Northwestern Mutual building takes a big step closer to completion

Dontarrion Brown (left) and Kenneth Egana install the glass and aluminum curtain was that will form the exterior of the 32-story Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons building. The majority of the workers are Milwaukee residents certified through the city’s Residents Preference Program and trained by WRTP/Big Step. Nearly four dozen workers are using the former Tower Automotive/Talgo high-speed train manufacturing facility on North 27th St. The workers put in 10-hour days Monday – Thursday, and eight-hour shifts on Friday and Saturday. Their work counts toward union apprenticeship accreditation, so the workers will have an excellent opportunity to continue to put their newly learned building and trade skills to work on other major construction projects planned for downtown Milwaukee.