Harambee Past Present Future

One of the Harambee neighborhood's greatest assets is its rich history throughout the years from settlement until today. Did you know these Harambee historical facts?

Williamsburg was the trading center of its farming community in the mid-1800's.

Clinton Rose Park was known as Scheutzen (Rifleman's) Park (1866-1891, with a rifle range, dance hall, bowling alley and saloon), and Pabst Park (1891-1921, owned by the Pabst Brewery with a roller coaster, a carousel and a Fun House), Garfield Park (1921-1982, renamed by new owner Milwaukee County in honor of the 21st US President), prior to being named for the area's long time County Supervisor (in 1982).

The Riverworks area first developed as center of industry in 1920 with the construction of the Seaman auto body plant. The industrial jobs attracted new ethnic groups--Italians, Polish, and African Americans--to live in the neighborhood within walking distance of their jobs.

The first African Americans arrived in the Harambee Neighborhood in the 1930's, and by 1970 were the largest ethnic group in the neighborhood.

Third Street was renamed to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1985.

The steep bluff around First and Locust was once known as Goat Hill.

Former Mayor Frank Zeidler lived in the Harambee Neighborhood from 1946 until his death in 2006.

The Harambee Neighborhood borrowed its name from the Harambee Community School, which had opened in 1969 in the former St. Elizabeth's School on 1st and Burleigh, named for the Swahili word for "pulling together."

The Harambee Ombudsmen Project began over 25 years ago promoting pride and stability through a network of block leaders that had grown to more than 300 in number by 1980.

This information comes from the Department of City Development. What do you know and remember about Harambee's history? Email me with your thoughts, and I will publish them here.

On Saturday, May 5, Riverworks is hosting an event where you can share your memories and historical knowledge about the Harambee Neighborhood, as well as participate in planning for the neighborhood's continued forward progress. Join the Harambee North Neighborhood Planning effort...contact Steve Adams at 414.906.9650 for more information.

Community in Action

On Saturday, February 10, over 90 people spent five hours talking about their vision for the Harambee Neighborhood.





Left, Alderman Michael McGee, Jr. addresses the crowd, and encourages the residents to get involved and work together.

Right, Facilitator J. Otis Smith from Philadelphia lays the groundrules for engagement. The poster behind him says: "Communication - Can we talk with each other about everything and not protect each other from the truth (as we know it)."








Left, Sharon Mays Ferguson asks how residents can know that the effort they put in to planning (again) will actually produce results.


Residents can make a difference. The seriousness with which investors, funders and policy makers treat this plan depends on each and every person who attended on February 10 to invite at least three more people they know to get involved.

At the end of the day, participants were invited to sign up for any of ten work groups, focused on Seniors, Housing, Youth and Recreation, Greening and Environment, Economic Development, and Workforce Development, to name a few. Watch the blog for updates on these groups. And if you know anyone else who can play a role in devising strategies, building connections, advocating for support, or just rolling up their sleeves and working, please get them in touch with Steve Adams, Neighborhood Development Specialist at Riverworks at 906-9650.

Finding out about Problem Properties

A recent service request to the Department of Neighborhood Services reports that a property at 3433 N. Richards may have some problems: "Roach and mice infested. House is not weather proof. Closet does not have a ceiling. Water coming through the closet ceiling and in the living room."

By visiting DNS's property database, one can learn who owns this property, as well as the prior history of complaints and orders from DNS. Searching the owner's name on google, one would also pull up HUD News Release 05-063 discussing an agreement reached with the same property owner regarding lead hazards in 39 properties citywide, this one not among them.


What to do with this information is another matter. We hope to discuss in our planning process how neighbors can get involved in identifying these problem properties and keeping tabs on their progress. Keeping houses safe and in good repair is one way to strengthen a neighborhood. Your thoughts are welcome and encouraged.

Plan the Future

Is your neighborhood all that you want it to be?

Join us for a planning workshop.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

(Lunch provided-rsvp in advance)

• learn what's going on in the neighborhood
• help identify where resources are needed
• invite your neighbors
• share lunch and enter to win door prizes

Heartlove Place, 3229 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Milwaukee

For more information or to RSVP, please call Steve Adams at 414.906.9650 or email Steve at stevea@riverworksmke.org.

Sponsored by Riverworks Milwaukee and Harambee Ombudsman Project.