STUDIES & REPORTS
The Menomonee River Valley has become a national model of economic and environmental stability. Learn more through reports and guiding documents below.
annual report archive - 2002-PRESENT
Take a look back at the Valley's progress in the annual report archive.
industry & inclusion: manufacturing workforce strategies building an inclusive future
Published in: 2021
Published by: Urban Manufacturing Alliance & The Century Foundation
Content: In 2020, The Century Foundation (TCF) and the Urban Manufacturing Alliance (UMA) convened a national cohort of eight organizations to share best practices and strategies to expand workforce models that connect diverse communities to careers in manufacturing while also identifying policies to scale these efforts.
The eight cohort members (including Menomonee Valley Partners) determined that with the right models in place, un- and under-employed adults of all ages are able obtain the necessary skills to gain employment into a rewarding career in manufacturing, with further opportunities for skills advancement and wage progression.
MVP’s profile begins on p.70
Improving Job Access in the Menomonee Valley: Strategies to Connect and Strengthen Businesses and Neighborhoods
Published in: August 2018
Published by: MetroGO!
Content: This report provides essential information, data, and analysis, and identifies recommendations for collaborative transportation and workforce strategies to strengthen the Menomonee Valley and its businesses in a deeply competitive labor environment. This project expands on Last Mile study research to:
Determine employer job and transportation needs in the Menomonee Valley
Analyze and summarize data
Investigate job access challenges and insights from nearby neighborhoods
Convene experts and develop locally supported strategies and recommendations
Distribute findings
Menomonee River Valley 2.0 market study
Published in: 2014
Published by: City of Milwaukee Department of City Development
Content: In support of the City of Milwaukee’s Menomonee Valley Comprehensive Area Plan Update 2014, Valley 2.0, this a study of the industrial, labor and real estate markets in southeast Wisconsin and the Menomonee River Valley planning area in the City of Milwaukee.
This report documents findings and outlines policy and planning implications of those findings. The Market Study is divided into three parts:
Findings from the stakeholder involvement process;
Findings from an analysis of the state of the manufacturing market and labor market in southeastern Wisconsin;
Findings from an analysis of land use in the Menomonee River Valley.
This market study is informed the Valley 2.0 planning process and provided a baseline understanding of economic conditions in the Valley.
sustainable design guidelines
Published in: 2017
Published by: Menomonee Valley Partners, City of Milwaukee Department of City Development
Content: In 2004, Menomonee Valley Partners and the City of Milwaukee established sustainable building design guidelines for new development projects in the Menomonee River Valley. Intended primarily for the then newly-created Menomonee Valley Industrial Center, the Sustainable Design Guidelines were put in place to ensure high-quality redevelopment, environmental sensitivity and energy efficient construction in the Valley. Today, the Menomonee Valley Industrial Center is at full capacity and, combined with the age of the original guidelines and the untapped potential of 40 acres of undeveloped riverfront land on the Valley’s east end, the need for updating them was clear. Approved by the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee (RACM) at its September 2017 meeting, the updated guidelines are applied Valley-wide and required for any new building development or major renovation project receiving financial or land sale assistance from the City of Milwaukee or RACM.
Menomonee Valley Riverwalk Site Plan Review Overlay Zone
Published in: 2017
Published by: Menomonee Valley Partners, City of Milwaukee Department of City Development
Content: At its July 2017 meeting, the Common Council approved the Menomonee Valley Riverwalk Overlay which uses this zoning designation to "bookmark" the river’s edge along the Menomonee River for a future Valley Riverwalk as redevelopment occurs. This overlay marks the first expansion of the Milwaukee Riverwalk beyond its original course. As part of the Valley Riverwalk, Design Standards have been created to guide development along the future Riverwalk system.
Independent STudy: W. St. Paul Ave Conceptual Streetscaping Plan
Published in: 2023
Published by: University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Department of Urban Planning
Content: The proposed Independent Study by Louie Glotfelty identifies feasible, short-term solutions for streetscaping and placemaking along the W. St. Paul Avenue Commercial Corridor in the Menomonee Valley. This report was informed by a robust series of stakeholder engagement and it suggests utilizing existing resources and city programs to enhance the pedestrian experience. The final concepts presented include: Enhanced Safety & Connectivity, Greenery & Aesthetics, and Street Activation, Public Art & Programming.
A Senior Capstone Proposal: St. Paul Avenue Revitalization
Published in: December 2016
Published by: University of Wisconsin - Madison, Department of Landscape Architecture
Content: The proposed capstone by Mara Redding seeks to build on the foundation of the Menomonee Valley's thriving urban industrial district and explore how green infrastructure may contribute to revitalization of W St. Paul Ave, an industrial corridor of roughly 10 blocks. She seeks to encourage industry growth and sustainable development, increase green infrastructure, enhance connectivity between project site and surrounding neighborhoods, as well as to improve the pedestrian experience and access to public ammenities. She investigates how ideas of Ecological Urbanism may inform the design of the corridor.
A Senior Capstone Proposal: East Valley Gateway FAB District
Published in: May 2016
Published by: University of Wisconsin - Madison, Department of Landscape Architecture
Content: The proposed capstone by Chris Jansen seeks to build on the foundation of the Menomonee Valley’s thriving urban industrial district and explore how integrating the waterfront into a site posed for development can provide a social experience equitable to all. He investigates how ideas of Landscape Urbanism may inform the design of an urban food and beverage manufacturing district to help facilitate the economic vitality of the East Valley Gateway.
Redevelopment in Milwaukee’s Menomonee Valley: What Worked and Why?
Published in: September 2014
Published by: Public Policy Forum
Content: This is the most comprehensive study of the Valley’s revitalization to date. The report begins with a brief overview of the economic, environmental, and community improvements that have occurred in the Menomonee River Valley since the late 1990s. The work that brought about those outcomes is examined through five “success factors” deemed critical to the Valley’s revitalization.
2013 Menomonee Valley: State of the Valley Report
Published in: November 2013
Published by: Menomonee Valley Benchmarking Initiative
Content: This project assesses change in Milwaukee’s Menomonee River Valley and surrounding neighborhoods. Organized around the principles of Sustainable Development, the benchmarking initiative is an ongoing collaboration that systematically tracks and studies the Community, Environmental and Economic conditions of a place that is home to hundreds of Milwaukee businesses and more than 66,000 residents.
Bridging Valley Communities: Community Outreach and Marketing Plan
Published in: May 2007
Published by: Urban Strategies
Content: This report explores ways in which the economic development in the Valley can be connected with activity taking place in residential communities.
Connecting the South Side Neighborhoods to the Menomonee River Valley: A feasibility study for a “hands-on environmental education” satellite center
Published in: Spring 2006
Published by: Marilyn Goris
Content: Interview data and an environmental scan are compiled to assess the feasibility of locating an Urban Ecology Center Branch in or near the Menomonee Valley. The Urban Ecology Center Menomonee Valley branch ultimately opened in 2012.
Stormwater Management Report, CMC Shops Area
Published in: April 2005
Published by: Applied Ecological Solutions, Inc.
Content: Hydrologic study and proposal for stormwater management system on the site of the former Milwaukee Road factory.
Development Objectives for the Menomonee Valley Stockyards
Published in: December 2004
Published by: MVP, Inc.
Content: Summarizes in detail both the economic and environmental sustainability objectives for the former Milwaukee Stockyards. This helped lead to the current Canal Street Commerce Center.
Using the Menomonee Valley to Move from Land Development to Economic Development
Published in: July 2004
Published by: Brian Reilly, Maureen Klovers, Virgina Carlson.
Content: Summary of strategies to promote the strength of Milwaukee businesses so as to attract strong manufacturers, and implementation actions.
Milwaukee’s Industrial Land Base: An Analysis of Demand and A Strategy for Future Development
Published in: May 2004
Published by: MEDC Milwaukee; S.B. Friedman & Company
Content: This report assesses demand for industrial land in the city of Milwaukee, and recommends strategies that will best take advantage of that demand.
A Cultural Resource Management Plan Specific to Menomonee River Valley Redevelopment Project Lands in the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Published in: March 2004
Funded by: Wisconsin Coastal Management Program
Published by: Great Lakes Archaeological Research Center, Inc.
Content: A full assessment and list of recommendations regarding the potential historical and cultural resources that exist in the Valley, and how they should be cared for.
Menomonee River Watershed: State of the Watershed
Published in: 2004
Published by: Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission.
Content: This report analyzes the health of the entire Menomonee River watershed using numerous criteria.
Integrating the Environment, the economy, and community health: a community health center’s intiative to link health benefits to smart growth
Published in: 2004
Published by: American Journal of Public Health
Content: Peter McAvoy, Mary Beth Driscoll, and Ben Gramling of Sixteenth Street Community Health Center discuss how community engagement, as facilitated by a community health center, can have a positive effect on the quality of brownfield redevelopment.
The Canal Street Corridor: A Framework for Redevelopment
Published in: 2004
Published by: Wenk Associates, Solomon E.T.C./WRT, HTNB Corporation
Content: This report analyzes the constraints/opportunities, alternative frameworks, and develops a final framework plan and summary report for the redevelopment of the Canal Street Corridor.
UOSF Survey, 2003
Published in: 2003
Published by: The Urban Open Space Foundation
Content: Uses interview data to explore ownership and management opportunities for public space in the Menomonee Valley.
Environmental management considerations for site redevelopment in milwaukee’s menomonee river valley
Published in: November 2002
Published by: MVP, Inc. Environmental Committee
Content: This report employs data from the WDNR and USEPA to provide physical and chemical data for the Menomonee Valley and give a general indication of the range and distribution of contaminants. The data indicate that the environmental issues in the Menomonee Valley are manageable and the perception that there are widespread, high levels of contaminants has been allievated.
Menomonee Valley Cultural Resource Study
Published in: 2002
Published by: John Gurda
Content: A collection of sources, as well as a narrative essay, that summarize the history of the Menomonee Valley.
Menomonee River Valley National Design Competition
Published in: March 2002
Published by: Sixteenth Street Community Health Center
Content: This document presents the plans for the West End of the Menomonee Valley that were considered as finalists in the national design competition.
At the Center of it all: the high-road strategy for milwaukee’s menomonee valley
Published in: June 2000
Published by: Paid by MVP and written by Center on Wisconsin Strategy
Content: Provided recommendations on how to maximize quality job growth and economic development in the Menomonee Valley.
A vision for smart growth: Sustainable development design charrette, Milwaukee’s Menomonee River valley
Published in: 1999-2000
Published by: Sixteenth Street Community Health Center
Content: Design experts collaborated to develop concepts of how the Menomonee Valley could be sustainably developed in both 3-10 and 10-25 year time frames.
market study, engineering, and land use plan for the menomonee valley
Published in: October 1998
Published by: Lockwood Green Consulting; Fluor Daniel Consulting; Trkla, Pettigrew, Allen & Payne, Inc; Edwards & Associates, Inc.
Sponsored by: The City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage Disctrict, Menomonee Valley Business Association
Content: This document presents data and recommendations regarding the best way to foster economic development in the Menomonee Valley.
Characteristics of sustainable brownfields projects
Published in: July 1998
Published by: United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
Content: A lengthy guide to the science and economics of sustainable brownfield redevelopment.
