414.342.9787
3841 W. Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53208

WRTP/BIG STEP - Opportunities to Contribute


Painter apprentices decorate a pillar in the Center of Excellence’s building on Wisconsin Avenue.
Capital Campaign

WRTP has raised more than $1,000,000 in pledges and gifts at this stage of our capital campaign for the acquisition and renovation of the Center of Excellence’s new, larger site. This campaign, the first in our decade-long history, is about much more than a building. It’s about addressing the shortage of qualified workers that area employers face and a wide range of social issues generated whenever major segments of the population are under-represented in the workforce. Milwaukee has a historic opportunity – to have an all-time record number of construction and manufacturing jobs filled with locally trained talent. WRTP/BIG STEP enables the private sector to:

• Hire from a diverse pool of the best candidates available
• Know that the candidates are not only trained, but are work-ready
• Rely on WRTP/BIG STEP for a continuing supply of employees to meet future needs

To accommodate larger numbers of students and a wider variety of training classes, WRTP/BIG STEP moved into the former Drott Tractor building, at 3841 W. Wisconsin Avenue in September 2006. Our vintage 1928 building boasts 30,000 square feet on three levels – hands-on training areas for welding, machining, and construction on the lower level; testing, counseling, tutoring, and classroom training on the main level; and administration, meeting and conference rooms on the top floor. We expect our capacity for training and placement to grow from nearly 500 placements in 2006 to 1,000 by 2010.

While we’ve finished some needed upgrades to the building, including tutoring and classroom space and a computer lab, there are still several areas of need:

ADA Compliant Stairway and New Elevator $270,000
   
 Remainder of Lower Renovation:  
     Construct Skilled Trades Work Areas & Instructor Offices $120,000
     Glass Block Windows $6,000
     Construction of New Restrooms $16,000
     Welding Equipment & HVAC $70,000
   
Remainder of Main Floor:  
     Complete Flooring in Classrooms and Offices $28,000
     Cabinetry and Woodwork $15,000
     Upgrade Lounge and Reception Area Including New Office $150,000
     Construct New Computer Lab $30,000
     Complete BIG STEP Tutoring Room and Special Needs Room $15,000
   
2nd Floor:  
     Construct New Offices, Lobby, Board Room, Conference Rooms, Work Rooms, Storage      Areas $175,000
      Includes New Heating & Air Conditioning, Electrical Upgrades, Technology, Finishes  
   
Building Exterior:  
     New Metal Canopy $12,000
     Second Floor New Windows $29,000
     Exterior Painting $5,000
   
Additional Needs:  
     Green Roof $52,675
     White Boards $2,500
     Office Equipment $5,000
     Classroom A/V Equipment $3,400
     Repave Driveway $15,600
     Landscape $8,500
     Sidewalk $7,400
     Fence on 2nd Floor S. Roof $8,000
     Furniture Allowance $118,000
     Window Treatments $6,900
     Signage Allowance $7,500
     Vending Machines $2,500
     Replace Lobby Storefront $9,400
     Build Out Tenant Space $400,400
     Replace North Wrought Iron Fence $22,000
     Epoxy Lower Level South Floor $36,400
     Renovate Sky Light $5,400
     Install Security System $7,500

Contributors to our Capital Campaign include:

AT&T Wisconsin
Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee
Helen Bader Foundation
Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation
Annie E. Casey Foundation
City of Milwaukee
Daniel M. Soref Charitable Trust
Forest County Potawatomi Community Foundation
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Harley-Davidson
JP Cullen & Sons
M&I Bank
Milwaukee Building Trades Council
NECA of Greater Milwaukee
Payne & Dolan
Pieper Electric Inc.
Ralph Evinrude Foundation
United Way of Greater Milwaukee
VJS Construction Services
WE Energies