A seasoned southeast Wisconsin real estate professional has been tapped to lead the charge in transforming the site of Kenosha's former Chrysler factory into a dynamic innovation district.
Jerry Franke was named executive director of the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood (KIN) Inc. earlier this month. The nonprofit organization is tasked with executing a long-term plan to build a mixed-use development with an innovation center, education institutions, technology incubators and offices, commercial space and housing.
"The project is both a significant challenge and an outstanding opportunity," Franke said via a press release. "This site was part of Kenosha’s industrial legacy and through proper development can be a key part of its future."
Franke is a retired former executive at Wispark LLC, the real estate arm of WEC Energy Group. He helped shepherd major local projects including Drexel Town Square in Oak Creek and the LakeView Corporate Park in Pleasant Prairie.
In his new role, Franke will flesh out a concept for the innovation neighborhood that the city prepared. He'll also help attract tenants, establish a long-term budget and identify financial support from key individuals, organizations and grants.
The city of Kenosha and KIN have signed a development agreement for the innovation neighborhood. Although the project is a joint effort and the city is helping to fund the initial phases of it, the city is giving a lot of leadership responsibility to the KIN board, Franke said.
The KIN board is led by Tim Mahone of Mahone Strategies and includes leaders from organizations such as Jockey International, Haribo of America, Snap-on, BMO US, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, and Gateway Technical College.
At age 72, Franke is assuming the new role with KIN in an interim capacity. The organization is also looking to hire a president, he said.
"I'm passionate about this," Franke said. "I'm very interested in helping as long as I can bring value to the process."
