LIVING HERE
The Geneva Four Theater changes are underway.
Peter Jergens, agent of Winn Properties, along with the owner of Winn Properties (Shad Brannon) spoke on behalf of signage changes to the Geneva Four Theater, located at 244 Broad Street, Lake Geneva. The Geneva Theater was recently completely renovated and opened as a downtown movie theater with the help of a million-dollar grant from the city. After the pandemic, shut-downs, capacity limits, and the $5 million in renovations at the Emagine Theater not far away, the historic small downtown theater was not able to make a go of it.
The original theater has been part of Lake Geneva’s history since 1928, with an addition added in the 1960s. The original theater conversion is being set to highlight the stage for a variety of live performances, with plenty of seating, including the balcony. It is appropriately named “The Stage”. The other portion of the building will become The Taproom, and eventually may include an outdoor beer garden. The owner of the Taproom expects to have many local beers on tap, and have it set up in a monitored self-serve style. The lobby area, between the theater and taproom, will be a shared space.
The Stage and The Taproom are expected to complement one another very well. The signage changes are approved, including the window changes on the front of the building. The new sign will consist of a signboard with raised letters, while the light band that is currently on the marque will remain as is. The renovations and the financial responsibility of the renovations to the theater have been questioned by members of the public and commissioners, committee members, and the city council, due to the fact the city granted so much money for the previous renovations.
The city leadership was reassured by Mr. Jergens that the owner would be paying for the renovations. The applicant and owner Paul McGraw are looking for approval of the outdoor entertainment space attached to the property there that would become the outdoor beer garden/courtyard. The outdoor area would be enclosed with a tall fence and include an emergency exit. The seating may include tables and umbrellas with access to the area through overhead doors in the Taproom.
The plan commission has sent the requests to the city council with its recommendation for approval, for outdoor space as well as the signage and front façade changes. What is to be done about the owner’s promise to keep the theater (showing films) to get the initial funding several years ago, remains a problem yet to be solved.
Basso Builders has been approved by the plan commission (unanimous vote of approval to be sent to the Lake Geneva City Council) to build three single-family homes at the intersection of Sage Street and Sheridan Springs Road.
These three buildable lots have some prep work that needs to be done before construction can be started. The current corner lot of ugly undergrowth and a couple of rundown billboards (to be removed) will be transformed. It will go from being an eyesore to the addition of ambient beauty for all to see who drive by. Two of the three new homes will have access to driveways from the existing alley, which was originally thought to be in desperate need of repair. A new alley, or the need for repair of the old one, was holding up approval for this project. It was subsequently discovered, however, that the deteriorated alley supposed to be the right one was not the actual alley in question. The one that backs up to the properties is in great shape.
Once the plan commission became aware of this the recommendation for approval followed quickly. This area is not currently pleasing to the eye but after the billboards are down and three nice new family homes are built that is sure to change. The next question the public, as well as city officials, must consider is: what about traffic?
The entrance to the Stoneridge neighborhood is right across the street from the prospective new home development and the need for a stoplight at that intersection has already been actively considered. Will this approval of the new development (given that the council approves, which appears very likely) help speed up the decision to get a traffic signal approved and likely create a much smoother and safer flow of traffic?
New Development
The three billboards at the corner of Sage Street and Sheridan Springs Road will soon be removed and three single family homes will take their place.
Get ready for the 2022 Winterfest.
This event will be the 27th annual Winterfest, featuring the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Championship. From February 2nd, through the 6th of January, fifteen of the most talented award-winning snow sculpting teams from across the country will compete in a grueling seventy-two-hour snow art sculpting competition. There will also be more wintery fun to be had, with smores and bonfires on the beach, ice sculpture walks downtown, and so much more for the whole family to enjoy.
