Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Closed School Redevelopment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves redevelopment agreement with Kenosha to transfer closed school sites; Hillcrest to relocate to former Wilson site
Summary
The board approved an exchange-of-real-property agreement with the City of Kenosha covering multiple recently closed district school properties; the agreement includes deed restrictions barring reuse as preK-12 schools, a 50/50 profit-sharing provision where profits exist, and relocation of Hillcrest School to the former Wilson site.
The Kenosha Unified School District Board approved a redevelopment agreement with the City of Kenosha to transfer ownership of multiple recently closed school buildings and to relocate Hillcrest School to the former Wilson Elementary site.
District staff said the exchange reduces maintenance and liability costs for the district and puts redevelopment responsibility with the city, which can use TID (tax increment district) tools to subsidize projects. Pat Finnemore told the board the city intends to target many of the sites for housing and that "all of the properties that get redeveloped will eventually generate property taxes, which also benefit us." He said sales or redevelopment profits would be split 50/50 with the city when a profit exists, but that "a lot of these are not gonna generate profit; there's gonna be more cost related to redeveloping them than there will be reaped in any sales." The board received a specific acreage figure for Hillcrest: roughly "a little bit under 17 acres" (transcript: "16.85 or something like that acres").
The motion the board approved authorizes the exchange for the listed sites, which the transcript identified as: KTEC East, KTEC West, McKinley Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, Kenosha East School (formerly Jefferson Annex), Washington Bridal School (referred to as "Washington Bridal School" in public comments) and other vacated properties, and authorizes relocating Hillcrest to the former Wilson Elementary site. Finnemore said Wilson is in good condition and that the move will provide Hillcrest with more space and improved amenities for students.
Board members asked about deed restrictions and conditions; staff said the agreement includes restrictions preventing reuse as a preK'2 school so the properties will not be sold to private preK'212 institutions that could draw students away from KUSD. Several board members noted ongoing joint-review-board and TID oversight in which the district has representation. The City Common Council previously approved the city-side of the agreement on Oct. 22, the district stated.
Action: A motion to approve the exchange-of-real-property agreement and the relocation of Hillcrest to the former Wilson site was made, seconded and passed by voice vote.
Why it matters: The transfer moves redevelopment responsibility and related costs to the city and uses municipal financing tools for site reuse, with district representation on TID review boards. The agreement also includes a provision to share profits on sales 50/50 when profit exists and deed restrictions to limit reuse as K-12 institutions.
What comes next: The district will coordinate Hillcrest's relocation planning and continue to monitor TID and redevelopment plans with city partners.
