Surf Cat

The need will be great, with more residential as part of the plan, to make work what has been tough in the past.

With this in mind we view the first major development of the project, The Brindisi Towers, a sparkling $80.5 million luxury apartment and condo high rise complex on a vacant, 1.6-acre parcel located directly north of city hall on 52nd Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues.

The city’s Plan Commission recently reviewed a conceptual design for the complex, which could start a massive, eight-square block redevelopment downtown.

The time is right for The Brindisi Towers, its developer said, “to establish a new, higher standard of quality for residential and commercial developments.”

“The Brindisi Towers project will prove not only to be a great success but also a catalyst springboard for the entire Downtown Kenosha Redevelopment Vision Plan,” said Joseph Chrnelich, president of Asia Pacific Racing Development of Milwaukee.

“It will be the first signal to the southeast corridor communities, businesses and greater Chicago area that Kenosha has begun to emerge as the premier residential community of choice moving toward the 21st century.”

The project targets Illinois residents moving across the border for job opportunities, less congestion and a lower tax environment. A Metra station nearby connects Kenosha with downtown Chicago.

It’s a hugely ambitious lakefront plan: The Brindisi Towers includes an 11-story apartment structure on the north, a 10-story condo building on the south and a fourth-floor grass terrace between the two towers.

The terrace will feature a clubhouse with kitchen, party space, outdoor grills, seating areas with fire pits, patios and a dog walk area. The lower levels will include more than 300 enclosed parking spots and commercial space with plans for a high-end restaurant and public health club.

The developer has submitted a conditional use permit plan. The project would need a zoning ordinance amendment because the building is 133 feet high, which exceeds the city’s 100-foot height restriction.

“I think it will be an interesting conversation,” said Zohrab Khaligian, a city redevelopment specialist for Community Development and Inspections. “Height has been an issue for a while. This is forcing us to make a decision which, in a way, is a good thing. Look at the units. This is a great development.”

Already, the latest regional housing report shows a growing need. September home sales in Kenosha County were up by 11 percent over a year ago, with residents moving north for opportunities and a lower cost of living.

“Growth may have come from the challenges that are ongoing in Illinois and Chicago,” said David Clark, an economist with the Wisconsin Realtors Association. “Wisconsin is offering people some reasonable and attractive options.”

The Brindisi Towers in a few years will likely be very attractive. City Council should weigh its height and approve the zoning ordinance amendment. The time has come.

After that, however, we again encourage city officials to work toward attracting a grocery store downtown. That should be a more attractive sell with the prospect of hundreds of new downtown residents.

It should be a top priority moving forward.