Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

Your neighborhood. Your News.

img src=”/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/news-icon.png” alt=”news” width=”40″ border=”0″ /><Milwaukee NNSMilwaukee NNSSearch
Subscribe to NNS today!

 

Advertisement
Advertisement

 

  • Home
  • News
    • Arts and Recreation
    • Community
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Health and Wellness
    • Housing
    • Public Safety
    • Special Report
  • Posts From Community
    • Submit a Story
  • Community Voices
  • How To
  • Multimedia
    • On the Block
    • NNS Local Video
    • Photos
    • NNS on Lake Effect
    • NNS WGLB 1560 Radio
  • Subscribe
  • Donate
  • Calendar
  • About
    • Staff
    • Partners
    • The neighborhoods we cover
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

Diederich College of Communication, Marquette University

Friday, February 15, 2019

You are here: Home / Home / Carousel / Sanders steers King Drive redevelopment

Sanders steers King Drive redevelopment

May 2, 2013 by Kaitlyn Farmer and Patrick Leary Leave a Comment

Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Email this to someone
email

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Maps, models and awards cover the conference room of Welford Sanders’ office on Milwaukee’s Martin Luther King Drive. Every paper building, dog-eared blueprint and glass plaque plays a part in the North Side neighborhood’s revival.

“Our challenge today is to rebuild,” Sanders said. “Because that’s important for the long-term sustainability and revitalization of our neighborhood.”

Sanders arrived at the Martin Luther King Economic Development Corp. in 2001 as interim executive director. Since then, his four-phase restoration plan has improved the neighborhood by developing affordable housing and stable living communities. His work earned him a 2013 MANDI (Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation) nomination for “demonstrating leadership and collaboration for change.”

“It’s recognition for some important work that’s being done in the neighborhoods of Milwaukee,” Sanders said of the MANDI nomination. “Given some of the past winners, it puts us in good company.”

Sanders, 63, was raised on Chicago’s West Side. The classical architecture of King Drive reminds him of his old neighborhood.

“I grew up in a two-story walk-up … that was built somewhere in the late 1800s or early 1900s in Chicago,” he said. “I have a great appreciation for the old buildings.”

Sanders’ father influenced his decision to pursue urban planning. A railroad worker in Chicago, he was an urban pioneer and never owned a car.

Sanders didn’t study his eventual profession until graduate school. He was a history major at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earned his master’s degree in urban and regional planning at UW-Madison, and later returned to pursue his doctorate in the late 1980s. He chose not to complete his dissertation and instead found work in Milwaukee as both a developer and a teacher at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Ten years passed before an important opportunity arose for Sanders in 2001.

“It just so happens that on my way to a consulting project, my predecessor left the agency, and I was asked by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation if I would be able to take on the job as an interim executive director,” Sanders said. “I’ve been here since that time.”

In the years that followed, Sanders launched his plan for the neighborhood, which he called King Drive Commons. His work fulfilled him professionally and drew notice from other developers.

“He has been extremely focused,” said Howard Snyder, executive director of the Northwest Side Community Development Corp. “King Drive is a different place because of all that housing.”

Sanders’ work has improved the quality of life of King Drive residents such as Betty Speed. “I love my apartment,” she said. “It’s modern, convenient and close to my job. I’ve seen the neighborhood change for the better.”

Sanders’ influence on the Milwaukee community extends beyond King Drive. As an adjunct professor at UWM, he helps mold America’s future urban planners.

“I do not want our students to stumble upon King Drives or North Avenues or impoverished communities and try to learn on the job,” he said.

He also serves as president of the board at Growing Power, a prominent urban farming organization in Milwaukee. In his spare time, he loves to travel to architecture hubs such as San Francisco and Seattle.

“It’s both work as well as pleasure,” he said of traveling. “I have a need to keep track of projects and what’s going on in other cities.”

Did you like this story? Subscribe to NNS today.  

Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Email this to someone
email

Related

Filed Under: Carousel, Community, Economic Development, Harambee, Home, Neighborhoods, News, North Tagged With: bronzeville, Economic Development, Martin Luther King Drive, video, walnut way

About Kaitlyn Farmer and Patrick Leary

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Advertisement
New editor vows to ‘proceed until apprehended’

New editor vows to ‘proceed until apprehended’

By Ron Smith

Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Email this to someone
email

It’s an honor to lead the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. Expect us to continue to celebrate the many good things happening in our neighborhoods as we strengthen our watchdog role in the community.

Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Email this to someone
email

Most Popular

  • Lloyd Street School teacher uses ‘mirror messages’ to combat bullying Lloyd Street School teacher uses ‘mirror messages’ to combat bullying
  • First-ever COP houses to come to Milwaukee, amid controversy First-ever COP houses to come to Milwaukee, amid controversy
  • New editor vows to ‘proceed until apprehended’ New editor vows to ‘proceed until apprehended’
  • ‘We deserve to feel safe in our own skin:’ North Division students march for Black Lives Matter ‘We deserve to feel safe in our own skin:’ North Division students march for Black Lives Matter
  • MPS defends decision to keep schools open despite storm MPS defends decision to keep schools open despite storm
Advertisement

How To …

How to stay safe when temperatures plummet

How to stay safe when temperatures plummet

Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Email this to someone
email

The City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) is reminding all residents to take precautions as single-digit temperatures and record below-zero wind chills move into the area.

Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Email this to someone
email

More "How To" articles

Connect with us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Upcoming Events

  1. Daddy-Daughter Dance

    February 16 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

View All Events

Advertisement

Links

  • Milwaukee Film is showing Black History Month through a Black Lens
    Share on Facebook
    Facebook
    Tweet about this on Twitter
    Twitter
    Email this to someone
    email

    Print Friendly, PDF & Email

    Share on Facebook

    Facebook

    Tweet about this on Twitter

    Twitter

    Email this to someone

    email

    Print Friendly, PDF & Email

    FacebookTwitteremail Subscribe to NNS Daily: Leave this field empty if you’re human: radiomilwaukee.org Did you like this story? Subscribe to NNS today.   FacebookTwitteremail Related

    Share on Facebook

    Facebook

    Tweet about this on Twitter

    Twitter

    Email this to someone

    email

    Did you like this story? Subscribe to NNS today.  

    Share on Facebook
    Facebook
    Tweet about this on Twitter
    Twitter
    Email this to someone
    email

    Related

  • Senate Republicans vote to keep Colin Kaepernick’s name off Black History Month resolution
    Share on Facebook
    Facebook
    Tweet about this on Twitter
    Twitter
    Email this to someone
    email

    Print Friendly, PDF & Email

    Share on Facebook

    Facebook

    Tweet about this on Twitter

    Twitter

    Email this to someone

    email

    Print Friendly, PDF & Email

    FacebookTwitteremail Subscribe to NNS Daily: Leave this field empty if you’re human: wpr.org Did you like this story? Subscribe to NNS today.   FacebookTwitteremail Related

    Share on Facebook

    Facebook

    Tweet about this on Twitter

    Twitter

    Email this to someone

    email

    Did you like this story? Subscribe to NNS today.  

    Share on Facebook
    Facebook
    Tweet about this on Twitter
    Twitter
    Email this to someone
    email

    Related

  • Tony Evers proposes millions in next budget to replace lead pipes, improve dental care access
    Share on Facebook
    Facebook
    Tweet about this on Twitter
    Twitter
    Email this to someone
    email

    Print Friendly, PDF & Email

    Share on Facebook

    Facebook

    Tweet about this on Twitter

    Twitter

    Email this to someone

    email

    Print Friendly, PDF & Email

    FacebookTwitteremail Subscribe to NNS Daily: Leave this field empty if you’re human: jsonline.com Did you like this story? Subscribe to NNS today.   FacebookTwitteremail Related

    Share on Facebook

    Facebook

    Tweet about this on Twitter

    Twitter

    Email this to someone

    email

    Did you like this story? Subscribe to NNS today.  

    Share on Facebook
    Facebook
    Tweet about this on Twitter
    Twitter
    Email this to someone
    email

    Related

  • Solar seen as bright career path at Illinois community colleges
    Share on Facebook
    Facebook
    Tweet about this on Twitter
    Twitter
    Email this to someone
    email

    Print Friendly, PDF & Email

    Share on Facebook

    Facebook

    Tweet about this on Twitter

    Twitter

    Email this to someone

    email

    Print Friendly, PDF & Email

    FacebookTwitteremail Subscribe to NNS Daily: Leave this field empty if you’re human: energynews.us Did you like this story? Subscribe to NNS today.   FacebookTwitteremail Related

    Share on Facebook

    Facebook

    Tweet about this on Twitter

    Twitter

    Email this to someone

    email

    Did you like this story? Subscribe to NNS today.  

    Share on Facebook
    Facebook
    Tweet about this on Twitter
    Twitter
    Email this to someone
    email

    Related

  • Milwaukee African-American immersion school embodies the spirit of Black Lives Matter
    Share on Facebook
    Facebook
    Tweet about this on Twitter
    Twitter
    Email this to someone
    email

    Print Friendly, PDF & Email

    Share on Facebook

    Facebook

    Tweet about this on Twitter

    Twitter

    Email this to someone

    email

    Print Friendly, PDF & Email

    FacebookTwitteremail Subscribe to NNS Daily: Leave this field empty if you’re human: jsonline.com Did you like this story? Subscribe to NNS today.   FacebookTwitteremail Related

    Share on Facebook

    Facebook

    Tweet about this on Twitter

    Twitter

    Email this to someone

    email

    Did you like this story? Subscribe to NNS today.  

    Share on Facebook
    Facebook
    Tweet about this on Twitter
    Twitter
    Email this to someone
    email

    Related

Compiled by Andrea Waxman

News

  • Arts and Recreation
  • Economic Development
  • Education
  • Health and Wellness
  • Housing
  • Public Safety
  • Special Reports
  • Multimedia
    • On The Block
    • NNS Videos
    • Photos
    • NNS on Lake Effect Radio

Engage with us

  • Posts from Community
  • Community Voices
  • Submit a Story
  • Calendar

About NNS

  • Staff
  • Partners
  • The neighborhoods we cover
  • Internship opportunities
  • Careers
  • Terms of use
  • Advertise

Connect with us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS feed

Communities

Contact

mailing address
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Diederich College of Communication
Marquette University
1131 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Johnston Hall 430
Milwaukee, WI 53233

email
info@milwaukeenns.org

phone & fax
PHONE: 414.604.6397 FAX: 414.288.6494

Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service is a project of Diederich College of Communication and Marquette University.
© 2019 Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. Terms of use.
1131 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee WI 53233 • info@milwaukeenns.org

Copyright © 2019 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in