The Milwaukee Post

By DAVE FIDLIN Special to The Post ST. FRANCIS — The excep- tionally war m and beautiful weather proved the perfect back- drop for a celebration described as ushering St. Francis into a new era. Hundreds of people attended a ceremonious event Sunday that marked the official unveiling of the city's long-anticipated civic center at 3400 E. Howard Ave. The new facility will house the city hall, as well as local police and fire operations and serve as a headquarters for the St. Francis Historical Society. "Today is your day," St. Francis," Mayor CoryAnn St. Marie-Carls said as she kicked off the celebratory event. Several dignitaries attended the event, including Archbishop Jerome Listecki, County Executive Chris Abele, County Supervisor Pat Jursik and State Rep. Christine Sinicki. Also on hand was Miss St. Francis 2014, Brynn Weinzirl. Listecki said he was honored to take part in the celebration, in part because of the "intrinsic connection" between the city and the Milwaukee Archdiocese, which is headquartered in St. Francis. Listecki blessed the new facili- ty and recited a prayer that read, in part, "We pray for the elected leaders and we pray for the civil servants, who are out on the front lines and demonstrate courage." Early in the program, Listecki also made light of Sunday's weather, which sent tempera- tures soaring into summer-like conditions. "I put in a few extra prayers," Listecki joked about the weather. "God has clearly blessed St. Francis." Abele said the opening of the civic center, a project that has been in the planning stages for a number of years, is an example of what can occur when people work together collaboratively. "I'm just pleased as punch to be here," Abele said. "This day, with all of you here, is where everything is right. Local govern- ment is where the rubber meets the road." Of the communities she repre- sents on the County Board, Jursik said there is a special characteristic within St. Francis. "The people in St. Francis build their community," Jursik said, pointing to the locally run Milton Vretenar Municipal Park as one example from the city's history. "Today, you, the people of St. Francis, have built this won- derful facility. I congratulate you. I am proud to represent you." Throughout the planning stages of the past four years, there has been widespread sup- port throughout the community toward building the new facility, which replaces a nearly 60-year- old structure on Nicholson Avenue that has been deemed obsolete. In addition to a shared vision by the Common Council, City Administrator Tim Rhode said the expertise of a number of con- tractors brought the project to fruition. At Sunday's ceremony, Rhode read off the names of each of the dozens of contractors who had a role in the project. While the new civic center is a gesture toward looking ahead, city officials also paused to reflect on St. Francis' history, both as an incorporated commu- nity in 1951 and its origins that go much further back to the Nojoshing Native American tribe. The St. Francis Historical Society has chronicled the city's extensive history in a series of displays in a new rotunda area within the civic center. The story of St. Francis' histo- ry as an incorporated communi- ty included some bleaker moments, including a number of budgetary hurdles throughout the 1950s. A merger with the city's southerly neighbor, Cudahy, was even considered at one point. "This is what I call a monu- mental day," St. Marie-Carls said, contrasting the city's present-day status. New civic center unveiled; hundreds attend celebration Photos by Dave Fidlin/Special to The Post Top: Miss St. Francis, Brynn Weinzirl, and City Administrator Tim Rhode ceremoni- ally open a plaque that will be displayed on top of a time capsule. Right: The St. Francis Civic Center will house city hall, local police and fire operations, and serve as headquarters for the St. Francis Historical Society. 6 • Milwaukee County Post • October 31, 2014 'A monumental day' for St. Francis Post Staff MILWAUKEE –– The board of directors of Menomonee Valley Partners, Inc. has announced the appointment of Corey Zetts as its executive director. Zetts had been named acting executive director in September following the depar- ture of Laura Bray. She was previously Menomonee Valley Partners' associate director and has been with MVP since 2005. She has led MVP's efforts in real estate development and business recruitment, infrastructure and sustainable design plan- ning, habitat restoration, public art and community engagement. "The valley's success is the result of bold vision, strong planning, and collaboration across public and private sectors," said Mick Hatch, president of the Menomonee Valley Partners' board of direc- tors. "Our board knows that Corey's expertise in urban redevelopment, enthusiasm for our work, and relationships with our many stake- holders make her the best choice to lead MVP into the future." Zetts succeeds Bray, who been executive director for 10 years and was named as the CEO of BIOforward, the trade association for Wisconsin's life sci- ence industry. In her time with MVP, Zetts was instru- mental in many of the nonprofit organiza- tion's key projects, including the redevelop- ment of the former Milwaukee Stockyards into the Canal Commerce Center, the rede- velopment of the Milwaukee Road Shops into Menomonee Valley Industrial Center and recruitment of new businesses to the Valley. She also played key roles in the cre- ation of Three Bridges Park, completion of the Hank Aaron State Trail, establishment of the Menomonee Valley branch of the Urban Ecology Center, and in the long-range planning work that charts the course for the next 15 years of the valley's continued revi- talization. "The recent revitalization of the valley has been extraordinary and has helped make Milwaukee a model of sustainable redevelopment," Zetts said. "I am excited to work with our strong board, staff and part- ners as we continue to help move the Valley towards its full potential. We will be focus- ing on revitalizing the many underutilized properties that remain in the valley, capital- izing on upcoming infrastructure projects, and continuing to help connect Milwaukee's labor force with job opportuni- ties in the valley." Throughout this year, the city of Milwaukee and Menomonee Valley Partners have partnered on a market study and land use plan for the Menomonee Valley, called the "Valley 2.0 Plan." The plan, which should be completed this winter, will guide the next phase of redevelopment in the val- ley. Menomonee Valley Partners is also in the midst of an organizational strategic plan, which will be completed in coordina- tion with the Valley 2.0 Plan. Zetts It's official: Zetts appointed head of valley nonprofit

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