MILWAUKEE – Today, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors voted to reject the proposal to redevelop the McGovern Park Senior Center into a mixed-use facility with privately owned senior housing, a wellness/tech hub, full-service café, and community center on public parkland. County Supervisor Felesia A. Martin (7th District), who represents the area, cast a decisive “no” vote, joining colleagues who shared concerns over environmental impact, equity, and preservation of green space.
“I’m grateful that the voices of our neighbors were heard,” said Supervisor Martin. “This vote protects McGovern Park’s open space, upholds our commitment to racial equity, and preserves public oversight of parkland. We proved today that responsible stewardship and community input can guide our decisions.”
Martin highlighted several key factors that drove the defeat:
- Zoning & Oversight: Building private housing on parkland risked ceding control of public assets, paralleling frustrations seen at The Rock Sports Complex.
- Equity Questions: Residents questioned who benefits from senior housing and expressed fears of displacement when “affordable” rents inevitably rise.
- Alternative Sites: Martin reiterated that vacant properties across Milwaukee could be repurposed for seniors without sacrificing parkland.
“McGovern Park belongs to the community,” Martin added. “Today, we upheld our goals of environmental justice, public health, and racial equity by rejecting privatization of our green spaces.”
Supervisor Martin commended her colleagues for prioritizing public parks and pledges to work with community members to explore adaptive reuse of existing buildings for future senior housing solutions.
