Through the 1970s and early 1980s, Williamson Street was in decline. The light industries and agriculture-related businesses, which had historically been the backbone of the neighborhood’s economy, either moved or died out, leaving many empty buildings and no jobs. For example, when La Samaritaine Co-op bought their buildings on the 1000 block in 1982, the derelict buildings were infested with mice and cockroaches. The perceptions of the condition of Willy Street were having a detrimental effect on the entire neighborhood.

To bring the community together again, local artists, musicians and engaged neighbors organized the first-ever “Willy Street Fair” on the third weekend in September, 1977. Their vision was a community model which included a tool lending library, a neighborhood recycling program, cooperative housing, and affordable housing for low-income families. Two years later, on February 14th of 1979, these same artists, musicians and neighborhood residents used the revenue and community support from the fair as the foundation for Common Wealth Development.

Now, the fair is a major neighborhood event and fundraiser held in collaboration with the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center, who became a key partner in 2000.