Milwaukee BID 38 To Unveil The César E. Chávez Bronze Statue This Summer

The César E. Chávez bronze statue will be unveiled at the outdoor market plaza at the 900 block of César E. Chávez Drive where El Rey Mega Grocery Store is located, according to Julio Maldonado, the executive director of the Chávez Drive BID #38.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 4, 2015

Milwaukee, WI - On Wednesday, Julio Maldonado, the Executive Director of the Milwaukee Business Improvement District (BID) #38 confirmed to Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) that a man size bronze statue of César E. Chávez, the late United Farm Workers leader will be unveiled this Summer (June or July). The Chávez bronze statue will be erected in an open market plaza in front of the El Rey Mega Grocery Store at the 900 block of S. César E. Chávez Drive, according to Maldonado. 

Olivia Villareal, Corporate Secretary of El Rey Holdings, Inc. (El Rey Food & Grocery store chain) told HNNUSA on Monday, that her family is honored to have donated $10,000 to the bronze man size statue of César E. Chávez and would be responsible for any extra landscaping needed for the statue. The El Rey has agreed to keep up the maintenance of the statue and plaza. Olivia says, that the Villareal family was honored to participate in commemorating Chávez when Ivan Gamboa, the President of the Chávez BID #38 asked her to join the FARM Project Committee. The Farm Project in the next three year phase will be enchancing, remodeling and utilizing public space for residents, local businesses, visitors to use and enjoy while on Chávez Drive. 

The Chávez bronze statue is part of a three year FARM Project to promote small business economic growth in the 12th Aldermanic District that will include a rich cultural environment for tourists, a consumer retail, food and art base attraction to the heart of the Latino community.

So far nearly $20,000 has been raised or donated to the Chávez bronze statue of the projected $40,000 cost needed to make it. The Chávez statue is currently being made by a local company, the Inspired Artisians by designer Geno Passara and his partner. A local funding campaign in the Milwaukee area is reaching out to get businesses, foundations, non-profit organizations and community to donate is ongoing, Maldonado says.

Mini unveiling commemorative Chávez statues will be provided for those sponsors who donate $500.00 or more.

A major event is planned by Maldonado in cooperation with BID #38, Alderman José G. Pérez, Mayor Tom Barrett, business owners and sponsors of the bronze statue for March 31, noon, at the Milwaukee City Hall Rotunda to publicly announce the upcoming events leading to the unveiling of the Chávez statue this Summer. An outdoor street festival on the Chávez Drive is being organized to facilitate related planned events to draw consumers into the business district and make Chávez Drive a Milwaukee destination.

At the 1200 block of Chávez Drive, a public place will be activated by creating open space for people to seat outside, add exercise activities by the 16th Street Health Center, additional art murals and will install benches along the Chávez Drive, according to Maldonado.

Sponsors, businesses and organizations involved:

• City of Milwaukee
• Clark Square Neighborhood Initiative
• Jazele Art Studios
• Journey House/Board members
• Latino Arts
• LISC
• Newaukee
• United Community Center
• Ivan Gamboa, President of the César E. Chávez Drive BID #38

• Cristella Cielo Juarez, FARM events coordinator
• Olivia Villareal, El Rey Holdings, Inc.
• United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS)
• Roberto Hernández Center UW-Milwaukee
• Milwaukee Arts Board
• Milwaukee Shines
• Milwaukee Urban Gardens
• Wisconsin Bike Federation
• César E. Chávez National Foundation

The César E. Chávez Drive BID #38 and FARM Project logo "Me Gusta" was designed by Maldonado & Morgan LLP, an advertising and marketing agency in Milwaukee.

For information, contact Julio Maldonado, the Executive Director of the César E. Chávez Drive BID #38 at e-mail: cesarchavezmkebid38@gmail.com