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Committee approves 10-year lease of land at Fire Station 5 to CAGE for community garden and youth programs
Summary
The committee authorized a 10-year lease of a portion of land at Milwaukee Fire Station 5 (1313 W. Reservoir Ave.) to Andre Lee Ellis and Company Inc. for the CAGE community garden and youth programs. The fire department described a close partnership including hydroponic systems in multiple stations and youth mentoring.
The committee approved a 10-year lease of city land adjacent to Milwaukee Fire Department Station 5 at 1313 W. Reservoir Ave. to Andre Lee Ellis's nonprofit (CAGE ' Community Agricultural Growing Experiences) to continue operating a community garden and youth programs.
DCD Real Estate staff described the site as a long-running partnership: CAGE has used the space for roughly four years and sought a formal lease to secure continued use. Andre Lee Ellis told the committee the garden provides fresh food, distribution to older and disabled neighbors, and programming for youth aimed at employment and life skills. He said the organization plans to expand the site branding to a "CAGE Campus Agricultural Hub" to function as a neighborhood resource for soil, wood and other materials.
Milwaukee Fire Department leaders described daily interaction and mutual benefits from the partnership. Fire Chief Aaron Lefsky and Assistant Chief Joshua Paris said the garden supports firefighter wellness, recruiting, and community outreach. They noted hydroponic systems installed in multiple firehouses and that the station functions as a health and wellness hub with workout equipment, meetings and recruitment for prospective hires.
The committee approved the lease by voice vote with no objections. Staff said the city provides water and basic power access for the garden and that CAGE will continue to coordinate maintenance and programming with the fire department.
Committee members praised the project's youth mentoring, community nutrition and the informal training opportunities the garden provides for young people interested in civic careers.
