STRATEGIC PLAN

Our Mission

To advance the business environment in the Burleigh Street Commercial Corridor by conceiving and implementing economic development and community revitalization projects through the leverage of public-private partnerships with the city, county, state and federal governments, private investors, local corporations and foundations.

Our Intended Impact

The intended impact reflects our vision that Burleigh Street Community Development Corporation aims to accomplish over the next three to five years and metrics to monitor progress. The goals and strategies articulated in this plan align with this impact.

Short Term Impact
As a result of our efforts there will be significant partnerships and people investing in the neighborhood helping to create and support local businesses resulting in initial job and wealth increases.

Long Term Impact
Burleigh Street is seen as the magnate of support for the surrounding community with Sherman Park as a healthy and wealthy neighborhood as reflected by:

Percent of commercial spaces rented
Reduced to no property foreclosures
An increased in assessed tax values
Broad selection of local businesses.

Context and Process

Located in Milwaukee’s Sherman Park neighborhood and running along Burleigh Street from Sherman Boulevard on the east to 60th Street on the west, the Burleigh Street Commercial Corridor is also known as “the Mosaic on Burleigh” for the variety of local businesses reflecting a community that welcomes many ethnicities and faiths.

The Burleigh Street Community Development Corporation, made up of a coalition of people who live, worship, work and do business in the neighborhood, has been leading revitalization efforts in this neighborhood since 1999. Together with our partners which include the Sherman Park Community Association, West Burleigh Business Improvement District (BID #27), the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County, state and federal government, and private investors, local corporations, foundations, and block associations throughout Sherman Park, we’re working to build upon the numerous strengths of this neighborhood to raise the quality of life and revitalize the Burleigh Street Commercial Corridor.

This process, led by a board and staff task force, was designed to create an achievable plan that builds momentum and lays the groundwork for a catalytic project on Burleigh Street. We’ve balanced our desire for lofty, inspiring goals with our need to build partnerships and credibility to set goals and accomplish results. The task force met several times, articulating first the intended impact of where we want to go and then identifying the agency’s strengths and researching and understanding the trends in the neighborhood. In addition to the task force’s work, we reached out to community partners and engaged in discussion about their vision and brainstormed strategies to accomplish our shared goals. The task force then took this information, prioritized goals and strategies and formulated this plan.

Goals & Strategies:

The following goals and strategies are designed to lead toward our intended impact:

Goal: Be the anchor organization to leverage city wide resources and convene neighborhood organizations, religious institutions, and other partners in fostering a better economic environment in Sherman Park.

The number of organizations and volunteers working to improve our neighborhood is one of its many strengths. Without clear roles and expectations it can also be confusing for residents and funders and, even worse, lead to unrealized potential. Many in the community agreed that Burleigh Street CDC was well positioned to convene our partners so that we can leverage our strengths and work together for the betterment of our neighborhood.

The strategies to accomplish this goal include:

Increase communication and collaboration with stakeholders by convening quarterly meeting
Together with partners, articulate focus areas and funding sources of each and distribute.
Sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the BID to support business development in Sherman Park.
Develop a memorandum of understanding with St. Joseph’s for a long-term partnership.

Goal: Actively recruit and support businesses for Burleigh Street and employment for Sherman Park residents.

The primary purpose of Burleigh Street CDC, as stated in our mission, is to advance the business environment. This goal continues our ongoing efforts to bring sustainable, appropriate businesses into the area and support both new and ongoing enterprises.

The strategies to accomplish this goal include:

Create a marketing and recruitment package to support a development opportunity on Burleigh Street.
Conduct a marketing campaign that targets businesses, entrepreneurs and investors for development opportunities on Burleigh Street.
Conduct a comprehensive marketing campaign aimed at residents to promote local businesses and encourage neighborhood patronization.
Implement the Jobs Connect Program.
Support businesses through technical assistance.
Involve stakeholders in creating business criteria and a long-term vision for Burleigh Street.

Goal: A strong CDC recognized for its contribution with the human and financial resources necessary to accomplish our goals

Burleigh Street CDC operates on a lean budget utilizing the passion, commitment and skills of volunteers and part-time staff to accomplish our goals. As we move forward, in addition to focusing externally, we must also focus internally to ensure we recruit, support and retain the right talent to realize our intended impact.

The strategies to accomplish this goal include:

Complete a board matrix of skills needed to meet goals and board development plan to meet needs.
Recruit new board members
Develop and implement a PR plan around each of the CDCs main initiatives: Jobs Connect, recruiting business and successes.

Goal: Develop a catalytic project that will propel Burleigh Street forward

As we build upon our strengths, create a solid foundation of support and work collaboratively with our partners we want to continue looking forward for a catalytic project that will transform Burleigh Street and has a significant likelihood of being accomplished.

The strategies for this goal include:

Working with the BID and other stakeholders, spearhead aesthetic and public improvements that foster a better business and pedestrian environment on Burleigh Street.
Convene stakeholders to identify potential catalytic project.
Develop and execute a catalytic project on Burleigh Street.

A complete strategy grid, including timeline and assignment of responsibility, can be found in the Appendix.

Implementation

A strategic plan is not a static document, but rather a reflection of goals and strategies at a particular point in time. As the plan moves into implementation, detailed tasks and operational goals and metrics will be established for each strategy and monitored for progress. As our environment changes or we learn more from implementation the board and staff will adjust the tactics and, when necessary, strategies to accomplish our overall impact. In doing so, we will maximize the likelihood of our success and contribute toward a healthy, vibrant Sherman Park neighborhood.

APPENDIX A: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Our goal in putting this process together was to be focused, yet inclusive. Several people gave significant time and valuable insights and thoughts to putting this plan together. Our efforts here would not have been possible without the leadership, guidance and commitment of the strategic planning task force which consisted of:

James Phelps
Dana Becker
Dave Steele
Renee Lindner
James Hiller

Also, this planning process would not have been possible without the generosity of our stakeholders. We gratefully acknowledge those who gave of their time and / or donations:

The Board of Burleigh Street CDC
- James Phelps
- Carolyn Walker
- Dave Steele
- Dana Becker
- Antoine McDuffie
- Lorraine Williams
- Cory Harris
- Jamshid Zonoozi
Nonprofit Management Fund – premier sponsor/funder
Pam Ozimek – former board member
Law Offices of James A. Hiller
Fred Curzan and Tom Lifvendahl - Sherman Park Community Association
Brenda Cooper - BID # 27
Pastor Tim Perkins - Bethel Bethany United Church of Christ
Marjorie Rucker - LISC Milwaukee
Capt. Regina Howard - Milwaukee Police Department District 7
Steve Mahan - City of Milwaukee
Karen Nagel – Tri-Block
Laura Fischer - Auer Community
Rochelle Brien - Norwood Neighbors
Jennifer West – Wheaton Franciscan – St. Joseph Campus