Walnut Hill Neighborhood

Mayor says "Save St. Thomas"!

Feb 12, 2000

At the Neighborhod Renewal Workshop held at the LAND Community Center at 1952 N. 36th Street, Saturday, February 12th, Mayor John Norquist, looking up at the beautiful beamed ceiling of the former St. Thomas Aquinas church, now our neighborhood Community Center, said "this church must not be torn down!"

Milwaukee Public Schools, who leases the facility from the archdiocese, said that they intend to tear down the church and adjoining complex to enlarge the playground and parking space for the adjoining Westside Academy II charter school (in the former St. Thomas School Bldg).

Before he left, the mayor promised us, on his own initiative, that he would write MPS on Monday, Feb. 13th, that he was solidly opposed to their demolition of this beautiful building that ties our community together.

Now it is up to us neighbors to find another way to satisfy the school's need for more parking and playground space. We have a powerful ally in the mayor, but the battle isn't over.

Please come to the meeting at the center 10 am on Saturday, February 19th!