For nearly 60 years, Beyond Vision has been located at 5316 West State Street. Due to our growth over the years, we are bursting at the seams. The growth of our mission to employ people who are blind needs more space. We purchased the former Sam’s Club in West Allis with the ambition to remodel and move our team into the facility. Recently, we received great news about our future.
While this facility is zoned for commercial use, the forward-thinking city of West Allis Planning Commission brought us closer to our Blind Ambition and approved our request for a special use permit. Final approval by the city of West Allis Common Council at a public hearing is scheduled for January 5, 2021.
These steps represent understanding by the leadership in West Allis that organizations like ours create better lives for people with disabilities and benefit society as a whole. Joining the vibrant community of West Allis will enable us to expand employment opportunities for people who are blind.
This 130,000 square foot facility will enable Beyond Vision to create the first of its kind VisABILITY Center, inviting other organizations serving people who are blind to co-locate with us. At the VisABILITY Center, people who are blind and their families may find advocacy groups, rehabilitation and translation services and most critical, meaningful and sustainable employment.
Architectural design discussions are underway. Offices will be built under the existing roof line, with accommodations for future co-locators as they choose to join us on the campus. Much of the parking lot will be turning into green space with walking paths for our employees and open to the public.
The new facility will also mean an updated and safe work environment. Our current building has no overhead fire protection. Access to modern loading docks will create a better and safer shipping and receiving space. Separate parking along with dedicated drop off and pick up areas will improve navigation for employees who are blind. In addition to these safety upgrades, several way-finding tools will be incorporated.
The new facility brings us the opportunity to become eager supporters of commerce in West Allis. We look forward to connecting with local businesses for services, retail and entertainment. Many employees are considering moving to West Allis to be closer to work. Several employees already live in the area.
In our 117 year history, we’ve become a mainstay of Milwaukee County and have established strong relationships. The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) has been a great partner and is working with Beyond Vision on accommodating routes to the new location. Our team is working with WisDOT, who is helping us optimize crosswalks with audible and tactile guidance systems so our employees can safely commute.
Construction should begin at the end of the first quarter of 2021 with the goal of meeting our capital fundraising campaign by the Fall. We welcome everyone to join us next year for a groundbreaking ceremony in the Spring. Doors Open Milwaukee 2021 will also be a great chance to invite people from all over Southeastern Wisconsin to visit the new building in West Allis.
Beyond Vision is headed in the right direction. The VisABILITY Center will serve as a national model of combined services for people who are blind.
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Delonna has been able to advance in her career and is a leader in the Customer Care Center.
Beyond Vision team members are always happy to work with local media on stories about living with vision loss.
Israel worked with MCTS on a program to make buses more accessible.