Committee grants permanent historic designation to Central City Plaza; community and descendants push to preserve Black‑owned commercial landmark

The Zoning & Development Committee voted to grant permanent historic designation to Central City Plaza, the three‑building shopping complex at Sixth and Walnut that community members and preservationists described as a rare Black‑owned, Black‑designed commercial development born from the urban‑renewal era.

Tim Askin of the Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commission summarized the nomination and the neighborhood’s history, emphasizing the plaza’s new‑formalism architectural style, the complex’s layout and its role as an intentionally Black‑owned and Black‑operated commercial center after coordinated urban renewal projects cleared old housing in the 1960s and 1970s. The nomination cited architect Alonzo Robinson, identified in the nomination as one of Wisconsin’s early Black‑licensed architects, and civic leaders who pooled capital to build the complex.

Askin said the Historic Preservation Commission recommended designation based on several criteria, including the plaza’s strong association with the area’s cultural history, the body of work by architect Alonzo Robinson and the complex’s distinct architectural character. Preservation advocates, family members and local historians told the committee the buildings were designed and built to serve Black entrepreneurs and residents during a period of displacement and that the plaza is one of the few surviving, coherent midcentury commercial complexes with that origin story.

Major Rachel Stouder of The Salvation Army — which owns part of the plaza and operates social services out of the site — told the committee the organization now supports historic designation after receiving information about the property’s history and after meeting with descendants and community advocates. “We agree with the significance,” she said, and said Salvation Army design and construction consultants were working on a plan that would both respect the historic character and allow programming for shelter and services.

Architects, preservationists and community groups described ongoing conversations about how to preserve exterior elements and to incorporate commemorative displays and community programming that explain the site’s history. Committee members, including Alderwoman Coggs, praised the cross‑sector collaboration and supported designation.

The committee approved the designation by consent; the resolution will be forwarded for full council action.