Milwaukee's Central City Plaza honored for its significance in Black entrepreneurship and architecture

The Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commission meeting on February 3, 2025, focused on the significance of Central City Plaza, a landmark shopping center in Milwaukee. The plaza is notable for being the first and only shopping center in Wisconsin that was conceived, designed, owned, and operated by Black individuals. It housed 14 Black-owned businesses and employed over 100 people, marking a significant achievement during a time when Black-owned businesses represented less than 1% of all businesses in the state.

Commission members highlighted the plaza's importance in the context of Milwaukee's African American commerce and economic development history. It serves as a testament to how the Black business community responded to urban renewal challenges and engaged with federal minority business development programs.

The plaza was also recognized for its architectural significance, embodying the new formalist style popular in the 1960s and 1970s. This style is increasingly rare in Milwaukee, with many local examples having been demolished or altered. The plaza's design is attributed to Alonzo Robinson, Wisconsin's first Black architect, who founded the state's first Black-owned architecture firm. His contributions to the city’s architectural landscape were acknowledged as influential.

Additionally, the plaza's grouping of buildings, landscaping, and parking area have remained largely unchanged since its opening in 1973. The Wisconsin Historical Society has determined the complex eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, underscoring its cultural and historical value.

The meeting concluded with a motion to open a public hearing, indicating the commission's commitment to further discussions on the plaza's preservation and its role in the community.