KAUKAUNA — Kaukauna’s Mayor Tony Penterman highlighted a wide range of projects — and one if his all-time favorite bands — during an appearance Friday on WHBY’s Krause and Co. radio program.

LISTEN HERE beginning at the 10 min. mark.

Before getting into projects both in development and planned in the future, Penterman revealed to host Jonathan Krause that he’s been a longtime fan of the jam band Grateful Dead. Penterman said he’s been a fan for 35 or 40 years.

From there, Penterman turned to Kaukauna for a rundown of recent projects.

He also shared the list in a post on his Facebook page:

Commerce Crossing: Recent approval for the VIVE, which will have 179 Units of age restricted residency. They have a combination of independent living and assisted living units within a 4 story apartment complex. The first floor will have a number of amenities: bistro pub, theatre, spa, chapel, therapy center and health care services

55+ apartments market study: Shows a strong need for 55+ living ( the city could support 800-900 units). There has been general interest from developers looking to construct units for 55 and older.

Edgewater Pointe: A $30 million hotel/housing project to construct 68-room Sleep Inn and Suites hotel and a 101-unit, market-rate apartment complex. The 3.1-acre site — once occupied by a Gustman dealership has been delayed by supply chain issues and updated construction costs. Apartments will be constructed first with occupancy expected Fall 2023. Hotel occupancy expected late summer/fall 2023.

Kaukauna municipal pool master plan: $4,355,000 – $5,265,000 (fundraising about $2.5 million). Amenities will include a splash pad, climbing wall, 18-hole mini golf.

Carnegie Library: Project currently is in progress. The old Carnegie section will house a commercial tenant and 8 luxury apartments will be in the new section.

Rock the Block: (Habitat for Humanity) Work with Habitat for Humanity’s “Rock the Block” to uplift the Taylor/Draper neighborhood to help remove blight, increase our tax base and reduce crime.

Residential development: City purchased 40 acres and is proposing 4 baseball/softball field sports complex.

Industrial Park: Tann Corp expansion, Velocity Water expansion.

Parks: Update parks to include amenities such as a new sports complex (baseball fields) a pickle ball complex and a music pavilion/amphitheater at Hydro Park.

Haas Road Park: Contest with 4th grade classes on naming the park. The winning student would get a plaque at the park with their name on it and cut the ribbon at ribbon cutting ceremony.

Downtown: Work with downtown business owners to include façade/storefront upgrades. Murals on downtown buildings. Alley upgrade for the two vacant city owned lots on 2nd and 3rd streets.

American Rescue Plan Act Funds: City of Kaukauna to receive $1.6 million. The city formed an American Rescue Plan Act Local Relief Committee to look at lead pipe replacement, water main/water quality projects with Kaukauna Utilities and park upgrades.

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By Dan Plutchak

Dan Plutchak, born and raised in Kaukauna, is cofounder of Kaukauna Community News.