JCP Construction Archives - Milwaukee Community Journal

Park to feature one of the most accessible playgrounds in Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE, WI (October 7, 2020) – Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. and Northwestern Mutual, through its Foundation, today announced a major capital revitalization project for the Northwestern Mutual Children’s Theater & Playzone, which has been in place at Henry Maier Festival Park since 2006.

A premiere destination for families within the region, the new Northwestern Mutual Community Park will continue to be a featured area at Summerfest, as well as the cultural and ethnic festivals. In addition, Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. will make the Northwestern Mutual Community Park available to the public during non-event days, encouraging the broader community to access this new amenity throughout the summer.

Priorities of the redevelopment project include updating the area with accessible playground surfaces and completely new play equipment, as well as reconfiguring the area for adaptable activation areas and exhibit spaces. As the expectations of families have changed over time, the project intends to better meet those needs through new family restrooms and a flexible and accessible stage area for enhanced, family-focused programming delivered in an environmentally-conscious design.

A guiding priority of the design is to offer inclusive play for children who may experience a variety of challenges. The Northwestern Mutual Community Park aims to be one of the most accessible playgrounds in the entire state of Wisconsin.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Northwestern Mutual Foundation to provide children and families of our community a fun and accessible entertainment experience. The redevelopment of this area has been a priority for some time, and we cannot wait to see the children enjoying this new amenity,” said Don Smiley, President and CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. “We are exceptionally grateful to all of our sponsors for their support in making Henry Maier Festival Park a world-class venue for fans of all ages.”

“Cultural attractions create connections and offer new experiences for residents and visitors,” said Eric Christophersen, President, Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “We’re proud to continue to partner with Summerfest through this redevelopment. Through investments like these, we’re helping to actively ensure that everyone can participate in the thriving cultural environment our hometown city of Milwaukee offers.”

This announcement is the continuation of an ongoing partnership with the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, which began in 2006, when the company became a major festival supporter as the name-in-title sponsor of the children’s area, as well as the “Make a Child Smile Day” admission promotion. Over time, tens of thousands of children’s books have been donated to area non-profit organizations such as Next Door and Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, through this promotion.

As provided in the lease between the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., this capital project is subject to the review and approval of the Board of Harbor Commissioners on behalf of the City of Milwaukee.

Eppstein Uhen Architect is the lead architectural firm for the design of the Northwestern Mutual Community Park and JCP Construction is managing the construction of the project.

About Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.
Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. is an independent, private 501(c)(3) corporation founded in 1965 that produces Summerfest, presented by American Family Insurance, a three-weekend festival that typically generates approximately $187 million in economic impact for the community each year. Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. also maintains and improves Henry Maier Festival Park, located on 75 acres on the shores of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, WI. In addition to Summerfest, Henry Maier Festival Park hosts a variety of ethnic and cultural festivals, concerts, walks, runs, and other special events, attracting nearly 1.3 million people. The mission of the organization is to promote an understanding of different ethnic cultures, the histories and traditions of various nationalities, harmony in the community, civic pride and provide a showcase for performing arts, activities and recreation for the public and employment opportunities for the youth of the community. For more details, visit Summerfest.com, Facebook.com/Summerfest, Twitter: @Summerfest or Instagram: @Summerfest.

About Northwestern Mutual Foundation
The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in need. The Foundation has given more than $386 million since its inception in 1992 and is designed to create lasting impact in the communities where the company’s employees and financial representatives live and work. We accomplish this by combining financial support, volunteerism, thought leadership and convening community partners to deliver the best outcomes. Our efforts are focused nationally on curing childhood cancer, and locally on education, neighborhoods and making our hometown of Milwaukee a great destination. Visit Northwestern Mutual Foundation to learn more.

Compiled by MCJ Editorial Staff

One of the main priorities—if not “the” main priority—of Mayor Tom Barrett was making sure Milwaukee businesses and entrepreneurs, especially those of color, were totally involved in every aspect of the Democratic National Convention, which will be in the Brew City in July.

The mayor delivered on his main priority when it was announced recently that JCP, a local Black owned and operated construction company has been selected as the DNCC’s construction general contractor.

“We’re very pleased JCP will play a major role preparing the Fiserv Forum for the convention, especially making the “national stage” (from which various speakers—including the eventual nominee of the party—will speak),” said Barrett during a phone interview with Clifton Phelps, one of three brothers who make up the construction firm.

Since winning the DNC over such major convention cities as Houston and Miami, Barrett has emphasized local residents, neighborhoods, and businesses–especially minority residents, neighborhoods and businesses– benefit from the economic windfall the political convention will bring to the city.

“The city of Milwaukee has a tremendous amount to showcase when we welcome the convention this summer and I am pleased that will include local expertise and talent that has been selected as part of the Democratic National Convention Committee’s construction and event management teams,” Barrett said in a press statement officially announcing JCP, Populous (announced as the event architect), Milwaukee’s American Design, Inc. and Hargrove (the event management firm selected for the convention).

Said Cong. Gwen Moore—who, with Barrett, co-chairs the DNC Host Committee—of the selection of JCP and the other local firms: “I made it a personal mission that our community enjoys the economic benefits of hosting the Democratic National Convention.

“I am excited that this mission is being delivered upon with the selection of these companies, which reflect our diversity. I know they will bring a caliber of excellence that makes our city shine proudly.”

JCP will have the task of transforming the Fiserv Forum from a basketball arena into the epicenter of American politics. The company will do the construction work on the one-year-old arena so that it is suitable for delegates, the media, and political figures who will be on hand to participate in or witness political history.

Founded in 2008 by Clifton and his brothers James and Jalin Phelps JCP brings decades of combined experience to the convention and provide an array of services including pre-construction, general contracting, and construction management.

JCP focuses on commercial, adaptive reuse, and large residential construction. JCP Construction has been a part of some of Milwaukee’s flagship construction projects of the past decade including Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee Mitchell Airport, and Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons.

“I appreciate the mayor bringing the DNC to Milwaukee,” said Phelps. “It’s great to be in a project like this. This is an historic moment for Milwaukee and the Midwest. The opportunity to be a part of this event is further recognition of our leadership in this industry and commitment to be an inclusive employer in our city.”

JCP’s task will be to adjust existing suites, closets, the arena bowl and the floor (or court) and other spaces into suitable areas for journalists, convention officials, delegates and their guests.

Phelps said he and his partners have been studying the arena’s schematics to determine what they will need to do in reconfiguring the home of the Milwaukee Bucks.

One challenge JCP, it’s partners on the project or the host committee has no control over is the possibility of the Bucks playing in the NBA Finals for a world championship.

If the Bucks were to reach the finals (and hopefully win), that will leave less time for JCP and its partners to do the necessary reconfiguration to make the forum convention ready.

Barrett said that possibility came up during the negotiations with the DNC to get the convention. The mayor said that would be a nice problem to have.

Phelps said such an “ideal problem” would mean a compressed schedule. “It’s going to be tight, but it will be done.”

JCP Construction

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. Announces Redevelopment of Northwestern Mutual Children’s Theater & Playzone as Community Park

Black owned construction firm chosen to prepare the Fiserv Forum for DNC