The City of Kenosha and the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, Inc. on Monday unveiled the conceptual design plans for the $22.8 million Innovation Center to be built as one of the first two structures at the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood.

The Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood is the master planned redevelopment of the 107-acre former American Motors Corp. and Chrysler plant site, located east of 30th Avenue between 52nd Street and 60th Street in Kenosha. Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, Inc. is a non-profit organization led by a board of community, education, business and government partners to lead the project.

The 60,000-square-foot Innovation Center building will provide co-working space for startups and will also be used as a welcome center for the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, and will house staff for Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood Inc., community development efforts including a partnership with gener8tor’s gBETA program and could also house community and education partners.

City and Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood representatives toured innovation centers in several cities to get ideas for the planned facility in Kenosha, said Tim Casey, Kenosha director of city development.

“This is like Titletown Tech (in Green Bay),” Casey said.

The city is managing the Innovation Center project. Ultimately it will be owned and operated by Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, Inc. The city received a state grant that will cover $14 million of the cost of the $22.8 million facility. The rest of the cost will be covered by new markets tax credits and tax incremental financing, Casey said.

The Innovation Center, designed by Milwaukee-based Eppstein Uhen Architects (which was selected from design concepts submitted by five architectural firms), would be situated on a plaza, and adjacent to the greenway corridor that runs through the site.

“We are excited to share the cutting-edge design of the Innovation Center which will be a focal point, welcome center and home to our entrepreneurial development efforts,” said Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian.

Read more at the BizTimes.