July 9, 2019 6:20a
(WGTD)---Construction of a city-owned parking ramp in downtown Kenosha will be delayed because the bids came in higher than expected. The ramp—just east of the Post Office—is expected to relieve parking pressures brought on in part by the advent of The Stella, the new hotel, restaurant and bar in the former Elk’s Club building. The city’s Public Works Committee Monday voted to reject the three bids that were offered. City staff plans to meet with the ramp’s designer to see whether some cheaper alternatives could be developed without changing the esthetics or the structure’s basic exterior. The five-story ramp is expected to include some first-floor retail space. The original cost estimate was $8.5 million. The lowest bid—from Riley Construction of Kenosha—came in just over $9.3 million. A new request for bids—with those design modifications—is expected to be made this fall.
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(WGTD)---A Kenosha City Council committee recommended that the new owner of the hall that currently houses UAW Local 72 be awarded a liquor license. Bear Development is in the process of buying the building and the adjacent land. Bear Development President S.R. Mills said afterward that his company still has no solid plans for the building—other than to continue renting out the space. Local 72 is holding what’s described as a moving sale later this week. The Local’s president declined to say last week just what the union’s plans are.
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(WGTD)---Kenosha’s License and Permit Committee is expected to meet in emergency session Tuesday afternoon to consider a recommendation from the police chief to pull a cabaret license from the bar that had a shooting incident two weekends ago. A patron at the MVP Bar on 60th St. suffered a serious gunshot wound to his neck. Others were hurt in a stampede out the door. At last report, no one’s been arrested. According to the agenda, the police chief is recommending that the bar’s authority to play music or provide other entertainment be either revoked or suspended. The proposal would not affect the bar’s liquor license.
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(WGTD)---Pleasant Prairie residents will get a chance this week to review the latest thinking on just what a proposed ‘village green’ mixed-use development should look like. For the past six months, over 100 volunteers have been researching various aspects of the project that’s earmarked for a 180-acre tract of land near village hall and the main fire station. They’re now ready to present their rough ideas. An open house featuring power point presentations and other visuals will be held Thursday from 5-8. It’ll be held at village hall. After gaining feedback, the committee is expected to refine its plans and make a more formal presentation to the village board and plan commission later this month.
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