Located just west of downtown, Avenues West serves a densely populated urban neighborhood. The 90 square blocks of the Avenues West neighborhood offer recreation, business, education and varied living opportunities to almost 30,000 people on a daily basis. Avenues West is bounded by I-43 on the east, 27th Street on the west, I-94 on the south and Highland Avenue on the north.
Prior to its incorporation, the Association was known as the Avenues West Neighborhood Association and was dedicated to the revitalization and development of the historic “Grand Avenue” district.
On June 25, 1987, the Avenues West Association, a not-for-profit membership association, was incorporated and approved as a tax exempt 501(c) 3 entity. It serves as an advocate for development and revitalization, aesthetic enhancements, cooperative marketing and planning, networking, and the promotion of safety throughout the neighborhood. The association and its partner, the Avenues West Business Improvement District (BID No. 10), provide the leadership in promoting community stability, balance of land uses and economic development. The BID, with a separate seven member board of directors, was formed in late 1992 as authorized under Wisconsin Statutes and continues to contract with the Association for staffing and goal implementation. During the past 23 years, Avenues West staff size has fluctuated from one part-time person to two and one half full-time employees and is currently at one full-time and one part-time staff positions.
In addition to coordinating the neighborhood's Landlord Compact over the past seventeen years, the Avenues West Association coordinates meetings for business operators and property owners on 27th Street. It has two Task Force groups, Safety and Security, and Economic Development, which include experts in each of the specified fields who collaborate to achieve improved conditions for the neighborhood. 2008 through 2010, Avenues West became the sponsoring organization for the SOHI District Main Street program on 27th Street.
The Association also holds five general meetings each year featuring informational speakers. One of those meetings is the Association's only fund raising event – the annual “Together We Can” Awards Luncheon and Silent Auction. This is where the Community Investment Award, the Impact Award, and any special recognition awards are presented.
The Avenues West Association's eleven member board of directors represents a broad range of volunteers who are neighborhood stake holders. The staff can be reached at: 624 North 24th Street, Milwaukee, 53233. Telephone (414) 933-0640; fax (414) 933-0641