KENOSHA BREAKS GROUND ON NEW INNOVATION CENTER

Kenosha, WIS – Today, the City of Kenosha and the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, Inc. held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new $23.5-million facility that will serve as the future Kenosha Innovation Center, located on the site of the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood (KIN). 

The Kenosha Innovation Center, a three-story, 64,000-square-foot building, will be situated on a 3.5-acre portion of the KIN, adjacent to the planned greenway corridor that will run through the site. The facility is expected to be completed in summer 2025 and will include leasable tenant space, as well as event and meeting space open for community use.

“Years of vision casting and planning have gone into the revitalization of this land,” said Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian. “Today marks a pivotal milestone as we celebrate the start of construction for the Kenosha Innovation Center. We know that innovation is a key driver of economic growth and competitiveness, and communities that embrace innovation become more attractive to growing businesses and entrepreneurs. I am encouraged by the momentum this facility will continue to advance for our city.”

As an anchor development on the site of the KIN, the Kenosha Innovation Center will contribute to the revitalization and transformation of the former 107 acres of vacant land in the heart of Kenosha. Over the last several years, City and Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, Inc. representatives toured innovation districts throughout the country to support planning for an Innovation Center facility that will best serve the needs of the Kenosha community. 

“The Kenosha Innovation Center will be a central hub of growth and collaboration for entrepreneurs, startup businesses and training for those seeking employment opportunities,” said Tim Mahone, Board President of the KIN. “This project is a long-term investment not only for the KIN but for the greater Kenosha community and surrounding region. We are grateful for the many partners who worked to bring this facility from idea to reality and look forward to the opportunities the Center will help bring to our community.”

The City of Kenosha received a $14 million state Neighborhood Investment Grant to support the funding of the $23.5-million facility, with additional funding through a Tax Incremental Financing District. The City is managing the development of the Kenosha Innovation Center project and in the future will transfer ownership and operations to Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, Inc. 

In March 2023, the City of Kenosha selected Milwaukee-based Eppstein Uhen Architects (EUA) and unveiled its design plans for the Kenosha Innovation Center.

“We are thrilled to be a partner on this exciting project for the Kenosha community and surrounding region,” said Heather Turner Loth, Practice Leader of Project Development and Principal at EUA. “As we conceived ideas on design, intention was given to inclusivity, community, connectivity as well as setting a tone for the future development and paying tribute to the rich history of the site. We are honored to be a part of such an impactful project that will further elevate opportunities for innovation, education and community partnerships.”

In December 2023, the City of Kenosha awarded Neenah-based Miron Construction the bid for the construction of the Kenosha Innovation Center.

“Miron is honored to partner with the City of Kenosha and the KIN to build the Kenosha Innovation Center,” said Jill Didier, Vice President, Business Development, Milwaukee Office for Miron Construction. “We’ve seen firsthand what an incredible impact this type of development can have, and we are eager to contribute to Kenosha’s growth.”

The start of construction of the Kenosha Innovation Center comes on the heels of the October 2023 groundbreaking for the new LakeView Technology Academy facility as well as ongoing infrastructure work throughout the KIN site.

The Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, Inc. is a non-profit organization led by a volunteer board of directors composed of local and regional leaders dedicated to fostering economic recovery, improving economic sustainability and resiliency, and ensuring equitable community access to prosperity through the development of the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood (KIN). The KIN, the revitalization and transformation of 107 acres of vacant land in the heart of Kenosha, is a collaborative, mixed-use project that is bringing the community together to define and deliver a regional destination with sustainable, innovation-focused office, medical, educational, commercial, residential and recreational space that meets the unique needs of neighbors, the broader Kenosha community, visitors and end-users. Learn more about the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood at www.kin-kenosha.org. 

EUA is best known for designing environments that elevate people’s potential. With 117 years of experience, they have gained national recognition for their work in the education, workplace, healthcare, senior living, student housing, mixed-use, entertainment and science + technology markets. Their dedicated team of 270 employees includes 140+ registered professionals and 40+ LEED-accredited experts who deliver planning, design, and engineering solutions from offices in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Denver and Atlanta. For more information, please visit www.eua.com. 

Miron Construction Co., Inc., one of the nation’s premier construction firms and industry leaders, provides innovative preconstruction, construction management, design-build, industrial, and general construction services nationwide. The forward-thinking, century-old private company is headquartered in Neenah, Wis., with Yard Operations located in Menasha, Wis., and regional offices in Eau Claire, Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee, and Wausau, Wis., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Marquette, Mich. Ranked 57th among the “Top 400 Contractors in the United States”, 97th among the “Top 100 Green Building Contractors in the United States”, and 190th among the “Top 250 Global Contractors” by Engineering News Record (ENR) (based on annual revenue), Miron is also the Official Provider of Construction Services for the Green Bay Packers and Lambeau Field. For more information, please visit www.miron-construction.com.