Since the BID’s implementation of the Main Street Approach in 2005, the BID has met many of the goals its members have set to date. With the help of our dedicated volunteers, King Drive has achieved 26 new businesses and over $100 million in investment in the last three years. The BID’s Main Street approach has five committees: Organization, Marketing, Economic Restructuring, Design, and Maintenance & Public Safety. Every year, each committee puts together a work plan and budget that is approved by the BID Board.

Marketing Committee
The Marketing Committee is responsible for designing marketing campaigns and promotional events that will sell the image and promise
of King Drive. In 2008, the Marketing Committee will continue the “Living the Dream” newsletter, but instead of it being published quarterly, it will be published three times a year.
The Marketing Committee annually updates and republishes the Merchant Directory and District Map, and will continue to co-host the
Dr. King Birthday Celebration. The Marketing Committee will continue its support of the streets’ festivals, including Juneteenth Day, Garfield Avenue Jazz, Blues & Gospel Festival, an upcoming BID festival, and neighborhood block parties.

Committee Members: Becky Maniaci, DSI Design; Dave Rotter, National Ace Hardware; Luc Monsanto, SP Design & Associates, LLC; Lori Pitts, Graphic Edge Printing, Inc.

Economic Restructuring Committee
The Economic Restructuring Committee is responsible for developing programs that sharpen the competitiveness and profitability of businesses in the BID, including assistance to help existing businesses expand and recruit new businesses to the district. The Economic Restructuring Committee is currently in the process of developing a comprehensive analysis of the district that will identify opportunities for business growth and development, a strategy for public parking, and determine the capacity for mass transit. The Plan is expected to be complete January 2011.

Current Members: Welford Sanders, Martin Luther King Economic Development Corporation; Carla Cross, Cross Management Services, Inc.; LaMarr Franklin, CompuTec Integrated Solutions, Inc.; Larry Roffers, LC Management; Mary Kay Buratto, MKB Consulting, LLC; Mike Coakley, C.H. Coakley; Sam Denny, Schlitz Park

Design Committee
The Design Committee is responsible for getting King Drive into
top physical shape and creating an inviting atmosphere through streetscaping and other design efforts. A comprehensive Streetscape Plan is currently being constructed. The Streetscape Plan is expected to be complete in November 2010. In the past this committee worked with a landscape architect to come up with a plan for King Drive that includes improvements that would create an inviting atmosphere, such as trash cans, planters, new bus shelters, which have been implemented throughout time. This committee is also responsible for the planters in front of several businesses on King Drive. In 2007, the BID received a generous donation of 40 holiday wreaths. The wreaths were installed, but the committee would like to see more holiday decorations to improve the aesthetics of King Drive during the 2008 holiday season. The holiday season is a special time for the Design Committee. Of course, creativity is not only required when designing, it is also required when budgeting and maximizing resources. If you have an economically feasible idea to make the street look more festive for the holiday season, please call the BID Office at (414) 265-5809.

Current Members: Carla Cross, Cross Management Services, Inc.; Dan Zens, Zens Manufacturing Inc.; Faith Spear, JW Spear, JSA Civil Engineers; Larry Roffers, LC Management

Organization Committee
The Organization Committee is responsible for getting everyone working toward the same goal by recruiting volunteers that reflect the stakeholders in the district, and helping to build cooperation and consensus among those stakeholders. The Organization Committee will continue the Annual Breakfast, annual Bus Tour that takes place during Dr. King’s Birthday Celebration, and Business Mixers. The committee will continue working on a comprehensive database and contact list so that business owners can get the vital information they need about what is happening in the district.

Current Members: Pam Brown, Manpower; Fletcher Crawford, Halyard Park Residents Association; Jo Spear Jr., JSA Civil Environmental Engineers, Inc.; Erica Johnson; Paul Bachowski; Bob Ferriday, United Way of Greater Milwaukee

Maintenance and Public Safety Committee
Our last committee is the Maintenance and Public Safety Committee. This committee is charged with the upkeep and overall safety of the district. This committee is responsible for graffiti removal, street-sweeping, community clean-ups, and any other maintenance and public safety matters. This committee truly cannot identify the most pressing needs of the district or remedy them successfully without the help of its members.

Current Members: Bob Ferriday, United Way of Greater Milwaukee; Dave Rotter, National Ace Hardware; Susan Kissinger, TEAM  Management, LLC; Parry Sekhon, Lil General’s; Julia Doyle, 1234 Block Watch, 5th District City-Wide Block Watch Club; Captain Edith Hudson, 5th District; Captain Steve Basting, 1st District; Officer Peter Grabe, 1st District; Larry Roffers, LC Management; Dan Zens, Zens Manufacturing Inc.