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A Modern Center For Economic Development
The Time is Now for bold action to help those still left behind in our prosperous community to build their road to economic success. The time is now to close the economic gaps that divide us along racial lines. The time is now to make an investment in a bold economic development vision that ensures Greater Madison is a place that welcomes, nurtures, and inspires all people regardless of race, ethnicity, or economic status.
From Civil Rights to Silver Rights
The Time is Now is a multi-faceted project that involves the creation of a modern Urban League Center for Economic Development and the expansion of our economic development programs. It marks the Urban League’s 40 th anniversary in Madison by sharpening our focus and modernizing our strategy. It is part of a massive transformation from social services to economic development services – from “civil rights” to “silver rights” as many have coined it.
The project includes expansion and relocation of the Urban League to South Madison in a new building to be shared with the Public Library and other potential partners. It will enhance the Urban League’s three-point strategy - Workforce Development, College Readiness & Career Development, and Equity Development - a strategy designed to catapult the African American community to a legacy of sustainable economic development. Through these and other activities, the Project will generate $20 million in economic activity in this emerging neighborhood in just a few short years.
The Urban League has already raised nearly half of the project’s $5 million cost. In addition to a $3.4 million modern facility to house the Urban League’s programs, the campaign will raise $600k to increase our endowment and building reserve fund and $1 million dollars to sustain and expand our programs.
Over the course of the last decade, countless studies have identified underutilized development opportunities in South Madison. While each has been unique, they all share a number of common themes:
The Villager as a Gateway
Located at a major interchange, The Villager is positioned as a gateway to all of the great things that Madison has to offer – the lakes, Overture Center, the UW, MATC, and a thriving downtown. Madison residents are proud of their city and want people to see it at its best from the moment they enter. The Urban League will build the first of many proposed public and private projects intended to make “the gateway” as desirable and vibrant as the downtown destination.
An Emerging Biomedical Corridor
Development already underway is turning Park St. into a biomedical corridor. According to a representative of the Biomedical Collaborative, “The Collaborative has the potential to create up to 3,000 new jobs over the next decade.” Urban League workforce and business development programs, such as our Medical Administrative Training Program, can help ensure that all residents of our community take part in this prosperity.
A Reflection of Madison’s Diversity
South Madison is widely recognized as “one of the most diverse areas in Madison. Park Street is the ‘Main Street’ for the Southside that connects many culturally rich neighborhoods and an emerging international shopping experience made up of African American, Southeast Asian, and Latino-owned businesses.” Residents have been clear that redevelopment must “celebrate the multi-cultural and international character of the Park Street corridor.”
As Dane County’s oldest multi-cultural community development agency, the Urban League’s relocation continues this tradition. Our programs honor and reflect Madison’s diversity and a planned cultural lobby to be shared with the library will make it even more visible to residents and visitors of all ages.
A Center for Economic Development
“To have a vibrant central city, Madison must focus on strengthening our Central East Isthmus and Park Street corridors. Both must follow the example set by downtown efforts - creating strong live/work neighborhoods.” In one space, area residents will be able to use a computer, attend job training classes, visit the doctor, and check a book out of the library to read with their child. The relocation will bring the Urban League’s 35-member team of multicultural professionals into the heart of South Madison. Our career counseling and job placement services will help hundreds launch new careers each year. The result will be millions in economic activity.
A Move to Maximize Our Impact
The Urban League’s current location in a converted home, combined with recent growth of nearly 100 percent in the number of clients served annually, is an impediment to the realization of our vision. Our services have been scattered to far-flung, often-inadequate makeshift sites across the community. Our lack of proximity to our clients and severe parking shortage pose significant barriers to people wishing to access our services.
The Center’s South Madison location, adjacent to a major bus transfer station, will ease client access and raise the League’s visibility as a community resource. Our location in South Madison will also put us in the heart of one of Madison’s oldest multi-cultural communities. Synergy with partners, such as Genesis Development Corp., Centro Hispano, and the Public Library will create new opportunities. Most importantly, the Center will provide the training, counseling, and education space needed to maximize the potential of our programs.
Helping People Build Their Road to Economic Success
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Through new and existing partnerships with local employers, the Urban League will help more than 1,000 unemployed and underemployed adults secure new and better careers in growth sectors during the new Center’s first five years.
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Our expanded college readiness and career development programs will provide academic tutoring, afterschool and summer enrichment, leadership skills building, post-secondary scholarships, financial education, career exploration, volunteer and service learning experiences, summer internships, and more for nearly 2,000 middle and high school youth each year.
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By 2012, at least 75 families will become, or be on their way to becoming, first-time homeowners of quality single-family homes in safe and stable neighborhoods.
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The Urban League will partner with entrepreneurs to create scalable minority-owned businesses that generate jobs and wealth.
Generating Millions in Economic Activity
Through these and other activities, the Urban League will generate at least $50 million in economic activity during the first 5 years of the project - much of it to be spent in South Madison.
The Time is Now
Groundbreaking is scheduled for Fall 2008. Join us in a public/private reinvestment plan that will make this culturally rich neighborhood a destination to live, work, learn, do business, and more. |
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“The Urban League’s new Center will jumpstart redevelopment at Park Street’s Villager Mall - a key gateway into downtown Madison. Their housing, employment, and youth programs are key to safe communities and to ensuring that people of color are sharing in the prosperity of this great city.”
Dave Cieslewicz, City of Madison Mayor
“We have been involved as donors and volunteers with the Urban League for many years. The vision of a Center for Economic Development is the most important project we have seen this Urban League undertake. It’s exactly what this community needs to help close the racial disparities that plague us in education
and economics.”
Drs. Perry and Virginia Henderson, Campaign Co-Chairs
“This [Villager re-development] has been 30 years in the making. This is one of the major initiatives which will result in literally hundreds of new jobs and housing revitalization and be a critical economic development phoenix that‘s been long-awaited.”
Ald. Tim Bruer, Wisconsin State Journal
“CUNA Mutual has been investing in the Urban League for more than ten years. Their results-oriented programs focus on root causes and high-gain outcomes. The Urban League’s decision to strengthen its program capacity by building a new facility on South Park Street will add significant value to our community.”
Steve Goldberg, Executive Director CUNA Mutual Group Foundation |