The Forest County Potawatomi Community (“Potawatomi”) and Zilber Property Group (“Zilber”) yesterday announced plans to bring a new community-oriented, mixed-use development to the approximately 240-acre former Dairyland Greyhound Park property. The plans call for the development of office, retail, industrial and multi-family residential units, and will continue to help establish the I-94 and WI-158 interchange as another gateway to the City of Kenosha.
“We are excited about the opportunities and enhancements this project will bring to the City and County of Kenosha. This is a unique plan that combines the needs for sustainable development with community-oriented options,” said Potawatomi Attorney General, Jeff Crawford and Zilber Ltd. Vice President, John Kersey. “The Potawatomi and Zilber are committed to ensuring this property is developed in a responsible manner that helps the area’s continued economic growth, and we look forward to working with the City of Kenosha on this project.”
Named “Greeneway”, the Potawatomi and Zilber’s development plans envision a community-oriented, mixed-use development with integrated sustainable design features. The plans include industrial buildings ranging in size and totaling nearly two million square feet, a multi-family residential community with potentially up to 360 apartment units, an office building complex potentially containing up to 107,000 square feet in three buildings, and up to 10,000 square feet of commercial space. Greeneway sustainability concepts for the development include, pursuing various LEED certifications, enhancing natural area features and other energy-efficiency based initiatives.
Subject to receiving government approvals for the project, Potawatomi and Zilber hope to begin construction mid-year 2020.
Kenosha is an area rich with tribal history and in the heart of Potawatomi treaty land. There were many Potawatomi villages in Kenosha, and the Potawatomi were living and engaged in commerce when the French and early settlers came to the Kenosha area. Kenosha, which means “pike” or “pickerel” in Potawatomi, was named after Pike Creek that runs through Kenosha.
“Given our history and tribal ties to the area, the Dairyland property purchase made a lot of sense. It also meets our goals of economic diversification,” stated Potawatomi Attorney General, Jeff Crawford.
“The City of Kenosha welcomes the Greeneway development plan, which demonstrates tremendous potential for revitalizing the former Dairyland Greyhound Park site with a mix of housing and business uses appropriate to the area,” said Mayor John Antaramian. “I am encouraged to see the developer’s emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency to benefit the environment. The proposed plan is an innovative use for the property, and promises to become an attractive gateway to Kenosha.”
“Zilber has been a long standing contributor to the economic development success of Kenosha County,” stated Zilber Ltd. Executive Vice President, John Kersey. “We eagerly welcome the opportunity to be part of such a noteworthy mixed-use development project.”
Over the last several years the Potawatomi have spearheaded several successful non-gaming developments in Milwaukee – bringing much-needed investment and commercial activity to transitional parts of the city. Since 2010, the Potawatomi have invested nearly $75 million in the redevelopment of the former Concordia College campus on Milwaukee’s near-west side. Prior to the Tribe’s redevelopment efforts, most of the buildings on the campus sat vacant for many years. The ongoing investments have included the construction of new facilities as well as the renovation of many historic buildings to bring new commercial uses and residential opportunities to the area.
About the Forest County Potawatomi Community
The Forest County Potawatomi Community is a federally recognized Native American tribe with a membership of approximately 1,600. The Tribe employs roughly 4,000 people in Wisconsin through their government and business operations, which include a Health & Wellness Center in Crandon, hotel casinos in Milwaukee and Carter, Wisconsin and subsidiary companies owned by the Potawatomi Business Development Corporation – the economic development and income diversification business of the FCPC. This includes Greenfire Management Services, LLC which has been providing construction management services for residential and commercial developments in Wisconsin for a decade. For more information on the FCPC, please visit www.fcpotawatomi.com.
About Zilber Property GroupSM
Zilber Property Group is the trade name under which Zilber Ltd. markets its commercial real estate investment activities. Zilber Ltd. was founded in 1949 and is a diversified real estate company which develops, owns and markets housing, commercial property, and multi-family products under its Homes by Towne (www.homesbytowne.com), Towne Island Homes (www.townehawaii.com), Zilber Property Group (www.zilberpropertygroup.com) and Zilber Residential Group (www.zilberresidentialgroup.com) brands. Zilber Ltd. is majority-owned by the Zilber Family Foundation, a private, nonprofit grant making institution that seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families and neighborhoods.