Kenosha County project: utilities on-site, bids due Feb. 10; parking acquisition discussed

Pete reported on the Kenosha County highway improvement project: utilities are currently on-site performing necessary relocations and the county has scheduled the bid letting for Feb. 10, 2026. Pete read the county response noting that once bids are opened and a contractor is awarded, scheduling details will be clearer. He said the county included contract language requiring the roadway be kept open during the Kenosha County Fair.

Committee members discussed the loss of approximately 11 parking spots in Wilmot because of new turn and deceleration lanes and explored options for securing additional parking. Pete said the county cannot construct a municipal parking lot for Salem Lakes because the village exceeds a population threshold, so the group discussed a two-phase approach: acquire land independently and develop parking later, potentially using rural development grants to finance acquisition and construction.

Next steps: continued coordination with Kenosha County, exploration of targeted parcel acquisition, and research into grant sources to support parking development.