Westlawn project gets $30 million for more housing units

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has granted Milwaukee $30 million for the construction of 708 apartments at the Westlawn public-housing development on the city’s northwest side.

Westlawn, a 75-acre site lying south of West Silver Spring Drive and between 60th and 68th streets, is already home to 250 new apartments that were put up as part of the so-called Westlawn Gardens project. That project, completed in 2012, sits toward the eastern edge of the entire Westlawn property. It includes both market-rate housing and housing for tenants with low incomes, as well as shops, a community garden and parks.

The new development, in contrast, is to take place on the property’s western edge. It will replace 394 existing apartments with 708 new housing units. Of those, at least 394 will be set aside for low-income residents.

The buildings to be put up along Silver Spring Drive will have shops on their first floors and apartments above. The $30 million from HUD will also be put toward various endeavors meant to reduce the harm caused by foreclosures, provide more public transportation and improve nearby parks.

Meanwhile, city officials and the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee will direct some of the money toward programs and efforts meant to reduce infant mortality, bring children to centers that offer early education and help residents get jobs.

Westlawn was once the biggest housing development of its type in the city. Its redevelopment is part of a larger plan to combat blight on the city’s northwest side.

Milwaukee was one of five cities where officials learned of the receipt of a HUD grant on Monday. The others were Atlanta, Kansas City, Memphis and Sacramento, Calif.

In total, the cities received $150 million. The money will be used to replace 1,650 old public-housing units with 2,800 new apartments. Follow @TDR_WLJDan