Sept. 15, 2019 10p
(WGTD)---A company has been lined up to redevelop a large downtown Kenosha building that has sat vacant for years.
The Alford Building--in the northwest quadrant of 58th St. and 7th Ave.--is right across the street from another large, vacant building that's currently being transformed into a micro-brewery and a banquet hall. That building once was home to the original Barden's Dept. store before it moved across the street to the Alford.
Over the years, the two vacant buildings--sitting on a major street leading to the downtown area--have given the commercial district a feeling of neglect, even though the vast majority of downtown spaces are in fact occupied.
Despite roof and floor damage in the Alford, a Chicago-based developer with Kenosha ties has expressed an interest in buying the building from the city for $1.The preliminary plan calls for retail on the first floor and residential on the second.
Blue Paint Development has built several single-family homes in Pleasant Prairie and has purchased a six-acre tract of lakefront land along Sheridan Rd. in Somers with the intent of building a 96-unit apartment complex.
The Kenosha City Council is expected to consider the sale of the Alford to Blue Paint at its regularly-scheduled meeting Monday night.
The proposed deal includes a number of conditions. According to city documents, Blue Paint must show "sources and uses of funds" totaling about $7.7 million within six months of the sale. Also, the developer must start construction no later than Apr. 4th of next year and complete the project by Jan. 31st of 2022.
If one or more of the conditions aren't met, then the city reserves the right to buy back the property for $1.
For its part, the city promises to spend up to $500,000 on asbestos and other hazardous materials removal.
The Alford--and the building currently under redevelopment--were both purchased by the city several years ago in an effort to jump-start redevelopment.
Also Monday night, the council is expected to hire a project manager for the planned multi-block, downtown redevelopment project that includes construction of a new city hall.
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