Jackson Park Neighborhood Association Street Improvement Ceremony

On Thursday, Sep. 22, State Rep. Josh Zepnick (D) Milwaukee, Ald. Bob Donovan and members of the Jackson Park Neighborhood Association will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. at the Three Corners intersection of Oklahoma Ave., 43rd Street and Forest Home Ave.

The ceremony marks the completion of improvements made possible by a Wisconsin Department of Transportation Grant awarded in 2006, spearheaded by Ninth District State Representative Josh Zepnick. The funding for the grant came specifically from the U.S.DOT's Safe Routes to School Program.
 
The aesthetic highlight project is a triangle-shaped marker made up of 1.5 tons of Lannon stone. According to Jackson Park Neighborhood Assocation President Ken Franzen, the mini-monument is "a testament to our philosophy on the business community for the Jackson Park area. We believe in cultivating small businesses and entrepreneurs, we welcome them and will assist them in getting started in the neighborhood."
 
The newly renovated intersection is near Manitoba Elementary School, and will provide safer walking routes and improved auto and bus traffic safety at one of the area's busiest intersections. In addition, the new configuration will make the area more pedestrian-friendly, a high priority for the neighborhood.
 
"When other neighborhoods are losing businesses and not filling their empty buildings, we are gaining new ones" said Franzen. "We are a proactive association that still believes that America is the land of opportunity and that opportunity starts here." New businesses in the area include an El Rey grocery and a Family Dollar.
 
"I worked hard to get this grant, and I am proud to see the money so well-used" said Zepnick. "This project is a perfect example of the good things that happen when state and local officials work hand in hand with the community toward a common goal that benefits everyone.  Many thanks go to Aldermen Bob Donovan and Joe Dudzik...without their help at City Hall, this would have never happened."
 
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Three Corners intersection. The ceremony will be followed by a reception at the charming Firehouse Pub, located at 2758 S. 35th Street, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.