King Center Project – Timeline

Third Quarter 2026: Tentative Building Occupation
August 2026: Tentative Completion Date
October 30, 2024: Groundbreaking Ceremony
August 8, 2024: Racine Common Council Approves Development Agreement and Funding Plan
March 29, 2023: Kitchen Table Style Community Conversation with Youth Basketball Players, 27 participants
March 15, 2023: Kitchen Table Style Community Conversation, 16 participants
March 4, 2023: King Center Open House, 45 participants
February 22, 2023: Kitchen table conversation – Community members and Julian Thomas families
February 14-28, 2023: Black History Month Art Activity, 160 entries
February 10-11, 2023: Basketball Tournament, 229 survey respondents
January 12, 2023: Family Night at Julian Thomas Elementary, 50 respondents
December 13, 2022: Community Conversation at King Center, 77 participants
December 8, 2022: Staff Community Conversation and Jammin’ with Santa, 50 respondents
November 29, 2022: Advisory Board Meeting, 8 participants
November 16, 2022: Racine Bounces Back Job & Resource Fair, 70 respondents
November 9, 2022: Community Conversation at King Center, 35 participants
November 4, 2022: Partnership Meeting, 10 participants
September 20, 2022: Council awards architectural contract to SmithGroup
March 11, 2022: Governor Evers commits $20M to Racine Community Health Clinic
May 1, 2019: City announces Racine Community Health Clinic

Community Engagement and Input

Here is a sample of the input that the city and design team have received through the community engagement process:

Youth programming: including space for children to play, do homework, and participate in music, art, and theater
Comprehensive health services: including medical, dental, and mental health care, social-emotional learning, and conflict resolution
Inclusivity: services and facilities specifically catered to people who speak Spanish and people with disabilities
Participants also expressed a desire for amenities such as arts education, flexible hours, smart technology, fresh food options, outdoor green space, and athletics
On December 8, 2022, students from Julian Thomas Elementary School shared their ideas for the new King Center, including games such as basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, gymnastics, ballet, soccer, and space for playing with dogs and siblings. They also requested healthy fruit, more food, and party rental space.