The Milwaukee Post

16 • Milwaukee County Post • July 7, 2017 BMO Harris' presence in the neighborhood has been near constant since the riot- ing took place Aug. 13. The financial institution has been serving customers in the neighborhood through a small, temporary facility in back of the historic building, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave., it operated within at the time of the rioting. In an interview, Jud Snyder, a Milwaukee-based senior executive with BMO Harris Bank, said the compa- ny desired to stay in the com- munity from the get-go. Enthusiasm, he said, is high for the new facility. "We made the decision to build a new branch right across the road from our present one because we're committed to the Sherman Park community," Snyder said. "We play an active role in (the neighborhood), and we're proud to be part of it." Feedback from the bank's customers and clientele also reportedly played an impor- tant role in BMO Harris' decision to stay put. "The positive support we've received from our cus- tomers and from the commu- nity over the past 10 months has been incredible," Snyder said. BMO Harris' original, historic building sustained a 25 percent loss in the rioting, according to the Milwaukee Fire Department's analysis in conjunction with officials within the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 'Socially just' real estate From the get-go, the build- ing, which opened in 1927 as Sherman Park State Bank, has hosted financial institu- tions. But the scarred facility is expected to undergo a metamorphosis as an incu- bation facility for local entre- preneurs. Two local business own- ers have announced plans to breathe new life into the damaged bank building. Rehabilitating the interior is expected to cost $2.5 million, and will be funded through a mix of sources, including grants. JoAnne Johnson-Sabir, co-owner of The Juice Kitchen, and Juli Kaufmann, president of Fix Development, are behind the revitalization effort. In a statement outlining her business philosophy, Kaufmann said the invest- ment in Sherman Park fits hand-in-glove with her phi- losophy. "It is about the belief, in the face of quite few indus- try naysayers, that socially just, environmentally sus- tainable, culturally rich real estate projects cannot only be financially successful, but also generate excitement and energy for entrepreneurs to revitalize communities," Kaufmann said. The work surrounding the BMO Harris facility comes on the heels of anoth- er reinvestment in Sherman Park. Jet Beauty, one of the other four businesses severe- ly impacted from last August's rioting, has reopened within its existing building, 3501 W. Burleigh St. Banners pronouncing a "grand opening" are hung outside the building. According to the Milwaukee Fire Department and federal bureau's analy- sis, Jet Beauty sustained 50 percent damage from the rioting. The other businesses impacted by the incident — a BP gas station and O'Reilly Auto Parts store — were total losses. Sherman Park: Businesses rebuilding after last year's rioting continued from Page 1 Dave Fidlin/Special to the Post BMO Harris' former building, damaged in last year's unrest, is slated to undergo extensive renovations. A group of local business owners hope to transform the building into an entrepreneurial hub. BMO Harris is operating out of a temporary facility behind this building and plans to build a new branch across the street. Tuesday Nights in West Allis WEST ALLIS — Tuesday Nights in the Park will take place every second Tuesday at Veterans' Memorial Park, 6900 W. National Ave., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays. The schedule: ■ Christmas in July — Tuesday. Meet Santa and play in the "snow." ■ Tuesday Nights in the Park: Water Wars, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 18, Veterans' Memorial Park, 6900 W. National Ave., West Allis. Bring squirt guns and be prepared to get wet. Community Services at 414-302-8050. ■ Tuesday Nights in the Park: Super Hero Night, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 1, Veterans' Memorial Park, 6900 W. National Ave., West Allis. Bring squirt guns and be prepared to get wet. Community Services at 414-302-8050. ■ Tuesday Nights in the Park: Luau, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 15, Veterans' Memorial Park, 6900 W. National Ave., West Allis. Learn to hula and dance the night away. Community Services at 414-302-8050. A Day at Radler's Botanical Garden and Rosarium set for July 15 GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Beautification Committee is sponsoring a one-day tour of Will Radler's Botanic Gardens and Rosarium from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 15. These gardens, the star attraction of last year's Garden Tour, are back by popular demand. Will Radler, developer of the world-famous "Knock Out" rose and 30 other rose and perennial plants, is open- ing his 2-acre rosarium, 10020 W. Meadow Drive, to the public for this tour. Expect the unexpected as the colorful front garden is merely a preview for what is to come with perennials as the backbone of the garden. The setting varies from rigidly formal in the 2,000-plus experimental rose "boot camp" to free form almost every- where else at the gardens off South Root River Parkway near Forest Home Avenue. The sloping garden uses stone to create terraces, raised garden beds, waterfalls, and a very large outdoor fireplace and seating area. There are ponds, waterfalls and sculpture, and an extensive stream meanders through the yard. Even the garden shed has a three-story lookout tower and an observation deck. This event will help the Beautification Committee raise funds for community events such as Arbor Day, Landscape Awards and City Hall plantings. Admission is $8 per person or $15 for two people. Tickets will be available at the Radler Gardens. BloodCenter of Wisconsin hosts July blood drives in Milwaukee County MILWAUKEE — This year, BloodCenter of Wisconsin is celebrating its 70th anniversary of saving lives, serving communities and seeking cures. During summer, blood donations tend to decrease because of summer vacation and additional family com- mitments, while higher numbers of accidents and emer- gency situations make the need for life-saving O negative blood even more critical. Milwaukee County blood donors can help patients in need at BloodCenter of Wisconsin's upcoming blood drives: ■ 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Fox Point Lutheran Church, 7510 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Fox Point ■ 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday. Zablocki VA Medical Center, 5000 W. National Ave., Milwaukee ■ 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Chase Tower, 111 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee v 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 18, U.S. Bank Center, 777 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee ■ 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 28, Milwaukee Police and Fire Academy, 6680 N. Teutonia Ave., Milwaukee. Donors can schedule an appointment by calling 1-877- BE-A-HERO (1-877-232-4376), or visiting www.bcw.edu. Anyone 17 or older who is in general good health and meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to donate blood. Appointments are preferred, but walk-in donors are also welcome. Parental consent is required for 16-year-olds to donate. The entire process takes about an hour. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes birth date.

• Cover