Surf Cat

The eight-square-block (25 acres) development is proposed to include a new city hall, performing arts center, public park and hundreds of private residences.

Brindisi Towers, a $79.5 million apartment/condominium high-rise, is in line to become one of the first major undertakings of the project.

The mixed-use structure is slated for a 1.6-acre parcel located directly north of the Kenosha Municipal Building on 52nd Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues.

Here is the second offering of a three-part series with Antaramian:

Q: Can you give an update on your Downtown Vision Project?

A: It’s moving forward. It’s a lot of development that is going to take many years. We plan on starting the parking structure (located on Eighth Avenue between 56th and 57th streets) this spring. The Brindisi (Towers) will likely get started in the spring or summer. City hall is next. Then I believe we will look into building the performing arts center. I think that’s going to go in sooner than later, but nothing is set in stone. In the end, all of these additions will change downtown dramatically. I think our downtown is going to really thrive.

Q: Are you looking forward to having a new city hall?

A: This is a building that is just in absolutely horrible shape. It’s terrible. I have all sorts of issues this building is continually running into.

Q: What will the performing arts center bring to downtown?

A: It will add culture. When you look at performing arts, music, museums … that’s all culture. All those things play into what your community is and what it’s going to be. Are we going to be an entity that gets some of the top Broadway shows? Maybe someday. We have to tie everything together and make culture something that is important to us. The performing arts center will be a major boon to this area.

Q: Brindisi Towers is projected to add nearly 160 luxury apartment and condominium units to the downtown lakefront. Is this the project that really gets the ball rolling?

A: This is the project that needs to start first and the reason is simple: It’s in a (tax incremental financing) district. That creates the revenue which enables us to do all of the things we’re doing (downtown) and keeping it off the property tax bill.

Q: These condos are expected to start at $500,000 on up to $1.5 million. Do you think people will buy these?

A: There are a lot of companies moving into the area. One of the problems we’ve had in this area is getting executives to stay and live here and not live in Illinois. Part of the reason is housing. The developers believe this will resolve that issue. They feel very comfortable with their market and what they want to do.

Q: Do you think they’re aware people in Kenosha don’t spend $4,000 per month for apartments and $1.5 million on condos?

A: They know that.

Q: And they’re OK with that?

A: They have looked into all of this. They would not be able to get the financing to do these type of things if they weren’t in a situation where they could afford to do it. I don’t know if there’s anyone that has a problem with the development or their concept. If you look in the community, you’re seeing one-half million and million-dollar properties selling. It’s not like this is something that’s not happening already.

Q: With the Downtown Vision Project soon underway, are you focused on planning other major projects?

A: It’s time to focus on the Uptown area and how that will tie in with development of the Chrysler site. We have a lot of work to do. It took a lot of time to put together a plan for downtown. It’s going to take time for Uptown as well, but we’re going to get that moving. The Chrysler site is moving along well. The dirt is gone. There is grass in there. We’ll have a retention basin installed this year. We’ll continue working with our consultants to start development in the next couple of years. I’m always cautious about putting timetables on things. Are we ready to go with downtown? Yes. How fast will it happen? I don’t know. Are we ready in Uptown? Absolutely not. Will we be ready in two to three years? Absolutely.

Coming Wednesday: A continued emphasis on roads and infrastructure.