Local leaders and developers took part in a ceremonial groundbreaking of the Karrick apartment complex, the first major development of the Kenosha Harbor District on Thursday, October 24, 2024.
Attendees, including Mayor David Bogdala, District 2 Alderperson Bill Siel, Director of City Development Tim Casey, President and CEO of Cobalt Partners Scott Yauck and Senior Vice President of C.D. Smith Construction Inc. Michael Krolczyk, gathered at the corner of 55th Street and Seventh Avenue to celebrate the milestone.
A vacant bank building was recently razed to allow for the construction of the five-story luxury apartment complex with 158 units and full amenity deck.
“This is what’s going to set the stage for the foreseeable future for Kenosha,” Bogdala said.
He also highlighted the efforts of his predecessor, former Mayor John Antaramian.
“It was his vision and a lot of the things that he put forward that helped to get us here today,” Bogdala said.
Siel, who represents the area on the Kenosha Common Council, said he is excited for the future.
“History is being made today with this groundbreaking,” Siel said. “It’s also a historic site. The last time a building of substance was on this site it was the Bain Wagon works. … I wholeheartedly welcome what’s happening here.”
Cobalt Partners, a Milwaukee based real estate development firm, is partnering with Fond du Lac based general contractor C.D. Smith on the project.
President and CEO of Cobalt Partners Scott Yauck is serving as developer of Karrick. “This is a long time in the making, ” Yauck said. “We’re really excited when you really think about the opportunity that this presents and represents. … You got a blank canvas here between the southern and northern parts of Downtown. It’s a great opportunity to really define that.”
Krolczyk expressed similar sentiments.
“We’re really proud to be your development partner here in Kenosha,” Krolczyk said. “You drive down here now and some of you see dust and see gravel and see concrete rubbles, see trucks. I see opportunity. I see energy. I see excitement. … There’s going to be a lot of amenity space in here including fireplaces, grills, shuffleboards, we’re going to have bagged cornhole tournaments, pool tables, a dog washing area and personal patios.”
Yauck said the name Karrick was inspired by the nautical “carrick” knot. The “C” was swapped for a “K” to symbolize the transformation of Downtown Kenosha.
The apartment complex is the first in a planned nine-block, $450 million redevelopment that is expected to add more than 1,000 new housing units and much-needed retail and office space to the area.
