MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee's Clarke Square neighborhood will soon be home to its only high school. It’s a major investment that's expected to bring in more money and traffic to a growing area.
Workers broke ground on the new Cristo Rey Jesuit High School by 19th and National one month ago. Construction is now in full force.
Oscar Castaneda has been waiting for the day that it opens its doors across the street from his restaurant, Oscar's Pub and Grill.
"I can probably sell another burger a day,” Castaneda said. "I'm very excited for the project. I think personally and for the business wise, I think it's going to be great for the community."
Cristo Rey opened in 2015, using a model where students' tuition is offset through a work study program with local businesses.
Since then, it's remained in West Milwaukee, but the school quickly outgrew that spot.
Next fall, it will move two miles away to the Clarke Square neighborhood at a site more than double the size of its current space, where they'll be able to go from 400 to 500 students.
Director of Admissions Better Suarez said most of their families live in this part of town.
"This spot right here is the heart of Milwaukee. We're connected to different neighborhoods,” Suarez said.
It's an area that's seen growth in recent years, especially over on Cesar Chavez.
Now with the opening of the school, a $33 million investment, Executive Director of the Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative Ian Bautista, hopes to keep the momentum going over on National Avenue.
"There are a lot of properties that are suitable for investment, and suitable for advancement and real estate development,” Bautista said.
Hundreds of adults and kids will soon be looking for lunch spots and hangouts in the neighborhood, and when they do Castaneda will be prepared to serve them.
"We anticipate to have great neighbors and we're ready to serve a lot of burgers for them,” Castaneda said.
Once the school opens, there will also be an influx of cars on the road. Suarez said the school is working on a plan to ease congestion.
