County reviews feasibility of MKE Hubs project at McGovern Park that would add senior hub and affordable housing

Milwaukee County staff presented an informational update on April 10 about a feasibility study to develop an MKE Hubs project at McGovern Park that would combine a community hub for older adults with affordable housing. The study team includes the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Milwaukee County Parks, the Department of Administrative Services and Jewish Family Services as a potential developer.

The proposal being evaluated would construct a 15,000–25,000-square-foot MKE Hubs facility (programming and design still under study) with about 30–50 affordable housing units for older adults stacked above or adjacent to the hub. Presenters said the proposed development footprint would remain within the existing senior-center and parking-lot area and that the previous McGovern building footprint could be removed and returned to green space when a new facility is complete.

Why it matters: staff framed the idea as a way to address deferred maintenance on county-owned senior facilities, expand intergenerational programming and add affordable housing for older adults in a part of the county that has limited senior housing supply. Presenters said the project could also unlock capital for park improvements and operating efficiencies by pairing housing tax-credit financing with the hub development in a public–private partnership.

Funding and timeline constraints: Celia (spelled in the record as Seeley) Benton (director of economic development in the meeting record) and DHHS staff said feasibility is contingent on meeting timelines for low income housing tax credits and a $2,000,000 federal appropriation earmark included in county plans. Presenters said the project team must secure site control and start zoning by roughly June or July to remain eligible for the tax-credit cycle; if that timeline is missed the credits and the federal appropriation risk being lost to other projects.

Community engagement and concerns: staff said the Commission on Aging and senior-center users expressed strong attachment to the McGovern site. The project team reported initial community sessions (one with about 80 older adults) where primary concerns included safety and preservation of park access; staff said those who initially opposed housing in the park were more receptive after being told the plan intends to keep the hub in McGovern and preserve overall parkland. Supervisors raised common concerns: protecting parkland, ensuring long-term affordability and management if a private developer leaves, the suitability of housing in park space, and the need for additional community involvement. Parks Director Guy Smith said all senior centers in the county face deferred-maintenance challenges and that creative financing is being explored systemwide.

Developer and structure: staff said Jewish Family Services (JFS) was selected in response to a request for qualifications; presenters cited JFS's local development experience and mission alignment. Presenters said the county would not sell parkland and would pursue a long-term lease if that scenario advances; any lease and development agreement would be subject to board review. Director LeGrand noted the intent that the county would not pay capital costs for the project and that housing tax credits could be used to support the community-hub capital needs as part of a combined finance structure.

Next steps and alternatives: the team plans more community sessions (including a virtual session) before returning to the parks committee with a formal lease request in June or July. Presenters said there is no suitable alternate site currently available within the project timeline; if the McGovern option is not viable the federal earmark and tax-credit window would need to be reallocated quickly to another eligible affordable-housing project to avoid losing the funding.

Meeting outcome: the committee received the informational presentation and supervisors requested additional tours, renderings and early opportunity to review proposed lease language before any final action. Staff said they will continue community engagement and return with more detailed financial pro formas and a proposed lease in the June–July timeframe if the project remains on track.