A Milwaukee tradition now spanning three mayors is in its 25th year. The winners of the annual Mayor’s Design Awards were announced Thursday May 12, 2022 by Mayor Cavalier Johnson and the Department of City Development.
“For 25 years, Milwaukee has witnessed tremendous growth and activity. New buildings, outdoor spaces, attractions, and landscaping add to the fabric of our neighborhoods,” said Johnson in a statement announcing the winners. “These awards celebrate the innovative efforts that make our city a great place to live, work, and have fun. I am excited to recognize these deserving projects that showcase the power of urban design to build stronger communities and move Milwaukee forward.” The awards range from small, public art installations to new buildings like a northwest side high school and Bay View condominiums. At least one project in all 15 aldermanic districts was recognized.
Reflecting the always evolving nature of the awards, winners were named in four categories: Spaces and Places, Test of Time, Neighborhood Renaissance and Vibrant Corridors. Missing from last year are the categories of Small Gems and Filled In. The Villard Avenue Business Improvement District won the 2022 Spaces and Places award for it’s public art initiative VISUAL VIBES ON VILLARD. Launched in 2019, Visual Vibes on Villard has installed community focused murals featuring familiar faces of people from their community on neighborhood bus stops in collaboration with the Milwaukee County Transit System’s Art At the Bus Stop Initiative. Additionally, Visual Vibes launched a large scale building mural art installment creating what is currently the largest public art installment on the Far Northwest side of Milwaukee. And last but certainly not least, they just recently announced their new Tree Art project that is underway where art interacts with the trees paying homage to both art and nature. Stay tuned as an updated art map will soon be available for families to enjoy. The Villard Avenue BID would like to thank Mayor Johnson, Amy Oeth, and the DCD staff for recognizing our efforts to inspire and restore community pride in the Villard Avenue neighborhood. 
Blog contribution credit: Jeramey Janenne/UrbanMilwaukee.com
