It was a busy and productive night---last night---for the Kenosha City Council. After more than 90 minutes of debate, including about 45 minutes behind closed doors, the Council approved an agreement with Rasch Construction to fix the cracked Washington Park Velodrome. The bike racing track was supposed to open last spring after a complete reconstruction, but cracks appeared in the concrete surface, delaying the opening. The settlement includes an additional $25,000 payment to Rasch for the replacement of 4 concrete panels in the track surface. Rasch will replace another 11 at their own expense. Work will also be done to address voids beneath the track surface. The settlement was approved on a 13 to 1 vote, with Alderman David Bogdala casting the lone no vote.
A resolution allowing the city to apply for a $4.7million dollar HUD loan, to help fund a proposed fire superstation at the site of the former Bain School was approved by the Council last night. The plan includes closing two fire stations in favor of the new, more centrally located facility at the corner of 52nd Street and 22nd Avenue. The resolution to apply for the HUD loan was approved unanimously.
And, the council approved the transfer of a lease for city owned parking spaces adjacent to the Best Western Harborside Inn, in a move that’s hoped will help finalize the sale of the motel to new owners. Negotiations for the sale of troubled facility, along Kenosha's harbor, which has been periodically shut down by the city for various code violations, have been going on for weeks. After receiving assurances from the prospective buyers that they will work with neighbors who want to use the lot, aldermen voted unanimously to approve the transfer of the lease.