The transformation of the Menomonee River Valley over the last 20 years is one of Milwaukee's great success stories and a national model for sustainable redevelopment. The fact that Valley has been successful in achieving real economic development, environmental restoration and community building is due, at every level, to the depth of the partnerships behind the effort. A broad range of partners have taken leaps of faith, worked tirelessly together, and demonstrated that bringing together diverse perspectives inspires creativity, builds stronger teams, and leads to better solutions.
This lecture by Corey Zetts, executive director of Menomonee Valley Partners, delves into the processes and partnerships that ushered in the Valley's revival.
Corey Zetts serves as the Executive Director of Menomonee Valley Partners, the public/private partnership facilitating the redevelopment of Milwaukee’s Menomonee Valley. For decades, the 1200-acre Menomonee Valley was Wisconsin’s most visible eyesore, with hundreds of acres of abandoned buildings, vacant land and a forgotten river in the heart of Milwaukee. Since 1999, Menomonee Valley Partners has worked to revitalize the Valley through economic development, environmental restoration, and community building programs that benefit the greater Milwaukee community. Through this collaborative effort, more than 300 acres of brownfields have been redeveloped, more than 50 businesses have moved to the Valley, 5,200 jobs have been created, more than 1 million square feet of sustainably designed buildings have been constructed, and 60 acres of public park and trails developed. The holistic and collaborative approach taken in the revitalization of Milwaukee’s Menomonee Valley has earned the Valley national recognition as a model of sustainable urban redevelopment.
Corey joined Menomonee Valley Partners in 2005 and became Executive Director in 2014. Through the years she has led diverse projects, including real estate development and business recruitment, infrastructure and sustainable design planning, habitat restoration, greenspace and recreational planning, public art and community engagement. Corey received her MS in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Wisconsin in 2005. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Hank Aaron State Trail and the Regional Transit Leadership Council, is a Commissioner of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, and volunteers on committees of Highland Community School, MKE United, Professional Dimensions, Urban Manufacturing Alliance, and the Wisconsin Policy Forum
An RSVP to lewis298@uwm.edu is kindly requested.
Parking information: https://uwm.edu/transportation/
Transit Information: The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee area is in a walkable, bike-able, urban neighborhood that is served by several transit lines, including the Milwaukee County Transit System, Badger Bus, and Wisconsin Coach Lines. Please consider utilizing public transit to get to UWM and avoid the hassle of parking.
This is the third Innovative Cities Lecture presented by the Department of Urban Planning this year. Join us every second Thursday from noon to 1:30 in SARUP room 345 for Innovative Cities lectures. A pizza luncheon will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Please RSVP if you plan to join us.
