Written by: Daniel Gaitan | Read this story from Kenosha News
Mayor David Bogdala signs the last beam to be placed in the Kenosha Innovation Center at the former Chrysler site on Tuesday. Construction on the building is slated to be completed summer of 2025. SEAN KRAJACIC, KENOSHA NEWS
The Kenosha Innovation Center’s final beam was installed Tuesday morning, a major milestone in the development of the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood.
Local leaders participated in a topping off ceremony outside the multi-story structure at 5522 26th Ave.
Kenosha Mayor David Bogdala thanked current and former members of the City Council, local business leaders and educators for helping make the project possible.
“This is not a government project, this is a community project,” Bogdala said. “It takes the business community, the educational community and local government to make this work. Hats off to all of you here who have helped make this happen, and that includes our KIN Board.”
Bogdala said “Kenosha has gone through a lot and there have been times over the years where people counted us out.”Bogdala also highlighted the efforts of former Mayor John Antaramian for his “vision” and the “things that he has done for this community over many years.”
Attendees, including current and former alderpersons, city staff and community leaders, signed the final beam, a symbolic tradition in the construction process. The beam was adorned with an American flag and a small pine tree, symbolizing the job was done safely and no injuries were sustained by construction workers.
The Kenosha Innovation Center is a $23.5-million facility that is part of the larger KIN, the revitalization and transformation of more than 100 acres of vacant land in the heart of the city that formerly housed the Chrysler Engine Plant.
The Kenosha Innovation Center — a three-story, 64,000-square-foot building — is situated on a 3.5-acre portion of the KIN, adjacent to the planned green corridor that will run through the site. The facility is expected to be completed in summer 2025 and will include leasable tenant space, as well as event and meeting space open for community use. The city received a $14 million state Neighborhood Investment Grant to support the funding of the $23.5-million facility, with additional funding through a tax incremental financing district.
“This is a once in a lifetime project,” said Kelly Armstrong, president of the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood. “We’re excited to see this neighborhood grow and be nurtured by all of us here.”
Tim Mahone, chair of the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood Board, called Tuesday a “pivotal milestone.”
Mahone said the project “invests in our youth” and “provides opportunities for the next generation of young entrepreneurs.”
The city is managing the development of the center but in the future will transfer ownership and operations to Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, Inc.
In December 2023, the city awarded Neenah-based Miron Construction the bid for the construction of the center. Milwaukee-based company Eppstein Uhen Architects was selected in March 2023 for the design.
Comments