Redevelopment Authority approves transfer of two lots to Habitat; receives updates on Home Kenosha, Uptown plan and finances

The Redevelopment Authority of the City of Kenosha on April 22 approved a development agreement to transfer two city-owned parcels at 4609 and 4615 30th Sixth Avenue to Habitat for Humanity of Kenosha and received progress reports on the Home Kenosha program, the Uptown 4 redevelopment plan and the authority's financial statements.

The transfer to Habitat for Humanity was approved following a public hearing and staff presentation. Staff said the development agreement requires the lots be transferred by July 1, 2025, construction to begin by Nov. 1, 2025, substantial completion by June 30, 2026, and transfer of each completed home to a home buyer by Aug. 31, 2026. The lots are to be conveyed for $1. A staff summary of the project budget and funding sources, prepared by Mike Mackey, was included in the meeting packet.

Why it matters: the transfers and the Home Kenosha program are intended to convert vacant city lots into owner-occupied housing in neighborhoods identified for reinvestment, including the Wilson neighborhood, where several new builds are planned.

Staff said Habitat for Humanity submitted the required materials, including a secured home buyer and project budget, and provided house plans showing roughly 1,200 square feet, three bedrooms and detached garages. Habitat's executive director, Angela Elliott, told the authority she was "here to answer any questions that you may have about the agenda item." A prospective homebuyer, Allison Babbiano, identified herself as "a future homeowner for Habitat" and attended to answer questions.

Authority members asked about site details and exterior aesthetics. A Habitat representative said the home plans repeat layouts used on homes built earlier this year and that the organization has tried to incorporate porches, dormers and varied siding where feasible. Habitat noted tradeoffs between added architectural features and volunteer-based, cost-efficient construction; staff said they would explore modest porch variations while maintaining affordability and volunteer-buildability.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes from March 18, 2025: motion moved and seconded; recorded as approved. - Item 1 — Transfer of 4609 and 4615 30th Sixth Avenue to Habitat for Humanity of Kenosha (development agreement): motion to approve the development agreement and transfer; motion moved and seconded; recorded as approved. - Item 2 — Report on Home Kenosha program: motion to receive report and place on file; recorded as approved. - Item 3 — Uptown 4 redevelopment plan report: motion to receive report and place on file; recorded as approved. - Item 4 — Financial statements and city-owned parcels report: motion to receive and file; recorded as approved.

Home Kenosha program update Staff presented a brief update on the Home Kenosha program, which the authority approved Feb. 3, 2025. Staff reported 10 prequalification applications from builders, of which eight were found eligible and four submitted full proposals. As of April 7, 2025, staff had forwarded two proposals to the Common Council for consideration. One developer identified in the packet was Rocketman Investments, doing business as NewGen Homes, with a five-lot development agreement to build three-bedroom, two-bath houses priced at about $325,000 each. Staff said the program requires home buyers be at or below 50% of county median income where a deferred second mortgage is used; banks or the city verify buyer income depending on the financing route.

Staff also noted a typo in the council materials that initially listed a second developer as submitting 10 lots; the corrected figure is five lots. Authority members and staff described notable builder interest concentrated in the Wilson neighborhood and said several builders prefer to develop contiguous lots to shorten mobilization time. Staff said builders reported they can move from start to finish on some homes within about four months.

Uptown 4 redevelopment plan and financial report Staff said the Uptown 4 redevelopment plan draft has been circulated to nearby property owners, the city administrator and the mayor for review and placed on the city's website for public comment. Staff will return comments and draft edits to the authority at a future meeting before preparing notices and documentation required for formal approval.

On financial matters, staff presented the authority's financial statements and a map of city-owned parcels. The authority's allocated budget for planned acquisitions across the CIP years 2022'025 was reported as $764,263. Members asked about a 2024 expenditure or transfer noted in the statements; staff said they would investigate and report back at the next meeting.

What the authority directed While the authority formally approved the Habitat transfer and received the reports, the record shows no additional binding directions beyond the development agreement deadlines and the staff's next steps to collect public comments on Uptown 4 and to follow up on the 2024 financial entries. Staff said financial statements will be provided every other meeting going forward.

Meeting context and next steps The authority convened with five voting members present after two members were recorded as excused. Public comments on the items were limited to Habitat representatives and a prospective Habitat homeowner. Staff said they will monitor the Habitat timelines in the development agreement and that the authority retains the right to reapply lots if deadlines are not met. Staff will return to the authority with Uptown 4 comments and with follow-up on the 2024 CIP/fund transfer question.

Quotes reported verbatim from the meeting: "I'm here to answer any questions that you may have about the agenda item," Angela Elliott, executive director, Habitat Community of Kenosha. "I am a future homeowner for Habitat," Allison Babbiano.

Ending note: The authority adjourned after approving the four agenda items; staff and authority members signaled continued focus on affordable home production in Wilson and strategic acquisitions in Uptown.