UNITED COMMUNITY CENTER (UCC)
Ricardo Diaz Early Learning Academy
The Early Learning Academy, located on the south side of Milwaukee, features an indoor/outdoor playground, reception area, private offices, an open office area, a commercial kitchen, and conference rooms. The school's lower level includes a multi-purpose room and two rooms for its on-site partnerships with Sixteenth Street Community Health Center and Ascension Seton Dental Clinic.
LOCATION
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
SIZE
43,000 square feet
SELF-PERFORM
Concrete, Carpentry
ARCHITECT
JAKnetter Architects
DELIVERY METHOD
Construction Manager
“They’re professionals. They know they’re not just in here for this particular job, but that it’s a long-term relationship and we know that as an organization, we’re into serving the community and we make a long-term deal with our own community so trust is important with our own community and trust is important for the people that we do business with. We have that in this case, and as a result, it’s a win-win relationship that we’ve had for many years and many years to come."
— Ricardo Diaz, Former Executive Director, United Community Center
AWARDS
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State Farm Building Block Award Finalist, Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDI), 2022
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Mayor's Design Award, City of Milwaukee, 2022
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Education Real Estate Award, The Milwaukee Business Journal, 2022
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Top Project Award, The Daily Reporter, 2020
EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS
VJS Development Group worked in collaboration with VJS Construction Services to seek and evaluate options to acquire and assemble a parcel of land near the existing United Community Center's other facilities.
The team assisted in the acquisition of multiple parcels to assemble the land for the project. VJS Development Group also assisted in entitlement and government approvals necessary to make the project a success.