June 20, 2025. Dan Fleischman, VP of Housing, Jewish Family Services, Milwaukee, WI
JFS has been working with Milwaukee County since January 2025 on a feasibility study to evaluate the potential for a new Senior Center with affordable housing on the site of the existing McGovern Park Senior Center. The County has stated that the existing McGovern Park Senior Center is at risk of closure due to capital needs, deferred maintenance, and inadequate space. The County has offered the solution of developing a new senior center with affordable housing on upper floors. This is very similar to the model that the City of Milwaukee has used to replace aging libraries with beautiful new facilities. The model provides the County with the opportunity to save an existing senior center while addressing the affordable housing crisis.
Recent media coverage on the project:
Urban Milwaukee Article: https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2025/06/17/mke-county-board-divided-on-mcgovern-park-senior-housing-project/
Journal Sentinel Article: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2025/06/10/mcgovern-park-sparks-debate-over-using-parks-for-senior-housing/84009041007/
Shepherd Express Article by County Executive David Crowley in support of the project: https://shepherdexpress.com/
Shepherd Express Article in opposition to the project: https://shepherdexpress.com/news/issue-of-the-month/con-building-a-senior-center-on-county-park-land/
The McGovern project has received support from community members, Senior Center participants, and affordable housing advocates who are excited by the prospect of an improved Senior Center and Park; who understand the financial and capital challenges of the existing building; and who recognize the need for more affordable housing.
The project has faced opposition from some parks advocates, who do not want to see any development within the park; from some neighborhood residents, who are concerned that affordable housing will bring crime to the park and neighborhood; and from some existing McGovern Senior Center participants, who would prefer for the County to rehab the existing building or build a brand-new stand-alone senior center – options that County staff continue to say are not viable.
The County and JFS believe that this project will be a significant investment in senior services and affordable housing that will benefit the neighborhood, the City, and the County while improving the Park experience.