SciFi/T‑Mobile update: Kenosha fiber rollout 81% complete; downtown businesses complain about cleanup and workmanship

SciFi Network representatives told the City of Kenosha Public Works Committee on April 28 that construction for the citywide fiber project has accelerated and is on track for substantial completion later this year, but downtown business owners and district representatives raised complaints about contractor cleanup and damaged sidewalks.

Amanda Boomer, introduced as SciFi's community relations specialist, read an update prepared by the project team and reported installation metrics: “We have installed over 2,690,000 feet of micro conduit, or just about 492 miles. We have placed over 1,830,000 feet of fiber, or just about 346 miles. We have landed a total of 40 cabinets out of the 56 required for this project, and we have completed the prep work for 12 out of the remaining 16 cabinet locations.” Boomer said crews would begin landing additional cabinets on April 29 and provided a public phone number and website for construction and restoration concerns.

SciFi representatives and public works staff told the committee the project is an open-access network intended to host multiple Internet service providers; staff said T‑Mobile (doing business as T Fiber) is the incumbent residential provider on the network at present and that an exclusivity period exists in the developer agreement but staff did not specify the contract expiration date.

Downtown complaints: Multiple downtown stakeholders raised maintenance and workmanship concerns. A downtown representative identified as Andrew (Downtown District representative) said crews were often cutting concrete and leaving a white slurry and footprints on sidewalks and asked whether contractors could rinse or water the work prior to public use, noting previous practice of power-washing early in the morning to avoid parked cars. Andrew said, “Is there some way you can get some water on the scene before that stuff dries?”

Business owner Maureen Caschenbola, who operates Actors Craft at 4900 Seventh Avenue, described visible and lasting residue from cutting and complained that some replaced sidewalk squares had cracked or been damaged during work. She said contractors told her they would return to power-wash sidewalks and to replace damaged squares and urged better supervision and quality control from the prime contractor and the city’s oversight staff.

Committee response and action: Committee members asked SciFi staff to coordinate with public works on event schedules and downtown priorities. SciFi said its crews have been prioritized to finish downtown areas before the summer tourist season; a SciFi representative stated the project is about 81% complete in the city and that crews are focused on downtown restoration this spring. The committee voted to receive the project update (a motion to receive the file passed on a voice vote) and directed staff to continue coordinating downtown oversight and provide GIS/coverage maps on request.

How residents can get information: SciFi provided a public phone number and the project website for construction issues; the company also noted door-to-door outreach and local event presence. Public works staff and SciFi agreed to provide map/GIS information to the committee on request.

Speakers and roles (as recorded in the meeting): Amanda Boomer, SciFi community relations specialist; Maureen Caschenbola, downtown business owner (Actors Craft); Andrew (name provided only as 'Andrew'), Downtown District representative; Public works staff (various); Chairperson Jack Rose; committee members.

What the record shows: SciFi reported large-scale infrastructure progress (micro conduit, fiber feet and cabinet counts); contractors have increased activity in the downtown and restoration complaints were the primary public concern at this hearing. Committee members asked for increased contractor oversight and earlier power-washing or work scheduling to reduce visible residue on sidewalks and potential impacts to parked cars. SciFi and the committee agreed to follow up with maps and additional coordination.