HUMMING ALONG

Credited with sparking the rebirth of Kenosha's lakefront, the HarborPark development includes landscaped parks, plazas, a 500-slip marina, an electric streetcar system, a museum and a mixed-use residential neighborhood. Developer New England Builders recently began construction of a new two-block neighborhood, which will include 24 townhouses and a 76-unit condominium complex. Photo courtesy of New England Builders Inc.

Development sets fast pace in Kenosha County

By Rebecca R. Konya

Conveniently located between Milwaukee and Chicago, Kenosha County is often referred to as the gateway to Wisconsin. The county's quality of life, along with plentiful employment and recreational opportunities, has earned the area recognition as one of the best places in the United States to live and raise a family.

One of the county's recreational outlets, the LakeView RecPlex in the village of Pleasant Prairie, is in the midst of a major expansion project that will add nearly 40,000 square feet to the existing facility. The overall project also includes the new 100,000-square-foot IcePlex Arena. Kenosha-based Riley Construction Co. is providing construction management services for both components.

"When both facilities are completed, the RecPlex will double in square footage to 269,000 square feet," said Mary Pawlowski, marketing communications manager for Riley Construction.

The RecPlex addition will accommodate an expanded fitness area, new classrooms, racquetball courts, party rooms and the Kid's Court. The IcePlex, slated for completion this fall, will feature two official National Hockey League-sized rinks and spectator seating for 800. Other amenities include team locker rooms, a skate rental area, a pro shop and a concession area. According to Pawlowski, programming will include figure-skating lessons and exhibitions, youth and adult hockey leagues and open skating.

Riley Construction is nearing completion of the Bain School of Language. When the 126,900-square-foot school at 2600 50th St. is completed next fall, it will replace the aging Bain Elementary School on 52nd Street. Rendering courtesy of Bray Associates Architects Inc.

Riley Construction also is providing construction services for Bain School of Language and Art in the city of Kenosha. Crews broke ground on the project in June 2003, and it will be completed by the fall school term, said Pawlowski.

The new two-story, 126,900-square-foot elementary school will include 42 classrooms, computer labs, resource rooms, a multipurpose cafeteria, an office, a gymnasium and art, music and special education rooms.

Development along Kenosha's lakeshore also continues to hum. Construction began in February on St. Catherine's Commons, a senior-living community on the site of the former St. Catherine's Hospital at 3556 Seventh Ave. Brian Wilke, a Kenosha city planner, said the $30 million multiphase project by Waukesha developer Tarantino & Co. will include three different levels of care.

The first phase, expected to open in spring 2005, will include 160 apartments in a two- and four-story building and 24 ranch-style apartment homes. A second phase will add another 61 units for residents requiring a higher level of care.

The entire project, designed to resemble a Mediterranean resort, will feature an outdoor fountain and plaza, retail store, salon, on-site banking, fitness center and day spa.

To the south of St. Catherine's Commons is HarborPark, one of the largest neighborhood redevelopment efforts in downtown Kenosha. New England Builders Inc. of Skokie, Ill., began transforming the 69-acre property — located on the site of a former American Motors Corp. factory — into a lakefront community in 1996. With the first phase of the project three-quarters built and occupied, the developer recently began work on a new two-block neighborhood featuring 24 townhouses and 76 condominiums. Chris Rintz, executive vice president and CEO of New England Builders, said he anticipated delivering the first units by late 2004.

Also active in downtown Kenosha is the Lakeshore Business Improvement District. According to Chairman James Twomey, the BID has purchased and renovated six properties in the past four years. The district's most recent acquisition is the former Badger Hotel, a three-story brick structure vacant since a fire in 1972.

The BID recently secured a $275,000 construction loan to convert the building into two residential units with commercial space on the first level. Twomey expected construction to begin in late April.

"Our goal is to increase property values downtown and create wealth for residents," said Twomey. "I think we've been successful in doing that."