NCG Announces Sale of 4 Hotels

MADISON, Wis. – December 23, 2021 – The North Central Group (NCG) in a joint venture with Raymond Management Company (RMC) announced yesterday the sale of four properties in one transaction. The Hilton Garden Inn Rockford, IL, Hilton Garden Inn Middleton, WI, Courtyard by Marriott Middleton, WI, and the Residence by Marriott Middleton, WI were sold on December 22, 2021, and will be under new ownership and management. NCG and RMC will no longer co-own or manage these four properties.

Middleton-based NCG continues to own and operate 25 properties nationwide, nine of these are in the Madison/Middleton, WI market, in addition to two restaurants – Liberty Station Madison and Tailwinds Restaurant & Bar.

“The sale of these four mature properties in our portfolio provides us with additional capital and resources to develop and operate new and larger projects we are excited to be working on, The Trade Milwaukee, an Autograph Collection Hotel, in partnership with the Milwaukee Bucks organization, and the Moxy Madison Downtown, a Marriott Hotel”, said Jeff Lenz, President and Chief Development Officer of NCG.

NCG will develop and operate the new Moxy Hotel Madison Downtown, which is anticipated to break ground in Spring 2022 and open Summer of 2023, as well as develop and operate The Trade Milwaukee, an Autograph Collection Hotel. The Trade Milwaukee is located next to Fiserv Forum in the Deer District and is anticipated to open Spring of 2023.

NCG is celebrating its 40^th year in Hospitality and is proud to provide the highest-quality experience for its team members and guests across the nation. For more information on NCG, please visit them on Facebook and Instagram or visit https://www.ncghotels.com. For all other questions, please contact Katie Maron at kmarron@ncghotels.com.

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About North Central Group (NCG)

North Central Group is a leader in the ownership, development, and operation of premier hospitality properties. Established in 1981 by Founder and Chairman David Lenz, North Central Group (NCG) is a family-owned business with over 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry. We own and operate more than 25 properties across multiple states and national brands. We leverage our unparalleled expertise to provide hotel management services, hotel development expertise, and real estate-focused services to property owners and investors throughout the U.S. ncghotels.com

Vogel Bros. Building Co.: $200 to $250 million Arrowhead Pharmaceutical, Inc. Verona Greenfield Campus Investment

VERONA, WI and PASADENA, CA – “This investment reaffirms our commitment to the Wisconsin biotech ecosystem, and we would like to thank the local agencies, who have been a pleasure to work with,” said Christopher Anzalone, Ph.D., Arrowhead’s President and CEO.

Major milestones are being achieved to create Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. new 13 acres Campus in the Verona Technology Park in Verona, WI. Arrowhead announced the completion of the land purchase transaction yesterday, December 20, 2021. Groundbreaking will occur in the first quarter of 2022.

Vogel Bros. Building Co. is excited about the partnership with Arrowhead to complete the planning, and construction for an approximately 140,000 square foot drug manufacturing facility and an approximately 115,000 square foot laboratory and office facility to support process development and analytical activities. “We are honored to collaborate with the team to bring Arrowhead’s vision for their TRiM™-enabled drug candidate pipeline from development to potential commercialization within these new facilities,” said Peter Vogel, President and CEO, Vogel Bros.

Read more here

Wisconsin Union: In-Person Winter Celebrations to Return to Memorial Union, Alumni Park in February 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 16, 2021

Contact Information: 
Shauna Breneman, Communications Director
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu  
Phone: (608) 262-8862

IN-PERSON WINTER CELEBRATIONS TO RETURN TO MEMORIAL UNION, ALUMNI PARK IN FEBRUARY 2022

MADISON – The Wisconsin Union’s annual Winter Carnival will return to Memorial Union Feb. 7-12, 2022, and the Wisconsin Alumni Association’s Winter Carnival Family Fun in Alumni Park will return on Feb. 12, 2022. 

The Wisconsin Union’s more than 80-year-old Winter Carnival tradition features a variety of events and activities that showcase the fun wintertime opportunities available to Wisconsin Union members and guests.

Last year, the Union’s Winter Carnival events took place in-person and virtually due to COVID-19. This year, the Wisconsin Union team anticipates holding Winter Carnival fully in-person, returning time-honored events, such as freestyle skiing and snowboarding contest Rail Jam; the food and dance event, called Snow Ball; a to-scale, inflatable replica of the Statue of Liberty’s head, arm and torch on frozen Lake Mendota; as well as welcoming new additions.

The Wisconsin Alumni Association’s Winter Carnival Family Fun in Alumni Park began in 2018 and will bring people of all ages together on Feb. 12 for an afternoon of family-friendly, winter-themed activities in Alumni Park and One Alumni Place. The event will include a performance by DJ Mike Carlson, an outdoor dance party, children’s storytelling, hands-on art activities presented by the Chazen Museum of Art, a visit from Bucky Badger, and complimentary hot cocoa and apple cider.

The winter celebrations will feature a wide variety of family-friendly events including but not limited to:

• 3D snowflake-making presented by the Wisconsin Union’s Wheelhouse Studios, Feb. 7, noon-10 p.m. 
• Flannel Day presented by the Wisconsin Union, Feb. 7, 4-5 p.m.
• Free snowshoe rentals presented by the Wisconsin Union’s Outdoor UW, Feb. 8, noon-5 p.m.
• Ice mini-golfing presented by the Wisconsin Union’s Hoofer Sailing Club, Feb. 8, 2-5 p.m. 
• Complimentary hot chocolate hosted by the University of Wisconsin–Madison Senior Class Office, Feb. 8, 4-6 p.m.
• DIY frozen luminaries presented by the Wisconsin Union’s Hoofer Mountaineering Club, Feb. 9, 4-7 p.m. 
• Fishing derby presented by the Wisconsin Fishing Team and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in partnership with the Wisconsin Union’s Outdoor UW, Feb. 10
• Luminaries and Lights Around the World hosted by the Wisconsin Union’s Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Global Connections Committee, Feb. 10, 6-7 p.m. 
• Ski and Snowshoe Among the Lights on Lake Mendota hosted by the Wisconsin Union’s Hoofer Ski and Snowboard and Outing Clubs, Feb. 10, 6-9 p.m. 
• Broomball tournament hosted by University Recreation & Wellbeing (Rec Well), Feb. 10-12 
• Connolly Classic Pond Hockey Tournament hosted by Rec Well, Feb. 10-12
• Lady Liberty on Lake Mendota presented by the Wisconsin Union, Feb. 11 from 4-7 p.m. and Feb. 12 from 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Ice climbing exhibition presented by the Wisconsin Union’s Hoofer Mountaineering Club, Feb. 11, 5-7 p.m. 
• Wisconsin Union’s WUD Music Committee presents a free concert by Ax and the Hatchetmen, Feb. 11, 8-10 p.m. 
• Snow Ball hosted by the Wisconsin Union’s Hoofer Sailing Club, Feb. 11, 8-11:55 p.m. 
• Adventure Learning Programs (ALPs) Secret Agent, Feb. 12, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 
• Winter Carnival Family Fun in Alumni Park presented by the Wisconsin Alumni Association, Feb. 12, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 
• Let’s Go Fly a Kite: Kite-Making presented by the Wisconsin Union’s Wheelhouse Studios, Feb. 12, 1-3 p.m. 
• Free showing of “Frozen” presented by the Wisconsin Union’s WUD Film Committee, Feb. 12, 2-4 p.m. 
• Rail Jam presented by the Wisconsin Union’s Hoofer Ski and Snowboard Club with support from Tyrol Basin, Feb. 12, 3-9 p.m. 
• Wisconsin Union’s WUD Music Committee presents a free concert by Moontype, Feb. 12, 8-10 p.m. 

“Even though Wisconsin winters can get chilly, the Wisconsin Union’s Winter Carnival reminds folks that there are still plenty of ways to get involved outside,” said Outdoor UW Director Dave Elsmo. “It’s inspiring to see how hard Wisconsin Union student leaders and team members work to put on all these great events for campus and community members and visitors to enjoy.”

The Wisconsin Union team offers many on-site dining options at its building Memorial Union, including an ice cream and dessert café, called the Daily Scoop; an Italian eatery, called Strada; and an iconic pub fare destination, called der Rathskeller. 

All must follow University of Wisconsin–Madison health and safety protocols, which currently require face coverings when indoors unless actively eating or drinking. The Wisconsin Union team and Wisconsin Alumni Association team frequently clean and disinfect their spaces, operating with the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. The teams look forward to welcoming guests to the Winter Carnival and Winter Carnival Family Fun in Alumni Park experiences. 

Events are subject to change. For more information about these winter celebrations, including an up-to-date full schedule of events, visit union.wisc.edu/wintercarnival. 

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About the Wisconsin Union

The Wisconsin Union enhances the lives of members and visitors through recreational, cultural, educational and social opportunities. Formed in 1907, the Wisconsin Union is a membership organization that blends study and leisure to create unique out-of-classroom opportunities. Learn more about the Union and its tradition of providing experiences for a lifetime: union.wisc.edu.

About the Wisconsin Alumni Association                        

Founded in 1861 to promote the welfare of the University of Wisconsin and serve the interests of its graduates, the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) connects, enriches and serves a growing number of alumni to help facilitate their support of each other and the university. WAA is a division of the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing UW–Madison. For more information, please visit uwalumni.com.   

[Click here to download photos from Wisconsin Union’s Winter Carnival at Memorial Union and the Wisconsin Alumni Association’s Winter Carnival Family Fun in Alumni Park.]

To read this release online, visit union.wisc.edu/news/winter-fun-2022.

Little John’s Creating Food Stories Mural on Overture Center Windows

During the months of December and January, Little John’s is creating a mural on the Overture Center windows. This mural is made up of food stories told by our Dane County community – you can submit your food stories here! 

This mural is raising awareness to the solution that Little John’s is developing, access to nutritious meals for everyone through a restaurant that allows visitors to pay as much or as little as they can for that day. 

Be sure to walk by the Overture Center and read the food stories written by your friends, family members and neighbors.

Madison Kraus-Anderson wraps up $42 million renovation of La Crosse Center

Project expands the landmark civic center into 120,000 square feet of multipurpose space for sports, entertainment and events

LA CROSSE, Wis. (December 2021) – The Madison office of Kraus-Anderson (KA) is about to complete construction of La Crosse Center, a $42 million expansion to the civic center, located at 400 La Crosse St. in La Crosse, Wis. The La Crosse Center has remained open during construction, which will be completed at the end of December. 

Designed by ISG Architects, the two-year project that began in late 2019, expands the sports, entertainment and event center into 120,000 square feet of multipurpose space. The renovation adds a new 12,892-square-foot Riverside Ballroom and pre-function area, 7,226-square-foot atrium, seven meeting rooms and office spaces. The project also features a new welcoming lobby with a grand staircase to the ballroom level, a renovated North Hall and extension over Front Street, and a roof top terrace that takes advantage of the beautiful Mississippi River views in downtown La Crosse.

The existing arena was completely renovated, replacing all of the seating; installing a higher quality sound system, ADA-compliant platforms and railings; and upgrading and enlarging the dressing rooms, locker rooms, restrooms and concession stands.

Green initiatives include solar paneling, low-energy lighting throughout the building, and an energy efficiency HVAC system.

In addition to sporting events, and concerts, the newly expanded La Crosse Center will be a popular venue to host weddings, conferences, trade shows and other events, which will have a positive impact on the city and region.

Kraus-Anderson has deep experience in constructing major event facilities, including:

–  Sanford Event Center, a 193,000-square-foot multi-purpose arena and convention center in Bemidji, Minn.

–  Rough Rider Center, a 262,000-square-foot municipal and event center in Watford City, N.D.

–  Viking Lakes Development, featuring Minnesota Vikings Headquarters and TCO Performance Center including five football fields and 6,000-stadium; and a 381,163-square-foot Omni Viking Lakes Hotel and event center in Eagan, Minn.

–  Iron Trail Motors Event Center, a 120,000-square-foot convention center and arena in Virginia, Minn.

–  Four Winds Casino, a 327,000-square-foot casino and event center in New Buffalo, Mich.  

COVID-19: KRAUS-ANDERSON’S COMMITMENT TO JOB SAFETY

As the world continues to deal with and adapt to the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kraus-Anderson’s top priority remains safety. The company has implemented stringent social distancing practices and other elevated safety protocol on construction job sites, details of which can be found at https://www.krausanderson.com/about/kraus-anderson-responds-to-covid-19/​.

About Kraus-Anderson

Established in 1897, Kraus-Anderson (www.krausanderson.com) is an integrated construction management and real estate development enterprise working independently and in collaboration with a family of companies, including insurance, mortgage and realty operations. Kraus-Anderson, an EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability employer, is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. and has regional offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wis., Bismarck, N.D., and Duluth, Bemidji and Rochester Minn.

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