KENOSHA, Wis — New concerns about the damage being done by waves from a rising Lake Michigan have leaders in Kenosha worried about city facilities and infrastructure. Leaders are hoping for state and federal aid to help pay for repairs.
Mayor John Antaramian says a retention wall has failed near the city's multi-million dollar wastewater facility.
"That is an emergency fix," said Antaramian who said the repairs to the wall near the facility could cost up to $8 million. "You have aging infrastructure all around Lake Michigan.
In the past couple of years, the mayor said Kenosha has spent nearly $15 million repairing infrastructure, such as retaining walls, designed to absorb the energy of water coming off the lake.
Antaramian said it will become increasingly difficult to continue to pay for these projects without the help of state and federal aid.
Governor Tony Evers has submitted a request for millions of dollars worth of disaster relief in the area. Still waiting, the mayor said he is now tasked with finding millions of dollars for repairs heading into the spring and summer months.
"The amount of support from state and federal government has not been, in my opinion, what it should be," said Antaramian. "You can call it whatever you want to call it but there is definitely a change in weather problems. That is happening, it is happening here and it is problematic."
