SciFi Networks representatives told the Kenosha Public Works Committee on Oct. 13 that the company has made nearly 40,000 residents serviceable on its network and expects to have all businesses and residents serviceable by November, but restoration and vegetation work will continue into next year in problem areas.

The update matters to residents because construction-restoration work—sidewalk and parkway repairs, seeding and asphalt patches—directly affects public rights-of-way and property restoration expectations after fiber construction.

SciFi representative Robert Loeza said the network was “through 38,000 nearly 40,000 residents are serviceable on the network,” and that the company planned “to have a 100% of the businesses and residents on the network by the November.” He said the company is “substantially complete with the majority of the trenching and construction operations” but that finishing restorations depends on seasonal conditions, permitting and whether seeded areas take. Loeza said SciFi expects to be available for additional restoration passes next year and that the company’s contract covers five more years of maintenance and installations in the city.

Committee members asked for specifics on restoration. A committee member asked about sidewalk restorations; the SciFi representative said sidewalk work is “mostly done” and estimated about 60 squares of concrete remained. He said an asphalt crew was completing asphalt patches and that softscape/vegetation may need follow-up work because the city-required vegetation standard is 70% cover and seeding does not always establish correctly.

The SciFi representatives described ongoing work areas by neighborhood names used by their crews—Strawberry Creek, Whitecaps and areas west of Green Bay Road—and said crews would converge near a residential subdivision by Verizon toward the end of the season. The company said crews will return to problem areas in spring if seed establishment fails.

During public comments and committee discussion, residents and committee members praised SciFi crews’ responsiveness. One commenter contrasted SciFi’s approach to other providers, saying other contractors sometimes accessed rear yards and caused property damage; SciFi work was described as more often taking place on city-owned parkway property. SciFi staff said they will continue to coordinate restorations with the Department of Public Works and produce a list of locations that cannot be finished before winter so those sites can be prioritized in spring.

What was not decided

No formal city action was required or taken on the SciFi update. Committee members received the report and moved to receive and file the update.

Ending

SciFi’s presentation emphasized that bulk construction is nearly complete, that staff will continue hardscape repairs this fall and that seeding/vegetation follow-up will likely extend into spring for problem areas. The company and staff asked residents to report persistent restoration issues so crews can address them.