USGBC Natural Talent Design Competition 2009 - Wisconsin (Wisconsin Green Building Alliance)

Design a LEED Platinum neighborhood market that will serve the growing needs of Walnut Way and the greater community. The market will supplement the current urban agriculture initiatives and provide a mix of uses, including a neighborhood grocery store, retail space, restaurant, community garden and gathering spaces. In addition to these spaces, entrants shall consider redesign of North Avenue as well as alleys, to create a more pedestrian-friendly and sustainable environment.

Site: The 3.8 acre site includes the 1500 & 1600 blocks of W North Avenue on Milwaukee’s near north side and includes a section of right-of-way for North Avenue.

Milwaukee’s near north side was settled by German immigrants who filled the workforce of Milwaukee’s strong manufacturing economy. Their influence on the community is still visible through the early 20th century architecture of the churches, homes and storefronts that dominate the area. The boom in workforce needs of the early 1900’s attracted a more diverse group of people, looking to make a better life for their families. As a result of the downturn in manufacturing in the late 1900’s, many of the neighborhoods that surround North Avenue began to see a decline in employment. After years of neglect, many of these areas became overridden with crime, drugs and prostitution. More recent efforts by the City and grass-roots organizations have helped implement the tools of revitalization, while respecting residents’ needs.

Walnut Way’s resident-driven program focuses on initiatives to engage area residents in 1) Civic and community leadership, 2) Housing construction and restoration, 3) Stewardship of environmental resources, and 4) Economic Development. Walnut Way residents and volunteers have five years of successful experience in urban-ecology-based initiatives, including nearly eliminating drug and prostitution activity in the neighborhood; creating and managing multiple, high-production community gardens; conducting successful, profitable sales of garden produce, on-going gardening and nutrition education programs for youth and adults; launching a storm-water education program; installing rain gardens, rain barrels and other strategies to manage storm-water runoff at the neighborhood level; establishing a small shade-tree nursery to expand the urban tree canopy; and converting a former drug house/murder site into a prime turn-of-the-19th century restoration which will serve as a neighborhood gathering spot for educational as well as social purposes.

Brief (PDF)