THE BRIGHT SIDE
Happy Days are here again!
The City of Lake Geneva is expecting to receive an additional $47,000 more than originally anticipated from the disbursement coming from the American Rescue Plan Act. Thanks to the most recent state calculations, the comptroller announced that the city will be receiving $848,000 instead of $801,000. The city will receive the funds in two installments, with the first payment expected this week and the second in 2022.
The American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law by President Biden on March 11th, to provide help for municipal and state governments, residents, small businesses, schools, and other organizations needing help due to the cost and negative effect of the pandemic. The city has until 2024 to decide how it’s going to use the funds and until 2026 to finish projects being financed by the rescue plan. The city of Lake Geneva is hoping to have a list of potential projects by the time it starts working on the 2022 budget (in August of 2021). The city administrator will be meeting with department heads so they can voice their opinions on what projects they would like to see considered throughout the city. A list of all the potential projects will be presented at future Finance, Licensing, and Regulation Committee meeting. The only project that has been officially supported so far, was considered back in April, to make the restrooms at the library multi-occupancy, as part of the building’s future interior makeover. It has not been decided if that project qualifies or will be on the list of potential projects to be considered.
The Market of Lake Geneva, formerly known as Fancy Fair Mall, will begin renovations.
The plan commission voted in favor of the changes the new owners of 830-839 West Main Street Kirk (Bradly Booher presented). Integrated Building Concepts will oversee general contracting and overseeing any additional contractors, as they may be needed. The existing and large Fancy Fair sign will be coming down, along with the awnings, except for the metal ones over the doors. The sign and awnings will be taken down and loaded into a truck and hauled away, leaving no need for large dumpsters or debris lying around in the way. Once the sign is removed, the tuckpointing and brick repair and replacement will begin. The façade of the building will match the historical colors, so the dark brown painted brick will be replaced with bright light alabaster, with accents in gray tones. Permits will be submitted for right-of-way and reserved meters needed. All safety precautions will be taken to allow access to all businesses and to keep the foot traffic flowing on Main Street. Hard hats will be always used by workers along with scissor lifts being used to free the sidewalks of ladders. Construction will begin soon and is expected to last thirty to forty days, with work being done Monday through Thursday to allow the business and patrons full use of the downtown area affected. The Market of Lake Geneva is going to really brighten up the 800 block of Main Street and will, no doubt, give the business district a very polished look and feel.
Animals of the Week
Friendly goats from Elkhorn.
