New uses have been found for an old building in downtown Kenosha that has sat vacant for much of the last several decades.
A developer is proposing a $3.5 million renovation of the former Barden’s Dept. store.
The two-story building would be gutted, with spaces created for a micro-brewery and a banquet hall. The brewery has been identified in city documents as Public Craft Brewing Company, which is currently located just down the block. The caterer is Culinary Infusion, which already operates a banquet hall in Kenosha’s Harborside neighborhood called Circa on Seventh. That operation would remain. The company also runs another hall called The Covenant at Murray Mansion in Racine.
The developer has been identified as Witico Development, a Kenosha-based contractor.
Under a tentative deal between the city and Witico, the city will transfer ownership of the building to the developer for a dollar. Witico would be responsible for the redevelopment costs.
The city bought the building a couple of years ago with an eye toward finding a developer. The city started accepting applications last fall. Just two were received. One company was knocked out of the running for failing to meet minimum qualifications, leaving just Witico.
The city council is expected to review the development agreement Wednesday night.
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