Reflecting on a semester with Milwaukee's finest, the Johnsons Park Neighborhood Association!

Artist Statement

My blog site and final project don’t exactly match the description listed previously. This happened for a couple reasons. Initially I had planned on compiling very specific information regarding the founding of the Johnsons Park Neighborhood Association, the beginning of its involvement with community initiatives and the continuing efforts to redevelop the community. I had planned on using comparative statistics on the demographics of this neighborhood with other communities within the city of Milwaukee. I wanted to really narrow down the characteristics that make this community so much different than others. By characteristics I meant things like race, age, employment, and income. In doing so however, I quickly realized that this community was not much different from any other. I realized that what sets the Johnsons Park Neighborhood apart from less successful communities is simply its residents and their compassion for a better quality of life. The fact that the majority of efforts to improve the living situation came from Volunteers exemplifies the ambition and dedication of these people. It was at this point that I decided to focus my project and blog site around the community itself, and why this is a great place to live. On my first tour through the community I was a little apprehensive. First of all, I wasn’t at all familiar with this part of town and to be honest, had no interest. Going off rumors I anticipated a predominantly African American community flooded with gangsters, crime, and threat. I’m not, nor have I ever been, a racist person, that’s just all I had heard about neighborhoods just west of Interstate-43. So leaving my car and venturing into the park was definitely a little exciting. Another point of uncertainty was approaching residents such as the day care service ladies and an elderly man on his back porch. To me, a group of white kids walking around with backpacks and cameras taking pictures of people comes off as a little offensive. I was wrong. The people we encountered didn’t seem to mind at all, in fact they were more than happy to talk with us and pose for pictures. Both groups were knowledgeable of the neighborhood association and its involvement in community initiatives. Both knew of Tony Gipson, a volunteer association leader and organizer, and were extremely proud to live in this part of Milwaukee. As I mentioned during my presentation, there were times while walking through the neighborhood that I literally had to look up at the street signs to make sure I was in the right place. The cleanliness and upkeep of the community was impeccable and actually reminded me of blocks of homes in suburban areas such Mequon or Wauwatosa. I took two additional trips to the community. The second was to attend a community meeting at the Christ Presbyterian Church Annex, the Joy Center. I also visited the Church itself. It was at this point that the reality of the neighborhood came full circle. As I looked around and listened I determined to myself that this was truly an excellent place to live. There were residents in attendance of all races and ethnicities. The crowd was intelligent and engaged, asking numerous questions and adding pertinent feedback on all issues being discussed. They acknowledged my presence as a UWM Service Learner and encouraged my involvement. This is a great place to live because these are great people. JPNA is a unified front against the norms that have for so long worked against the quality of life within inner-city Milwaukee. It is and should be recognized as an example of what individual residents can do to help change their community.

Johnsons Park, where community makes the difference.

Neighborhood Association
Programs and Training Resources

1. Landlord Tenant Training
2. Neighborhood Improvement Program
3. How to address Garbage & Vehicle Nuisances
4. Police Department Safety Information
5. What can be done about Litter
6. What to do about Noise Complaints
7. Complaint or Question Hotline to City Services
   

Joy Center Community Center

Christ Presbyterian Church

House of Peace Ministry

It was at these points while on my photographic tour that I literally had to look up and make sure I was in the right place. The neighborhood looked and felt too nice, too much like home, to be located in inner-city Milwaukee.

Some images found at: http://jpna-milw.org/JPNAphotos.htm

Throughout the semester our Film 150 class has been engaging with the Johnsons Park neighborhood by meeting residents, attending community meetings, conducting research on its history, and taking photographs of all our experiences. For most of us, our tours through the neighborhood began and ended at the park. What makes it such an important landmark is what it means to the community. The slideshow above exemplifies the hard work and compassion of many diverse residents. These are volunteer efforts to improve the quality of life in the community.

At a previously held meeting with Mayor Tom Barret, the Neighborhood Association presented the following vision statement, goals, and achievements:

"JPNA wants to become a premier area where city residents seek to reside."

Goals

• Advocate Lindsay Heights Development
• Create a safe environment
• Enhance the quality of life

Achievements

• Formalized the Board of Directors
• Instituted the Block Watch Program / Private Security Program
• Particpation in key City Housing Initiatives
• Held meetings with influencial City / County Department officials expressing concerns
• Effectively use city based information system to monitor information
• Developed the Neighborhood Association Survey

Frank's JPNA Archives

Lindsay Heights

Lindsay Heights is a restored neighborhood northwest of downtown between W. Walnut, W. Locust, N. 12th and N. 20th Streets. Over $19 million has been invested in the Lindsay Heights neighborhood as of 2006 in new home construction, rehabilitation, streets, parks and revived commercial areas. This is a great place to build your new home only five minutes from downtown. Over 40 lots are available for new home construction and owner occupancy.


Note: All listed Lindsay Heights lots are available for $1.00 until December 31, 2009, except for those that are highlighted on the list of available lots.


Contact Information:
Yves LaPierre
Dept. of City Development
809 North Broadway Milwaukee, WI 53202
Email: ylapie@milwaukee.gov



This information was found at: http://www.mkedcd.org/realestate/LindsayHeights/LindsayHeightsMain.html

A map of Lindsay Heights can be found at:

http://local.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&om=1&source=embed&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=109504414093911053901.00043bc3fc3dc272dc171&z=15

The Johnsons Park neighborhood (16th to 20th Streets, Walnut Street to Fond Du Lac Avenue) is part of the Lindsay Heights District. Lindsay Heights was once an average working class community, much like any other neighborhood in Milwaukee in the later 1950's. Once construction of the Interstate Highway was initiated many families were forced to move elsewhere and leave their homes to be demolished. Hundreds of these homes, turned vacant lots, were were never impacted by the supposive highways. After the societal unrest in the 1960's this once thriving community was quickly transformed into a haven for criminal activities such as the distribution of narcotics, theft, and gang affiliations. A successful philanthropist Joseph Zilber, now well into his 90's, once grew up in these neighborhoods. Disheartened to see this community, to which he holds countless fond memories, have turned changed so drastically, Zilber set up whats known as The Zilber Family Foundation in an effort to rebuild what was once lost.



An image of an abandoned home being demolished in preperation for new development within the Lindsay Heights community.

An example of a once vacant lot transformed into a valuable piece of real estate by KUHS Quality Homes, a Wisconsin home builder.

Walnut Circle

As described in the article below, this vacant lot, once the location of a Sentry grocery store, is the next major housing development just West of the Johnsons Park community. The idea for a new development stemmed from the success of city backed housing projects that have seen great success in the surrounding communities. Seperate from the Lindsay Heights Initiative in previous years the vacant lots in Walnut Circle are priced much higher. The goal is to contract with high-end developers, such as those putting up so many elaborate condominiums downtown, and integrate some real wealth into the community. This may result in the economic push that will put this area of Milwaukee back into the public spotlight and create a greater distribution of wealth within the surrounding neighborhood.

Milwaukee panel approves Walnut Circle housing project
Daily Reporter (Milwaukee) , May 24, 2007 by Sean Ryan

Before approving the Walnut Circle housing development on city- owned land around 20th and Walnut streets, Milwaukee aldermen asked if it would be competing with other city-supported projects in the area. The city, working with private developers and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, helped bring about construction of more than 100 homes in Lindsay Heights northeast of Walnut Circle. It's also sold 115 vacant lots west of the project to Habitat for Humanity over the past 15 years. There's also the Cityhomes subdivision the city helped kick-start in the mid-1990s. Alderman Michael D'Amato brought up two more: The 90-house Legacy project and a six-lot project called Walnut Crossing, which are both receiving tax incremental financing dollars. Walnut Crossing's being developed by Cross Development Group Inc., which is seeking to purchase six sites from the city in its Walnut Circle project. Maria Prioletta, redevelopment and special projects manager at the Department of City Development, said competition wasn't a problem. Lindsay Heights is basically sold out, she said, and the $230,000 to $300,000 price range for houses in Walnut Circle puts it in a different market than surrounding housing. "I would look at Legacy now more as the entry point for someone who wants to build new," Prioletta said. "This (Walnut Circle) is a step, or many steps, up." Common Council President Willie Hines, who represents the area, said no concerns were raised about competition between the many condominiums that were built downtown. He said the higher price range of Walnut Circle's houses would advance the economic integration of the neighborhood, and bring in more partners to work with neighborhood groups trying to improve their sidewalks. "It really speaks to how you can transform a neighborhood, a community, a city when you build up the assets," Hines said. "When you integrate people with a lifestyle that is different than what a monolithic environment may bring, you bring along with it new partners to address the issues and the needs in the area." The resale values of houses in Lindsay Heights is strong, Prioletta said, and there have been no foreclosures on the city- sponsored housing there.
Walnut Circle would be built on the site of a Sentry Store that's been vacant since 2001. Seeing all the new people moving into the neighborhood, the city purchased the five-acre site in 2005 and demolished the store. There are 32 lots on the property that the city wants to sell for $17,500 each. After sending out a request for development proposals, DCD staff wants to sell six sites to Cross and 10 to Kuhs Quality Homes Inc., both in Milwaukee. If the houses sell, the city has the option of selling more sites to the two developers. The 3-0 approval from the Zoning Neighborhoods and Development Committee on Tuesday sends the land sales to the Common Council for consideration May 30.

The 88Nine Neighborhood Project

88.9 on the FM radio dial is conducting an audio documentary of what life is really like in inner-city Milwaukee and the steps that have been taken by select communities to improve the quality of living. Four neighborhoods will be featured on the program. Johnsons Park, Lincoln Village, Sherman Park, and Silver City were choosen because of their geographic locations and moreso because of their involvement in Milwaukee's Main Street Milwaukee Program or the Greater Milwaukee Foundation's Healthy Neighborhood Initiative. These are two popular and innovative programs that regularly help to fund and promote the revitalization of neighborhoods within the city. Radio host, Jordan, will introduce audio walk throughs of these developing areas beginning at 8 am on April 1st and then on Mondays starting April 13 through May 18. The goal is to share the methods and tools these communities have implemented to obtain such successes in hopes that many more Milwaukee neighborhoods will follow suit. If there are any positive comments or experiences pertaining to the development of these communities, or about living within them, you are encouraged to email the station at the following address to tell your story: sam@radiomilwaukee.org

TUNE IN AND ENJOY MILWAUKEE!

A tour through the community...

Johnsons Park Neighborhood Association
Photo Essay
By: Frank Barrie

Image found at http://sub.resilientcities.org/content/CreatingResilience/MilwaukeesGreaterJohnsonsPark/tabid/85/Default.aspx

Johnsons Park, in addition to Alice’s Garden, is part of a 13-acre piece of land off Fond Du Lac Avenue. The park is named after C.L. Johnson and his wife Cleopatra, long time residents of the community and founders of “The Ideal Tailoring Shop” and the “Community Contributions” employment agency.

The vast size of the park allows for many types of recreational activities. There is space for a neighborhood game of baseball, as well as a community pavilion and playground for young families and their children to enjoy. A nearby resident explained that people from all over frequent the park during the summer seasons.

As part of the Lindsay Heights Initiative vacant lots in the Johnsons Park community were once selling for $1. This was part of a much larger incentive to bring home buyers back into the city. 1925 North 17th Street is not only home to Ms. Goodwin, but doubles as “A Step Above The Rest – Child Care Academy,” her private daycare facility.

A cheerful bunch of kids from “A Step Above The Rest-Child Care Academy” pose for a picture while on an afternoon tour around Johnsons Park.

Located at 1930 West Walnut Street is The Christ Presbyterian Church. Every Sunday at 10:45 AM Reverend Dr. Michael Miller and Reverend Ernest Glenn conduct service. Youth groups and the church choir meet here on a weekly basis. The church also serves as a distribution point for SHARE, “a nonprofit food buying club that offers nutritious products at reduced cost through a volunteer-run, community-based distribution system .” (THE SHARE TIMES Vol.24)

Just down the block is The Christ Presbyterian Church Annex, the J.O.Y. CENTER (Just Outstanding Youth). This non-profit organization is a fully operational school and community center directed by Candase Franklin and Herman Orr. The center is in partnership with and serves as a meeting point for the Johnsons Park Neighborhood Association. Its mission is to set “Measurable goals for preparing young minds for a successful transition from youth to adulthood.”

Artist Statement

Despite the eight picture maximum, my Photo Essay includes ten. This was necessary to most accurately tell the story of my photo tour of the Johnsons Park Neighborhood. Going into the assignment and tour I had in mind that my essay should reflect on and promote what this community really has to offer its residents. In doing so I was quickly convinced of the opposite, it is not what community offers it’s residents but rather what the residents offer to the community.

My first trip to the neighborhood was early spring break with a couple group members for the final project. We parked across the street from the entrance of Johnsons Park, and on the opposite corner, Alice’s Garden. I was surprised at the size of both the park and the garden. The park needed a little spring cleaning but all in all was in fair condition and equipped with a batting cage, field, pavilion, and playground. As we passed through the park we ran into a group of kids being pushed around in carts by their daycare instructors. The daycare founder was extremely nice and invited us on a tour of her house, which doubles as her private daycare facility. She was knowledgeable of JPNA and described associated summer events at the park. We also spoke with an elderly man enjoying the weather on his back porch. Both homes sit on once vacant lots purchased for only $1 under the Lindsay Heights Initiative. The residents we encountered were all very kind.

Later that evening I attended a JPNA meeting at The Christ Presbyterian Church Annex, The J.O.Y. Center. Herman Orr is a co-director of the center which is in partnership with the neighborhood association. The center also serves a school and community center for kids. Tony Gibson, an association spokesperson, conducted the meeting and provided food and refreshments, which I enjoyed thoroughly. Topics on the meeting agenda included updates on The Lindsay Heights Zilber Initiative, an introduction of the UWM Service Learner – Neighborhood Video Project, rental property updates, information from a recent special crime meeting, and spring activity plans for the neighborhood. The collection of residents seemed very professional and concerned. To say the least, they were all very much involved in discussion. I quickly realized that they people at this meeting were the same people responsible for much of the community’s success. It is this volunteer commitment that makes the community what it is, and that sets it apart from neighborhoods just blocks in either direction.

On my most recent trip to the neighborhood I paid a visit to The Christ Presbyterian Church itself, just down the block. As I was standing out front and taking pictures of the building, Reverend Dr. Michael Miller and his associate came to the door and invited me in. They welcomed me to take pictures of the church and provided programs and pamphlets to be used in conjunction with my photo essay. The building was in excellent condition and was well decorated. The reverend explained that in addition to Sunday services, youth groups and the choir meet weekly. The church is also a distribution point for SHARE, a community based food buying club. Touring the community and interacting with its residents was very enlightening and expressed a different side of inter-city Milwaukee. I had fun.

Final Project Description

For my final project I plan to conduct research and develop a media archive surrounding the history of Johnsons Park and the Neighborhood Association. Initially the project will focus on the association's beginning and the reason for its' introduction into the community. I will also concentrate on the specific demographics within the communities served. This will include statistics and feedback regarding the levels of education, income, employment, and crime that exist in these areas. The project will include an overview of all JPNA programs currently underway and describe any recent successes or failures that have resulted from these efforts. As a major part of the project I will discuss the long term initiatives and goals of Johnsons Park and the Neighborhood Association. In order to most accurately document and present the history of this organization I will review newspaper articles, look through JPNA archives, participate in community meetings, and interview important members. Included below is an article out of Milwaukee’s Journal Sentinel that really inspired me to document the history of this association for my final project.

Johnsons Park is growing into its own
Cultural center would be latest part of redevelopment of area

By FELICIA THOMAS-LYNNfthomas-lynn@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Oct. 9, 2004

As the sound of saws and hammers signal the flurry of more homes being built throughout the Johnsons Park community, a new plan is being crafted to build a cultural center that complements the area's changing landscape.

Once a sea of boarded-up homes and vacant lots, the central city community is enjoying new prosperity as more people relocate there, bringing with them higher incomes and lower tolerance for the criminal element that, at one time, ruled the neighborhood.

"You have a whole new class of people of color coming in who are voters, who keep up with local and national politics, and who have views on how positive they want their neighborhood to be," said Tony Gibson, who heads the Johnson Park Neighborhood Association.

What they didn't want to see, Gibson said, was vast acres of the local park, at N. 17th St. and W. Fond du Lac Ave., which anchors the community, "gobbled up" by the proposed African American World Cultural Center.

No problem, according to organizers of the plan, which had called for a 45,000-square-foot facility that has been scaled down to 10,000 square feet. The performing arts facility and computer center and library have been cut from the plan.

"We had to re-approach the whole project," said Tyrone Dumas, chairman of the center's board.

"What we've done is taken into account the community and the new housing in the area. It really signals a new beginning. We're excited."

Dumas said the price for the facility drops considerably from $10 million to $2 million, a much more palatable figure that brings more partners to the table.

The center, which has county and city approval, has been in the planning stages since 1996. Because of difficulty in raising funds, the plan has stalled, Dumas said, adding that the goal is now to break ground next summer.

The revised plan breaths new life into the project, organizers say, and County Executive Scott Walker has placed $100,000 in the proposed county budget for the project.

Residents in the community - which is part of the Lindsay Heights housing development that is bounded by N. 12th St. on the east, N. 20th St. on the west, W. Walnut St. on the south, and W. Locust on the north - have worked hard to improve the area's image.
The shift began about two years ago when Gibson created the neighborhood association shortly after he moved into the area.

The group's first meeting was at his home, and "at the time there were five open and active crack houses across the street," Gibson said.

"The drug dealers were lined up across the street trying to intimidate the people coming to the meeting," he said. "It was very challenging."

But residents in the area didn't back down.

In addition to the monthly association meetings, residents use e-mail and phone tree lists to keep in touch with each other concerning any suspicious activity in the community.

When there were construction thefts at some of the work sites, the group - which now has 70 members - hired a private security firm to patrol the area.

"We're learning that with the right kind of neighborhood organizing, good elements can win out over bad elements," said Gibson, adding that the fight to reclaim the neighborhood is an ongoing battle.

Earlier this year, a 14-year-old boy was beaten by up to 20 people following an argument that erupted into a shoving match that ultimately moved to nearby Johnsons Park, only a few blocks from where Charlie Young Jr. was beaten to death by a group of children and young adults nearly two years ago.

Residents and organizers of the cultural center believe it will go a long way toward revitalizing the area.

To this end, the center will build upon the community's efforts to improve the neighborhood and highlight the area's history, said Rick Norris, a project leader.

He said the center's mission is to provide a positive image for African-American culture and help develop a greater public appreciation for cultural diversity.

Along with offering meeting and banquet space, the center will also have a cafe patio and outdoor stage for jazz concerts. The facility will also have a visitors center and exhibit hall where people can learn more about the site's history as part of the original route of the Underground Railroad.

From the Oct. 10, 2004, editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Media Literacy

Frank Barrie
990649890
Film 150

There’s no place like White America

What is irony? When an image projects a symbol, phrase, or slogan meant to convey a message opposite its literal context it is said to be ironic. When you look at the two photographs, At the time of the Louisville Flood and Billboard, the irony is unavoidable. No matter how hard an ideology is pushed through whatever medium, either through the papers, on television, or on a billboard, truth speaks for itself. The preferences of audiences may differ completely but the truth within an image is undeniable. When I look at the billboards I am instantly reminded of an old phrase, “If I fake it, then I don’t have it.” The phrase is obviously out of context but matches the intended meaning behind these public encouragements. As the saying goes the images are projecting false realities as if they alone could hide the true stories behind the not so cheerful or optimistic faces of many African Americans during the early and mid 19th century.

Sturken and Cartwright argue “Societies function by naturalizing ideologies, making complex production of meaning take place so smoothly that it is experienced as a “natural” system of value or belief.” (1)

The two images, although slightly different in framing and technique, practically mirror each other. Both appear to have the same agenda. That is to persuade American communities that American ideals are above all others. The signs in the photos promote and ascribe equality among the diverse population within the United States. With energetic phrases like “There’s no way like the American way” and “I am so an American” the billboards strive to capture individuals and convince them. There is unmistakable irony in the setting of both photos. Both billboards stand tall in what appear to be low-income African American communities. Both slogans are filled with excitement and enthusiasm while the people in the photos stand tired, unhappy, and almost hopeless. Another contradiction within the pictures is that all caricatures presented on the billboards are white while all actual people in the photographs are black. It seems as though the billboards are almost an attempt to convince the black community that they don’t have it so bad, or moreover, to stop making such a fuss about being worse off.

The framing of each photo is unique. In At the time of the Louisville flood the framing is simple and easy to interpret. There is a long line of well-dressed African Americans that all appear to be waiting for something. A few of the individuals are carrying bags and baskets indicating that perhaps they were waiting for food or other necessities. As a backdrop there is a giant billboard. The photograph contains nothing else but the framing does seem purposeful. At first glance your immediately drawn to the picture in the background and the text laid over it. After reading the text and moving on from the billboard you find the long line of disgruntled citizens. The order of magnitude is evident; read the billboard then read the faces. There’s no doubt that the cheerful expressions of the white family are intentionally compared with the exhausted and depressing expressions within the long line. The caricatures on the billboard are white but the real people in the picture are black.

Similarly, the second photograph contains a massive attention grabbing billboard but this time with different technique and angling. As with the first photo, the large sign first draws the viewer’s attention. After reading the supporting text the viewer is then given the opportunity to look around, scope the scene, and get better acquainted with the community than in the previously described picture. Again there are well-dressed African Americans. One dreary elderly man waiting and what appear to be a mother and her two children turning the corner around a closed down convenience store. The children seem take part in an intentional comparison with the white boy on the billboard. This is very similar to the previously discussed photo. The two images may differ in presentation and delivery but the comparison of race leaves viewers with a very similar ironic resonance.

Roanld Takaki seems to be drawing on a similar comparison when he explains, “…the Civil Rights Movement was unable to overcome the structural economic foundations of racial inequality from African Americans. While the laws and court orders prohibited discrimination, they failed to relieve poverty among blacks.” (2)

At the Time of the Louisville Flood was taken in 1937 in the Great Depression Era. The text in the image is attempting to build hope and ignores injustices by projecting a false ideology. The irony here goes deeper than the issue of race. The billboard comes off as a desperate advertisement of life in the states, meant to combat the current economic condition and public morale. Billboard was taken in 1948 in the height of the civil rights movement. Despite better economic times and a heightened unity within the nation after WWII, racial classifications and inequalities still existed. The text on this billboard is again meant to boost societal confidence but targets a different issue, equal rights.

While the intent of the photographs may not have been to specifically point out the economic differences between races, they did. The pictures serve as literal proof of the inequality that existed during this time period. They also exemplify the manner in which Americans dealt with the inequalities between, and segregation from, the African American communities.

Work Cited

(1) Marita Sturken, Lisa Cartwright. Practices of Looking: An Introduction to Visual Culture. (New York: Oxford University Press, Inc., 2009) Page 69.

(2) Ronald Takaki. A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America. Revised Edition. (New York: Hachette Book Group, Inc, 1993) Page 396.