MUKWONAGO, Wis. — The iconic Kiwanis barn in Mukwonago is set to be demolished after the land it sits on was sold to a developer, but the Kiwanis Club is working to recreate it next to Mukwonago Village Hall.
The barn sits on a parcel of land near Veteran Way and Rochester Street that many residents have referred to as Kiwanis Park. The Kiwanis say it was never officially a park — just a nickname given to the land — and it has since been sold to a developer, meaning the barn will likely be torn down.
The Kiwanis say they looked into saving the barn, but determined it was beyond saving.
"It is not usable, it is not movable. The building inspector determined that it is not able to be moved," Kiwanis Foundation President Chris Hill said.
Instead, the Kiwanis donated $50,000 to the village to recreate the barn next to the Phantom Junction stage, where it will be used as a concession stand and a way to grow the park.
Watch: Mukwonago's iconic Kiwanis barn to be torn down and rebuilt elsewhere
"We're looking at the Phantom Junction stage, and we are standing approximately where the new building is going to be put," Hill said.
The news has drawn mixed reactions from residents. For some who grew up in Mukwonago, the barn carries deep personal meaning.
"Home, it means home," said Debby Lupo who's family first moved to the area in the 1950s.
Lupo said she is not eager to see the change.
"I've been here since 1961, so I don't like to see any changes like this," Lupo said.
Others see potential in the plan.
"That might be something that will draw the community and have more engagement. I don't see it as a bad thing. It could be cool," said Bradly Fremder, a Mukwonago resident.
There is no official date for when the barn will be torn down. The Kiwanis say that decision now rests with the developer.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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