Danitra Jones: Sharing the Value of Green Tech Station
Danitra Jones in 2021
Meet Danitra. Danitra Jones is one of three community organizers with Northwest Side Community Development Corporation (NWSCDC), the nonprofit organization that spearheaded the creation of Green Tech Station.
With support of Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), City of Milwaukee Redevelopment Authority, the nonprofit Reflo, and other partners, NWSCDC is proud of the opportunity Green Tech Station represents for the surrounding neighborhoods.
She credits NWSCDC’s Planning & Community Development Manager Sarah Bregant with carrying out the vision to make Green Tech Station a welcoming reality on what was previously a contaminated no-man’s land abandoned by industry. The new community gathering and educational space uses green infrastructure to show what kind of transformation is possible when dedicated partners come together, even in the harshest urban landscape.
“One thing I’m hopeful for is the continuation of building up our community on the north side, but with positive things that actually will improve individuals’ quality of life. But then involve the community in it. Not just put things here,” Danitra says. “But actually sit down with the residents and say, hey, what would you need to improve the quality of life? So that you can feel comfortable in your community and that you can feel you are being a part of something, not just someone putting something in your area.”
Green Tech Station provides a quality gathering space the community was hungry for, according to NWSCDC. “This is a perfect opportunity for residents and different organizations to come about and teach the community what their organization is and how you connect people to resources,” she says.
At the same time the novel research and demonstration site showcases Milwaukee’s leadership in green infrastructure technologies that are improving quality of life to neighborhoods throughout the city. Bioswales and cisterns like those on display at Green Tech Station help manage stormwater at schoolyards and other sites across Milwaukee, for example, and vacant parcels replanted as urban farms or community gardens are served by rainwater harvesting. Native plants in residential rain gardens and street trees and porous pavers in public right-of-ways look better than naked asphalt, but also soak up stormwater. All together, green infrastructure features add up to help reduce flood risk and protect Lake Michigan. Visitors can get a better sense of how those features work together to make a difference at Green Tech Station.
To arrange a site tour. organize a community meeting, or schedule a field trip of Green Tech Station, contact NWSCDC.
“[Green Tech Station] is a perfect opportunity for residents and different organizations to come about and teach the community what their organization is and how you connect people to resources.”