Our History
OUR STORY THROUGH THE DECADES
2000's
2010's
2020's
1990's
Founding & Early Recognition
1992 – 1999
Northeast Milwaukee Industrial Development Corporation is incorporated, hires its first Executive Director, and secures 501(c)(3) status. The organization builds early credibility through leadership transitions and its first major awards (MANDI Solutions Award, Greater Milwaukee Foundation recognition).
Northeast Milwaukee Industrial Development Corporation (NMIDC) Incorporation Date (May 28, 1992)
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Hired Christine Fisher as 1st Executive Director
1992
Gained 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status
1993
Hired George L Christenson as the 2nd Executive Director
1998
Received the MANDI Solutions Award
1999
2000's
2020's
2010's
1990's
Foundation Building & Rebranding
2000 – 2005
The org hires Darryl Johnson as Executive Director, establishes formal economic development tools (BID #25, BID #36), completes streetscape and commercial development work (Capitol Drive, Riverworks Commons), earns national economic development recognition, and rebrands from NMIDC to Riverworks Development Corporation (RDC).
Created Business Improvement District (BID) # 25
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Capitol Drive Streetscape Improvements Begin
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Won Major City Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council
2000
Won MATC Workplace Education Recognition Award
Received the National Family Initiative Award for 1990-2000 from Greater Milwaukee Foundation
2001
Executive Director Darryl Johnson was Hired
Developed Riverworks Commons Shopping Center on last 2 acres from AMC properties
Riverworks Cleans Program Created
2003
Organizational Name Change to Riverworks Development Corporation (RDC)
Completed the Riverworks Commons Shopping Center at 3901 N Richards Street
2004
Created Business Improvement District (BID) # 36
2005
Harambee Great Neighborhood Initiative (HGNI) Established in partnership with LISC
2006
Created the Financial Opportunity Center (FOC)
2008
Closed Tax Increment Financing District which created $34.5 million of new tax base that generates $840,000 annually of additional taxes to local taxing authorities
First Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program Season Took Place
2009
2010's
2020's
2000's
1990's
Expanding Community Investment
2006 – 2013
RDC broadens its mission beyond commercial corridors into housing, financial services, and public space: launching the Harambee Great Neighborhood Initiative, partnering with the City of Milwaukee as the Organizer for Neighborhood Strategic Area 7 - Riverwest, expanding the Financial Opportunity Center (FOC), and implementing Phase 1 of the Beerline Trail, alongside housing development through Riverworks Lofts and office relocation to Holton and Concordia.
Phase 1 of Beerline Trail Recreational Trail Project Completed from Bremen Street to Buffum Street
2010
RDC AmeriCorps volunteers recognized by congresswoman Gwen Moore
2011
Completed the Riverworks Lofts at 3372 N. Holton Street
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Moved Offices from 303 E. Vienna Avenue to 526 E. Concordia Avenue
2012
Signed the First City Contract for Riverworks Cleans (City-Wide Vacant Lot Clean Up)
2013
Neighborhood Infrastructure & the City Center Era
2014 – 2018
Creative placemaking becomes a tool for community development:” new office space on Holton, the Harambee Tot Lot, the Beerline Targeted Investment Neighborhood, Healthy Neighborhoods designation, and the multi-year Riverworks City Center project “becoming a catalyst for other developments along the Holton Street Corridor.
Beerline Trail Summer Programming Began
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Purchased old Lenas site on Holton, office location
Harambee Tot Lot Created at 1st Street and Keefe Avenue
2014
The Beerline Targeted Investment Neighborhood established to provide home rehab products for Harambee residents
Riverworks named a Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative agency by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Beerline Trail Extension Land (Richards & Keefe to Capitol) Purchased for Public Use
2015
Ground Broken for Riverworks City Center Project
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2016
Riverworks Coin Laundry Opened, in Partnership with WASH
Began development of the Beerline Plaza
Executive Director, Darryl Johnson, Received the MANDI Northern Trust Navigator Award
2017
Construction Completed for Riverworks City Center at 3304-3334 N Holton Street and 518-526 E Concordia Avenue
First String of 53212 Marketplace Events Took Place
Became administer to the Harambee Neighborhood Improvement District (NID)
2018
The First Annual Music on the Beerline Music Series Took Place
Began to administer the Anti-Displacement Fund in collaboration with MKE United
2019
Community Programming & Financial Clinic Growth
2019 – 2021
RDC scales up public-facing programming (Music on the Beerline, 53212 Marketplace, Beerline Shuffle) while deepening its financial empowerment work: rebranding the FOC as the Financial Clinic and winning the MANDI Cornerstone Award. The organization also expands its physical footprint in the neighborhood, administering the Anti-Displacement Fund, building three neighborhood healing spaces, and completing Phase 1 of the Beerline Plaza.
2020's
2010's
2000's
1990's
Recent Growth & Placemaking
2022 – Present
RDC continues expanding its civic footprint and community programming, taking over Riverwest Farmers Market operations, completing the Connector Building, and partnering with Cities for Financial Empowerment and the City of Milwaukee to launch the Milwaukee Financial Empowerment Center, and Milwaukee County to create the Older Adult Navigation Program. The period closes out major placemaking milestones (Julia's Corner, the Harambee Quality of Life Initiative Masterplan, and a Mayor's Design Award for the Beerline Plaza) alongside new civic partnerships and youth-focused community events like the Harvest Festivals in Harambee and Riverwest.
Changed Names from the Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) to the Financial Clinic
2020
Received the MANDI Cornerstone Award for Impact Over Time for the Financial Clinic
The First Annual Beerline Shuffle Event Took Place
Developed 3 Healing Spaces at 2nd and Vienna, 1st and Keefe, and on the Beerline Trail Between Holton and Buffum
Beerline Trail Plaza Project Completed at the Riverworks City Center
Purchased 274 E. Keefe
2021
Took over Riverwest Farmers Market operations
Broke ground at 274 E. Keefe for Connector Building Project
2022
Grand opening of the Connector Building
2023
The Riverworks Financial Clinic partnered with Cities for Financial Empowerment and the City of Milwaukee to create the Milwaukee Financial Empowerment Center