Common Council President and HACM Board Chair Willie Hines, Jr, Mayor Tom Barrett,
HACM Secretary-Executive Director Tony Perez and Business Journal Editor Mark Kass

April 19, 2013

MILWAUKEE – The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee was recognized by the Milwaukee Business Journal with an award for Best Residential Renovation for the Westlawn Gardens development project during the publication’s Real Estate Awards luncheon this afternoon.

“The Housing Authority is incredibly proud of the work that has gone into revitalizing the Westlawn Gardens neighborhood,” says Tony Pérez, Secretary-Executive Director of the Housing Authority. “It is an honor to be recognized by the community with this award from the Milwaukee Business Journal.”

The Business Journal recognizes outstanding development projects in the area during its annual Real Estate Awards luncheon. This year, the publication received more than 60 nominations for award recognition.

The award was presented by Editor Mark Kass to Common Council President and Housing Authority Board Chair Willie Hines, Jr., Mayor Tom Barrett, and Housing Authority Secretary-Executive Director Tony Pérez.

The Westlawn Gardens development project by the Housing Authority has revitalized the neighborhood on the city’s northwest side. Once the site of Wisconsin’s largest public housing development, the neighborhood has been redeveloped as mixed-income and mixed-use with 250 new and affordable homes, plans for market rate homes and retail, and 30,000 square feet for community gardens. The entire neighborhood has been redesigned with an eye towards energy efficiency and sustainability, with ground source heating and cooling, an extensive storm water management plan, and the city’s first LED-lighted street system.

“These homes are already having an immense impact on the lives of Milwaukee residents in need of affordable housing and the redevelopment is providing a safe and healthy community,” says Paul Williams, communications coordinator for the Housing Authority. 

The homes in the Westlawn Gardens neighborhood will provide quality and affordable housing for low-income families, elderly and disabled Milwaukee residents. The development includes community gardens, walking paths and multi-purpose rooms to promote community and healthy living.

See additional photos on the HACM Facebook page.