is River West doomed? (Milwaukee, Humboldt: 2010, renters, violent crime)

[Angorlee]

After the recent shootings(and killing) I wonder what the future of River West neighborhood is. Its future was iffy anyway because it is so close to crime ridden areas. All it takes is a few violent crimes to clear out honest renters and make way for the criminal elements.

[Jesse276]

Originally Posted by Angorlee

After the recent shootings(and killing) I wonder what the future of River West neighborhood is. Its future was iffy anyway because it is so close to crime ridden areas. All it takes is a few violent crimes to clear out honest renters and make way for the criminal elements.

River West, is a neighborhood in Chicago, Riverwest is located in Milwaukee.

It is not as though that area has ever been without crime, even of this type. Riverwest already has a stigma that its residents work to change, but the area is subject to crime and violence being adjacent to a slum. You can debate back and forth about one of victim's drug history and how innocent of a victim he was.

Either way, that neighborhood has a strong core of people that work to improve the area and has been refreshed in recent years by a large influx of people in their 20's/30's. My guess is that Riverwest is not in for any drastic change in the next 10 years, positive or negative, but will continue a gradual improvement as many are priced out of downtown/bayview/east of the river.

[KC3700]

I don't think Riverwest is in danger of becoming a hood. It was in the 80's, and 90's to a lesser extent. But that area is up-and-coming, it's residents have street smarts and I think it'll be OK.

At first I thought this thread might be addressing a threat to the character of the neighborhood, e.g.: will it still be as diverse and interesting 10 years from now. On that question I would agree that Riverwest is on iffy ground.

[caieva]

Because a guy sold pot in the past, he is so NOT a lesser victim.
And now it turns out, like his family figured, it's a random killing.

BUT my point to post is this
Freshman students at UWM were told point blank by the officials to absolutely not go west of the river past sunset - period! I think that is a very sad statement on the neighborhood.

[Allan Trafton]

Originally Posted by caieva

Because a guy sold pot in the past, he is so NOT a lesser victim.
And now it turns out, like his family figured, it's a random killing.

BUT my point to post is this
Freshman students at UWM were told point blank by the officials to absolutely not go west of the river past sunset - period! I think that is a very sad statement on the neighborhood.

Then why did UWM open their new dorm just west of the river two years ago.
This makes no sense.

[caieva]

Well that did make me chuckle in a sad way,
but what they meant was don't go west of the river closer to the U, (what they told the Sandburg kids)
west of Humboldt by the new dorm, though they did tell those kids to not even go to PicnSave
after dark alone.

[Jesse276]

Originally Posted by caieva

Well that did make me chuckle in a sad way,
but what they meant was don't go west of the river closer to the U, (what they told the Sandburg kids)
west of Humboldt by the new dorm, though they did tell those kids to not even go to PicnSave
after dark alone.

Were you in the audience or is this 3rd hand? Either way, those types of stereotypes of the area have been around longer than you or me, yet somehow the neighborhood has moved forward.

There is a crime issue in the area, but east of the river is riding on their coattails in that regard. It's just that ingrained perceptions and tradition of some people hold that in Riverwest, anything goes, and east of the river is a college student's playground. These ideas hold back both areas.

[Allan Trafton]

Originally Posted by caieva

Well that did make me chuckle in a sad way,
but what they meant was don't go west of the river closer to the U, (what they told the Sandburg kids)
west of Humboldt by the new dorm, though they did tell those kids to not even go to PicnSave
after dark alone.

I do the majority of my shopping at the Pick N Save in Riverwest and there are UWM students there at all hours. Telling them not to cross a busy street at 8pm with security at Pick N Save and the dorms is getting a little carried away. I'm sure they are playing on the side of caution. I don't see a problem going from the dorms to Pick N Save alone at night. But I've lived in the area with the past 22 years so my perspective may be different.

Also, I would add that UWM must not be to concerned about crime and other issues in Riverwest. Two of the final locations for the new dorm were in Riverwest. One was on the S.W. corner of Locust and Holton and the other on Locust just east of Humboldt. The new dorm is being constructed just east of the river on North Ave for those who don't know. Something doesn't add up with this thread.

[caieva]

I think they are very concerned but, as we all are, are hoping safety pushes west instead of crime pushing east.
I found it interesting and surprising that was said, because yes, it didn't seem to add up, unless there is more crime we aren't hearing about, or more parents freaking out and pulling their kids or something.
I grilled my son - sandburg frosh, my daughter - both sandburg and riverview now on east side, and their friend who's an RA, because I know there are more and more students living in RiverWest, they list those places on their rental site, and they've never warned about it before, other than the obvious street smarts issues.
Lots cheaper to live in RiverWest and I enjoy being there, but,
for now anyway, they do seem to be being very cautious.

[Milwaukee City]

Doesn't anyone search for threads before they post them anymore?

http://www.city-data.com/forum/milwa...st-2010-a.html