
The city Ross added, does have grants to help rehab to the building, but not for construction cost.
Proposals are due March 23. If no suitable proposal is found, the city will continue to market the properties. Developers have 18 months to complete the project.
“We are looking for a developer that can get it done,” Ross said.
Properties are located in the 6th alderman district
The properties are located in Ald. Milele Coggs’ district. She requested the session. Coggs has a personal connection to the CYD, taking advantage of its programs and services as teen.
Smith said Coggs has had several inquiries about the properties over the years. But she wanted to have an open process allowing people to learn about the properties’ development potential and to generate as many proposals as possible, Smith noted.
Smith said there’s been conversations about finding a balance between development possibilities for the two properties while being mindful of the history and spirit of the CYD building and Victory Over Violence Park.
“There is a lot of community based and community building history and intentions in both of these spaces,” Smith said. “It is really important for her (Coggs) and the community she represents to make sure the community is represented in these two properties.”
“What ultimately makes a space like the CYD building meaningful is not the structure itself, but how people choose to honor it,” Ald. Coggs said in a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “The most important responsibility is to steward the building and/or the space in a way that respects its history, its role in the community, and its connection to Bronzeville.”
A few developers attended the meeting, including Neaokia Collins of Pure Entertainment Group. She didn’t disclose any plans she had for the properties, but she said she would like to see development that embraces Bronzeville’s cultural and arts community.
This article has been updated to include a statement from Ald. Milele Coggs.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee seeks ideas to transform CYD Building and Victory Over Violence Park
Reporting by La Risa R. Lynch, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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