State society names part of St. Paul Ave. historic district

A stretch of W. St. Paul Ave. in Milwaukee’s Menomonee Valley is now a historic district, making the buildings eligible for tax credits that can help finance renovations.

The avenue, from N. 11th St. to N. 21st St., is now listed as the West St. Paul Avenue Industrial Historic District by the Wisconsin Historical Society.

There are 22 industrial buildings in that district that can now use state and federal historic preservation tax credits for certain restoration costs, according to Wednesday’s announcement.

That designation was sought by Menomonee Valley Partners Inc., a nonprofit group that leads valley development efforts.

“The historic district listing is an exciting part of building St. Paul Avenue’s identity and positioning the corridor for further redevelopment,” Corey Zetts, the group’s executive director, said in a statement.

Former industrial buildings in the district that have been converted into new uses since September 2016 include:

Plum Moving Media’s new offices, at 1418 W. St. Paul Ave.

Architectural firm Christopher Kidd and Associates LLC’s new offices, 422 N. 15th St.

Third Space Brewing, which opened at 1505 W. St. Paul Ave.

BrewCity CrossFit’s relocated fitness center, 1539 W. St. Paul Ave.

Riverview Antique Market, which moved to 2045 W. St. Paul Ave.

The district will be recommended for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, which is expected by the end of January, according to Menomonee Valley Partners.