MILWAUKEE — Expansion of a transition center for homeless veterans officially kicked off in Milwaukee.
The Center for Veterans Issues and The Alexander Company on Thursday broke ground on an expansion and renovation of CVI’s support facility at 3330 W. Wells St. The center will get a 53,000-square-foot expansion, bump its total units up to 81 and offer indoor and outdoor community spaces. The project was boosted by public funding sources, including a lineup of developers and development partners.
Milwaukee-based Kelly Construction & Design is the general contractor for the $21 million project. The contractor worked with Galbraith Carnahan Architects to design the addition. Demolition work started in August and the project is expected to be complete in the last quarter of 2025. Project partners said they had been planning a facility expansion since 2022.
“We’re excited about the positive impact this renovated and expanded facility will have on our veterans,” said John Cornell, chair of the CVI Board of Directors, at a news conference. “This project could not have happened without the work of some amazing people and companies,” he added.
CVI will launch a capital campaign for $1.1 million to furnish the project after completion Cornell noted.
The facility serves as a “critical bridge” between emergency shelter and permanent housing, said Birdie Cowser, the vice president of housing and development for CVI.
