Mayor David Bogdala presented his 2026 State of the City address on Monday evening before the City Council, highlighting a year of growth for the City.

“As we look toward 2026, our priorities remain clear: support public safety, expand housing opportunities and affordability, strengthen job growth and innovation, continue modernizing infrastructure, invest in parks and public spaces and celebrate our culture and community.,” he said.

The speech highlighted the City’s focuses for Kenosha, including revitalizing Downtown Kenosha, creating affordable housing, making the city safe and creating a space for entrepreneurship.

At the start of this year, Downtown Kenosha marked a new chapter in its revitalization with the opening of the Karrick Apartments. The first 158-unit complex now has residents living in the building, with more to come, Bogdala said.

The mayor said Blocks B and A of the planned nine-block development are now expected to break ground this year.

The new Karrick units bring new housing, development and momentum to the heart of the city, Bogdala said.

He also discussed the city’s Home Kenosha program started following a $3M contribution from Uline to help build affordable housing, The city was recently awarded a federal grant to continue building homes. The program caps home prices at $325,000.

Bogdala said the program aims to make sure that home ownership is not just accessible for some, but for everyone.

“We are transforming neighborhoods from aging multi-family structures to new single-family homes reinvigorating and stabilizing some of our older neighborhoods,” he said.

Bogdala highlighted two employees who were recognized by the state for their commitment to public safety. Kenosha Police retired Detective Pete Deates and Kenosha Fire Department Lt. Matthew Stahl, who were recognized with Hometown Hero’s Award and the First Responder of the Year awards, respectively.

KFD remains an ISO Class 1 Fire Department, the highest rating a fire department can achieve and Bogdala said their performance backs it up. In 2026, the average turnout time from dispatch to wheels rolling is 82 seconds.

The city also has seen a decrease in crime from 2024 to 2025, with an 11% reduction in calls overall.

Bogdala said last year marked a new chapter of innovation for the City, after the opening of the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood. He said the site, which stands on the ground that once built Chrysler engines, not only reflects the city’s history, but also its future.

“The opening of the Kenosha Innovation Center is more than just a ribbon cutting, it is a statement,” Bogdala said, “a statement that Kenosha honors its history.

“The next chapter of our city will be written not just in steel and manufacturing, but in ideas, technology and entrepreneurship.”

The mayor’s address also highlighted:

• The city celebrated its first ever St. Patrick’s Day Festival and an Italian American Festival.
• Celebrating Oktoberfest and connecting with Kenosha’s sister city of Wolfenbuttel, Germany, via live stream.
• The city clerk’s “I Voted” sticker contest, which invited children to create designs showing what democracy looks like through their eyes.
• The 2026 budget, which lowered the city’s portion of the tax levy but didn’t cut services.
• Kenosha being named one of the hottest housing markets in 2026.
• Development of a long-awaited grocery store moving forward on 22nd Avenue.
• Planned investment of $10M in stormwater management projects. Between now and 2030, the city will invest $48M.
• The City’s participation in the Milwaukee-Area-Racine-Kenosha Rail Commission.
• Investment of $3.5 million in resurfacing projects in streets across Kenosha.
• Expanded pickleball courts at Lincoln Park, and additional parking at Simmons Island.
• 2026 will begin the next phase of reconstruction along 22nd Avenue from 50th Street to Washington Avenue. It comes after the full reconstruction of 39th Avenue and improvements along 20th Avenue.

Read more at the Kenosha News.