The redevelopment of a former BMO Harris Bank, one of six Sherman Park buildings burned in the unrest that followed the 2016 shooting of Sylville Smith by a Milwaukee police officer, has been awarded $250,000 by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.
The WEDC awarded Milwaukee County a Community Development Investment Grant to support the Sherman Phoenix development, which Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele announced alongside the developers, Juli Kaufmann and JoAnne Sabir, at the development site Tuesday.
The Sherman Phoenix, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave., named to symbolize rebirth from ash, will provide affordable space for minority-owned businesses.
Sabir, who will operate her own restaurant, to be named Shindig, out of the Phoenix, said 20 mostly black-owned businesses have signed on as tenants, and 10 business owners are on a waiting list to access the space.
Among the confirmed tenants are Shindig, Funky Fresh Spring Rolls, Embody Yoga, Queens Closet Consignment Shop and Studio 69, a martial arts practice.
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