MILWAUKEE, WI – With an eye toward raising enough funds to open a new Washington Park location by fall 2024, the Urban Ecology Center (UEC) is announcing that it has secured a package of tax credits that will add a $1.3 million benefit to ongoing fundraising efforts to cover the project’s $19.6 million cost.
With 85% of funding already raised, UEC leadership is looking to build on momentum provided by the recently awarded New Market Tax Credits and fundraising to date. The project will expand existing environmental educational programming from 13 to 31 local schools, increase community programming and create a new two-story community-centered building while upgrading infrastructure within Washington Park.
“This is an important project that will have an immense impact on Washington Park and the surrounding area,” said Jen Hense, Executive Director of the UEC. “We’re grateful for the support we’ve received so far, including attorneys at Husch Blackwell here in Milwaukee who were instrumental in helping secure the New Market Tax Credits. Our campaign still needs to cross the finish line, but we’re optimistic for a strong end to 2023 and a fantastic start to 2024.”
The UEC’s Washington Park location opened in 2007 at the former site of the Milwaukee Zoo. In August 2023 groundbreaking took place for the new two-story building that will serve the UEC and broader community. The remaining funds will support the planned program expansion.
