Living Here

All kinds of construction is on the rise in Lake Geneva, despite the continuing onslaught of Covid-19, its effects, and resulting and struggling economy.
This year, seventy new homes were, or are, being built in Lake Geneva. This is a good number compared to previous years, with or without the pandemic. Fred Walling, head of the Lake Geneva Building and Zoning stressed the fact that more help is needed in his department. This issue was added to the last city council meeting during the city administrator’s presentation regarding the proposed 2021 municipal operating and capital budget for the City of Lake Geneva. Walling would like to hire the current part-time employee (the only one he has) and hire him on as a full-time employee.

The controversial part of making this job full time has nothing to do with the building department’s needs. It has to do with the fact that Cindy Flower, the employee’s wife, is currently a sitting member of the Lake Geneva City Council and also sits on committees that might have a definite impact on his working mission, and vice versa. The city administrator stressed how necessary the help is needed in the building and zoning area, stating again how much building is going on in and around the Lake Geneva area. It also looks like this kind of building boom will continue into next year.

Symphony Bay alone has forty percent of phase one occupied now, and phase two construction has broken ground. This could increase the number of new residential homes in Lake Geneva by four hundred residences over the course of the next couple of years. The economy, depending on who you talk to, is either good or bad, but there’s no question that it’s been good for home construction of all kinds. Home loans are on the rise in number, and interest rates are at an all-time low, making the purchasing of a house easier and, in many cases, cheaper. For those lucky enough to still have a job or income, a new home may be a direct result.  Many people, in growing amounts, however, are struggling just to put food on the table. As with any economy, the economy of Lake Geneva remains consistent. There are some with great amounts of means while there are many more with little or none.

Gingerbread Walk, Grand Geneva

The Gingerbread Walk is going on right now at Grand Geneva. Make sure to stop in and vote for your favorite design.